Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 49 seeks congressional disapproval of a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule that would have established a new standard for determining when two or more companies are considered "joint employers" under labor law. The rule, published in October 2023, would have affected businesses with complex employment structures, such as franchisors and contractors, by altering how joint employer liability is assessed for wage, hour, and union representation matters. If passed, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preserving the previous standard for joint employer determinations. The bill was introduced by Senators Cassidy, Manchin, Braun, McConnell, Marshall, Cramer, Capito, and Paul and referred to the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Veterans Experience Office within the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve how veterans interact with VA services. The office, led by a Chief Veterans Experience Officer appointed by the VA Secretary, will set customer experience strategies, require other VA offices to report on service quality metrics, and develop improvement plans. It directly affects veterans by aiming to make VA interactions more efficient and responsive, while also requiring VA staff across the department to track and report on service improvements. The bill establishes this office as a permanent part of VA operations with dedicated staff and resources.
Maddy summaryThis bill redesignates the National Peer-Run Training and Technical Assistance Center for Addiction Recovery Support as a "Center of Excellence" under federal law. It adds new requirements for the center to support peer support specialists through professional development, integrate services into nonclinical settings, and bridge evidence-based practices with real-world applications. The bill establishes a 5-year pilot program (ending September 2028) to create regional centers of excellence, tailored to local needs, with a report to Congress recommending whether to make the program permanent or expand it. Funding increases from $1 million annually (2019-2023) to $2 million annually (2024-2028) for these initiatives.
Maddy summaryThe PRINTS Act requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to collect fingerprints from noncitizen children under 14 if they suspect trafficking during entry into the United States. It criminalizes using a minor (not a relative or guardian) to gain entry, punishable by fines or up to 10 years in prison. The bill also mandates sharing fingerprints of unaccompanied children with Health and Human Services and requires monthly public reporting on child trafficking apprehensions. These provisions aim to improve trafficking identification and enforcement through standardized data collection and criminal penalties.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes funding for the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act program, extending the funding period from fiscal years 2019-2024 to 2024-2029. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories that process forensic DNA evidence to reduce backlogs. The key provision updates the timeframe for federal grants that help these agencies conduct DNA testing on unsolved cases. This ensures continued support for analyzing biological evidence in criminal investigations without creating new requirements.
Maddy summarySRES 449 is a 2023 Senate resolution supporting Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31), an annual drug prevention awareness event. It encourages the public to wear red ribbons, light buildings, and participate in community activities promoting drug-free lifestyles, without creating new laws or obligations. The resolution highlights efforts to address the opioid crisis, including fentanyl-related overdose deaths and the National Family Partnership's prevention programs. It does not directly affect specific groups but aims to amplify public engagement in drug prevention.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah (the Houthi group in Yemen) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization within 90 days of enactment, reversing a 2021 Biden administration decision that removed the designation. It mandates the President to impose existing sanctions under two executive orders: blocking assets of designated terrorists (E.O. 13224) and restricting travel for Yemeni nationals linked to terrorism (E.O. 13780). The sanctions directly target Ansarallah, its members, agents, affiliates, and any foreign entities owned or controlled by the group. This would restrict U.S. financial transactions with the Houthis and their networks, while also affecting Yemeni nationals subject to travel bans under the applicable sanctions.
Maddy summaryThe Project Safe Childhood Act (S 1170) modernizes a federal program to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse by establishing a nationwide initiative requiring coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. It mandates the Attorney General to develop best practices for investigating and prosecuting cases involving child sexual abuse material, with specific protocols for identifying victims and serious offenders. The bill requires each U.S. Attorney to create district-specific strategic plans for coordinating investigations and prosecutions, and authorizes $28.55 million annually for 2023-2028 to support these efforts. It also establishes an annual Safer Internet Day to provide public education about online safety and reporting mechanisms. This legislation directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and child protection services working to address online child sexual exploitation.
Maddy summarySJRES 47 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Department of Justice rule about home confinement for federal prisoners under the CARES Act. The rule, published in April 2023, would have established guidelines allowing the Justice Department to use home confinement as an alternative to prison for certain inmates during the pandemic. If passed, this resolution would cancel the rule, preventing it from taking effect. It follows the standard process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, for Congress to reject agency regulations.
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to families and businesses and would severely harm the economic and national security of the country.