Sen. John Kennedy

Maddy summaryThis bill blocks the U.S. Commerce and Interior Departments from implementing new vessel speed or operational restrictions in the Gulf of Mexico's oil and gas areas until they complete a required study. The study must assess impacts on Rice's whales' habitat and prove such restrictions won't harm energy production, military readiness, fishing, or maritime commerce. It also mandates that any future "mitigation protocols" for whale protection cannot include nighttime transit bans or speed limits. The bill directly affects Gulf oil/gas leasing, development, and marine conservation efforts by delaying potential regulatory changes.

This resolution supports the designation of September 21, 2023, as National Teach Ag Day and recognizes the important role of agricultural education and the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 376 clarifies the existing requirement for business attire on the Senate floor, specifying that men must wear a coat, tie, and long pants. The resolution designates the Senate Sergeant at Arms to enforce this dress code and mandates that any future changes to the rule require a two-thirds vote of all senators. This procedural resolution formalizes current standards without altering them, ensuring consistency in Senate decorum.

AGOA Extension Act of 2023 This bill extends through September 30, 2045, the duty-free treatment of the products of beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries under the Trade Act of 1974 and the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The extended period also applies to the preferential treatment of apparel articles wholly assembled, or components knit-to-shape and wholly assembled, in one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries from yarns originating in the United States or one or more beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries or former beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries, or both; and the third-country fabric program granting duty-free treatment of apparel articles wholly assembled, or knit-to-shape and wholly assembled, or both, in one or more lesser developed beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries, regardless of the country of origin of the fabric or the yarn used to make such articles.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2943) amends the National School Lunch Act to require schools to provide fluid milk substitutes for students with medical or special dietary needs, including those not classified as disabilities. It updates the criteria for acceptable substitutes to align with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The bill simplifies the approval process by allowing substitutions based on a written statement from a medical authority or the student/parent, removing prior requirements for school notifications and detailed medical documentation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to set employee pay rates using the standard federal General Schedule (Title 5 U.S.C. § 5332), replacing its current pay system. It directly affects all CFPB employees by mandating that their compensation aligns with the same pay scales used across most federal agencies. The key provision amends the CFPB's governing law to direct the Bureau Director to follow the General Schedule for setting and adjusting basic pay. The change takes effect 90 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summarySRES 353 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating the week of September 16-23, 2023, as "National Estuaries Week." It expresses the Senate’s support for raising public awareness about the ecological and economic importance of estuaries. The resolution highlights estuaries’ role in supporting jobs, economic output, and critical habitats, while acknowledging threats like pollution and habitat loss. This procedural resolution has no direct regulatory or funding impact - it serves solely as a formal acknowledgment of estuaries’ value.

Maddy summarySRES 354 is a Senate resolution formally congratulating the Louisiana State University (LSU) baseball team for winning the 2023 NCAA Division I College World Series. The resolution recognizes the team's championship victory, their season record (54 wins, 17 losses), and key individual achievements, such as record-breaking performances by players like Paul Skenes. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy to LSU head coach Jay Johnson, university president William F. Tate IV, and athletic director Scott Woodward. This is a symbolic, non-binding resolution with no policy changes or direct legal effects.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution expresses Congress's support for Israel by declaring it is not a racist or apartheid state, rejecting antisemitism and xenophobia, and affirming the U.S. as a steadfast partner. It serves as a symbolic statement of bipartisan backing without creating new laws, funding, or obligations. Introduced by Senators Cotton, Cruz, and others in July 2023, it reflects congressional sentiment rather than policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hire the maximum number of new air traffic controllers each year from 2024 through 2028, based on the training capacity of the FAA Academy. It directly affects the FAA, which must set annual hiring targets aligned with its ability to train new controllers. The law does not change existing hiring rules but mandates that the FAA utilize its full training capacity each year for new controller hires during this period. It excludes certain individuals specified under federal law, but the core provision focuses on maximizing new controller recruitment within available training resources.