Sen. Katie Boyd Britt

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to require the U.S. Supreme Court to have exactly nine justices. Currently, Congress sets the Court's size through legislation, but this amendment would make the nine-justice structure a permanent requirement in the Constitution. It would need ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years to become part of the Constitution. If adopted, it would prevent Congress from changing the Court's size via ordinary legislation.

Maddy summaryS 942 is a procedural Senate rule that would prevent consideration of any bill or amendment attempting to change the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. It creates a "point of order" (a procedural objection) that, if sustained by the Senate chair, would automatically remove such provisions from legislation. This rule applies to all Senate consideration stages, including amendments and conference reports, and requires a two-thirds vote to override. The bill directly affects any legislation proposing to alter the Supreme Court's size, blocking it from advancing through Senate procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the weight thresholds triggering enhanced federal sentencing for fentanyl and synthetic opioid offenses. It amends the Controlled Substances Act to lower quantities from 400 grams to 20 grams for mandatory minimums (and similar reductions for other penalties), directly affecting individuals convicted of fentanyl-related trafficking. The bill also directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to update federal sentencing guidelines within 120 days to align with these changes. Additionally, it requires the U.S. Postal Service to increase chemical screening devices, dedicate personnel for 24/7 analysis, and allocates $9 million for interdiction efforts targeting fentanyl and synthetic opioids in mail shipments.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies U.S. tax code to boost research and development (R&D) investment by businesses. It allows companies to immediately deduct R&D costs (instead of amortizing them over 5 years) and expands refundable tax credits for small businesses, raising the annual credit cap from $250,000 to $750,000 by 2032. Small businesses with gross receipts under $15 million can now qualify for higher credit rates (up to 20% of R&D costs) and may exclude years with no R&D expenses when calculating credits. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 2022, directly benefiting R&D-focused startups and small businesses.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 20) seeks to block a 2023 rule from the Department of Justice and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) that classified certain firearms with stabilizing braces as rifles under federal law. If passed, it would nullify the rule, meaning firearms equipped with these braces would no longer be subject to the rule’s classification requirements. The resolution uses the congressional disapproval process under Title 5, U.S. Code, to stop the rule from taking effect, directly affecting firearm manufacturers and owners who use stabilizing braces on weapons.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 110) honoring the late James George Abourezk, the first Arab American to serve in the U.S. Senate (1973-1979) from South Dakota. It commemorates his legacy, including his work re-establishing the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and co-authoring key Native American rights legislation like the Indian Child Welfare Act. The resolution directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory and send a copy to his family, acknowledging his service as a representative and advocate for Native American communities. As a procedural resolution, it has no legislative effect beyond commemoration.

Maddy summaryS 805, the Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2023, increases penalties for importers who commit customs fraud or gross negligence. It triples civil penalties for fraudulent violations (to three times the domestic value) and raises gross negligence penalties (up to ten times the domestic value), while adding a five-year import ban for fraudulent violators and a two-year ban for gross negligence. The bill also creates a new private lawsuit mechanism, allowing U.S. manufacturers, workers, or trade groups harmed by customs violations to sue violators for triple damages plus attorney fees. Additionally, it excludes individuals or related businesses found guilty of such violations from participating in the U.S. importer of record program. This directly affects importers who violate customs laws, U.S. businesses competing with fraudulent imports, and customs enforcement processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring working dogs, including $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar coins, to be sold starting January 1, 2025. A surcharge of $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin, and $5 per half-dollar coin will be added to the sale price, with all surcharge funds directed to America’s VetDogs to support its service dog programs for veterans and people with disabilities. The coins are legal tender but will only be issued for one year (2025), with production limited to specified quantities (50,000 gold, 500,000 silver, 750,000 half-dollars). The bill does not create new government programs but uses commemorative coin sales to fund existing service dog initiatives.

Maddy summaryS 696, the Border Safety and Security Act of 2023, allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of certain immigrants deemed "covered aliens" (those inadmissible under specific immigration laws) at U.S. borders. It requires this suspension if the government cannot legally detain or process these individuals under existing immigration law. The bill gives the Secretary discretion to impose such entry bans to achieve "operational control" of borders, while mandating them when processing capacity is insufficient. This directly affects immigrants seeking entry who fall under the defined inadmissibility categories and enables states to sue the government if they believe border processing failures harm residents.