Sen. Eric Schmitt

Maddy summarySRES 523 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin. The resolution expresses the Senate's sorrow at his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to communicate it to the House of Representatives and send a copy to his family, and instructs the Senate to adjourn as a mark of respect. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally commemorates Kohl's service and legacy. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of Senators and passed unanimously on January 11, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 3604, the Safeguarding Charity Act, clarifies that tax exemptions under IRS Section 501(c) or 401(a) do not count as "Federal financial assistance" for regulatory purposes. The bill amends U.S. Code to explicitly exclude tax-exempt status from definitions of federal assistance in all federal laws, rules, or regulations. This directly affects tax-exempt charities and nonprofits that rely on IRS 501(c) status, ensuring their tax exemptions are not treated as government funding when applying federal programs or requirements.

Maddy summarySRES 524 is a non-binding Senate resolution congratulating the University of Missouri Tigers football team for winning the 2023 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. It recognizes their 11-2 season record, 8th-place national ranking, and specific achievements like Cody Schrader winning the Burlsworth Trophy. The resolution directs the Senate to send a copy to the University of Missouri chancellor, athletic director, and head coach Eliah Drinkwitz. This is purely ceremonial and does not create any legal obligations or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 521) expresses the U.S. Senate's support for Taiwan's democratic institutions and its history of free elections. It commends Taiwan for holding 7 presidential and 9 legislative elections since transitioning to democracy in the late 1980s, including peaceful transfers of power between political parties. The resolution specifically highlights Taiwan's upcoming 2024 elections and reaffirms U.S. commitment to existing policy frameworks like the Taiwan Relations Act. As a symbolic resolution, it has no binding effect but formally recognizes Taiwan's democratic achievements and expresses concern over potential interference in its elections.

Maddy summary# Summary of "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (Employment Eligibility Verification Provisions) This legislation (primarily Sections 801-816) fundamentally reforms the U.S. employment eligibility verification system by replacing the current E-Verify program with a new, mandatory verification system for employers. ## Key Provisions: 1. **Mandatory Verification System**: Requires all employers to verify the work authorization of new hires through a new verification system established under Section 274A(d). 2. **Phased Implementation Timeline**: - Large employers (10,000+ employees): 6 months after enactment - Medium employers (500-10,000 employees): 12 months after enactment - Small employers (20-500 employees): 18 months after enactment - Very small employers (<20 employees): 24 months after enactment - Agricultural workers: 36 months after enactment 3. **Verification Process**: - Requires examination of specific documents to verify identity and work authorization - Establishes a verification system with confirmation or tentative nonconfirmation within 3 business days - Requires secondary verification process for tentative nonconfirmations 4. **Penalties for Non-Compliance**: - Civil penalties ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 per violation - Criminal penalties for pattern or practice violations ($5,000 per unauthorized alien) - Potential debarment from federal contracts for repeat violators 5. **Fraud Prevention Measures**: - Blocks social security account numbers subject to unusual multiple use - Allows suspension of compromised social security numbers - Protects children's identities from being used for employment verification 6. **Agricultural Workforce Provisions**: - Extended timeline for agricultural workers (36 months) - Specific definitions of agricultural labor - Study on agricultural workforce composition and recommendations 7. **Good Faith Defense**: - Allows employers to avoid penalties if they can demonstrate good faith compliance - Requires reasonable security measures for identity verification This legislation represents a significant expansion of employer verification requirements with substantial penalties for non-compliance, designed to strengthen enforcement against unauthorized employment while establishing a more comprehensive verification system. The phased approach aims to give employers time to adjust to the new requirements based on business size.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 32) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) on May 31, 2023. The rule, published as Regulation B under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), addressed how lenders must evaluate small business loan applications to prevent discrimination. If passed, the resolution would block this rule from taking effect, meaning lenders would not be required to follow these specific small business lending provisions. The bill directly affects the CFPB's regulatory authority and financial institutions that process small business loans under ECOA.

Maddy summaryThis bill retroactively restores pay, benefits, and seniority for senior military officers (O-7 rank or higher) whose promotions were delayed due to a Senate confirmation suspension starting in February 2023. It applies specifically to officers confirmed between December 5-31, 2023, who faced delays because the Senate paused its advice-and-consent process for such appointments. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to pay retroactive compensation from a defined date (the later of 30 days after Senate calendar placement or the original appointment date) and use that date for determining the officer's seniority in their new rank. It directly affects military personnel whose career progression was impacted by the confirmation delay, without creating new policy or changing appointment procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to require schools to notify parents at the start of each school year that they may include individuals with special knowledge or expertise about their child (such as related services personnel) on their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) team. It directly affects parents of children with disabilities and the local/state educational agencies responsible for developing IEPs. The key mechanism is a new annual notification requirement for schools, ensuring parents are informed of their right to expand IEP team membership beyond standard members. This change aims to better incorporate specialized insights into educational planning for students with disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill blocks the Commerce Department from enforcing its October 2023 pause on new export licenses for specific firearm-related items (classified under Commerce Control Numbers 0A501, 0A502, 0A504, and 0A505). It directly affects U.S. gun exporters who rely on these licenses to ship certain firearms and parts internationally. The key provision prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from taking any action to maintain, restart, or implement similar pauses on these exports. The bill does not create new regulations but prevents the government from continuing a specific regulatory pause.

Maddy summaryThe ACE Act (S 3520) expands the use of 529 education savings accounts to cover a broader range of elementary and secondary school expenses, including homeschooling, tutoring, educational therapies, and standardized test fees, while raising the annual distribution limit from $10,000 to $20,000. It also increases the annual gift tax exclusion for contributions to 529 plans, allowing up to $20,000 in gifts to be excluded from gift tax calculations. Additionally, the bill restricts tax-exempt bonds for school construction to states with school choice programs that meet specific criteria, such as having at least 40% of school-age children eligible for such programs and spending at least 60% of per-pupil funds on eligible students. These provisions apply to distributions, gifts, and bonds after the bill's effective dates.