Sen. James Lankford

Maddy summarySRES 148 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the U.S. Senate to honor the late Senator Alan K. Simpson of Wyoming, who died in 2022. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow and deep regret" over his passing and formally requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy to his family. It also directs the Senate to adjourn as a mark of respect during its final session following the resolution's adoption. This resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents - it solely serves as a formal tribute to Simpson's legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (like charities, educational groups, and religious institutions) to make statements supporting or opposing political candidates as part of their regular activities, without risking their tax-exempt status. It creates a new rule clarifying that such statements won't disqualify an organization from being tax-exempt or count as political campaign intervention, provided they result in only minimal additional costs. The change applies to statements made during the organization's ordinary operations, such as newsletters or public events, as long as the extra expenses are very small. The bill directly affects thousands of tax-exempt nonprofits that previously faced strict limits on political speech. It takes effect for tax years after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents U.S. federal courts from issuing orders (such as injunctions, stays, or declarations) that stop enforcement of laws against people or entities not directly involved in a lawsuit (non-parties). It requires that such orders only apply if a non-party is represented through a party acting under standard legal rules. The law applies to all federal courts, including those in U.S. territories, and modifies related procedures for temporary restraining orders and declaratory judgments to enforce this restriction. Its core change limits court authority to affect non-parties regarding statutes, regulations, or government actions.

Maddy summaryS 1169, the "Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act," prohibits states and local governments from imposing excise taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts during interstate or foreign commerce. This directly affects firearm manufacturers and dealers who sell across state lines, preventing them from facing state-level taxes on those transactions. The bill explicitly states it does not change the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, which allows separate federal excise taxes on firearms for conservation funding. The key provision is a blanket ban on state taxes for interstate firearm sales, aiming to standardize tax treatment across state lines.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act requires colleges and universities receiving federal funding to prohibit events promoting antisemitism on their campuses. It defines antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 working definition, including specific contemporary examples like conflating Zionism with racism. The law explicitly bans institutions from authorizing, funding, or supporting such events, applying to all higher education institutions covered under the Higher Education Act of 1965. This policy change directly affects campus event policies at federally funded colleges and universities.

Maddy summaryS 1184 authorizes a joint U.S.-Canada aerial law enforcement program along the shared border, modeled after an existing maritime agreement. The program would involve U.S. agencies (like Customs and Border Protection and the Coast Guard) and Canadian law enforcement, operating within 50 miles of the border - except during emergencies or when required for safety. It mandates strict privacy and civil rights protections, including mandatory training for officers and requirements for congressional notification. The bill also requires a report on drone usage along the northern border within one year, assessing risks to privacy and interagency coordination. No new funding is authorized for this program.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state and local governments from using tax-exempt bonds to fund new professional sports stadiums. It defines a "professional stadium bond" as any bond financing a facility hosting professional sports events for at least 5 days yearly, blocking tax-exempt status for such bonds issued after enactment. The law directly affects municipalities, sports teams, and developers seeking tax-free financing for stadium construction or major renovations. It changes the tax code to eliminate a common subsidy method for new sports venues, applying only to future projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state and federal correctional facilities (like jails and prisons) to operate cellphone jamming systems to block wireless signals used for contraband devices or by incarcerated individuals. It restricts the FCC from preventing this use, but requires jamming systems to be limited to housing areas within the facility. Facilities must fund the systems entirely themselves (if state-run), consult local law enforcement before implementation, and notify the Bureau of Prisons about operations. The law specifically targets blocking signals to/from contraband devices or inmates, not general cellphone use.

Maddy summaryS 1138 requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to deploy up to 50 additional scanning systems and hire 100 new agents focused on inspecting vehicles and people traveling *from the U.S. to Mexico*. It mandates that by March 2027, at least 10% of southbound conveyances must undergo inspection, using methods like scanning or physical checks. The bill also requires quarterly reports on seized currency, firearms, and ammunition from outbound inspections, along with annual reports detailing resource use and inspection rates. These provisions apply specifically to the U.S.-Mexico border and expire after five years.

Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act This bill expands the E-Verify program by requiring all employers to use it and permanently reauthorizes the program. Currently, E-Verify use is voluntary for most employers, although some states mandate its use. All employers must use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all recruited, referred, or hired individuals, including current employees who were never verified under the program. Failure to use E-Verify shall create a rebuttable presumption that the employer is violating immigration law. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services must generate weekly reports about individuals who have received a final nonconfirmation of employment eligibility. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must use the report to enforce immigration laws. The bill increases civil and criminal penalties for hiring non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who are not authorized to work. DHS must bar repeat offenders and those criminally convicted from holding federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. The Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, and DHS must jointly establish a program to share information to help identify non-U.S. nationals who are not authorized to work. The bill establishes the Employer Compliance Inspection Center within Homeland Security Investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The center's duties include processing I-9 employment eligibility verification forms and ensuring compliance with employment eligibility laws. DHS must report to Congress on ways to simplify procedures relating to I-9 forms and on whether the I-9 process should be eliminated.