Sen. Jerry Moran

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. federal agencies from purchasing cookware, utensils, carpets, or furniture containing PFOS or PFOA starting October 1, 2025. It requires agencies to prioritize buying products that do not contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) when available. The law directly affects all executive agencies defined under federal procurement rules, mandating a shift toward safer chemical alternatives in their purchasing decisions.

Maddy summaryS 3356, the Postal Police Reform Act of 2023, clarifies the duties of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) police officers. It specifies that these officers protect mail, USPS-owned or controlled property, people on that property, and USPS employees on duty anywhere in the U.S. The bill revises existing law to explicitly state that officers may act beyond USPS property when necessary to fulfill these protective duties. It also corrects a minor typo in the legal reference. This bill directly affects USPS police officers by defining their scope of responsibility more precisely.

Maddy summaryThe FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2023 extends FISA surveillance authorities through 2035 while adding significant new protections for U.S. persons. It requires the FBI to implement stricter procedures for queries of communications, including mandatory training, approval processes for certain queries, and detailed annual reporting on surveillance activities. The bill also mandates accuracy certifications for FISA applications, enhances congressional oversight, and establishes a new FISA Reform Commission to review the surveillance system. These changes aim to balance national security needs with privacy protections for U.S. citizens.

Maddy summarySRES 470 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating November 16, 2023, as "National Rural Health Day." It commemorates rural communities' contributions to health care and acknowledges the unique challenges rural health providers and patients face, including access barriers and hospital closures. The resolution recognizes the efforts of rural health care workers and the millions they serve, while expressing a commitment to future policy improvements for rural health care. It does not create new laws, funding, or direct obligations - it serves solely as a formal acknowledgment of rural health issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 43) is a joint resolution seeking to block a Department of Education rule that would have improved income-driven repayment plans for federal student loans. It targets a specific rule (88 Fed. Reg. 43820, July 10, 2023) affecting borrowers in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. If passed, the resolution would make this rule void, preventing it from taking effect. The resolution uses a specific procedural mechanism under Title 5 of U.S. Code to achieve this disapproval. It directly impacts student loan borrowers who rely on income-driven repayment options.

Maddy summaryThe AVERT Crises Act of 2023 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a high-frequency emergency communications system in all VA medical facilities within two years. This system must function independently during disasters without external infrastructure, enable coordination with other agencies, and help maintain healthcare services for veterans. The bill mandates VA staff training, annual emergency exercises, and regular reporting to Congress on system performance, including a three-year Inspector General audit to assess effectiveness and staffing. These changes directly affect VA medical facilities, their staff, and veterans relying on VA healthcare during emergencies.

Maddy summaryThe Expanding American Entrepreneurship Act amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to ease regulatory requirements for certain investment companies. It increases the investor limit from 250 to 500 people and raises the asset threshold from $10 million to $50 million for companies qualifying under Section 3(c)(1). This directly affects venture capital firms and early-stage investment funds, allowing them to manage larger pools of capital with fewer regulatory hurdles. The key change reduces the compliance burden for these firms when raising funds from more investors and handling larger assets.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to certify service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) instead of allowing self-certification for federal contracts. It mandates that all prime contracts and subcontracts counting toward federal procurement goals for SDVOSBs must be awarded only to businesses certified by the SBA as meeting SDVOSB criteria. Existing self-certified SDVOSBs have one year from the bill’s enactment to apply for formal SBA certification; those who don’t apply will lose their self-certified status after that period.

Maddy summaryS 749 (NACIE Improvement Act) requires the President to add at least one Tribal College or University president to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) within 180 days of enactment. It mandates that NACIE’s annual report be shared with the Secretaries of Education and Interior by June 30 each year. Both departments must then consider this report when preparing their federal budget proposals. This directly affects Tribal Colleges through membership inclusion and influences federal education funding decisions via budget considerations.

Maddy summarySJRES 50 is a joint resolution seeking to block a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule on cybersecurity risk management and incident disclosure. The rule, published in August 2023, would have required public companies to establish specific cybersecurity practices and disclose incidents to investors. This resolution uses a congressional disapproval process under federal law to prevent the rule from taking effect. If passed, it would halt the SEC's requirements, meaning companies would not face new cybersecurity reporting obligations.