Sen. Chuck Grassley

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 32) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) on May 31, 2023. The rule, published as Regulation B under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), addressed how lenders must evaluate small business loan applications to prevent discrimination. If passed, the resolution would block this rule from taking effect, meaning lenders would not be required to follow these specific small business lending provisions. The bill directly affects the CFPB's regulatory authority and financial institutions that process small business loans under ECOA.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires a comprehensive audit of the Federal Reserve Board and its regional banks within one year of enactment, conducted by the nonpartisan government auditor (Comptroller General). The audit findings and recommendations must be reported to Congress within 90 days, with the report shared widely among congressional leadership and members. It repeals a previous legal limitation that restricted such audits and updates related provisions in federal law to clarify what activities are subject to oversight. The law directly affects the Federal Reserve System by mandating greater financial transparency and accountability for its operations.

Maddy summarySRES 423 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the University of Iowa women's basketball team's record-breaking "Crossover at Kinnick" game, which drew 55,646 fans - the largest attendance for a college women's basketball game - set at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The resolution celebrates this event as the first NCAA women's basketball game played outdoors in a football stadium and highlights its significance as a milestone for women's sports. It specifically congratulates the team, coaches, and staff for setting the attendance record and acknowledges the game's inspirational impact on young women athletes. The resolution has no legal effect; it merely expresses congressional recognition and requests copies be sent to Iowa officials and the university leadership.

Maddy summaryThis bill retroactively restores pay, benefits, and seniority for senior military officers (O-7 rank or higher) whose promotions were delayed due to a Senate confirmation suspension starting in February 2023. It applies specifically to officers confirmed between December 5-31, 2023, who faced delays because the Senate paused its advice-and-consent process for such appointments. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to pay retroactive compensation from a defined date (the later of 30 days after Senate calendar placement or the original appointment date) and use that date for determining the officer's seniority in their new rank. It directly affects military personnel whose career progression was impacted by the confirmation delay, without creating new policy or changing appointment procedures.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates November 2023 as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, with additional designations for National Women’s Lung Cancer Awareness Week (first week of November) and National Lung Cancer Screening Day (second Saturday of November). It expresses support for increasing public awareness, education, and research on lung cancer prevention, early detection through screening, and treatment - particularly addressing disparities in diagnosis and access for high-risk groups like non-smokers and veterans. The resolution encourages the public to participate in awareness activities but does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summaryS 3522 requires the Attorney General to produce three detailed reports to Congress within 270 days of enactment. These reports will analyze data gaps related to attacks on officers (including ambushes), non-criminal aggressive incidents against officers, and mental health resources available to law enforcement. The bill mandates examining current reporting systems, training programs, and disparities in data collection across federal, state, and local levels. It also seeks recommendations for improving data collection methods and mental health support systems for officers. This legislation directly affects federal agencies (like the FBI and DOJ) and state/local law enforcement by establishing new data collection requirements.

Maddy summaryS 3519, titled "Tyler’s Law," requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to study how often hospital emergency departments test for fentanyl during overdose cases, along with the costs, patient benefits/risks, and impacts on privacy and patient-physician relationships. Based on this study, HHS must issue guidance within six months on whether emergency departments should routinely test for fentanyl, how to inform clinicians about testing protocols, and how such testing might affect future overdose risks and health outcomes. The bill directly affects hospitals operating emergency departments and patients experiencing overdoses. It does not mandate testing but establishes a framework for HHS to provide evidence-based recommendations to healthcare providers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires hospitals, clinical diagnostic laboratories, imaging services providers, and ambulatory surgical centers to publicly disclose standardized pricing information for healthcare services in a machine-readable format. It mandates disclosure of gross charges, discounted cash prices, payer-specific negotiated charges, and other pricing details for a minimum of 300 "shoppable" services. The bill establishes civil penalties for non-compliance, with fines ranging from $300 per day for smaller facilities to over $10 million annually for larger hospitals. The goal is to make healthcare pricing more transparent for consumers, helping them compare costs and make informed decisions about their care. The requirements will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySRES 500 is a Senate resolution designating November 8, 2023, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day." It recognizes first-generation college students - those whose parents did not earn a bachelor's degree - and commemorates the anniversary of the 1965 Higher Education Act, which established key support programs like Federal TRIO and Pell Grants. The resolution urges all Americans to celebrate this day, acknowledge the contributions of first-gen students to the future workforce, and honor the Higher Education Act's role in expanding access to higher education. This is a symbolic designation with no new funding or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThe Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (S 1418) strengthens privacy protections for children under 13 and teens aged 12-17 online. It requires websites, apps, and connected devices that target children or teens, or are reasonably likely to be used by them, to obtain verifiable consent from parents for children and from teens themselves for those aged 12-17 before collecting personal information. The bill prohibits targeted marketing to children and teens, establishes a "Digital Marketing Bill of Rights for Teens," and creates a Youth Privacy and Marketing Division within the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these rules. It also sets out specific Fair Information Practices Principles requiring transparency, data accuracy, security, and proper data disposal for children's and teens' personal information.