Sen. Mike Lee

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. federal tax dollars from funding contributions to three specific United Nations climate initiatives: the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Green Climate Fund. It blocks all assessed or voluntary payments made by U.S. federal departments or agencies to these organizations. The law directly affects how federal agencies allocate existing budget resources for international climate programs. This policy change eliminates current and future U.S. financial support for these UN climate bodies using taxpayer funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal grant rules for cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells (orphan wells). It removes a requirement for states to measure methane emissions or conduct specific monitoring activities to qualify for these grants, giving states flexibility to choose whether to collect such data. Additionally, it directs the Interior Department to commission a National Academies study within 180 days to examine how plugging these wells affects local economies, housing, and water quality in communities where many wells were cleaned up. The study must include input from all five U.S. regions and report to Congress within 18 months of the last grant being awarded, using existing funding.

Maddy summaryThe Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (S 1418) strengthens privacy protections for children under 13 and teens aged 12-17 online. It requires websites, apps, and connected devices that target children or teens, or are reasonably likely to be used by them, to obtain verifiable consent from parents for children and from teens themselves for those aged 12-17 before collecting personal information. The bill prohibits targeted marketing to children and teens, establishes a "Digital Marketing Bill of Rights for Teens," and creates a Youth Privacy and Marketing Division within the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these rules. It also sets out specific Fair Information Practices Principles requiring transparency, data accuracy, security, and proper data disposal for children's and teens' personal information.

Maddy summaryThe Citizen Ballot Protection Act (S 3470) amends the National Voter Registration Act to allow states to require proof of U.S. citizenship when voters register by mail. It directly affects individuals who register to vote using state mail-in forms, specifically those seeking to vote in federal elections. The key provision adds a requirement for states to include a citizenship verification step on mail voter registration forms after federal elections, beyond existing rules. This change gives states the option to implement this proof requirement but does not mandate it nationwide. The bill does not alter in-person registration rules or voting procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 53) prohibits a specific proposed foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia involving defense articles and services. It directly affects the U.S. government (which must block the sale) and Saudi Arabia (the intended recipient). The resolution targets a sale detailed in a December 7, 2023, Congressional Record notice, including items like GPS navigation systems, secure communications equipment, and intelligence sensors. It uses the congressional disapproval process under the Arms Export Control Act to stop the transaction. The bill does not create new policy but blocks this particular sale.

Maddy summaryThis resolution directs the President to withdraw U.S. military forces from hostilities in Syria within 30 days, unless Congress passes a new authorization for the deployment. It applies to the approximately 900 U.S. service members currently stationed in Syria without specific congressional authorization. The bill cites that military operations in Syria since 2014 - targeting groups like ISIS, Iranian-backed militias, and Syrian forces - lack constitutional or statutory approval under the War Powers Resolution. The withdrawal deadline may be extended only if Congress formally authorizes continued military action.

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 summaryThis bill modifies U.S. Code provisions related to port dredging and material transportation. It removes a requirement that dredged material (soil/sand removed from ports) must be transported under specific regulations, allowing port authorities to handle it more flexibly without additional certification. The change directly affects port operators and dredging contractors by simplifying processes for expanding port infrastructure. This procedural update aims to streamline port development without creating new funding or mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a specific provision (Section 55109) and amends another (Section 55110) in the U.S. Code regarding dredging. It removes all references to "dredged material" from the transportation requirements under Section 55110, changing its title to "Transportation of valueless material." The bill directly affects dredging operations and entities transporting dredged material by eliminating regulatory requirements for this specific type of material. The actual provisions focus on streamlining transportation rules for dredged material, not on port modernization or supply chain protection as the title suggests.

Maddy summaryThe DEEP Act (S 3433) creates a new nationwide permit for dredging projects at U.S. ports and navigation channels, allowing activities like maintenance, expansion, or deepening up to 60 feet. It directly affects port authorities, dredging contractors, and state environmental agencies by requiring states to respond to certification requests within 14 days (or the request is deemed complete) and setting strict timelines for federal approvals (30 days for complete applications). Key provisions streamline environmental reviews under NEPA by limiting required documents to one environmental impact statement and requiring the Army Corps to prioritize feasible mitigation over prohibitions. The bill also excludes dredged material from certain transportation regulations and prevents states from demanding re-filing for the same activity after a certification is deemed complete.