Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 395) recognizes the service of approximately 61,000 Montagnard indigenous people from Vietnam's Central Highlands who fought alongside U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, including 43,000 in Civilian Irregular Defense Groups (CIDGs). It condemns the Vietnamese government's ongoing human rights violations against Montagnards, citing documented abuses such as forced religious renunciation, land confiscation, imprisonment for peaceful protests, and restrictions on religious practice. The resolution specifically references U.S. government reports (2022 Human Rights and Religious Freedom Reports) detailing systematic discrimination and violence targeting Montagnard Christians in the Central Highlands. It urges the U.S. government to support Montagnards and other marginalized groups while calling on Vietnam to end these abuses and respect basic rights.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 394 is a Senate resolution introduced on October 3, 2023, honoring the late James L. Buckley, a former U.S. Senator from New York (1971-1977) who died in 2023. The resolution expresses the Senate's sorrow at his passing and directs the Senate to communicate the resolution to the House of Representatives and Buckley's family, while calling for an immediate adjournment in his memory. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or affect any policies, as it solely serves to commemorate Buckley's life and legacy.
Maddy summarySRES 393 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the U.S. Senate to honor the late Duncan McLauchlin "Lauch" Faircloth, a former North Carolina U.S. Senator (1993-1999) and longtime public servant. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow" over his death, requests the Secretary of the Senate notify the House of Representatives and deliver a copy to his family, and directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It commemorates Faircloth's career, including his service as North Carolina's Secretary of Commerce, his advocacy for free enterprise, and his role in preventing Washington D.C. bankruptcy. As a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes, it does not affect any laws or constituents.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the tax deduction rate for volunteer drivers who transport people or goods for qualifying nonprofits. It changes the standard mileage rate from 14 cents per mile to a rate set by the Treasury Secretary (minimum: the standard business mileage rate), effective for 2023 tax returns. The change directly affects volunteer drivers for organizations described in tax code section 170(c), such as food banks or community service groups. This provides a higher tax benefit for their mileage expenses compared to the previous fixed rate.
Maddy summaryThe Passport Sanity Act (S 3011) requires U.S. passports, passport cards, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad to only display "male" or "female" gender designations, banning the "X" gender option. It directly affects individuals who currently use or seek to use the "X" designation on these travel documents. The bill mandates that the Department of State stop issuing any covered document with the "X" gender marker and limits applications to only the two standard gender choices. This is a concrete policy change altering how gender is recorded on federal travel documents.
Maddy summaryS.3028, the PUNISH Act of 2023, extends existing U.S. sanctions against Iran by preventing their modification or removal until a specified termination date. It requires the Secretary of State to submit annual reports to Congress assessing whether Iran's government or affiliated entities (like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) have engaged in activities such as assassinations, violence against U.S. citizens, or politically motivated detention of Iranian nationals in the U.S. The bill maintains current sanctions tied to Executive Orders 13871, 13876, 13902, and 13949, as well as sanctions on Iran's Central Bank and National Development Fund. These measures remain in effect until the President certifies compliance with specific conditions under the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Act.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands confidential review options for companies preparing to go public. It removes the previous restriction that limited confidential draft filings to "emerging growth companies," allowing all companies (issuers) to submit draft registration statements confidentially to the SEC before an IPO or exchange listing. Key provisions require these confidential drafts to be publicly filed at least 15 days before a roadshow or the registration's effective date. The SEC can later create additional rules for non-emerging-growth companies through standard rulemaking procedures, including submitting a report to Congress before implementing new requirements.
Maddy summaryS 1624, the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, redirects civil monetary penalties from securities violations to fund pediatric research. It transfers fines collected from companies violating food, drug, supplement, and cosmetic regulations (under the Securities Exchange Act) into a dedicated NIH pediatric research fund. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the NIH Director to coordinate pediatric research using these funds and avoid duplication of existing efforts. It also mandates a 4-year report to Congress detailing funded projects and advancements in pediatric research. This policy change directly affects the NIH, pediatric research initiatives, and companies subject to the securities penalties.
Maddy summarySRES 310 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) for 50 years of providing motorcycle safety education. It honors the MSF's work in developing rider training programs used by 46 states and the military, which have trained 10 million motorcyclists through its Basic Rider Course. The resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or directly affect any individuals or policies - it solely acknowledges the organization's contributions to rider safety education. This is a ceremonial gesture with no legislative impact beyond recognition.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that designated the Northern Long-Eared Bat as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. The rule, published in November 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 73488), would have provided federal protections for the bat and restricted activities impacting its habitat. If passed, this resolution would block those protections from taking effect, removing the bat’s endangered status. It uses a procedural mechanism under Title 5, U.S. Code, allowing Congress to reject agency regulations.