Sen. Kevin Cramer

Maddy summaryThis bill would change the federal budget process from an annual cycle to a biennial (every two years) cycle. It revises deadlines for key budget actions, requiring the President to submit a biennial budget by February 1st of odd-numbered years and Congress to complete budget resolutions by May 15th. The bill updates numerous references from "fiscal year" to "biennium" throughout budget-related laws, requiring budget resolutions and appropriations bills to cover two consecutive fiscal years. This change would directly affect the President, Congress, and federal agencies, which would need to adjust their budget planning and reporting processes to align with the new biennial cycle starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act creates 40,000 new employment-based immigrant visas for healthcare workers by recapturing unused visas from fiscal years 1992-2021, with 25,000 reserved for professional nurses and 15,000 for physicians. These visas are exempt from country caps and issued based on priority date, but must be applied for within three years of the bill’s enactment and only for applicants not already eligible under existing visa allocations. The bill also requires employers to attest that hiring foreign workers won’t displace U.S. workers and mandates expedited processing for these applications without additional fees. This policy directly affects nurses and physicians seeking to immigrate for healthcare roles in the U.S., along with their eligible family members.

Maddy summaryThe Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023 establishes the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund, initially funded with $150 million, to cover expenses related to seizures and forfeitures of property connected to sanctions violations by Iran or its designated proxies like Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The fund will pay for law enforcement costs including investigations, detention, equipment, and rewards for informants, with priority given to seizing oil and petroleum products that fund terrorist activities. The bill also creates an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security to better coordinate federal agencies' efforts on sanctions enforcement. Annual reports to Congress will detail fund usage, seizures, and financial status, with the fund required to repay the Treasury $150 million by 2034 unless waived for national security reasons.

This bill expands the tax deduction for qualified medical expenses to include dietary supplement products (i.e., nutritional products with labeling relating to their effects on bodily functions) and foods for a special dietary use (i.e., vitamins and minerals). The bill also allows payments from certain tax-preferred spending and reimbursement accounts for these products.

This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to families and businesses and would severely harm the economic and national security of the country.

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 bill requires drug manufacturers to annually report the sources and percentages of key ingredients used in their products. It directly affects companies holding FDA-approved drug applications by mandating transparency about where critical ingredients (both active and inactive) are sourced. The bill also adds new inspection criteria for drug facilities, focusing on reliance on foreign adversaries and dependency on single global suppliers for essential medicines. Additionally, it updates rules to prioritize U.S. or allied-made pharmaceutical ingredients for government procurement, aiming to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities. All reported ingredient data will be shared with the Department of Defense and published publicly in aggregate form, without revealing proprietary details.

This resolution recognizes October 2023 as National Women's Small Business Month, honoring the role of women small business owners and entrepreneurs and encouraging the support and creation of women-owned small businesses.

Maddy summarySRES 426 is a Senate resolution designating November 4, 2023 (the first Saturday of November), as "National Bison Day." It directly recognizes the cultural, historical, and economic significance of bison to Native American tribes, rural communities, and the U.S. ecosystem. The resolution encourages the American public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities, but it does not create new laws, funding, or obligations. This is a symbolic gesture acknowledging bison's role as the national mammal and its importance to tribal heritage and conservation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the National Dam Safety Program through 2028, extending funding and updating requirements for dam safety. It defines "small disadvantaged community" (under 50,000 population with income below 80% of state median) and ensures these communities receive priority for dam rehabilitation grants. Key provisions require dam owners to commit to long-term maintenance plans and mandate floodplain management plans - either already in place or developed within two years - to reduce flood risks and protect communities. The bill also establishes a risk-based priority system for states to allocate grants for high-hazard dams.