Sen. Shelley Moore Capito

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 58) seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Energy rule establishing new energy efficiency standards for consumer furnaces. It targets the specific rule published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 87502), which set requirements for furnace manufacturers. If passed, the resolution would nullify this rule, preventing it from taking effect and requiring the Department of Energy to withdraw the standards. The resolution directly affects furnace manufacturers and consumers by halting the implementation of these new efficiency requirements.

Maddy summarySRES 701 designates the week of May 19-25, 2024, as "National Public Works Week" to recognize professionals who maintain essential infrastructure like roads, water systems, and emergency services. The resolution directly honors public works professionals employed by federal, state, local governments, and private organizations. It urges communities to celebrate their contributions to public safety, health, and community well-being through recognition activities. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding legal effect but formally acknowledges the role of these workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1274 (REEF Act), amends the 2020 Railroad Unemployment Insurance payment rules to clarify when certain provisions apply. It removes specific paragraphs and changes the effective date to make the payment rules retroactive, as if they had been in place before the end of the federal COVID-19 national emergency. The change directly affects railroad workers receiving unemployment benefits through the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Account. The key mechanism is adjusting the timing of these payment rules without altering the benefits themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 86) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding endangered species protections. The rule, published April 5, 2024, aimed to update regulations for interagency cooperation on endangered and threatened wildlife conservation. The resolution would block this rule from taking effect by invoking a statutory process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code that allows Congress to reject federal agency regulations. If passed, the rule would have no legal force, maintaining existing regulatory standards instead of implementing the new provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 88) seeks congressional approval to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that sets emissions standards for coal- and oil-fired power plants. Specifically, it aims to disapprove the EPA's rule on "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants" for these plants, which was published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2024. If passed, the rule would have no legal effect, preventing the EPA from enforcing these specific emissions limits on affected power plants. The bill directly affects the EPA's regulatory authority and the operations of coal- and oil-fired electricity generators.

Maddy summarySRES 697 is a commemorative resolution designating the week of May 12-18, 2024, as "National Police Week" in the U.S. Senate. It aligns with the 1962 law authorizing the President to designate this week, honoring law enforcement officers who have died or been injured in the line of duty. The resolution expresses support for officers, recognizes their service in protecting communities, and encourages public observance to honor their mission and sacrifices. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups, as it is purely ceremonial.

Maddy summarySJRES 79 is a joint resolution that would block a Department of Labor rule published in April 2024. The rule would have required financial advisors to act in the best interest of retirement account holders when providing investment advice, expanding the scope of who must meet this standard. If passed, the resolution would prevent the rule from taking effect by invoking a congressional disapproval process under Title 5, U.S. Code. This directly affects retirement advisors and the standards they must follow when giving retirement investment guidance.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 80) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on April 5, 2024. The rule established regulations under the Endangered Species Act concerning protections for endangered and threatened wildlife. If approved, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect and reversing the regulatory changes it proposed. The resolution directly affects how federal protections are applied to listed species under the Endangered Species Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 81) seeks congressional disapproval of a National Marine Fisheries Service rule that updated regulations for interagency cooperation on protecting endangered and threatened wildlife. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2024, aimed to streamline how federal agencies work together on species conservation efforts. By passing this resolution, Congress would block the rule from taking effect under the procedural process outlined in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. The direct effect is preventing the National Marine Fisheries Service from implementing these specific regulatory changes for endangered species protection.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 83) seeks to block a rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) that redefined who qualifies as a "dealer in firearms" under federal law. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 19, 2024, would have changed how the ATF identifies and regulates firearm sellers. If passed, the resolution would make the rule invalid, preventing it from taking effect and leaving current dealer regulations unchanged. This directly affects firearm dealers (particularly small businesses and hobbyists) and the ATF’s enforcement authority under existing law.