Sen. John Cornyn

Maddy summarySRES 671 is a ceremonial Senate resolution supporting the designation of April 28-May 4, 2024, as "National Small Business Week." It honors small businesses and entrepreneurs across the U.S. for their economic contributions, noting they support over 62 million jobs through 33 million businesses. The resolution expresses the Senate's recognition of small businesses' resilience and role in strengthening local economies. As a symbolic gesture with no new policies or funding, it does not impose requirements or directly affect specific entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new payment for livestock producers who suffer losses of unborn animals due to specified conditions (like natural disasters) after January 1, 2024. It enhances the existing Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) by adding an additional payment, calculated as 85% or less of the lowest weight class payment rate, multiplied by a factor based on the livestock type (e.g., 12 times for certain categories). The payment applies specifically to losses of gestating livestock (unborn animals) that were pregnant at the time of death, directly affecting eligible farmers in agricultural areas impacted by qualifying events. The bill modifies the 2014 Agricultural Act to implement this targeted financial support for unborn livestock mortality.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Secretary of State to use diplomatic resources to advance efforts ensuring Mexico complies with the 1944 water treaty, which requires Mexico to deliver 350,000 acre-feet of water annually to the U.S. (averaged over five years). It addresses Mexico’s failure to meet obligations - delivering under 400,000 acre-feet by March 2024 toward a 1.75 million acre-foot requirement by 2025 - impacting Texas farmers and causing economic losses like the closure of a sugar mill. The key mechanism is requiring U.S. diplomats and officials to actively negotiate compliance and establish reliable water delivery terms. The bill directly affects U.S. water users in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, who face shortages due to Mexico’s non-compliance.

Maddy summaryS 4256, the Reaching English Learners Act, creates a new federal grant program to improve how teacher candidates are prepared to teach English learners. The bill authorizes competitive grants to partnerships between colleges of education and school districts to develop or strengthen teacher preparation programs that incorporate evidence-based strategies (like bilingual and dual-language approaches) and address specific needs of English learners. Grants last up to 5 years, require a 50% non-Federal funding match, and mandate training on helping English learners meet academic standards, supporting those with disabilities, addressing social-emotional needs, and engaging families. Grantees must evaluate program effectiveness, including teacher performance and whether graduates meet state certification requirements for teaching English learners.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal criminal offense for assaults on law enforcement officers that cause serious injury or involve specific circumstances like crossing state lines, using interstate commerce, or employing firearms. It increases penalties to up to 10 years in prison for assaults causing serious injury, with life imprisonment if death occurs or kidnapping/killing is involved. The bill requires the Attorney General to certify federal prosecution is necessary before proceeding, unless states lack jurisdiction or have requested federal involvement. It directly affects law enforcement officers (including federal, state, and local) by establishing new federal penalties for certain assaults against them.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule setting greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (Phase 3). If passed, it would nullify the EPA rule (published April 22, 2024) under the Congressional Review Act, preventing it from taking effect. The rule directly affects manufacturers of trucks and buses by establishing new requirements for reducing emissions. The resolution does not create new standards but aims to block the existing EPA rule through a formal disapproval process.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would set new emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles sold in model years 2027 and later. It directly affects automakers, as the rule would require them to meet stricter pollution limits for these vehicles. The resolution uses a congressional disapproval process under federal law to prevent the EPA rule from taking effect. If passed, the rule would be invalidated, meaning automakers would not need to comply with the 2027+ emissions standards outlined in the EPA's April 2024 proposal.

Maddy summaryThe NASA SPREES Act (S 4221) allows federal agencies with existing funds for scientific or engineering research or education to transfer those funds to NASA, subject to agency head approval. It directly affects federal departments/agencies holding such funds and NASA, enabling NASA to use transferred funds for grants or cooperative agreements supporting research and education. Key provisions require NASA to report annually on these transfers (including source agencies and purposes) and submit a comprehensive report to Congress after three years detailing the program's effectiveness and challenges. The bill does not create new funding but streamlines how existing agency funds can be shared to support NASA's mission through interagency collaboration.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how Medicare Part D plans calculate coinsurance for prescription drugs for seniors. Starting in 2025, plans must base coinsurance amounts on the drug's "net price" (the negotiated price after manufacturer discounts) instead of the drug's "list price" (original manufacturer price), for drugs above the deductible but below the out-of-pocket limit. This directly affects Medicare Part D beneficiaries who pay coinsurance for covered drugs, potentially lowering their costs when discounts are applied. The change applies only to drugs covered under the plan's formulary and subject to coinsurance, excluding certain specific drug categories.

Maddy summarySRES 655 is a Senate resolution passed on April 18, 2024, to honor the late Joseph I. Lieberman, a former U.S. Senator from Connecticut (1988-2013), following his death. The resolution recognizes his career, including his role in creating the Department of Homeland Security, establishing the 9/11 Commission, and advocating for civil rights and environmental protections. It directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory and transmit a copy to his family, expressing the Senate's sorrow and respect. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect policy, as it solely commemorates his legacy.