Sen. Ted Cruz

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 64) seeks to block a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 4128, January 22, 2024) that implements provisions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act related to preventing digital discrimination. It requests Congress disapprove the rule under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, which would prevent the rule from taking effect. The resolution directly affects the FCC's ability to enforce digital discrimination prevention measures under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. If passed, the rule would have no legal force or effect, halting the FCC's regulatory action on this specific issue.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 65) seeks to disapprove an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have revised national air quality standards for tiny air particles (particulate matter), which are pollutants linked to health issues like asthma and heart disease. The EPA rule, published on March 6, 2024, proposed updating these standards to tighten pollution limits. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, maintaining the current standards without changes. This directly affects the EPA’s ability to implement the proposed revisions to air quality regulations, impacting public health protections and industry compliance requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the Davis-Bacon Act's requirement that federal construction contractors pay prevailing wages to workers on federally funded projects. It directly affects federal construction contractors by eliminating the legal obligation to pay local prevailing wage rates for such work. The key mechanism is the complete removal of the wage requirement from federal law (specifically, 40 U.S.C. Chapter 31, Subchapter IV), effective 30 days after enactment. This repeal does not apply to contracts already in existence or bids issued 30 days before enactment, protecting ongoing projects.

Maddy summaryS 3963, the Native Species Protection Act, defines "intrastate species" as plants or wildlife entirely within one state's borders and not part of a national commodity market. It removes federal regulatory authority for these species under the Endangered Species Act and other federal laws based on interstate commerce powers. This directly affects state governments and landowners within states containing such species, shifting management responsibility to state authorities. The bill changes federal policy by explicitly exempting these locally confined species from federal environmental regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the federal government to identify 2,500 megahertz of spectrum (between 1.3-13.2 GHz) currently used by federal agencies for reallocation to commercial wireless services. It mandates phased auctions: 1,250 MHz by 2026 (2 years after enactment) and the full 2,500 MHz by 2029 (5 years after enactment), with 125 MHz made available for unlicensed use by 2026. Federal agencies using this spectrum must relocate, with costs covered by auction proceeds. The bill includes reporting requirements for Congress on progress, including assessments of agency operations and funding needs for relocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a private right for victims (or their families) of serious crimes committed by aliens to sue states or local governments that failed to comply with federal immigration detainer requests. It allows lawsuits for compensatory damages if a state/local entity did not follow DHS requests regarding an alien convicted of murder, rape, or a felony (1+ year sentence), and the victim would not have been harmed had the alien been detained. States accepting certain federal grants (like community development funds) must waive sovereign immunity to be sued under this law, with a 10-year statute of limitations from the crime or victim's death. The bill directly affects states or localities with "sanctuary policies" that restrict sharing immigration status or complying with detainers.

Maddy summaryS 3933, the Laken Riley Act, amends immigration law to require mandatory detention for non-citizens charged with certain crimes like theft or burglary, rather than allowing release. It directly affects individuals facing these charges and gives state attorneys general the legal standing to sue federal agencies (like DHS or the State Department) if they claim immigration policies caused the state or residents financial harm exceeding $100. Key provisions include requiring Homeland Security to take custody of such individuals and establishing new court procedures for states to seek injunctions against federal immigration enforcement actions. The bill does not change border policies but focuses on detention requirements and state legal challenges to federal immigration enforcement.

Maddy summaryThe Divided Families National Registry Act (S 3876) creates a national registry for Korean American families separated from relatives in North Korea after the 1953 Korean War Armistice. It directs the State Department to collect family names and details to facilitate future reunions (in-person or via video) and maintain a record of family members, including those who may have died. The bill authorizes $1 million for this registry and requires the State Department to include family reunion progress in U.S.-North Korea diplomatic talks, with annual reports detailing registry status, reunion participation rates, and North Korea’s responses to reunion requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Commerce Secretary to standardize and publish geospatial data about public ocean access and fishing restrictions on a public website. It mandates clear details on where fishing is allowed or restricted (including seasonal closures, no-catch zones, and vessel rules like motorboat limits), navigation information, and waterway restrictions (e.g., no-wake zones, anchoring rules). The data must be updated regularly and organized for easy public access, with a process for user feedback. It directly affects recreational users (boaters, anglers, divers) and commercial fishers who rely on knowing legal access points and restrictions on federally managed waters.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. law to remove jurisdictional immunity for international organizations in cases involving terrorism. It allows U.S. courts to hear lawsuits seeking damages for personal injury or death caused by an international organization's official employees who provided material support for acts like aircraft sabotage, hostage taking, or extrajudicial killings - specifically when the organization aided a designated foreign terrorist group. Claims can be filed only by U.S. nationals, military personnel, or government contractors injured in such acts, or if the organization has a U.S. presence. The bill sets a 20-year statute of limitations for filing such claims.