Sen. Tom Cotton

Maddy summarySRES 606 is a U.S. Senate resolution condemning the Iranian government for violently suppressing peaceful protests and the right to assemble, which has resulted in at least 6,126 reported deaths and 41,800 arrests since December 2025. It highlights Iran's use of internet blackouts, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and censorship to crush nationwide demonstrations sparked by economic hardship. The resolution calls on Iran to hold free elections, allow citizens to determine their future, and hold human rights violators accountable, while commending protesters' courage. As a symbolic resolution (not a law), it expresses the Senate's stance without imposing new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryS 3839 would block state laws requiring specific renewable energy targets (like renewable portfolio standards) or tying utility market participation to such requirements. It directly affects state governments, local regulators, and utilities by preempting these mandates as "inconsistent" with federal grid reliability goals. The bill's key mechanism is federal preemption, voiding any state law that mandates renewable energy percentages or conditions utility operations on compliance with such rules. It does not prevent states from owning or operating renewable energy facilities themselves, but would override state climate policies that impact grid planning or cost structures.

Maddy summaryThe SHADOW Fleet Sanctions Act of 2026 imposes sanctions on vessels and foreign entities supporting Russia's shadow fleet - vessels used to circumvent sanctions on Russian oil exports. It targets foreign vessels engaging in unsafe maritime behavior, lacking proper insurance, or evading the crude oil price cap, as well as foreign persons facilitating such activities through ship-to-ship transfers, insurance, or port services. The bill requires sanctions on port terminals in China or India accepting oil from sanctioned vessels and establishes a public database of vessels suspected of sabotage activities. It also creates reporting requirements and a strategy to counter China's role in evading sanctions on Russian energy products.

Maddy summaryThe Drone Espionage Act (S 1809) amends existing law to explicitly include video recordings alongside photographs in the prohibition against taking or transmitting defense information. This technical update to Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 793 clarifies that video footage of defense-related information - such as from drones or other devices - falls under espionage laws, just like photographic images. The bill directly affects individuals or entities recording defense information via video, expanding the scope of prohibited activities under current espionage statutes. It does not create new penalties but ensures modern recording methods are covered by existing legal protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill would withhold up to 10% of federal highway funding from states that fail to comply with specific immigration verification requirements. It directly affects states that issue driver's licenses without requiring proof of legal immigration status or restrict sharing immigration status information with federal authorities. Key provisions include withholding 5% of funds in the first year of noncompliance (increasing to 10% annually thereafter) and requiring annual state certifications of compliance. The bill conditions transportation funding on adherence to these immigration verification standards, as defined by the REAL ID Act and federal immigration law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires companies that synthesize DNA or RNA (like those selling synthetic nucleic acids) to screen customer orders for dangerous sequences and verify customer identities. It mandates a federal system to maintain a list of "sequences of concern" (DNA patterns that could create harmful pathogens), with regular updates based on public input and rapid additions for emerging threats. The bill also creates a "biotechnology governance sandbox" for testing new security tools and streamlines federal oversight by having agencies coordinate under one plan to reduce duplication. These rules apply directly to biotech manufacturers and distributors of gene synthesis equipment, aiming to prevent misuse while supporting innovation.

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote, in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill (1) provides for a private right of action for certain violations, and (2) establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses. Individuals voting in federal elections must present an eligible photo identification document. An individual who votes by absentee ballot must submit a copy of their identification document with both the request for, and the submission of, the absentee ballot.

Maddy summaryS 3708 (MERICA Act of 2026) amends the Mineral Leasing Act to define "hardrock minerals" for federal land leasing. It specifically includes base metals, precious metals, industrial metals, and gemstones (like gold or copper), while excluding coal, oil, gas, and sulfur. This change directly affects mining companies seeking rights to extract these minerals on federal lands under existing leasing rules. The bill clarifies which minerals fall under the mineral leasing framework, streamlining administration without creating new programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Senate to provide advice and consent for any international climate agreement that involves legally binding domestic emissions reductions (like the Paris Agreement), treating such agreements as treaties under the Constitution. It directly affects the executive branch and federal agencies by blocking the use of federal funds to implement or comply with these agreements unless Senate approval is first obtained. The key mechanism is changing the process for entering climate agreements from executive action to a formal treaty ratification process. This would prevent the U.S. government from joining or rejoining international climate deals without Senate confirmation. The bill does not alter the content of climate agreements but changes how they are approved and funded.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of January 25-31, 2026, as "National School Choice Week" to recognize educational options for K-12 students. It encourages parents to learn about school choices and urges the public to host events raising awareness about diverse education environments, including public schools, charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling. The resolution has no policy or funding impact - it is a ceremonial designation acknowledging existing annual events celebrating educational choice.