Sen. Chuck Grassley

Maddy summaryS 2919, the PCAOB Enforcement Transparency Act of 2025, requires the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to hold public hearings for its enforcement actions unless the Board specifically orders otherwise. This bill directly affects the PCAOB and the public by making enforcement proceedings more transparent. The key change amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to mandate open public hearings for PCAOB enforcement actions and clarifies that determinations must be published after any sanction stay is lifted. The bill does not change substantive enforcement rules but increases public access to the process.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia as "Eastern Flank strategic defense partners" due to their geographic proximity to Russia/Belarus/Ukraine and defense commitments. It requires the U.S. State and Defense Departments to prioritize these nations for existing security assistance programs (like Foreign Military Financing and defense equipment transfers), military exercises, and strategic stockpiling under the War Reserve Stocks program. The legislation mandates that these allies receive preferential treatment for defense cooperation, including equipment pre-positioning to enhance regional deterrence. It also requires a congressional briefing within 180 days of enactment detailing implementation plans and timelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases civil penalties for securities law violations across multiple securities laws, including the Securities Act of 1933, Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Investment Company Act of 1940, and Investment Advisers Act of 1940. It raises base penalty amounts for first and second tier violations and establishes a new third tier for violations involving fraud, deceit, manipulation, or reckless disregard of regulations, with penalties capped at $1 million for individuals or $10 million for entities, or 3 times the financial gain, or victim losses. For repeat offenders convicted of securities fraud within the past five years, it creates a "fourth tier" with penalties three times the standard amount. The bill also clarifies that each violation of an injunction or bar is a separate offense, with continuing violations treated as daily offenses.

Maddy summarySRES 401 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating September 19, 2025, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day." It recognizes that over 21,000 stillbirths occur annually in the U.S., disproportionately affecting Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Hispanic families, and aims to raise awareness about this crisis. The resolution calls on the President to issue a proclamation encouraging nationwide observance to support evidence-based prevention efforts, research, and better data collection. It does not create new laws or funding but seeks to highlight existing initiatives like the 2024 Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act. The resolution directly affects families impacted by stillbirth and aims to promote prevention awareness across the U.S.

Maddy summarySRES 391 is a symbolic Senate resolution condemning the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative campus advocate and founder of Turning Point USA, who was killed on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University. The resolution expresses the Senate’s strongest condemnation of the killing, extends condolences to his family (including his wife Erika and two children), and honors his work promoting civil discourse on college campuses. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create policy changes or affect any individuals through legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires government contractors to report significant price increases on specific contracts. Contractors must notify the government within 30 days if prices for a product or service reach 25% above the current contract price or 50% above the price paid five years ago. It applies only to contracts awarded without competition (as defined by federal rules). Noncompliant contractors will have their failures listed in a public government database (FAPIIS), including details like product numbers, costs, and contract dates.

Maddy summaryThe Fertilizer Research Act of 2025 requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (specifically the Secretary and Economic Research Service) to publish a detailed report on the U.S. fertilizer industry within one year of the bill's enactment. The report must cover 25 years of market data - including fertilizer prices, import patterns (listing companies and countries), supply chain logistics, industry concentration, and emerging technologies - while excluding confidential business information. It also assesses regulatory burdens, price transparency needs, and recommends whether a mandatory industry price reporting system should be created. This research aims to inform agricultural producers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders about market dynamics and potential policy considerations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage to include certain pharmacist services in medically underserved areas. It allows pharmacists licensed in their state to provide services that would otherwise be covered if done by a physician (like medication management), specifically in health professional shortage areas or medically underserved regions. Medicare would pay 80% of the physician fee schedule rate for these services, starting January 1, 2027. The bill requires the development of new billing codes for pharmacists under Medicare's physician fee schedule. It directly affects pharmacists working in designated underserved communities and Medicare beneficiaries there.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act to require lenders to disclose the total interest cost of federal student loans over their full term, using the standard repayment plan. It directly affects borrowers by adding this total interest figure to existing disclosure forms under Section 433(a). The key change mandates that loan agreements clearly show the cumulative interest a borrower would pay, helping them understand the full financial impact of their loan. This is a disclosure requirement, not a new benefit or program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clean Air Act to require renewable fuel components in fuel for ocean-going vessels, alongside existing requirements for home heating oil and jet fuel. It directly affects shipping companies operating ocean vessels by mandating renewable fuel content starting in the second calendar year after enactment. The key mechanism updates the definition in the Clean Air Act to explicitly include "fuel for ocean-going vessels" in the renewable fuel requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency must issue implementing regulations within one year of the bill's enactment and submit a report to Congress one year after those regulations are finalized.