Sen. Roger Marshall

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 57 seeks congressional disapproval of a Treasury Department rule that set guidelines for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, a program distributing over $350 billion to state and local governments to address pandemic-related economic impacts. The rule, published in November 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 80584), outlined specific requirements for fund usage. If enacted, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect and requiring the Treasury to revert to prior administrative guidelines for distributing the funds. The resolution directly affects how the Treasury manages the program and how states and localities access pandemic recovery funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $40 million annually (from 2008 through 2029) for states to develop and implement statewide forest resource assessments and strategies. It directly affects state forestry programs by providing dedicated federal funding for these planning efforts. The key provision sets a yearly funding cap of $40 million per state, allowing states to use this specific appropriation alongside other existing funds under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act. Total annual spending for each state's forest planning cannot exceed this $40 million limit.

Maddy summaryThe RNGR Support Act of 2024 establishes a federal grant program to support tree and native plant nurseries and seed orchards. It directly affects State forestry agencies, Indian Tribes, and qualified private nurseries that grow native trees for reforestation, restoration, or conservation. The bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to fund projects improving nursery infrastructure, seed collection, seedling production, and workforce development through $25 million annually (2025-2029) plus up to $5 million yearly from the Reforestation Trust Fund. Key provisions include mandatory partnerships with tribes, federal agencies, and international organizations to share technical knowledge and address climate impacts on reforestation. This act focuses on strengthening the reforestation supply chain through concrete financial support and collaborative research.

Maddy summaryS 4344, the RIFLE Act, repeals a federal tax on firearm transfers by removing Section 5811 from the Internal Revenue Code. This directly affects firearm sellers and buyers who previously paid this tax on transfers. The bill makes technical adjustments to other tax code sections to reflect the repeal, ensuring consistency in the tax system. It does not change firearm ownership laws or regulations, only eliminating this specific tax. The repeal applies to transfers occurring after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4349) requires private health plans and insurance issuers to provide secure electronic transmission for prior authorization requests for prescription drugs, starting January 1, 2027. It directly affects health care professionals (like doctors), patients needing prescription coverage, and health plans/insurers. The key provision mandates that requests and responses must use secure electronic methods meeting federal technical standards (excluding fax, non-compliant portals, or basic electronic forms), with standards set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services after consulting stakeholders. It applies to group and individual health plans covered under the Public Health Service Act, ERISA, and Internal Revenue Code.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates the immediate delivery of all previously approved U.S. military equipment and services to Israel, including items withheld since May 2024. It requires the Defense and State Departments to deliver such aid within 15 days of enactment and obligate all unobligated security funds for Israel within 30 days. The bill also prohibits withholding or delaying these transfers and requires detailed monthly reports on security assistance provided to Israel since October 7, 2023. It directly affects U.S. military agencies (DoD, State) and Israel as the recipient of the aid, ensuring existing appropriations are used as intended without further delay.

Maddy summaryThe ROCR Value Based Program Act of 2024 establishes a new payment system for Medicare radiation therapy services, replacing the current physician fee schedule with per-episode payments that cover all professional and technical services for specific cancer treatments. This program aims to create stable payments, improve access to radiation therapy in underserved areas, enhance treatment quality through accreditation requirements, and reduce Medicare spending by 1% annually over five years. The bill includes a $500 health equity add-on payment per patient for transportation services when patients report transportation insecurity (using ICD-10 code Z59.82), and requires radiation therapy providers to maintain accreditation from recognized organizations like the American College of Radiology. The program applies to 15 included cancer types (including breast, prostate, lung, and brain metastases) but excludes treatments like brachytherapy and proton therapy for the first 10 years.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 682) condemns the Biden Administration's decision to pause specific weapons shipments to Israel, including 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, as reported on May 7, 2024. It demands the administration immediately resume military aid to Israel to support its defense against threats from Hamas and Iran. The resolution reaffirms the U.S. historical commitment to providing military assistance to Israel, citing over $158 billion in aid since World War II. As a symbolic Senate resolution, it does not change policy but formally opposes the pause in weapons transfers.

Maddy summaryThe MOMS Act establishes a federal website called "pregnancy.gov" that will provide a searchable directory of resources for pregnant and postpartum women, including medical care, housing assistance, nutrition support, and parenting services, with features to locate resources by ZIP code and language preference. It creates a grant program to fund nonprofit organizations that help women carry pregnancies to term and provide services like adoption referrals, mental health support, and childcare assistance, while prohibiting funding for abortion-related services or organizations that provide or support abortions. The bill also amends child support laws to allow enforcement of support obligations for unborn children, beginning from the month of conception with the mother's consent, and requires that all resources listed on the website comply with specific criteria excluding certain organizations. The website must be available in multiple languages and will include user feedback mechanisms to identify resource gaps in communities. This legislation aims to improve access to prenatal and postnatal care, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas, through these coordinated resource and support systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the Corporate Transparency Act and related provisions from the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which required certain businesses to report beneficial ownership information to the Treasury Department. It directly affects businesses subject to these reporting requirements, removing a federal mandate for them to disclose ownership details. Key provisions include eliminating the Corporate Transparency Act itself and making technical changes to Title 31 of the U.S. Code and the Anti-Money Laundering Act to remove references to the repealed provisions. The bill focuses solely on reversing specific reporting obligations, not on creating new rules or policies.