Sen. Kevin Cramer

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies when a worker is classified as an employee versus an independent contractor under federal law. It adds specific criteria: a worker is an independent contractor if the company doesn't control *how* the work is done (only the final result) and the worker has entrepreneurial risks and opportunities. The bill explicitly prohibits using factors like compliance with health/safety standards, insurance requirements, or meeting deadlines to classify workers as employees. This directly affects workers (determining their eligibility for minimum wage, overtime, and union rights) and businesses that classify workers as contractors.

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 requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to complete specific studies before finalizing or enforcing its proposed Motor Vehicle Dealers Trade Regulation Rule (the 2022 rule and similar future rules). It mandates a quantitative study on automotive retailing, consumer testing on new mandates, and an economic analysis of costs/benefits - each open to 30 days of public comment and peer-reviewed - before the FTC can proceed. These requirements must be submitted to Congress, and the rule must apply equally to all auto sellers (franchised, independent, and direct). The bill directly affects the FTC’s rulemaking process and motor vehicle dealers, delaying implementation until these steps are completed.

Maddy summarySRES 386 designates October 4, 2023, as National Energy Appreciation Day to honor energy workers and highlight the sector's contributions to reducing poverty, strengthening national security, and improving global quality of life. The resolution encourages federal, state, local, and community organizations - including schools, businesses, and nonprofits - to observe the day with educational events. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies, serving solely as a symbolic recognition of the energy industry's role in the U.S. economy and global impact.

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.

Maddy summarySRES 380 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating October 1-7, 2023, as "Religious Education Week" to recognize the role of religious education in U.S. schools. It calls on all 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia to accommodate students attending religious classes during school hours through "released time" programs. The resolution affirms that religious education contributes to students' moral, ethical, and civic development, referencing existing programs where approximately 540,000 public school students participate annually. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or alter funding, focusing instead on celebrating current religious education practices.

This resolution supports the designation of September 21, 2023, as National Teach Ag Day and recognizes the important role of agricultural education and the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 376 clarifies the existing requirement for business attire on the Senate floor, specifying that men must wear a coat, tie, and long pants. The resolution designates the Senate Sergeant at Arms to enforce this dress code and mandates that any future changes to the rule require a two-thirds vote of all senators. This procedural resolution formalizes current standards without altering them, ensuring consistency in Senate decorum.

Maddy summaryS 2928, the Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2023, requires federal water infrastructure projects funded through the WIFIA program to have payment and performance security to protect taxpayers. It mandates that contractors provide security covering at least 50% of the construction cost, either through state/local requirements or federal bond standards if no state rules apply. This directly affects contractors working on federally funded water projects and ensures taxpayer funds are safeguarded against project failures. The bill amends existing law to add these security requirements without altering project eligibility or environmental standards.

Maddy summaryThe Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act of 2023 directs federal health agencies to establish a national system for studying chronic pain, defined as pain lasting longer than three months. It requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to collect and standardize anonymous health data - including demographics, treatment costs, and risk factors - using medical claims and surveys to fill research gaps. The CDC must also create a public website (the Chronic Pain Information Hub) to share aggregated research, clinical tools, and annual updates on data collection efforts. This law affects federal agencies like the CDC and NIH, aiming to improve understanding of chronic pain conditions that impact millions of Americans, with funding authorized through 2028.