Sen. Ted Budd

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 41) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific immigration rule issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The rule, published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2023, addressed "Circumvention of Lawful Pathways" in immigration processing. The resolution would formally block the rule from taking effect by directing Congress to disapprove it under procedures in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This action directly affects how USCIS and immigration courts implement certain immigration pathways.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate resolution expresses the chamber's support for nuclear power as a clean, reliable energy source critical to achieving a secure, low-emission grid. It commits the Senate to promoting nuclear energy development, including establishing domestic uranium production, strengthening the nuclear supply chain, and cultivating a skilled workforce. The resolution also highlights nuclear energy as an export opportunity for U.S. manufacturing expertise. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect policy implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises federal aviation rules to allow pilots to conduct specific maneuvers - like go-arounds, inspection passes, practice approaches, and qualified instrument approaches - without adhering to standard minimum altitude requirements. It directly affects pilots operating aircraft in remote "backcountry" areas, where low-altitude maneuvers are common for landing site evaluation or training. The key mechanism requires the FAA to update regulations within 180 days of enactment, prohibits enforcement actions against these maneuvers for one year after enactment, and shifts the burden of proof to the FAA in any enforcement case. The bill does not mandate these maneuvers but clarifies that pilots may safely perform them under defined conditions without violating existing altitude rules.

Maddy summaryS 2671, the DRIVE Act, prohibits the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from requiring large trucks (over 26,000 pounds gross weight) operating in interstate commerce to install speed limiting devices. This directly affects commercial trucking companies and operators transporting goods across state lines with qualifying vehicles. The bill prevents the agency from creating a new rule mandating these devices, effectively maintaining the current regulatory status for such vehicles. The legislation focuses solely on blocking this specific requirement, without altering other safety regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2647, SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023) provides federal funding to improve stillbirth data collection, research, and education. It authorizes $5 million annually for states to collect stillbirth data using existing health records while protecting privacy, $1 million for developing standardized data collection guidelines and public educational materials, and $3 million for specialized training programs in perinatal pathology and stillbirth research. The bill directly affects state health departments, medical professionals (like obstetricians and pathologists), and families impacted by stillbirth through improved data systems and educational resources. Key provisions require standardized data reporting, consultation with affected families and healthcare providers, and mandatory reports on program progress within five years of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe CONNECT Act of 2023 establishes a broadband loan and grant program to expand high-speed internet access in rural communities. It creates technical assistance offices and mini-grants (up to $20,000) to help small providers (serving ≤20,000 subscribers) prepare applications, while prioritizing applications from local governments, nonprofits, and cooperatives. The bill streamlines federal permitting for broadband projects on federal lands and establishes a council to develop uniform speed requirements and application standards for federally funded broadband initiatives. It updates eligibility criteria to target areas without existing broadband service or with stalled projects, directly affecting rural communities, small internet providers, and federal agencies administering broadband programs.

Maddy summarySRES 166 is a symbolic Senate resolution honoring the U.S. Coast Guard for its maritime border security work. It recognizes the Coast Guard's 2022 achievements, including interdicting over 330,000 pounds of narcotics, intercepting 12,500 illegal immigrants, and patrolling over 95,000 miles of U.S. coastline. The resolution expresses the Senate's gratitude to Coast Guard personnel for their "exemplary service" in safeguarding borders. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThe RAPID Reserve Act (S 2510) creates a federal program to prevent critical drug shortages by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with eligible manufacturers and distributors to maintain 6-month reserves of key drugs and their active ingredients. It directly affects qualifying drug manufacturers (with domestic or OECD-registered facilities, strong quality records, and domestic manufacturing capacity) and distributors, focusing on drugs with vulnerable supply chains that are critical for public health emergencies or at-risk populations. Key mechanisms include mandating regular replenishment of reserves, allowing the Secretary to redirect reserves during emergencies, and prioritizing domestic manufacturing capacity. The program is funded with $500 million for fiscal year 2024, with annual reports to Congress on drug selections and program effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal criminal law to specifically protect veterans by expanding the definition of "victims" in certain fraud-related offenses. It adds "targeted veterans (as defined in Title 38)" to the list of protected individuals under Section 2326(2) of the U.S. Code, meaning crimes committed against veterans will now trigger enhanced penalties. The key change is a technical update to the legal definition, ensuring veterans are explicitly included in existing sentencing enhancements for fraud crimes. This directly affects federal prosecutors and courts when charging and sentencing individuals who commit fraud against veterans of any age. The bill does not create new programs or funding but modifies criminal penalty provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Defense from using military funds to cover travel, lodging, meals, or transportation expenses related to abortions for service members or their dependents, except in cases where the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life, results from rape, or results from incest. It also terminates a 2022 Department of Defense memo that allowed access to abortion-related care and bans using medical convalescent leave or administrative absences for abortion-related travel under the same limited exceptions. The bill directly affects active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their dependents who might seek abortion care. It modifies existing travel and leave regulations under U.S. Code titles 37 and 10 to restrict these benefits, aligning with existing federal law that limits abortion funding. The policy change removes prior allowances for abortion-related travel expenses and leave under military benefits programs.