Sen. Tom Cotton

Maddy summaryS 2091, titled "Kate's Law," amends U.S. immigration law to increase penalties for individuals reentering the United States after being removed, deported, or excluded. It directly affects immigrants who reenter without authorization, particularly those with prior criminal convictions or multiple removals. Key provisions include raising maximum imprisonment to 10 years for reentry after prior drug crimes, crimes against persons, or multiple removals, and establishing a mandatory 5-year minimum sentence for reentry after an aggravated felony conviction or two prior reentry offenses. The bill also updates agency references from "Attorney General" to "Secretary of Homeland Security."

Maddy summaryS 2063, the BOONDOGGLE Act, limits travel allowances for military members seeking professional development training. It requires that such training directly relate to a member's military job and prohibits funding for activities related to sexual orientation or that promote superiority based on sex, race, or religion. The bill amends U.S. Code Section 453 to add these specific restrictions on travel allowances. It directly affects uniformed service members who use government funds for training outside their regular duties. The key change is restricting travel funding to job-related training only, banning support for certain identity-focused or discriminatory activities.

Maddy summaryThe CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 expands Medicare telehealth coverage by removing geographic restrictions, allowing services to be provided from home and other locations, and expanding who can offer telehealth services. The bill repeals the six-month in-person visit requirement for telemental health and allows telehealth use in hospice care recertification. It also includes program integrity measures to address inappropriate billing patterns and requires posting of telehealth service data to improve transparency. This legislation directly affects Medicare beneficiaries, healthcare providers, and telehealth technology vendors by making telehealth more accessible, particularly for rural and underserved populations, those with mobility challenges, and individuals in areas with healthcare workforce shortages.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state and local governments from imposing additional production standards on agricultural products grown in another state but sold in interstate commerce, unless those standards already apply under federal law or the state where production occurs. It directly affects farmers, distributors, and businesses operating across state lines by preventing states from creating new barriers to interstate agricultural trade. Key provisions include creating a federal legal right for affected parties to challenge such state regulations in court, with automatic preliminary injunctions to halt enforcement pending resolution. The law also sets a 10-year limit for filing lawsuits and specifies where cases can be heard.

Maddy summaryS 305 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell commemorative coins (gold, silver, and half-dollar denominations) to mark the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary in 2025. Each coin sale includes a surcharge ($5 to $35 per coin) that will fund the Marine Corps Heritage Center's educational programs, with proceeds paid directly to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The coins will be sold from January 1 to December 31, 2025, and the surcharge structure ensures no net cost to taxpayers by covering production expenses through sales. This bill directly affects the U.S. Mint (in coin production), the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (as recipient of funds), and the public (as potential buyers).

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 31) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule implementing the "Federal Good Neighbor Plan" for ozone air quality standards established under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. If approved, it would nullify the EPA rule (published June 5, 2023) that would have required certain states to address ozone pollution crossing state borders. The resolution uses a specific congressional disapproval process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code to prevent the rule from taking effect. This would directly affect states and industries subject to the ozone pollution regulations outlined in the EPA's submitted rule.

Maddy summaryS 1907, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023, increases penalties for crimes committed against licensed firearm businesses. It amends federal law to impose a maximum 20-year prison term for knowingly violating firearm licensing rules or attempting to do so. If a burglary or robbery occurs on a licensed dealer’s, manufacturer’s, or importer’s business premises, the law mandates minimum sentences of 3 years for burglary and 5 years for robbery. This bill directly affects federal firearms licensees by strengthening criminal penalties for attacks on their business locations.

Maddy summaryThe ONSHORE Act of 2023 establishes a $100 million annual grant program to fund site development for manufacturing and advanced manufacturing projects in strategically important industries. It directly supports rural, Tribal, and economically disadvantaged communities by prioritizing projects that improve infrastructure (like roads, power, and broadband), streamline permitting, and create local jobs. Grants cover 100% of costs for site readiness, including utility connections, environmental reviews, and workforce training programs. The bill prohibits funding for foreign entities of concern and limits any single industry to 20% of annual funds, aiming to strengthen domestic supply chains and attract foreign investment.

This resolution designates May 2023 as ALS Awareness Month. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Maddy summaryLeveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act makes significant changes to U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. It establishes special rules for successive investigations (follow-up investigations on the same merchandise), addresses cross-border subsidies and foreign market distortions that affect pricing, and requires importers to provide certifications to prevent duty evasion. The bill also includes provisions for investigating currency undervaluation as a countervailable subsidy. These changes primarily affect U.S. manufacturers competing with foreign imports and importers of goods from countries with potentially distorted markets. The bill aims to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of trade remedy investigations to better protect U.S. industries.