Sen. Josh Hawley

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3173) would ban publicly traded corporations from donating money or other value to federal elections. It directly affects large corporations listed on major stock exchanges (like the NYSE) and their affiliates, prohibiting them from making contributions, donations, or independent election spending. The key provision amends federal election law to make it unlawful for such corporations to directly fund campaigns, political committees accepting corporate money, or electioneering communications. This applies only to federal elections, not state or local races, and does not restrict non-corporate entities like unions or non-profits.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $13.5 billion in supplemental funding for Israel to support military and diplomatic assistance in response to the situation in Israel. It provides $4.4 billion for defense operations, $4 billion for Iron Dome and David's Sling defense systems, $1.2 billion for Iron Beam system development, and $3.5 billion for foreign military financing. The bill authorizes $7 billion in drawdown authority from Defense Department stockpiles for defense articles and services, with specific limitations preventing funds from being used for Ukraine assistance or for entities in Gaza controlled by Hamas. All funding must be designated as an emergency requirement by the President and is available for specific defense and diplomatic purposes. The bill includes provisions for transfer authority between accounts and notification requirements for congressional committees.

Maddy summarySJRES 47 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Department of Justice rule about home confinement for federal prisoners under the CARES Act. The rule, published in April 2023, would have established guidelines allowing the Justice Department to use home confinement as an alternative to prison for certain inmates during the pandemic. If passed, this resolution would cancel the rule, preventing it from taking effect. It follows the standard process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, for Congress to reject agency regulations.

Maddy summarySJRES 42 is a resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) rule that updated how discrimination complaints are processed in federal food assistance programs (like SNAP). The rule applied the Supreme Court's Bostock v. Clayton County decision - which prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity - to the handling of program discrimination complaints. If passed, this resolution would block the FNS rule from taking effect, preventing it from changing existing complaint procedures. The measure uses the Congressional Review Act process to overturn the rule without altering program benefits or eligibility.

Maddy summarySRES 435 is a Senate resolution designating October 30 through November 4, 2023, as "National Veterans Small Business Week." It formally recognizes the contributions of veterans who own small businesses, highlighting their role in the economy (over 1.7 million veteran-owned businesses employing 2.9 million people). The resolution expresses support for veterans' entrepreneurship, encourages policies reducing regulatory burdens for small businesses, and thanks veterans for their service through business ownership. This is a symbolic recognition with no new legal requirements or funding.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 418) is a symbolic Senate statement condemning Hamas' October 7 attacks on Israel and expressing disapproval of specific student group rhetoric on U.S. campuses. It directly addresses student organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapters at universities including Harvard, NYU, and UNC, which the resolution claims expressed support for Hamas' violence and antisemitic statements. The resolution formally condemns Hamas' attacks, denounces pro-Hamas student rhetoric as antisemitic, affirms Israel's right to exist, and urges U.S. government support for Israel. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but represents the Senate's official stance on these campus activities.

Maddy summaryS 3141, the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023, requires the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating discrimination claims under federal civil rights law (Title VI) in schools receiving federal funding. It specifically directs the Department to consider this definition when assessing whether discrimination against Jewish students or employees based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics violates anti-discrimination protections. The bill does not create new rights or alter existing legal standards but clarifies that antisemitism rooted in Jewish ancestry or ethnicity may fall under Title VI enforcement. It directly affects how the Department of Education handles discrimination complaints in K-12 schools and colleges, aligning enforcement with the IHRA definition already used by the Department since 2018. The bill explicitly states it does not expand the Department’s authority or impact First Amendment rights.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses Congress's support for the Geneva Consensus Declaration, a 2020 agreement signed by 32 countries (now 36) that promotes women's health while emphasizing family protection and affirming no international right to abortion. It urges the U.S. to rejoin the declaration, which reaffirms principles like the inherent dignity of life, the family as society's foundation, and national sovereignty over health policies. The resolution does not change existing law but calls for oversight to ensure U.S. foreign funding avoids abortion-related activities, consistent with current federal prohibitions. It directly affects U.S. foreign policy posture and diplomatic engagement with the declaration's signatory nations.

Maddy summaryS. RES. 420 designates Betty K. Koed as Historian Emerita of the U.S. Senate, effective October 21, 2023, honoring her 25-year career as the Senate's first female Historian (serving from 2015-2023 after roles as Assistant and Associate Historian). The resolution recognizes her work preserving Senate archives, producing historical publications, and supporting educational programs about Senate history. It is a ceremonial honor with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation or constituents.

This resolution states that the Senate stands with Israel as it defends itself, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas' war on Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and calls on the United States to lead an international effort to deprive Hamas of Iranian and other sources of funding and lethal assistance. Furthermore, the resolution states that nothing in it may be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force.