Sen. John Thune

Maddy summaryS 1883 increases funding for existing FAA workforce development grants and creates a new program specifically for aviation manufacturing technical workers. It authorizes $10 million annually (2024-2029) for three grant types: workforce training programs, educational partnerships, and recruitment initiatives. The bill directly affects aviation manufacturers, vocational schools, community colleges, and workers seeking careers as pilots, engineers, or maintenance technicians. Key provisions include funding for classroom training, equipment upgrades, scholarships, outreach to underrepresented groups, and a national strategic plan to address aviation workforce shortages.

Maddy summaryS 1768, the Taliban Sanctions Act of 2023, imposes U.S. sanctions on individuals and entities (including Taliban members) who support terrorism, commit serious human rights abuses, or facilitate narcotics trafficking in Afghanistan. It requires the President to block assets and deny visas to those meeting these criteria, effective 90 days after enactment. The bill also directs U.S. diplomacy to maintain UN sanctions against the Taliban and mandates regular congressional briefings on sanctions implementation and humanitarian impacts. It includes limited waivers for national security interests and specific exceptions for intelligence activities or humanitarian access.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits electric vehicle manufacturers from generating, using, or transferring renewable fuel credits (RINs) related to electricity under the Clean Air Act's renewable fuel program. It directly affects electric vehicle original equipment manufacturers (defined as makers of electric cars or light-duty trucks) by blocking their participation in a proposed program (eRIN) that would have allowed them to earn credits for renewable electricity. The bill amends the Clean Air Act to explicitly ban this credit generation and withdraws the EPA's proposed eRIN program. It requires the EPA to issue final regulations within 180 days of enactment, effective January 1, 2024. This change prevents EV manufacturers from using electricity-based credits to meet renewable fuel obligations.

Maddy summaryS.1682, the Housing Supply Expansion Act, updates wage determination rules for federal housing projects to streamline processes. It simplifies how prevailing wages are calculated by allowing geographic groupings beyond local areas (Section 2), limits projects to one wage rate based on residential character (Section 3), and creates a working group to review modernizing Davis-Bacon Act requirements (Section 4). The bill directly affects housing developers, contractors, and labor organizations participating in federal housing programs like FHA projects, Native American housing, and public housing (Sections 5-9). Key changes include requiring the Secretary of Labor to improve survey participation and data collection methods for wage determinations, and directing a working group to recommend potential waivers for affordable housing construction. The bill does not directly increase housing supply but aims to reduce administrative barriers in wage rules affecting housing development.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make non-citizens deportable if convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer under specific circumstances. It defines "assault" according to local law and covers officers acting in their official duties, due to their duties, or because of their role as a law enforcement officer or first responder (including firefighters). The key provision adds this assault offense to the list of deportable acts, directly affecting non-citizens who commit such assaults. The bill does not change existing immigration enforcement procedures but expands the grounds for deportation related to violence against officers.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of May 14-20, 2023, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. It recognizes 444 officers killed in 2022 (including specific names listed in the resolution) and acknowledges 32 officers killed in 2023, while expressing support for law enforcement personnel. The resolution encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement officers and promoting awareness of their essential service. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policy or alter existing laws.

Maddy summaryThe SAVE Act of 2023 protects U.S. agricultural producers' right to use common product names - like "Cheddar" for cheese or "Zinfandel" for wine - in foreign markets. It requires the Agriculture Secretary and Trade Representative to negotiate agreements ensuring these names remain usable, while excluding geographic terms like "Champagne" (which refer to specific regions). The bill defines "common name" as a term typically used on U.S. product labels, consistent with international standards. It mandates a biennial report to Congress on progress in securing these rights for U.S. exporters.

Maddy summaryThe Regulatory Accountability Act establishes new requirements for federal agencies when creating rules that have significant economic impact. It defines "major rules" as those likely to affect the economy by $100 million or more, cause major cost increases for consumers or industries, or have significant adverse effects on competition, employment, or public health. The bill requires agencies to consider multiple alternatives for major rules, conduct detailed cost-benefit analyses, and publish frameworks for assessing rules' effectiveness. Agencies must also make more information about rulemaking processes accessible to the public, including studies and data used in decision-making. The bill primarily affects federal agencies that create regulations and increases transparency for the public and businesses impacted by major regulatory actions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 213) expresses the U.S. Senate's support for designating May 2023 as "Renewable Fuels Month." It recognizes renewable fuels' role in reducing carbon emissions, lowering consumer fuel prices, supporting rural communities, and decreasing reliance on foreign energy sources. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges these benefits through symbolic recognition. It directly affects no specific group or policy, serving only as a statement of support.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows states to retain 25% of funds recovered from fraudulent unemployment claims (particularly pandemic-era claims) to strengthen fraud prevention systems. States can use these funds for modernizing unemployment systems, hiring fraud investigators, covering administrative costs for fraud detection, and other program integrity activities. The bill requires states to implement specific data-matching systems to prevent fraud, including cross-checking claims against employment records, databases of incarcerated individuals, and deceased individuals. It also extends emergency staffing flexibility for fraud detection through 2030 and establishes a 10-year window for prosecuting unemployment fraud.