Sen. Dan Sullivan

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah (the Houthi group in Yemen) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization within 90 days of enactment, reversing a 2021 Biden administration decision that removed the designation. It mandates the President to impose existing sanctions under two executive orders: blocking assets of designated terrorists (E.O. 13224) and restricting travel for Yemeni nationals linked to terrorism (E.O. 13780). The sanctions directly target Ansarallah, its members, agents, affiliates, and any foreign entities owned or controlled by the group. This would restrict U.S. financial transactions with the Houthis and their networks, while also affecting Yemeni nationals subject to travel bans under the applicable sanctions.

This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to families and businesses and would severely harm the economic and national security of the country.

Maddy summarySRES 434 is a non-binding Senate resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine, first articulated by President James Monroe in 1823. It does not create new laws or affect any specific groups; instead, it formally recognizes the historical significance of the doctrine's principles. The resolution reasserts the U.S. position opposing external powers extending "malign influence" in the Western Hemisphere, citing recent U.S. military posture statements about Chinese and Russian activities in Latin America and the Caribbean. It serves as a symbolic reaffirmation of the doctrine's enduring influence on U.S. foreign policy, without implementing any concrete policy changes.

Maddy summarySRES 435 is a Senate resolution designating October 30 through November 4, 2023, as "National Veterans Small Business Week." It formally recognizes the contributions of veterans who own small businesses, highlighting their role in the economy (over 1.7 million veteran-owned businesses employing 2.9 million people). The resolution expresses support for veterans' entrepreneurship, encourages policies reducing regulatory burdens for small businesses, and thanks veterans for their service through business ownership. This is a symbolic recognition with no new legal requirements or funding.

This resolution recognizes October 2023 as National Women's Small Business Month, honoring the role of women small business owners and entrepreneurs and encouraging the support and creation of women-owned small businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act to better support vulnerable youth experiencing homelessness or at risk of exploitation. It creates new grant programs that provide temporary shelter, counseling, and transitional housing for youth up to age 26, with special attention to those who are victims of trafficking or from marginalized communities. The bill requires services to be culturally appropriate, trauma-informed, and to include support for education and job skills, while expanding prevention services to help youth avoid homelessness. It authorizes $200 million annually for these programs through 2028, with specific funding allocations for different service types. The bill directly affects runaway, homeless, and street youth, particularly those from historically underserved populations who face barriers to accessing services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Violence Against Women Act to create new federal grants for states, providing funding to ensure survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault can access legal assistance. States receiving grants must use funds to support legal services - including help with protective orders, custody, divorce, housing, employment, and expunging convictions - through public or private entities. The bill increases annual funding from $57 million to $80 million (for fiscal years 2024-2028) to expand these services. It directly affects survivors by guaranteeing access to legal help for civil matters stemming from their victimization, rather than criminal cases. The key mechanism is state-level grant distribution to local legal aid providers, with specific requirements for fund usage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 175) makes permanent specific administrative decisions by the Bureau of Land Management to revoke previous land withdrawals in Alaska. It codifies five Public Land Orders (7899-7903) that partially reversed earlier restrictions on public lands, allowing activities like mining or development in those areas. The bill directly affects land management in Alaska by turning temporary revocations into permanent legal provisions. It does not create new policy but formalizes existing land-use changes approved by the Interior Secretary in 2021.

Maddy summaryThe HOUSES Act of 2023 allows states and local governments to purchase federal public lands for housing development, requiring at least 85% of the land to be used for residential housing, open space, green space, or community amenities like schools or health clinics. It sets specific rules, including a minimum density of 4 homes per acre, limits on commercial use (capping it at 15% of land), and requirements for infrastructure like transit hubs and utilities. The bill establishes a review process where the Secretary of the Interior must prioritize housing needs, complete decisions within one year, and sell land at a price calculated using a formula based on fair market value and prior tax revenue. This applies to tracts not designated as federally protected land, with non-compliance risking loss of federal community development funds for 15 years.

Maddy summaryS. RES. 420 designates Betty K. Koed as Historian Emerita of the U.S. Senate, effective October 21, 2023, honoring her 25-year career as the Senate's first female Historian (serving from 2015-2023 after roles as Assistant and Associate Historian). The resolution recognizes her work preserving Senate archives, producing historical publications, and supporting educational programs about Senate history. It is a ceremonial honor with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation or constituents.