Sen. Roger Marshall

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 summaryThis bill (S 3330) requires the Secretary of Labor to study whether pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) should be treated as fiduciaries under federal retirement law. The study would examine the impacts of a policy change that would make PBMs legally responsible for acting in the best interest of health plans and their members, including restrictions on certain fees tied to drug prices. It would not change current law but would assess how such a policy might affect PBM fee structures and transparency. The study must be completed within two years of the bill's enactment and reported to Congress.

Maddy summaryS 3320, the TERM Act, limits federal executive branch employees to a maximum of 12 years of total service across all positions. It directly affects most non-exempt federal workers (excluding presidential appointees, law enforcement, military personnel, and certain Department of Defense civil service roles). The bill requires current employees with 9 or more years of service to leave their positions within 3 years of the law's enactment, and those separating earlier must not exceed 12 years total service upon rehire. Key provisions establish a strict 12-year cap and a 3-year transition period for affected current staff.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 49 seeks congressional disapproval of a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule that would have established a new standard for determining when two or more companies are considered "joint employers" under labor law. The rule, published in October 2023, would have affected businesses with complex employment structures, such as franchisors and contractors, by altering how joint employer liability is assessed for wage, hour, and union representation matters. If passed, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preserving the previous standard for joint employer determinations. The bill was introduced by Senators Cassidy, Manchin, Braun, McConnell, Marshall, Cramer, Capito, and Paul and referred to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Maddy summarySRES 459 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing November 2023 as National Native American Heritage Month and the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day, as specified in the 2009 Native American Heritage Day Act. It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges Native Americans' contributions to U.S. history, culture, and society through "appropriate programs and activities." The resolution highlights historical context, including Native American cultural preservation, military service, and influences on U.S. governance, without imposing obligations on any entity. It directly affects the general public by encouraging observance during November 2023. This is a symbolic gesture, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryS 3269, the "Prohibiting Nationalization of American Companies and Investments Act of 2023," prohibits the Government of Ukraine from using any U.S. government funds (appropriated before, during, or after the bill's enactment) to nationalize, expropriate, seize, or restrict shareholder rights to U.S. assets in Ukraine. It directly affects U.S. investors, including those owning shares in publicly traded Ukrainian companies, by blocking Ukraine from using U.S. funds to take control of their investments. The key provision explicitly bans Ukraine from using any U.S. appropriated funds for actions targeting U.S. assets, ensuring these investments cannot be seized through government action funded by the U.S.

Maddy summaryThe Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act extends funding for community health centers, the National Health Service Corps, and teaching health centers through 2028. It creates new programs to train and retain primary care doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, including rural residency programs, nurse faculty development, and primary care nurse residency training with specific funding allocations. The bill also includes provisions to reduce patient costs by banning anticompetitive terms in insurance contracts and requiring transparent billing for off-campus outpatient services. These changes directly affect health care providers, community health centers, and patients in underserved areas.

Maddy summaryThe NOTICE Act (S 3218) requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to notify state governors and local government leaders before transporting immigrants from within 100 miles of the U.S. border to another state or jurisdiction. This notification must include each immigrant’s name, country of origin, age, sex, criminal convictions, gang affiliations, and the security screenings they underwent. The law directly affects state and local officials who receive these pre-transport alerts, aiming to provide transparency about immigrant movements. It applies to all federal agencies or funded entities handling such transportation, focusing on mandatory disclosure of specific personal and security details.

Maddy summaryThe Justice for Angel Families Act (S 3209) expands federal victim compensation to include "angel families" - immediate family members of homicide victims caused by specific offenders, such as unlawfully present immigrants or members of international drug cartels. It amends the Victims of Crime Act to cover medical, mental health, wage loss, and funeral expenses for these families. The bill also creates a new Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office within Homeland Security to provide victims and families with a dedicated hotline, immigration process support, case referrals, and annual reports tracking crime demographics and locations. These changes directly affect families of homicide victims where the perpetrator falls under the defined categories, aiming to improve access to resources and data collection.