Sen. Chuck Grassley

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 30, 2024, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day" to honor individuals who report government misconduct. It directs federal agencies to inform employees, contractors, and the public about their legal right to report waste, fraud, or misconduct through honest and good-faith disclosures. Agencies must also acknowledge whistleblowers' contributions to combating fraud and protecting public funds. The resolution is ceremonial and does not create new legal protections or alter existing whistleblower laws. It focuses on raising awareness and recognizing the role of whistleblowers in safeguarding taxpayer resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow U.S. individuals to import certain prescription drugs from Canada for personal use, subject to specific safety and eligibility rules. It requires the FDA to establish regulations within 180 days, certifying Canadian pharmacies that meet criteria like being licensed in Canada for at least five years, following quality assurance standards, and not reselling drugs. Imported drugs must match U.S.-approved versions in active ingredients, dosage, and form, and cannot exceed a 90-day supply per person - excluding controlled substances, biologics, and refrigerated drugs. The policy directly affects U.S. consumers seeking lower-cost medications and Canadian pharmacies that qualify for FDA certification.

Maddy summaryS 4830, the Combatting Money Laundering in Cyber Crime Act of 2024, expands law enforcement tools to address money laundering tied to cybercrime. It directly affects the U.S. Secret Service and financial institutions by updating the Secret Service’s investigative authority to include cyber-related money laundering under Section 1960 and adding "structured transactions" to their scope. Key provisions include extending FinCEN’s data retention period from 5 to 10 years and increasing sanctions timelines for international financial institutions from 6 to 10 years. The bill also mandates a Government Accountability Office report within one year to assess how effectively law enforcement identifies and deters cybercrime money laundering.

Maddy summarySRES 774 is a Senate resolution designating June 15, 2024, as "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day" and June 2024 as "Elder Abuse Awareness Month." It aims to raise public awareness about elder abuse, which affects approximately 1 in 10 adults over 60 annually through physical, financial, or psychological exploitation. The resolution encourages individuals and professionals to learn to recognize, report, and respond to elder abuse by connecting with adult protective services and long-term care ombudsman programs. This symbolic designation does not create new laws or funding but highlights ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairments, disabilities, or isolation.

Maddy summaryS 4770 prohibits federal agencies from entering contracts with companies that boycott Israel after January 1, 2024. It requires companies bidding on contracts over $100,000 for services or information technology to certify they are not boycotting Israel, and mandates that contracts include a prohibition on boycotts during their term. If a company violates this, agencies must notify them within 30 days and terminate the contract 30 days later unless the boycott ends. This directly affects businesses with federal contracts exceeding $100,000 for services or IT, with no impact on individual contractors or smaller contracts.

Maddy summaryThe Restoring Civility on Campus Act of 2024 requires the Department of Education to accelerate investigations of discrimination complaints on college campuses related to antisemitism or Islamophobia (violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act). It mandates that the Office for Civil Rights send investigators to affected campuses within 30 days of a complaint and publish detailed public reports every 30 days on findings, criminal actions, and disciplinary outcomes. The bill also imposes a $1 million fine per violation for colleges failing to properly report bias-related crimes under the Clery Act, with audits focusing on incidents after October 7, 2023. These requirements apply to all colleges participating in federal student aid programs and expire two years after the bill’s enactment.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 103) seeks to block a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule titled "Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet; Restoring Internet Freedom" that was published in May 2024. It uses a specific congressional process under Title 5, U.S. Code, to formally disapprove the FCC rule, which would make the rule legally ineffective. The resolution directly affects the FCC’s regulatory authority over internet service providers and the implementation of net neutrality standards. If passed, it would prevent the FCC’s rule from taking effect, reverting to prior regulatory approaches for internet service. This is a procedural disapproval measure, not a new law.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act of 2023 targets "product hopping" by pharmaceutical manufacturers, which occurs when companies discontinue an original drug to make way for a follow-on product and prevent competition from cheaper generics or biosimilars. The bill prohibits two types of anti-competitive conduct: "hard switches" (discontinuing a drug or withdrawing approval) and "soft switches" (taking actions to disadvantage the original drug relative to a follow-on product). It gives the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce these rules, including seeking remedies like disgorgement of profits from anti-competitive behavior. This legislation directly affects drug manufacturers, particularly those producing reference drugs and follow-on products, with the goal of increasing competition in the pharmaceutical market and lowering prescription costs.

Maddy summarySRES 765 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma following his death on July 9, 2024. The resolution commemorates his 28-year Senate service (1994-2023) and 52 years in public office, highlighting his work on defense policy, aviation legislation, infrastructure projects, and support for military bases in Oklahoma. This procedural resolution expresses the Senate's condolences and formally recognizes his legacy, rather than enacting any policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award a single Congressional Gold Medal to Jens Stoltenberg, former Secretary General of NATO, recognizing his leadership during his nine-year tenure. It directs the Treasury to strike the medal and allows for the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. The medal honors Stoltenberg's role in strengthening NATO's defense spending, enlargement, and unity - particularly during Russia's invasion of Ukraine - though the bill itself creates no new policy or obligations. The award is purely ceremonial and affects only Stoltenberg as the recipient.