Sen. John Barrasso

Maddy summarySRES 612 is a non-binding Senate resolution acknowledging the fourth anniversary of Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It reaffirms U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its 1991 borders, condemns Russia’s attacks on civilians and infrastructure, and emphasizes the need for sustained U.S. and transatlantic security guarantees. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but expresses congressional support for Ukraine’s defense and calls for continued international cooperation. It specifically highlights Russia’s targeting of Ukrainian children and U.S. companies as part of its aggression. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect on policy or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill terminates a specific tax rate (the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing rate) used to fund hazardous waste cleanup efforts after December 31, 2025, with the change taking effect January 1, 2026. It also modifies how the government repays advances from the Superfund, requiring quarterly payments from unobligated funds until fully repaid, effective upon the bill's enactment. The bill directly affects the federal government's funding mechanisms for the Superfund program, not consumers or businesses. It makes concrete changes to tax code provisions and repayment procedures without altering the program's core purpose or directly impacting gasoline prices (despite the misleading bill title).

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.

Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act This bill allows National Forest System (NFS) units to keep the majority of ski area permit rental fees that were generated within their boundaries and outlines how revenues from those fees may be used. Such fees are collected by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from ski area operators on NFS land. Within the NFS unit where the fees were generated, USDA must expend (1) 60%-48% of the collected fees for activities such as administration of the ski area permit program, visitor information, or reducing the likelihood of wildfire in or adjacent to a recreation site; and (2) 20% of the collected fees for activities such as repair of a Forest Service-owned facility, habitat restoration, or search and rescue activities. The remainder of the collected fees must be expended by USDA at any NFS unit for any of the activities specified in this bill.

Maddy summaryThe Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 aims to protect critical subsea fiber-optic cables that form the backbone of global internet infrastructure. It requires the U.S. government to increase engagement in international bodies like the International Cable Protection Committee, establish an interagency committee for coordination, and impose sanctions on foreign entities damaging cables. The bill mandates annual reports on Chinese and Russian cable activities, strengthens information sharing between government and private cable owners, and creates new reporting requirements for U.S. agencies. These provisions directly affect U.S. government agencies, private cable companies, and foreign entities that might threaten cable security. The act focuses on enhancing the security, resilience, and protection of subsea cable networks that are vital for global communications.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 601) designates the week beginning February 2, 2026, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week" to recognize these institutions' role in serving Native communities and their economic contributions. It highlights that tribal colleges serve students from over 250 federally recognized tribes, offer culturally grounded education, and contribute $3.8 billion annually to the U.S. economy. As a symbolic resolution (not a law), it has no binding effect but calls for public observance through community activities. The resolution focuses on honoring tribal colleges' mission and achievements, citing their open enrollment and economic impact statistics.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates January 2026 as "National Mentoring Month" to raise public awareness about mentoring programs. It recognizes the benefits of mentoring for youth - including improved academic performance, mental health, career development, and reduced risk of delinquency - and highlights that 40% of U.S. youth lack a mentor. The Senate encourages community, school, and workplace efforts to expand existing mentoring programs and recruit volunteers to support young people. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to promote existing mentoring initiatives across the country.

This resolution supports the designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer and recognizes the critical role of women in agriculture. The resolution also encourages citizens to celebrate the impact these women have on the food systems and agricultural workforce of the United States by encouraging and empowering women to pursue careers in agriculture and cultivate leadership opportunities.

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 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.