Sen. Ted Budd

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 93) seeks to block a specific rule proposed by the Department of Commerce. It targets the rule titled "Revision of Firearms License Requirements" (published April 30, 2024, in the Federal Register), which would have changed requirements for firearms licenses. If passed, the resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect by invoking a congressional disapproval process under Title 5, U.S. Code. The resolution directly affects the implementation of the Commerce Department's proposed firearms licensing changes, not the licensing requirements themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 94) seeks to block a proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that would have changed regulations for the Unaccompanied Children Program. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2024, aimed to update how unaccompanied alien children are placed, cared for, and provided services. If approved, this resolution would prevent the rule from taking effect, keeping existing regulations in place. It directly affects the federal program that handles minors entering the U.S. without parents or guardians. The bill does not change the program's operations but stops the proposed regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution states that the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision (which overturned Roe v. Wade) does not affect women's legal right to access contraception. It clarifies that the Court explicitly limited Dobbs to abortion rights and affirmed that its ruling "should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion." The resolution aims to prevent confusion by affirming that federal agencies must not change policies regarding contraceptive access based on Dobbs. It is a non-binding statement from the Senate, not a law, intended to reassure the public about existing contraceptive rights.

Maddy summaryS 4484, the "Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act," imposes U.S. sanctions on individuals or entities supporting the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating or prosecuting "protected persons." It directly affects ICC officials, foreign nationals aiding ICC actions against U.S. citizens or officials from non-ICC ally nations (like Israel), and their immediate family members. Key provisions require the President to block property and deny visas to targeted individuals, while permanently rescinding all U.S. funding for the ICC. The bill defines "protected persons" as U.S. military personnel, government officials, and allied officials from nations not party to the ICC’s Rome Statute.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 717 calls on the Biden Administration to pursue three specific actions regarding Iran's nuclear program: censure Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), refer the issue to the UN Security Council, and reaffirm measures to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. It directly addresses the executive branch, urging diplomatic and multilateral steps based on Iran's noncompliance with nuclear safeguards under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The resolution cites Iran's enrichment of uranium to 60% purity, advanced centrifuge development, and obstruction of IAEA inspections as key justifications. It does not create new laws or impose direct requirements but seeks to guide U.S. diplomatic strategy at international forums.

Maddy summarySRES 705 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing May 28, 2024, as the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol. It commends the service of current and past Border Patrol agents, including honoring 155 agents who died in the line of duty. The resolution expresses support for improving working conditions and retention for Border Patrol agents but does not create new policies or affect any specific group through legislative action. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect on government operations or policy.

Retirement Investment in Small Employers Act  This bill allows an increased tax credit for small employer pension plan startup costs for certain qualified microemployers (eligible employers who accept certain matching contributions).

Maddy summaryS 4401, the Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act, requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure that the net cost of federal regulations to small businesses remains at or below zero each fiscal year. It directly affects small business concerns defined under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632) by mandating the SBA Administrator to offset regulatory costs through rulemaking. Key provisions include requiring the SBA to submit annual reports to Congress detailing all federal regulations impacting small businesses, disaggregated by agency, covering the preceding and following fiscal years. The bill focuses on measuring and reducing the financial burden of federal rules on small businesses through SBA oversight and transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires prime contractors working with the government to use plain writing when soliciting subcontractors, directly affecting small businesses seeking subcontract opportunities. It mandates that all subcontract solicitations and related subcontracts must be written clearly and simply, as defined by the 2010 Plain Writing Act. If a contractor fails to comply, they must provide a corrected solicitation in plain writing within 30 days of a Small Business Administration (SBA) determination. The SBA must issue regulations within 90 days to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 58) seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Energy rule establishing new energy efficiency standards for consumer furnaces. It targets the specific rule published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 87502), which set requirements for furnace manufacturers. If passed, the resolution would nullify this rule, preventing it from taking effect and requiring the Department of Energy to withdraw the standards. The resolution directly affects furnace manufacturers and consumers by halting the implementation of these new efficiency requirements.