Sen. Pete Ricketts

Maddy summaryS.3028, the PUNISH Act of 2023, extends existing U.S. sanctions against Iran by preventing their modification or removal until a specified termination date. It requires the Secretary of State to submit annual reports to Congress assessing whether Iran's government or affiliated entities (like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) have engaged in activities such as assassinations, violence against U.S. citizens, or politically motivated detention of Iranian nationals in the U.S. The bill maintains current sanctions tied to Executive Orders 13871, 13876, 13902, and 13949, as well as sanctions on Iran's Central Bank and National Development Fund. These measures remain in effect until the President certifies compliance with specific conditions under the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Act.

Maddy summarySRES 386 designates October 4, 2023, as National Energy Appreciation Day to honor energy workers and highlight the sector's contributions to reducing poverty, strengthening national security, and improving global quality of life. The resolution encourages federal, state, local, and community organizations - including schools, businesses, and nonprofits - to observe the day with educational events. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies, serving solely as a symbolic recognition of the energy industry's role in the U.S. economy and global impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the maximum microloan amount under the Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program from $50,000 to $75,000 for rural microentrepreneurs. It allows loans to cover up to 50% of real estate improvement costs (like construction or demolition) for qualifying projects. The program also increases repayment guarantees from 75% to 100% for lenders and extends the funding period from 2019-2023 to 2024-2028. These changes directly affect rural small business owners seeking loans through participating microenterprise development organizations.

This resolution supports the designation of September 21, 2023, as National Teach Ag Day and recognizes the important role of agricultural education and the National FFA Organization in developing the next generation of agricultural leaders.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 376 clarifies the existing requirement for business attire on the Senate floor, specifying that men must wear a coat, tie, and long pants. The resolution designates the Senate Sergeant at Arms to enforce this dress code and mandates that any future changes to the rule require a two-thirds vote of all senators. This procedural resolution formalizes current standards without altering them, ensuring consistency in Senate decorum.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all states to apply a uniform asset test to every Medicaid applicant and recipient, removing previous exemptions for people based on age, blindness, or disability. It ties the asset limit to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program's maximum resource threshold, meaning individuals with assets exceeding SSI limits would lose eligibility (except for pregnant/postpartum women and children under 19, who retain continuous eligibility). States must implement electronic asset verification systems within one year and report on eligibility determinations, including asset checks conducted. The bill also mandates the federal government track savings from these verification efforts and requires states to submit compliance reports to Congress.

Maddy summarySRES 208 is a Senate resolution designating November 12, 2023, as "National Warrior Call Day." It encourages U.S. citizens, particularly those connected to military service, to reach out to veterans through peer-to-peer conversations to support their mental health and transition from military life. The resolution highlights veteran suicide statistics (6,146 deaths in 2020) and emphasizes that isolation - exacerbated by the pandemic - increases risks for conditions like PTSD. It does not create new programs but urges public engagement to connect veterans with support systems. This is a symbolic, awareness-raising measure with no binding policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill denies asylum to individuals who were members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or other totalitarian parties under U.S. immigration law. It amends asylum rules to bar such applicants unless they publicly renounce their party membership during the application process and prove their affiliation was involuntary (e.g., due to age, law, or basic survival needs). Exceptions allow asylum if the applicant provides significant national security information, after renouncing membership and being deemed non-threatening by immigration and intelligence officials. The policy directly affects asylum seekers with ties to the CCP or similar parties, altering their eligibility under existing immigration statutes.

Maddy summaryThe Stop EV Freeloading Act (S 2882) imposes new taxes on electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers and importers. It levies a $550 tax on each heavy battery module (over 1,000 pounds) and a $1,000 tax on each new electric vehicle sold, excluding hybrid vehicles that use both internal combustion engines and rechargeable batteries. The tax revenue will be transferred to the Highway Trust Fund, which funds transportation infrastructure. These taxes apply to sales occurring after December 31, 2023.

Maddy summaryS 2911, the "Protecting the Right To Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2023," prevents federal officials from using emergency declarations to impose gun control. It bans the President from declaring emergencies under the National Emergencies Act or the Stafford Act for gun control purposes, and stops the Health and Human Services Secretary from declaring public health emergencies for the same reason. The bill also amends the Stafford Act to explicitly prohibit emergency declarations that would restrict firearm possession, sale, or transfer of firearms, ammunition, or related accessories. This directly affects how federal emergency powers can be used during crises, limiting actions that could impact gun rights under the Second Amendment.