Sen. Deb Fischer

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the EPA's 2024 emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles and amends the Clean Air Act to prevent future regulations from mandating specific technologies or limiting new vehicle availability based on engine type. It directly affects the EPA's regulatory authority and vehicle manufacturers by blocking technology mandates and restrictions on engine types in new vehicles. Key provisions require the EPA to revise regulations within 24 months to align with these changes, ensuring no federal rules limit vehicle choices based on engine technology. The bill's title is misleading, as it does not address automobile retail sales or consumer choice at dealerships.

Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from transmitting certain information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) utilized by licensed importers or dealers of firearms. Specifically, the bill prohibits the VA from transmitting personally identifying information of a veteran or a beneficiary to the NICS solely on the basis that such veteran or beneficiary has an appointed fiduciary to manage their benefits, unless there is an order or finding of a judicial authority that such veteran or beneficiary is a danger to themselves or others.

Maddy summaryS 912, the Securing American Agriculture Act, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to annually assess U.S. dependency on critical agricultural inputs supplied by the People’s Republic of China, including fertilizers, seeds, veterinary drugs, and equipment. The bill directs the USDA to report to Congress on supply chain vulnerabilities and recommend actions to reduce reliance on Chinese sources, such as promoting domestic or nearby production. It mandates that any private data shared for this assessment be aggregated and anonymized to protect business confidentiality, prohibiting disclosure of identifiable information. This bill directly affects USDA operations and the agricultural sector by establishing a formal process to evaluate and address supply chain risks.

Maddy summarySCONRES 8 is a Senate concurrent resolution supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act. It urges Congress not to impose a new fee or charge on local radio stations for playing music over the air, or on businesses like bars and restaurants that play radio broadcasts publicly. The resolution argues that such a fee would disrupt the current system where radio stations provide free promotional support to the music industry and essential local services like emergency weather updates. It claims the existing model has fostered a thriving music and broadcasting sector without harming small businesses or consumers. This resolution does not create law but expresses congressional support for maintaining the current fee-free system.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal education law to prohibit federally funded athletic programs from allowing individuals assigned male at birth to participate in sports designated for women or girls. It defines "sex" for this purpose as biological sex at birth, based on reproductive anatomy and genetics. The law directly affects schools, colleges, and sports organizations receiving federal funding. Violations would constitute a breach of Title IX, requiring programs to exclude individuals whose sex is male from women's or girls' athletic teams.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 12) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that established procedures for a "Waste Emissions Charge" affecting petroleum and natural gas systems. Specifically, it targets the EPA's November 2024 rule (89 Fed. Reg. 91094) which outlined compliance methods like netting and exemptions for emissions charges. If passed, the resolution would formally disapprove the rule under federal law (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code), preventing it from taking effect. The bill directly affects the oil and gas industry by removing a specific regulatory framework for emissions reporting and fees. This is a procedural disapproval measure, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill blocks the implementation of a new federal staffing rule for nursing homes, specifically halting the May 2024 rule requiring minimum staffing levels in long-term care facilities. It directly affects rural nursing facilities and their workforce by preventing a regulation that could increase operational demands. The bill creates a 17-member advisory panel with mandatory rural representation to study nursing home staffing shortages, analyze regulatory impacts, and recommend solutions to strengthen the workforce. The panel must submit annual reports to Congress and the public, focusing on barriers to care access in rural and underserved areas. This is a procedural measure stopping a specific rule while establishing a review mechanism, not a direct funding or service change.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a streamlined process for out-of-state healthcare providers to enroll in Medicaid or CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) in a state. It directly affects children under 21 enrolled in these programs and healthcare providers located in other states who already meet low fraud risk standards. The key provision requires states to adopt a simplified enrollment process using only basic provider information (like name and National Provider Identifier), granting eligible providers a 5-year enrollment period without repeated screening. This reduces administrative barriers for providers serving out-of-state children under 21 who qualify for Medicaid or CHIP coverage.

Maddy summarySRES 97 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring Howard L. Hawks, a Nebraska community leader and philanthropist who co-founded Tenaska Energy and supported numerous University of Nebraska initiatives. The resolution commemorates his legacy, including funding campus facilities like Howard L. Hawks Hall and student programs, and expresses condolences to his family following his death. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect or direct impact on policy or individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review certain foreign agricultural transactions. It requires CFIUS to assess acquisitions of U.S. agricultural land, biotechnology, or related infrastructure (like transport/storage) by foreign entities from China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran. The Secretary of Agriculture must notify CFIUS of reportable transactions, prompting CFIUS to determine if a review is needed. The requirement expires for any country removed from the "covered country" list in federal regulations.