Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Maddy summaryThe Gun Records Restoration and Preservation Act (S 598) would repeal the Tiahrt Amendments, which currently require background check records to be destroyed within 24 hours and prohibit federal requirements for annual inventory audits of gun shops. By removing these restrictions, the bill would allow law enforcement to retain background check records, conduct regular inventory checks of firearms dealers, and make ATF firearm trace data more accessible for research on gun trafficking. This change directly affects federal agencies (like ATF), state/local law enforcement, gun dealers, and researchers studying gun violence patterns. The bill aims to improve tracking of illegal firearms and inform evidence-based policy decisions, without altering gun laws or ownership rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how often federal credit unions must hold board meetings based on their performance ratings. For all federal credit unions, boards must meet at least monthly for the first 5 years after their charter is approved. After that, credit unions rated 1 or 2 (highest performance) must meet at least 6 times yearly (with one per quarter), while those rated 3-5 must meet monthly. The bill directly affects all federal credit unions by adjusting their board meeting requirements according to their Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System score. These changes aim to align meeting frequency with credit union performance and oversight needs.

Maddy summarySRES 84 designates February 28, 2023, as Rare Disease Day to acknowledge the more than 25 million Americans living with rare diseases - conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. The resolution encourages efforts to improve public awareness, support early diagnosis, and advance research for treatments, without creating new legal requirements or funding. It recognizes ongoing federal initiatives like the FDA's Accelerating Rare Disease Cures program and the 2023 rare disease endpoint pilot.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award a single gold medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment collectively, recognizing their service during the Revolutionary War. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, will be permanently displayed at the Rhode Island State Library, with Congress encouraging its use for research and potential display at other historically significant locations. Bronze duplicates may be sold to cover production costs, and all medals are classified as national medals under U.S. law. The bill directly honors the regiment, which in 1778 became one of the first integrated units in American history by recruiting over 200 Black and Indigenous soldiers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires major airlines (defined as carriers with over $1.5 billion in 2018 revenue or foreign carriers operating U.S. flights) to provide full cash refunds - including ancillary fees - for canceled flights or tickets canceled 48+ hours before departure. Passengers who received vouchers during the pandemic (March 2020-enactment) can now request cash refunds for unused portions within 30 days. Airlines must clearly disclose refund rights before ticket sales and during cancellations, with violations carrying $1,000 penalties per incident. The law applies to all covered flights departing from or arriving at U.S. airports.

Maddy summaryThe Veterans Member Business Loan Act amends the Federal Credit Union Act to include loans made to veterans as a qualifying "member business loan." This change directly affects credit unions, allowing them to count such loans toward regulatory requirements for member business lending. The bill adds a new definition specifying that "member business loan" includes loans to veterans, using the standard definition of "veteran" from Title 38 of the U.S. Code. The amendment takes effect 180 days after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThe CCU Parity Act of 2023 increases tax credits for companies capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide. It sets a $12 per ton credit for carbon used in certain industrial processes and a $17 per ton credit for carbon utilized in other specific ways. These credit amounts will adjust annually for inflation starting in 2025, using a formula tied to the year 2025 instead of 1990. The bill directly affects businesses involved in carbon capture and utilization projects, making these tax credits more valuable for qualifying activities after December 31, 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires background checks for most private firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals by mandating that such transfers occur through a licensed dealer. It directly affects unlicensed buyers and sellers of firearms who would otherwise transfer guns without checks, except for specific exceptions like family gifts, law enforcement transfers, temporary safety-related transfers, or transfers for hunting/shooting at designated locations. Key provisions include requiring licensed dealers to conduct background checks as if they were transferring the firearm themselves and adding a new requirement for written certification from the unlicensed transferee. The bill does not create a national gun registry and leaves state laws intact.

Maddy summaryThe DISCLOSE Act of 2023 requires organizations making campaign-related disbursements over $10,000 to disclose detailed information about their funding sources, including the names and addresses of major donors and the top 5 or 2 funders for political communications. It closes loopholes allowing foreign nationals to influence U.S. elections by prohibiting foreign contributions to ballot initiatives and requiring disclosure of foreign money in campaigns. The bill also mandates "stand by every ad" requirements, requiring political communications to include disclaimers identifying who paid for them and listing major funders. These provisions apply to corporations, labor organizations, and other groups making political expenditures, with the goal of increasing transparency in campaign finance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 496) amends the Federal Reserve Act to require that at least one member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors appointed after the bill's enactment must have "demonstrated primary experience in supporting or protecting the rights of workers." The provision designates this member as the lead for promoting maximum employment policy. It does not create new worker protections or alter workplace regulations; it only changes the qualifications for Federal Reserve Board appointments. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on the composition of the Federal Reserve Board.