Sen. Steve Daines

Maddy summaryThis bill requires abortion providers to offer patients specific disposal options for fetal remains after an abortion, including taking the remains or having the provider arrange interment or cremation. Providers must obtain patient consent in writing for disposal choices and retain these records. If patients choose provider disposal, providers must arrange final disposition (interment or cremation) within 7 days, with penalties including fines up to $50,000 for documentation failures or criminal charges for non-compliance. Annual reports on procedures and disposal methods are also mandated for providers and the Secretary of Health.

Maddy summaryThe HALT Fentanyl Act (S 1141) creates a new, broader definition for "fentanyl-related substances" under the Controlled Substances Act, making many chemical variations subject to Schedule I restrictions without needing individual listing. It establishes streamlined research registration procedures for scientists studying these substances, allowing single registrations for multi-site research within institutions and creating expedited processes for new research applications. The bill also includes provisions to allow ongoing research on substances newly added to Schedule I, with specific timelines for researchers to transition to full registration. These changes aim to balance strict controls on fentanyl-related substances with the need for medical research on these compounds.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals two specific legal authorizations for U.S. military force against Iraq: the 1991 authorization (Public Law 102-1) and the 2002 authorization (Public Law 107-243). If enacted, it would end the legal basis for military operations in Iraq under these two resolutions. The repeal directly affects the executive branch’s authority to use military force against Iraq under these specific laws. It does not create new policy but removes existing legal permissions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 133) honors the 30th anniversary of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program. It recognizes the program’s work providing free alternative education and structured discipline to at-risk youth aged 16-18, commends over 200,000 graduates, and reaffirms Senate support for the program’s mission. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but formally acknowledges the program’s role in helping youth develop skills through residential and mentoring phases. It was introduced by Senators Baldwin, Capito, Cassidy, and others in March 2023.

Maddy summaryS 1048 designates nine specific Mexican drug cartels - including the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, and Gulf Cartel - as foreign terrorist organizations under existing law (Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act). This designation would enable federal authorities to use new legal tools, such as prosecuting drug traffickers who fund these groups, freezing cartel assets, and imposing penalties on financial institutions that fail to block their funds. The bill also creates an interagency task force led by the Director of National Intelligence to coordinate intelligence, strategy, and enforcement across agencies like Homeland Security and the Treasury. This directly targets the cartels’ operations and funding streams, aiming to disrupt the flow of fentanyl and other drugs into the U.S.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to offset any new direct spending caused by their administrative actions (like rule changes or guidance). Agencies must propose equivalent spending reductions before implementing rules that increase costs, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviews these proposals. It applies to all executive agencies (e.g., EPA, Social Security Administration) and military departments, but excludes the Government Accountability Office. The law aims to prevent uncontrolled spending increases from agency actions by mandating budget neutrality for new rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal "National Parkinson’s Project" under the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate efforts across agencies in preventing, treating, and curing Parkinson’s disease and related conditions. It requires an integrated national plan, annual progress assessments, and a public Advisory Council - including patient advocates, researchers, and healthcare providers - to guide strategy and recommend actions. The project mandates data sharing among federal agencies and biannual reports to Congress evaluating federally funded Parkinson’s programs, aiming to improve care coordination, reduce financial burdens on Medicare and families, and advance research on environmental triggers. The law directly affects people living with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and federal health agencies involved in research and patient services. The initiative is scheduled to sunset in 2035.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make telehealth services more accessible under health insurance plans. It creates a "safe harbor" so health plans that don't require deductibles for telehealth and remote care services won't lose their status as high-deductible health plans. The change directly affects health insurance plans and their members who use telehealth, ensuring these services remain covered without penalty. The provision takes effect upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 22) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Education regarding federal student loan modifications. It targets the rule titled "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans," which included a one-time debt relief program announced in October 2022. The resolution requests Congress disapprove the rule under the Congressional Review Act, preventing the Department from implementing it. If approved, the rule would have no legal effect, directly affecting how student loan borrowers could access modifications or debt relief under that specific policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Commander of NORAD to conduct a gap analysis of NORAD's capabilities, specifically identifying any limitations that could allow foreign aircraft to enter U.S. or Canadian airspace unnoticed. The analysis must examine vulnerabilities exploited or potentially exploitable by foreign nations. Within 90 days of the bill becoming law, the Commander must submit a report on the findings to the Senate and House Committees on Armed Services. The bill directly affects NORAD's operational assessment process and mandates a formal congressional report on airspace security gaps.