Sen. Rand Paul

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 12) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that established procedures for a "Waste Emissions Charge" affecting petroleum and natural gas systems. Specifically, it targets the EPA's November 2024 rule (89 Fed. Reg. 91094) which outlined compliance methods like netting and exemptions for emissions charges. If passed, the resolution would formally disapprove the rule under federal law (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code), preventing it from taking effect. The bill directly affects the oil and gas industry by removing a specific regulatory framework for emissions reporting and fees. This is a procedural disapproval measure, not a new policy.

Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2025  This bill modifies the appointment procedures and term of service for the Director of the Bureau of Prisons. Currently, the director is appointed by the Attorney General. This bill requires the director to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The bill also limits the director to a single term of 10 years.

Maddy summaryS 664, the NIH Reform Act, reorganizes the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by splitting the former "National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases" into three separate institutes: the National Institute of Allergic Diseases, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, and the National Institute of Immunologic Diseases. The bill establishes new director positions for each institute with 5-year terms (allowing one reappointment), replaces the old institute's name in all federal references, and transfers existing responsibilities for related research areas to the new entities. This restructuring affects NIH's internal management and leadership, streamlining focus on specific disease areas without altering research funding or public health policies. The changes take effect upon the bill's enactment, with the NIH Director overseeing the transition until new institute directors are appointed.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. federal funding for foreign governments identified as imposing severe penalties - including death sentences or life imprisonment - for apostasy, blasphemy, or interfaith marriage. Within 120 days of enactment, the President must submit a report listing countries meeting these criteria, based on credible evidence. U.S. assistance to any country named in this report is then banned, directly affecting foreign aid programs and the governments of those nations. The law targets specific policy changes in U.S. foreign aid disbursement, not broader diplomatic or humanitarian efforts.

Maddy summarySRES 77 authorizes the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to spend specific amounts from the Senate's contingent fund for its operations from March 2025 through February 2027. It sets annual spending limits: $8.38 million for the 2025 fiscal year, $14.37 million for 2026, and $5.99 million for early 2027, with caps on consultant fees ($400,000 annually) and staff training ($20,000 annually). The resolution does not create new policies or investigations but provides the financial framework for the committee to conduct its existing duties, including oversight, hearings, and investigations under Senate rules. This is a procedural funding measure, not a substantive legislative change.

Maddy summaryS 533, the National Right-to-Work Act, eliminates requirements for workers to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment in private-sector workplaces and railroads. It amends the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and Railway Labor Act by removing language that allowed "union security agreements," meaning employers and unions can no longer mandate union membership or financial dues for employees. This directly affects workers in unionized private companies and railroad jobs covered by collective bargaining agreements. The law applies to new or renewed contracts after its enactment, changing how labor agreements can structure financial obligations for employees.

Maddy summaryThis bill automatically prevents government shutdowns by funding federal programs at 94% of the previous fiscal year's level if Congress fails to pass a regular budget on time. For 90 days, funding starts at 94% and decreases by 1% every 90 days until a new budget is enacted, with special rules maintaining full funding for mandatory programs like food assistance. It applies to most government operations but excludes programs with specific legal requirements or those already funded by other laws. The bill ensures continuous service for agencies without requiring new congressional action during funding gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require federal agencies to submit detailed reports about new regulations to Congress before they take effect. Major rules (defined as those with an annual economic effect of $100 million or more, or significant effects on competition, employment, or public safety) would need congressional approval via a joint resolution before taking effect, with Congress having 70 days to act. Nonmajor rules would have a different, shorter review process. The bill would also require agencies to publish cost-benefit analyses and other supporting documentation, and would mandate that rules be reviewed and potentially reapproved after 10 years.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently prohibits U.S. foreign assistance funds from being used for abortions, involuntary sterilizations, or related biomedical research. It amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Peace Corps Act to block funding for organizations supporting coercive abortion or sterilization programs. The law directly affects all U.S. government programs distributing foreign aid, including international health and development initiatives. It ensures funds cannot cover abortion services as family planning, lobbying on abortion, or programs involving coercion.

Laken Riley Act This act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. The act also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. Under this act, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of the above crimes. The act also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody; failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.