Sen. John Barrasso

Maddy summarySRES 866 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating October 4, 2024, as "National Energy Appreciation Day." It honors energy workers across all sectors (including oil, gas, coal, nuclear, and renewables) who power the U.S. economy and infrastructure. The resolution encourages federal, state, local, and community organizations to observe the day with events that raise awareness about energy's role in supporting jobs, economic growth, national security, and global poverty reduction. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of the energy industry's contributions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 887) is a symbolic Senate expression of support for designating October 7-12, 2024, as "National 4-H Week." It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the 4-H youth development program, which serves nearly 6 million young people nationwide through community-based projects in health, science, and leadership. The resolution highlights 4-H’s role in fostering youth leadership and its partnership with land-grant universities and the USDA. It directly affects the 4-H organization, its 500,000 volunteers, and the youth members participating in the program.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 890) condemns Hamas for the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people - including 40 U.S. citizens - and took hostages. It supports three specific outcomes: ensuring Israel's long-term security, preventing Hamas from regaining power in the region, and securing the safe return of U.S. hostages held in Gaza. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's position. The resolution was introduced by 45 Senators and passed unanimously on September 25, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 5212, the Enhanced Energy Recovery Act, modifies tax credits for carbon dioxide capture and storage under IRS Section 45Q. It expands eligible uses to include carbon dioxide used as a "tertiary injectant" in oil or gas recovery projects (where it's injected to extract more oil while being stored underground). The bill sets a base tax credit of $17 per ton of captured carbon for 2025-2026, with future credits adjusted for inflation starting in 2027. These changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, directly affecting companies capturing and utilizing carbon dioxide for storage or oil recovery.

Maddy summaryS 5241 (EDA Short Form Application Act) creates a simplified application process for rural communities seeking Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants. It directly affects incorporated municipalities, Tribal areas, or territories with populations under 10,000 (per census) or outside metropolitan areas. The bill requires the EDA Assistant Secretary to develop a short-form application based on rural stakeholder input about common application challenges, such as excessive length, irrelevant documentation requests, and questions not suited for rural needs. This change streamlines access to EDA grant programs for qualifying rural communities by reducing administrative barriers.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates an annual assessment by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to evaluate the nation's dependency on critical agricultural inputs - such as fertilizers, seeds, veterinary drugs, and equipment - that could be vulnerable if supply chains were disrupted by the People's Republic of China. The study requires identifying current domestic production capacity, supply chain bottlenecks, and recommending actions to reduce reliance on foreign sources through onshore or nearshore production. It includes strict confidentiality rules, ensuring companies sharing data are protected from disclosure and that information is used only for aggregated reporting. The bill does not create new programs but directs the Department of Agriculture to report findings to Congress annually, focusing on supply chain resilience without altering existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award Robert M. Gates, former Director of Central Intelligence and Secretary of Defense, a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his 27 years of public service to the United States. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, honors his roles in ending the Cold War, leading military transitions in Iraq/Afghanistan, and supporting veterans' welfare. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to the public to cover production costs. The bill is purely ceremonial, with no policy changes or direct effects beyond honoring Gates' career.

Maddy summarySRES 851 is a Senate resolution designating November 2, 2024, as National Bison Day. It encourages the American public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities to recognize bison's cultural, historical, and economic significance. The resolution highlights bison's role in Indigenous traditions, conservation efforts, and U.S. heritage, as detailed in its preamble. It does not create legal obligations but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of bison's importance.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates ports, harbors, or marine terminals in Western Hemisphere countries with U.S. free trade agreements as "prohibited property" if a U.S. person's land there was seized, expropriated, or had contracts canceled by that country's government after January 2024. The Secretary of Homeland Security must identify these locations within 60 days, after which U.S. vessels are prohibited from importing goods, docking passenger vessels, or conducting maintenance at these sites. It directly affects U.S. businesses and shipping companies operating in covered countries (like USMCA nations) whose property was targeted. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on designations, vessel restrictions, and economic impacts of such actions by foreign governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 5124 (Protect our Presidents Act), requires the U.S. Secret Service to provide presidential and vice-presidential candidates with security protection equivalent to that given to the sitting president. It specifically covers major party candidates who have accepted nominations at national conventions, their spouses, and the president-elect or vice president-elect. The Secret Service must report to congressional committees every 15 days during election years - detailing threat levels, security costs, personnel assigned, and any unmet security needs for each candidate. Candidates may decline the enhanced protection if they choose. The bill focuses on standardizing security protocols for candidates during elections, not on altering existing protections for current officeholders.