Sen. Ted Cruz

Maddy summarySRES 754 is a symbolic Senate resolution commending Cuban protesters who demonstrated against the Communist regime on July 11, 2021. It condemns Cuba's crackdown on demonstrators - including detentions, torture, and internet shutdowns - and calls for the release of imprisoned activists like José Daniel Ferrer García. The resolution urges the U.S. administration to prioritize democracy and human rights in Cuba policy, including reimposing sanctions, but does not create new laws or alter existing policies. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses congressional support for Cuban protesters without implementing concrete changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows tipped workers to deduct cash tips they report to their employers from their taxable income. It creates a new tax deduction (Section 224) for cash tips included on statements given to employers, directly benefiting service industry workers like waitstaff who receive cash tips. The deduction is available to all taxpayers (not just those who itemize deductions) and avoids being treated as a limited miscellaneous deduction under current tax rules. The changes apply to tax years starting after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 4622 establishes an Air Force Technical Training Center of Excellence within the Department of the Air Force. The Center, led by a designee of the Airmen Development Command Commander, will directly affect Air Force technical training programs and personnel by standardizing and improving training across all maintainers. Key provisions require the Center to foster collaboration among training installations, publish excellence standards, advocate for curriculum/facility improvements, identify best practices, and partner with industry and academia. This centralized hub aims to enhance training quality and innovation for Air Force technical specialties without altering existing funding or personnel structures.

Maddy summaryS 4623, the UNFURL Act of 2024, amends the U.S. Flag Code to allow the display of the U.S. flag horizontally or in varied sizes during military and patriotic observances involving the Armed Forces, provided the flag never touches the ground, floor, water, or merchandise. It also directs the Secretary of Defense to rescind a 2023 policy memo restricting flag displays and to support military recruitment through public events featuring flag displays. The bill directly affects military recruitment events, patriotic observances, and Department of Defense outreach activities. These changes clarify and expand permissible flag display practices at such events under existing legal standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 99) is a congressional resolution seeking to block a specific environmental regulation. It targets the Council on Environmental Quality's "National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions Phase 2" rule, which was published in the Federal Register on May 1, 2024. If passed, the resolution would formally disapprove this rule, preventing it from taking effect and halting its implementation by federal agencies. The rule would have modified how agencies conduct environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), but the resolution directly stops that change without altering NEPA itself.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 739) introduced by Senators Rubio, Tuberville, and others on June 18, 2024. It commemorates the second anniversary of the Supreme Court's June 24, 2022, *Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization* decision, which overturned *Roe v. Wade*. The resolution expresses support for the Court's ruling that the Constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion, and it includes statements about protecting "unborn life" and supporting families. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThe Officer John Barnes Act requires the Bureau to notify claimants within 270 calendar days of receiving their claim about eligibility for benefits under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968. This bill directly affects individuals or organizations filing claims for benefits, ensuring they receive timely determinations. The key provision sets a specific deadline for the Bureau's response, replacing any existing process without altering eligibility criteria. This procedural change aims to streamline the claims process by establishing clear timelines for decisions.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 96 seeks to block a Department of Education rule that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools (e.g., colleges, K-12 programs receiving federal aid). If approved, it would invalidate the rule published April 29, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 33474), preventing it from taking effect under a congressional disapproval process. This would maintain existing nondiscrimination standards for education programs instead of implementing the new rule. The resolution directly affects all schools and programs receiving federal education funding.

Maddy summaryS 4513, the Preserving JROTC Programs Act of 2024, lowers the minimum student enrollment requirement for high school Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) units. It amends federal law to reduce the threshold from 100 students to 50 students for a unit to remain eligible. This change directly affects high schools with JROTC programs that previously had fewer than 100 enrolled students. The bill aims to help smaller schools maintain their JROTC programs by easing enrollment requirements.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 92) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that established new greenhouse gas emission standards for fossil fuel power plants and repealed an earlier rule. It targets the EPA's specific rule (published May 9, 2024), which set performance standards for new/modified plants, emission guidelines for existing plants, and removed the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. The resolution uses a procedural mechanism under the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the rule, meaning it would prevent the EPA rule from taking effect. If passed, the rule would have no legal force, directly affecting how power plants regulate emissions under federal law.