Sen. Kevin Cramer

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 73822), which addressed "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights." If enacted, it would block the rule from taking effect, directly affecting retirement plan fiduciaries (such as those managing 401(k) plans) who must follow these standards. The resolution uses a specific disapproval process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, to nullify the rule without altering its content. This is a procedural action targeting the rule's implementation, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryS 293, the Fair Access to Banking Act, prohibits large financial institutions (with $10 billion+ in assets) from denying banking services to lawful businesses based on political reasons, bias, or industry category. It requires these "covered banks" to justify service denials using documented, objective risk assessments - not subjective political judgments - and to provide written explanations for denials. The bill directly affects businesses operating legally in industries often targeted by banks (like cannabis or firearms), ensuring equal access to services like loans, credit cards, or payment processing. Violations allow affected businesses to sue for treble damages and attorney fees, with payment networks and credit unions also barred from blocking access based on "reputational risk."

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week beginning February 5, 2023, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week" to symbolically recognize these institutions. It directly honors the 35 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities operating across 15 states, which serve over 230 federally recognized tribes and provide higher education access to American Indian, Alaska Native, and other students in underserved communities. The resolution calls for national recognition through appropriate activities but does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes. It is a ceremonial measure without binding legal effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 256) terminates existing U.S. sanctions waivers that permitted specific nuclear activities in Iran under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA). It ends exemptions for activities like modernizing Iran's Arak reactor, modifying centrifuges at Fordow, operating the Bushehr nuclear plant, and transferring uranium or heavy water. The bill takes effect upon enactment, prohibiting the President from issuing new waivers for these activities. It directly affects Iran's nuclear program by reinstating sanctions on these specific cooperation areas. The legislation targets the JCPOA-related waivers, not broader sanctions.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that food products made from North American bison (specifically plains bison and wood bison) may legally use "buffalo" as a common name on labels. It explicitly allows "buffalo" for Bison bison bison (plains bison) and Bison bison athabascae (wood bison), while requiring "water buffalo" for other animals in the genus Bubalus. The bill directly affects food manufacturers and distributors who label bison meat products, ensuring compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It resolves labeling confusion without changing existing food safety standards.

Maddy summaryThe Rural Physician Workforce Production Act of 2023 creates a new Medicare payment to incentivize medical residency training in rural areas. Hospitals can receive additional funding for residents who spend at least 8 weeks in rural training locations or for residents in programs where over half of training occurs in rural settings. The payment amount is based on updated national medical residency training costs, adjusted annually for inflation. This bill aims to increase the number of physicians trained for rural practice by providing financial incentives to hospitals, critical access hospitals, and sole community hospitals.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow individuals with valid concealed carry permits from their home state to carry concealed handguns in other states that either permit concealed carry for residents or don't ban it. It requires permit holders to have a government-issued ID, meet federal firearm possession rules, and carry only handguns (excluding machineguns or destructive devices). Carrying would still follow local restrictions in the destination state, such as bans in schools or government buildings. The bill does not change how states issue permits but creates automatic recognition of valid permits across participating states.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCONRES 3) is a symbolic statement affirming religious freedom as a fundamental human right protected under the U.S. Constitution. It specifically recognizes the 237th anniversary of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (enacted January 16, 1786) and affirms that religious freedom allows all people - of any faith or no faith - to live, work, and worship according to their beliefs. The resolution emphasizes that religious freedom is a unifying principle essential to American democracy, citing historical documents like the First Amendment and presidential proclamations. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any specific group, but serves to publicly affirm this principle on Religious Freedom Day.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates the week of January 22-28, 2023, as "National School Choice Week." It encourages parents to learn about K-12 education options - including public, charter, private, and homeschooling - and promotes public events to raise awareness about educational choice during that week. The resolution does not create new laws or regulations but formally recognizes the annual observance through symbolic congressional support.

Maddy summaryThe Workforce Mobility Act of 2023 prohibits most noncompete agreements between employers and workers, directly affecting an estimated 20% of U.S. workers covered by such restrictions. It bans agreements that restrict workers from changing jobs, moving geographically, or working in similar roles after employment ends, with narrow exceptions for business sales (including senior executives with severance agreements limited to one year) and partnership dissolutions. The bill preserves protections for trade secrets and requires employers to post notices about the law, while enforcement falls to the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Labor. This policy change aims to increase worker mobility and wage growth by eliminating broad restrictions that limit employment options.