Sen. Rick Scott

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 7) seeks congressional disapproval of a 2023 rule defining "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS), which would have changed how federal agencies regulate wetlands and waterways. It targets a rule jointly issued by the Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, and other agencies (88 Fed. Reg. 3004, Jan. 18, 2023), directly affecting landowners, developers, and environmental regulators by altering jurisdiction over water resources. If passed, the resolution would nullify the rule under a specific disapproval process in Title 5 of U.S. Code, preventing it from taking effect. The resolution does not create new regulations but aims to block an existing federal rule. This is a procedural step, not a new law.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 12) seeks congressional disapproval of the District of Columbia Council’s approval of the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-789). It directly affects D.C. residents and local government, as the resolution targets the District’s newly enacted criminal code. The mechanism is a formal congressional disapproval under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, requiring passage by both chambers to block the D.C. law from taking effect. The resolution does not alter the D.C. code itself but aims to halt its implementation through federal action.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows U.S. citizens injured by fentanyl trafficking to sue foreign governments or entities in U.S. courts for knowingly providing material support to fentanyl traffickers. It targets foreign actors - such as governments or companies - that supply precursors or resources used to produce illicit fentanyl, directly affecting those who enable trafficking networks. The law creates a new civil liability pathway, requiring plaintiffs to prove the foreign entity acted "knowingly or recklessly," not merely negligently. It applies to cases involving fentanyl-related harm since 2013, with limited court jurisdiction for such claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the federal government to create a specific strategy to prevent drug trafficking through the Caribbean region into the United States, with special focus on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The strategy must outline how federal agencies will work together to stop drug smuggling via ports, air, and sea routes, while protecting legitimate trade and travel. It also mandates that the plan address drug-related violence in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and identify needed federal support for local law enforcement. The bill amends existing law to define key terms like "Caribbean region" and establishes this strategy as a formal federal requirement.

Maddy summaryS 375, the Simplifying Grants Act of 2023, requires federal agencies to simplify grant application processes for small local governments. It directly affects "covered local governments" (defined as counties, cities, or towns with populations below the threshold for an urbanized area as determined by the Census). The bill mandates agencies to review and simplify grant requirements within 180 days of enactment, and to publish step-by-step checklists for each grant program. Agencies must also report annually on simplified processes, technical assistance provided, and funding awarded to covered versus other local governments.

Maddy summaryS 347, the ANTI-SOCIAL CCP Act, would prohibit U.S. transactions with social media companies deemed to be controlled by "countries of concern" like China, Russia, or Iran. It specifically targets companies meeting criteria such as being based in those countries, having significant foreign ownership, or being subject to foreign influence over data sharing or content moderation - directly affecting platforms like TikTok and its parent company Bytedance. The bill authorizes the President to block all U.S. financial transactions with these companies under existing economic sanctions law (IEPA), effectively preventing their commercial operations in the U.S. market. Exemptions cover intelligence activities and physical goods imports, but the core provision would require immediate action against covered social media firms upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal murder law to treat distributing fentanyl that causes death as felony murder. It specifically targets individuals who distribute fentanyl (2+ grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, or 0.5+ grams of its analogues) knowing it contains the substance and causing death. The law adds a new provision stating that distributing fentanyl resulting in death constitutes first-degree murder, punishable by death or life imprisonment. This directly affects fentanyl distributors whose actions lead to fatalities, with the penalty applying when the distributor knew or should have known the substance contained fentanyl or its analogues.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans with combat-related disabilities and less than 20 years of service to receive both military retired pay and VA disability compensation simultaneously. Previously, such veterans had their retired pay reduced to avoid "concurrent receipt" of both benefits. The bill removes the 20-year service requirement for this group, applying specifically to those retired under Chapter 61 of Title 10 with a combat-related disability as defined in existing law. It does not change eligibility for veterans with non-combat disabilities or those with 20+ years of service.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new visitor category for Canadian citizens aged 50 or older who maintain a primary residence in Canada. It allows them to enter the U.S. for up to 240 days per year (within a 365-day period) if they own or rent property in the U.S., meet immigration requirements, and agree not to work for U.S. employers or access certain public benefits. The bill also clarifies that these visitors remain classified as nonresident aliens for U.S. tax purposes. It directly affects Canadian retirees seeking extended stays in the U.S. without changing their primary residence or employment status in Canada.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 73822), which addressed "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights." If enacted, it would block the rule from taking effect, directly affecting retirement plan fiduciaries (such as those managing 401(k) plans) who must follow these standards. The resolution uses a specific disapproval process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, to nullify the rule without altering its content. This is a procedural action targeting the rule's implementation, not a new policy.