Sen. Mike Lee

Maddy summaryS 1843 (End Child Trafficking Now Act) requires adults (18+) entering the U.S. with minors under 18 to prove a family relationship through documents or a witness, with DNA testing as a last resort if proof is insufficient. If an adult refuses DNA testing or fails to provide valid proof, they may be denied entry and the minor treated as an unaccompanied child. The bill also creates a new federal crime ("recycling of minors") for adults who repeatedly use a minor they aren’t related to for illegal entry, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. This directly affects adults traveling with minors, immigration officers, and law enforcement handling entry-related trafficking cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays any changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale vessel strike reduction rule (currently in 50 CFR §224.105) until two conditions are met: (1) new safety measures from the 2022 Coast Guard Act are fully developed and deployed, and (2) the Secretary submits a report to specific congressional committees detailing how these measures will shape future rule changes. It directly affects the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which manages the rule, and vessel operators in whale habitat areas. The bill does not alter the existing rule but requires NOAA to wait for specific protocols and congressional review before modifying it. This is a procedural delay focused on ensuring safety protocols are in place before rule changes occur.

Maddy summaryS 1795, the Fairness in Higher Education Accreditation Act, prohibits accrediting agencies from considering an institution’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies or the racial composition of its students, faculty, or staff when granting or maintaining accreditation. This applies to all higher education institutions (both public and private) subject to accreditation under the Higher Education Act of 1965. The bill adds a new requirement that accrediting agencies must disregard these factors during their evaluation process. Institutions harmed by accreditation decisions violating this rule may pursue civil action under existing Higher Education Act provisions.

Maddy summaryThe Formula 3.0 Act eliminates tariffs on infant formula base powder (dry mixtures requiring only vitamins/minerals to become formula) when imported by manufacturers authorized by the FDA or granted enforcement discretion by the FDA. It also establishes new duty-free or reduced tariff rates for finished infant formula products entering the U.S. The bill directly affects U.S. infant formula manufacturers and importers who meet FDA authorization requirements, lowering costs for domestically produced formula. These changes take effect 120 days after the bill’s enactment.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 18) disapproves a Department of Homeland Security rule that would have expanded the "public charge" standard for immigration. The rule, published in the Federal Register on September 9, 2022, aimed to deny visas or green cards to immigrants who might rely on public benefits like housing or food assistance. By passing this resolution, Congress blocks the rule from taking effect, meaning immigrants applying for visas or permanent residency would not face this specific eligibility barrier. The resolution directly affects non-citizens seeking to enter or remain in the U.S. under immigration processes.

Maddy summaryThe Main Street Tax Certainty Act permanently extends the 20% tax deduction for qualified business income (QBI), which currently applies to owners of pass-through businesses like sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations. The bill achieves this by amending the tax code to remove an expiration date (via striking subsection (i) of Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code). This change directly affects small business owners who rely on the QBI deduction to reduce their taxable income. The key provision eliminates uncertainty about the deduction’s future, ensuring continued eligibility without requiring future legislative action.

Maddy summaryS 1712, the *Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments Act of 2023*, would allow the FDA to quickly approve drugs, biological products, and medical devices already approved in certain countries (like those listed under section 802(b)(1) of the law or the UK) for use in the U.S., bypassing full new reviews. It directly affects drug and device manufacturers seeking to market products already approved abroad, requiring them to submit a request to the FDA for "reciprocal marketing approval." The FDA must decide within 30 days, but can deny approval if safety concerns exist or if there’s no unmet medical need in the U.S., and must report denials monthly to Congress. This streamlines access to foreign-approved treatments while maintaining FDA safety oversight and allowing Congress to block approvals via joint resolution.

Maddy summaryThis bill abolishes the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) within the Treasury Department and eliminates the position of its Director. It removes all references to the FIO from key laws like the Dodd-Frank Act and the Economic Growth Act, replacing them with references to the Treasury Secretary or other entities. The bill explicitly states this does not limit the Treasury Secretary's existing authority over insurance matters. The primary direct effect is on the Treasury Department and the FIO's staff, as the office is eliminated.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a 1994 law to change how military departments handle funding requests for chemical and biological defense programs. Specifically, it revises Section 1701(d)(2) of the National Defense Authorization Act to allow military departments to include these funding requests directly in their regular budget accounts, rather than requiring separate accounts. The change affects the budgeting process for the Department of Defense's chemical and biological defense programs. It is a procedural adjustment to streamline budget submissions, with no new policy requirements or direct impact on civilians or other entities.

Maddy summarySRES 215 is a Senate resolution designating May 9, 2023, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day. It supports raising public awareness about the dangers of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills, which are often disguised as legitimate medications and contribute to overdose deaths. The resolution encourages existing law enforcement efforts to combat counterfeit pill distribution and acknowledges the severe impact of fentanyl on young people, citing statistics on rising overdose deaths. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the issue through congressional support.