Sen. Rand Paul

Maddy summaryS.J.Res. 59 is a resolution that would block a specific proposed military sale to the United Arab Emirates. The sale, detailed in a transmittal dated August 2, 2022, includes 96 THAAD missile rounds, two THAAD Launch Control Stations, two THAAD Tactical Operations Stations, and related support items like spare parts and secure communication equipment. If passed, the resolution would prohibit the U.S. government from finalizing this defense transaction with the UAE. The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 4, 2022, and referred to the Foreign Relations Committee.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 58) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific proposed foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia. It prohibits the sale of 300 PATRIOT MIM-104E missiles, related tools, training, support services, and other defense articles described in a government transmittal. The bill directly affects Saudi Arabia by blocking this arms transaction, which was submitted to Congress under the Arms Export Control Act. The resolution does not alter the sale's details but aims to prevent its implementation through congressional action.

Ethanol Access for a Sustainable Economy Act of 2022 or the EASE Act of 2022 This bill revises the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) requirements to provide for the year-round sale of ethanol-gasoline fuel blends that contain more than 10% denatured anhydrous ethanol. RVP is a metric of gasoline volatility (i.e., how quickly fuel evaporates into the atmosphere). Current law prohibits the sale of gasoline that exceed certain RVP limits during the high ozone season (i.e., the summer months). However, current law provides waivers from this requirement, including a waiver that gives certain ethanol-gasoline fuel blends containing 10% denatured anhydrous ethanol a higher RVP limit under certain conditions. This bill expands the waiver to include ethanol-gasoline fuel blends containing more than 10% of such ethanol, thus allowing year-round sales of such fuel blends.

Acting on the Annual Duplication Report Act of 2022 This bill requires various activities to implement recommendations identified in a report issued by the Government Accountability Office for reducing fragmentation, overlap, and duplication in federal programs. It specifically addresses recommendations concerning (1) the regulation of radioactive materials and disposal of low-level radioactive waste, and (2) coordination of federal efforts to reduce the risks of chronic health conditions through diet.

Right to Try Clarification Act This bill specifies that investigational drugs that are provided directly to individuals from manufacturers without the need for federal regulatory approval (i.e., via the Right to Try pathway) are exempt from restrictions that would otherwise apply under the Controlled Substances Act (e.g., restrictions on the use or possession of schedule I controlled substances).

Fixing Our Regulatory Mayhem Upsetting Little Americans Act or the FORMULA Act This bill provides, for 90 days beginning on this bill's enactment, duty-free treatment to infant formula.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 53) prohibits a specific proposed foreign military sale to Australia involving defense articles and services. It blocks the sale of 15 units each of AGM-88E2 missile guidance systems, HARM missile components, related support equipment, and software, as detailed in a transmittal submitted to Congress. The resolution invokes the Arms Export Control Act to require congressional disapproval of this sale, directly affecting the Australian government as the intended recipient. This is a procedural disapproval measure, not a new policy, halting the specific transaction described in the transmittal.

This joint resolution nullifies a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives rule published on April 26, 2022, concerning regulatory definitions and identification of firearms.

Educational Choice for Children Act This bill allows individuals and corporations a new tax credit after 2022 for charitable contributions to tax-exempt organizations that provide scholarships to elementary and secondary school students. Such students must be members of a household with incomes not greater 300% of the area median gross income and be eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school. The bill excludes from the gross income of taxpayer dependents any scholarship amount for the elementary or secondary education expenses of eligible students. It also prohibits governmental control over scholarship granting organizations.

This concurrent resolution establishes the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2023 and sets forth budgetary levels for FY2024-FY2032. The resolution recommends levels and amounts for FY2023-FY2032 for federal revenues, new budget authority, budget outlays, deficits, public debt, debt held by the public, and the major functional categories of spending. It also recommends levels and amounts for Social Security and Postal Service discretionary administrative expenses for the purpose of budget enforcement in the Senate. In addition, the resolution establishes reserve funds that allow certain adjustments to committee allocations and other budgetary levels to accommodate legislation relating to (1) efficiencies, consolidations, and other savings; or (2) health savings accounts. The resolution also sets forth budget enforcement procedures that address issues such as budget points of order, emergency legislation, and Congressional Budget Office cost estimates.