Sen. Shelley Moore Capito

Maddy summaryS 4079, the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act, creates federal training programs and funding to help rural health facilities without full obstetric units handle emergencies. It requires training non-specialist doctors in rural areas to manage pregnancy-related complications like hemorrhage or high blood pressure, and authorizes $15 million (2025-2028) for equipment, staff support, and telehealth consultations. The bill also funds a $5 million telehealth pilot program to connect rural facilities with maternal health specialists via phone or video, and mandates a federal study on maternity ward closures. This directly affects rural hospitals in areas with shortages of maternity care providers, aiming to improve emergency response without requiring full obstetric units.

Maddy summaryThe Countering Antisemitism Act establishes a National Coordinator within the Executive Office of the President and an Interagency Task Force to coordinate federal efforts against antisemitism across government agencies. The bill requires annual threat assessments of antisemitic violent extremism from the FBI, DHS, and National Counterterrorism Center, and mandates reports from relevant agencies on implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. It also requires the Department of Education to designate a senior officer to address antisemitic discrimination in higher education and to report on complaints, while directing a study on Holocaust education in schools. Additionally, the legislation amends the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to require public reporting on grant applications and awards, and designates May as Jewish American Heritage Month.

Maddy summaryThe Revoke Iranian Funding Act of 2023 revokes existing licenses and exemptions that permitted U.S. funds to be released to Iran for humanitarian purposes, including the $6 billion South Korea transfer in September 2023, and blocks the Treasury from issuing new such licenses for one year. It also rescinds a specific waiver issued by the State Department in September 2023 that allowed humanitarian funding. The bill requires the Treasury to report within 30 days on Iranian assets held in the U.S. and current licenses related to Iran sanctions, directly affecting Iran's government and entities linked to its military, nuclear program, or terrorist groups like Hamas. This targets financial transactions involving Iran's accounts in Qatar and aims to prevent funds from being diverted to support terrorism.

Maddy summaryThe FEND Off Fentanyl Act authorizes sanctions against foreign individuals and entities involved in trafficking fentanyl and its precursors into the United States, with specific focus on transnational criminal organizations like Mexican cartels and the flow of precursor chemicals from China. It requires the President to submit annual reports to Congress on actions taken under the law and designates fentanyl-related transactions as a primary money laundering concern for financial institutions. The bill also repeals a prohibition on imposing sanctions related to importation of goods under previous fentanyl sanctions law. It aims to increase financial costs for traffickers by blocking assets and prohibiting transactions involving sanctioned persons.

Maddy summaryS 4075, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, prohibits payment card networks (like Visa or Mastercard) and covered entities (such as banks or processors) from using or requiring special merchant category codes that distinguish firearms retailers from general stores. This directly affects firearms retailers (businesses selling guns or ammunition) and payment networks by preventing them from assigning codes that could flag gun purchases for tracking. The bill requires the Attorney General to investigate complaints about violations and enforce the ban, with potential court action if violations aren't fixed within 30 days. It also preempts state or local laws on this issue and mandates annual reports on enforcement efforts.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution states that the U.S. Senate believes Israel has the inherent right to defend itself and take necessary steps to eradicate the terrorist threat posed by Hamas. It also declares that any U.S. government official calling for elections in Israel would constitute electoral interference. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but expresses congressional support for Israel’s security actions and sets a position on U.S. involvement in Israeli electoral matters. The resolution was introduced in March 2024 by multiple senators.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic Senate resolution (SRES 608), not a bill with policy changes. It formally denounces the Biden administration's immigration policies by listing grievances, such as claims about border security, termination of asylum agreements, and alleged failures to use existing legal authorities. The resolution urges the administration to immediately implement specific actions under current law, including ending "catch-and-release" policies, reinstating Migrant Protection Protocols, and using expedited removal. It does not create new laws or alter policy - it is a statement of disapproval by the Senate. The resolution has no legal effect on immigration enforcement.

Maddy summarySRES 611 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating March 22, 2024, as "National Inland Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day." It does not create new laws but expresses support for raising awareness about safety for workers in the inland waterways industry, including deckhands, engineers, masters, mates, and shoreside workers. The resolution encourages federal, state, and industry groups to observe the day with safety-focused activities and acknowledges existing safety partnerships like the Coast Guard-American Waterways Operators program. It highlights that waterways transportation is a safe freight mode and references 2022 safety data showing 4 fatalities and 101 injuries among towing vessel workers. The resolution has no binding effect but aims to promote ongoing safety efforts.

Maddy summaryS 4015, the Securing America’s Titanium Manufacturing Act of 2024, temporarily suspends import duties on titanium sponge (HS code 8108.20.00) for most countries from 30 days after enactment through December 2031, or earlier if the President terminates the policy. This directly affects U.S. importers of titanium sponge and aims to boost domestic production to meet national security needs. The bill requires the President to review U.S. titanium sponge production every three years, with a 60-day stakeholder comment period, and to end duty-free status if domestic production is deemed sufficient. Exceptions maintain existing import taxes for titanium sponge from Belarus, Cuba, North Korea, and Russia throughout the suspension period.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends and updates a federal housing pilot program for people recovering from opioid use disorder. It reauthorizes $50 million annually (2025-2029) to help states provide stable housing through temporary recovery housing facilities, directly affecting individuals in opioid recovery seeking housing stability. Key changes include requiring states to use all funds within five years (instead of one year), allowing up to 1% of funds for furniture, and mandating states to prioritize projects offering workforce training, follow-up support, and accreditation. The bill also requires annual reports to Congress tracking housing projects, resident demographics, program outcomes, and interagency coordination with health and agriculture departments.