Sen. Marco Rubio

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make non-citizens deportable if convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer under specific circumstances. It defines "assault" according to local law and covers officers acting in their official duties, due to their duties, or because of their role as a law enforcement officer or first responder (including firefighters). The key provision adds this assault offense to the list of deportable acts, directly affecting non-citizens who commit such assaults. The bill does not change existing immigration enforcement procedures but expands the grounds for deportation related to violence against officers.

Maddy summarySRES 215 is a Senate resolution designating May 9, 2023, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day. It supports raising public awareness about the dangers of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills, which are often disguised as legitimate medications and contribute to overdose deaths. The resolution encourages existing law enforcement efforts to combat counterfeit pill distribution and acknowledges the severe impact of fentanyl on young people, citing statistics on rising overdose deaths. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the issue through congressional support.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of May 14-20, 2023, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. It recognizes 444 officers killed in 2022 (including specific names listed in the resolution) and acknowledges 32 officers killed in 2023, while expressing support for law enforcement personnel. The resolution encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement officers and promoting awareness of their essential service. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policy or alter existing laws.

Maddy summarySRES 203 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month (observed in May) as a time to celebrate Jewish Americans' contributions to U.S. society and culture. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally acknowledges the community's historical impact and calls on leaders to combat antisemitism. The resolution highlights Jewish Americans' roles in government, arts, science, and their 350-year history in the U.S., while referencing rising antisemitic incidents and Holocaust awareness gaps. It aligns with annual bipartisan Senate resolutions since 2006, emphasizing education and inclusion without proposing concrete policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how states receive funding for nutrition education programs under the SNAP (food stamp) program. It modifies the allocation formula over five years, gradually shifting from using 2019 funding amounts to basing allocations entirely on current SNAP participation rates. For fiscal year 2024, 40% of funds go to states based on their 2019 funding, while 60% uses current SNAP participant numbers; this shifts to 100% based on current participation by 2028. State agencies administering SNAP nutrition education programs are directly affected by this revised funding distribution method.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding for school nutrition programs providing fresh fruits and vegetables. It raises annual spending for specialty crop purchases from $200 million to $300 million and boosts the domestic food assistance program to $2.5 billion in 2024, with annual increases adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. The school meal program's per-student funding rises from $75 to $100, with future amounts automatically adjusted for inflation. The bill requires fruits and vegetables purchased under the program to be grown in the U.S. unless foreign-sourced options cost 25% more, directly affecting schools, farmers, and students receiving meals.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes sanctions on foreign individuals, entities, and governments that provide significant financial or material support to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or their affiliates. It requires the President to block transactions with those supporting these groups and to suspend U.S. aid to governments providing material support for their terrorist activities. The bill also mandates regular reports on foreign countries' efforts to disrupt Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fundraising, financing, and money laundering networks. Specific exceptions include military use and humanitarian aid for medicine and food. The bill includes a sunset provision, terminating either after 3 years or when Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are no longer designated as terrorist organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state and local governments to adopt measures divesting public funds from entities engaging in boycotts targeting Israel or businesses in Israeli-controlled territories, while requiring specific procedural safeguards. Key provisions include a 90-day notice period to affected entities, an opportunity for entities to dispute the designation, and verification requirements to prevent erroneous targeting. It explicitly states that such state actions are not preempted by federal law and includes a safe harbor for investment managers adjusting policies. The bill directly affects public pension funds, municipal investments, and government contractors that meet the defined boycott criteria. It does not create new federal mandates but clarifies that states retain authority to implement these measures under their existing legal frameworks.

Maddy summaryS 1638, the "Protecting Ballot Measures from Foreign Influence Act," prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to or donating to state or local ballot initiatives and referendums. This law directly affects foreign individuals and entities seeking to influence voter decisions on state-level ballot measures. The key provision amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to add "state or local ballot initiative or ballot referendum" to existing restrictions on foreign contributions. The rule applies to contributions made on or after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThe Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2023 requires federal agencies to publicly share proposed regulatory settlements and consent decrees 60 days before court filing, including the legal basis and key terms like attorney fee awards. Agencies must accept and respond to public comments during this period and submit comment summaries to courts when seeking approval. The bill also mandates annual congressional reports on such settlements and sets new court review standards to ensure agencies can follow proper rulemaking procedures. This affects how agencies handle disputes with private parties and government entities, increasing transparency in regulatory agreements.