Sen. John Thune

This resolution congratulates the South Dakota State University football team on a successful season and for winning the 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision title.

Maddy summaryThe Public Health and Border Security Act of 2023 ends a pandemic-era suspension on certain international entries and imports. It requires the Surgeon General to notify Congress when the public health emergency declaration (including its continuation) ends, then mandates a 60-day waiting period before lifting the suspension. During this period, the Surgeon General must collaborate with agencies like Homeland Security to develop and submit a plan for managing potential increases in travel or goods, which must be provided to Congress within 30 days. If the plan isn’t submitted on time, the suspension’s termination is delayed until 30 days after the plan is delivered.

Maddy summaryS 224, the "Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act of 2023," requires the U.S. President to impose sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) personnel and associates if the ICC is investigating or prosecuting specific U.S. or allied personnel. It directly affects ICC employees, their agents, and immediate family members (spouse, parent, sibling, or adult child) when the ICC targets "protected persons" - defined as U.S. military members, government contractors working with the military, or allied forces from treaty partners (like NATO members, Israel, or Japan) who are not ICC members and haven't consented to ICC involvement. Key mechanisms include blocking U.S. property transactions and banning visas for targeted individuals, with exceptions for U.S. law enforcement needs or UN headquarters agreement compliance. The bill aims to counter ICC actions against these designated groups by restricting their access to U.S. assets and travel.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers performing abortions to provide the same immediate medical care and hospital admission to any infant born alive during or after the procedure, as they would for any newborn. It mandates reporting of any failure to provide this care to law enforcement and imposes penalties including fines or up to 5 years in prison for violations. Women who undergo abortions may pursue civil lawsuits for damages, including compensation for physical/psychological harm and three times the abortion cost, if providers fail to comply. The law directly affects abortion providers, hospitals, and the women receiving abortion services.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 5) disapproves the District of Columbia Council’s approval of the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-640), which would have expanded voting rights for D.C. residents. It directly affects the D.C. law that was enacted by the District Council on November 21, 2022, and transmitted to Congress under the Home Rule Act. The resolution uses Congress’s statutory authority to block the D.C. law from taking effect by formally expressing disapproval. This is a procedural action, not a new policy, and does not create new voting rules itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all U.S. employers to use E-Verify, an electronic employment verification system, to check the work authorization of all new hires and existing employees. It mandates verification before hiring, with all employers required to comply within one year of enactment, and expands verification requirements to existing employees. The bill increases penalties for non-compliance, including higher civil fines (up to $25,000 per violation) and potential debarment from federal contracts for repeat violations. It also establishes a new Employer Compliance Inspection Center to standardize enforcement and improve accountability for employers who fail to verify employment eligibility.

Maddy summaryS 160, titled "Sarah's Law," amends immigration law to require mandatory detention for non-citizens charged with crimes causing death or serious bodily injury. It specifically applies to individuals who entered without inspection, held revoked visas, or fall under certain immigration categories. The bill also mandates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) notify crime victims or their families about the alien's identity, immigration status, custody details, and removal efforts. This policy change directly affects non-citizens facing such charges and ensures victims receive ongoing case information.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to make key improvements for participating farmers and ranchers. It expands cost-sharing to cover grazing infrastructure like fencing and water systems (e.g., wells, pipelines), allows land with such infrastructure to be reenrolled after contracts end, and increases the annual rental payment cap from $50,000 to $125,000. The bill also adds new continuous enrollment options for land enrolled in state wildlife enhancement programs and clarifies that management payments now cover non-haying/grazing activities. These changes directly affect agricultural landowners enrolled in the CRP who manage land for conservation, wildlife habitat, or grazing.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the federal government from promoting, supporting, or contracting with organizations that provide abortions on federal lands or in federal facilities, including national parks, military bases, and courthouses. It directly affects federal agencies and contractors operating on public lands or in government buildings by banning any federal funding, promotion, or contractual relationships with abortion providers. Key provisions define "abortion entity" as any organization performing, referring for, or financially supporting abortions, and prohibit federal actions that expand access to abortion in these settings. The law creates a clear policy restriction on federal involvement in abortion services within government-controlled spaces.

Maddy summaryThe SHORT Act revises federal firearm regulations to eliminate separate restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns. It redefines shotguns used for sporting purposes to avoid being classified as destructive devices and removes language that previously treated these weapons differently from other firearms. The bill also requires states to recognize federal compliance as meeting state registration requirements for these weapons and preempts state taxes or registration rules on them in interstate commerce. Finally, it mandates the federal government to destroy related ownership records within 365 days of enactment.