Sen. John Cornyn

Maddy summaryThe Kids Online Safety Act requires social media platforms and other online services used by minors to implement safety features protecting children under 17. It mandates default privacy controls, limits addictive features like automatic media playback, restricts advertising of harmful products (tobacco, gambling, alcohol) to minors, and requires annual transparency reports about online risks. Platforms with over 10 million monthly U.S. users must provide parental tools, conduct independent audits, and make de-identified data available for research on online harms. The bill focuses on preventing mental health disorders, bullying, sexual exploitation, and addictive behaviors through platform design changes.

Maddy summaryThe Air Security Act of 2023 (S 3473) extends an existing prohibition on providing airport improvement grant funds to entities that have violated U.S. intellectual property rights. It amends two sections of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act to change the expiration date of this prohibition from 2023 to 2024. This adjustment ensures the restriction remains in effect for an additional year, directly affecting entities seeking these federal grants who have been found to infringe on U.S. intellectual property. The bill makes no new policy changes but extends a technical provision without altering eligibility criteria or funding amounts.

Maddy summaryThe Grant Transparency Act of 2023 requires federal agencies to clearly disclose how they evaluate grant applications in their funding notices. Specifically, agencies must describe their evaluation criteria, any weighted scoring system used, and how applications are rated before funding is awarded. This applies directly to agencies issuing competitive grants (like those for research, community programs, or infrastructure) and affects applicants (such as nonprofits, universities, or local governments) seeking these funds. The law does not create new funding or change grant award decisions - it only mandates clearer information in the initial funding notice, effective 120 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Streamlining Federal Grants Act of 2023 requires federal agencies to simplify grant application and reporting processes, with a focus on helping communities and organizations that historically haven't received federal grants. It establishes a Grants Council to coordinate across agencies and mandates each agency to develop public plans for streamlining grant programs, including using plain language and providing training resources. Agencies must consult with non-Federal entities during plan development, publish plans for public comment, and submit annual reports on progress to Congress. The bill also requires a study of Grants.gov's accessibility and an evaluation of the law's effectiveness after five years. These changes aim to improve service delivery while reducing administrative burdens for both agencies and grant recipients.

Maddy summaryS 1798 establishes two new offices within the Department of Homeland Security: the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office and the Office of Health Security. The Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office will coordinate efforts to counter weapons of mass destruction and related threats (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear), develop policies, identify capability gaps, and manage research and development. The Office of Health Security, led by a Chief Medical Officer, will oversee all medical activities of the Department, including patient care, workforce health and safety, and medical quality assurance. The bill also includes provisions to protect the confidentiality of medical quality assurance records and requires regular strategy updates and congressional briefings.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 492) honoring the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter. It expresses the Senate's condolences for her passing and recognizes her lifetime of humanitarian work, including her advocacy for mental health care, founding of caregiver support programs, and service with The Carter Center. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a commemorative statement. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2023.

Maddy summaryThe Fans First Act aims to improve transparency and fairness in the ticketing market by regulating how event tickets are sold and marketed. It requires sellers to clearly display the total ticket price (including all fees), disclose key details about ticket seating and refund policies, and prohibits deceptive practices like using artist names without permission or selling tickets a seller doesn't actually possess. The bill directly affects secondary ticketing platforms, resellers, and primary sellers by mandating clear disclosures, requiring proof of purchase for electronic tickets, and strengthening rules against automated ticket-buying systems. It creates new enforcement mechanisms through the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general, with civil penalties for violations. The legislation also mandates studies to assess ticket market practices, including how professional resellers obtain tickets and the prevalence of counterfeit tickets.

Maddy summarySRES 445 is a Senate resolution recognizing the U.S.-Israel economic relationship and affirming that trade under the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement (signed in 1985) can support Israel's economy during the Hamas conflict. It highlights that bilateral trade has grown significantly since 1985, with the U.S. being Israel’s largest trading partner in 2022 ($14.2 billion in U.S. exports to Israel). The resolution states the agreement has fostered robust trade, investment (e.g., $10.6 billion in Israeli U.S. investments in 2022), and job creation, and urges maintaining this economic partnership amid the conflict. It does not create new policy but formally endorses existing trade mechanisms as a support tool.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Section 547 of the Public Health Service Act to increase annual funding for community recovery programs from $5 million (2019-2023) to $16 million (2024-2028). It directly affects communities receiving grants under this program, which support local initiatives aiding individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. The key change is a significant funding boost for existing community-based recovery services, extending the program through 2028. The amendment updates the program's name to "Strengthening Communities of Recovery" and adjusts the funding level while maintaining the same program structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires foreign missions from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan to notify the U.S. State Department 72 hours in advance of meetings with U.S. state or local officials or visits to educational/research institutions. The notification must include the date, location, participants, and purpose of each meeting or visit. The State Department must submit monthly reports to Congress listing all such notified meetings. A joint threat assessment report on these countries is required within 4.5 years, but the bill’s core requirement is a transparency measure for foreign diplomatic engagements.