Sen. Marco Rubio

Maddy summaryS 2229, the Retroactive Foreign Agents Registration Act, requires individuals who previously acted as agents for foreign governments or entities to register retroactively under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938. It amends the law to make registration obligations apply to past periods when someone served as a foreign agent, not just future activity. The bill allows the Attorney General to seek court orders requiring compliance with registration rules for any past period an individual acted as a foreign agent, even if they are no longer doing so. This applies to anyone who was a foreign agent at any time before, on, or after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 36) seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule (88 Fed. Reg. 12842, March 1, 2023) that would have removed religious exemption provisions from the Equal Opportunity Clause requirements for federal contractors. If approved, it would prevent the rule from taking effect, meaning federal contractors would continue to be required to comply with the Equal Opportunity Clause without the religious exemption previously allowed. The bill directly affects federal contractors subject to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs' (OFCCP) regulations. It is a procedural disapproval measure under Title 5, U.S. Code, not a new policy change.

Maddy summarySJRES 11 is a joint resolution seeking to cancel an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that set new emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and buses. The rule, published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2023, would have required manufacturers to meet specific pollution control measures for new vehicles. This resolution uses a congressional disapproval process under the Congressional Review Act to nullify the EPA rule, meaning it would have no legal effect if enacted. If passed, the EPA's emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles would be voided, removing requirements for manufacturers to comply with those specific pollution controls.

This resolution commemorates the passage of two years since the building collapse in Surfside, Florida, on June 24, 2021, and expresses support for the survivors and community.

Maddy summarySRES 267 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating June 18-24, 2023, as "National Women’s Sports Week." It celebrates the anniversary of Title IX (enacted June 23, 1972), which prohibits sex discrimination in education and athletics. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but encourages observing the week through events honoring female athletes, coaches, and the expansion of women’s sports opportunities since Title IX’s passage. It has no direct impact on legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 272) commemorates the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's June 24, 2022, *Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization* decision, which overturned *Roe v. Wade*. It expresses the Senate's support for the Court's ruling that the Constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion and affirms the return of abortion regulation authority to state legislatures. The resolution celebrates the decision as a step toward protecting "unborn life" and commits to supporting families and "proclaiming the humanity of the unborn." As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any individuals directly.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publish and annually update a public list of communications entities (like telecom companies) holding FCC licenses or authorizations that have ownership ties to governments or entities from specific "covered countries" (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela). The list must be posted online within 120 days of the bill becoming law and updated yearly. It directly affects companies operating under FCC authority with foreign ownership from these nations, mandating transparency about their foreign connections. The law does not change ownership rules but creates a publicly accessible record of such affiliations.

Maddy summaryS 2210, the Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act, requires the President to submit a detailed report to Congress before terminating, waiving, or significantly altering U.S. sanctions on Iran. Congress then has 30 days (or 60 days during summer months) to review the proposal through committee hearings and decide whether to approve or disapprove it via joint resolution. During this review period, the President cannot implement the sanction change without Congressional approval. The bill directly affects the executive branch's ability to modify Iran sanctions policy and gives Congress formal oversight authority over major foreign policy shifts related to Iran.

Maddy summaryThe Restore VA Accountability Act of 2023 revises disciplinary procedures for VA supervisors and management officials (excluding senior executives and political appointees). It requires the VA Secretary to use "substantial evidence" for removals, demotions, or suspensions, with decisions made within 15 business days based on specific factors like offense severity and position level. The bill limits judicial review to procedural errors (e.g., lack of evidence) and prohibits courts from reducing penalties. It also strengthens whistleblower protections by requiring Special Counsel approval for actions against employees reporting misconduct.

Protect Drug Innovation Act This bill repeals several programs and requirements that were enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 relating to the prices of prescription drugs, including (1) the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, (2) provisions that require drug manufacturers to issue rebates for certain drugs under Medicare for which prices increase faster than inflation, and (3) provisions that cap annual out-of-pocket spending under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.