Sen. Joni Ernst

Maddy summaryS 2671, the DRIVE Act, prohibits the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration from requiring large trucks (over 26,000 pounds gross weight) operating in interstate commerce to install speed limiting devices. This directly affects commercial trucking companies and operators transporting goods across state lines with qualifying vehicles. The bill prevents the agency from creating a new rule mandating these devices, effectively maintaining the current regulatory status for such vehicles. The legislation focuses solely on blocking this specific requirement, without altering other safety regulations.

Maddy summaryS 2574, the FAIR Leave Act, repeals a time limit on leave for employees caring for a spouse under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It removes Section 102(f) of the FMLA (29 U.S.C. 2612(f)), which previously restricted the duration of leave for a spouse's serious health condition. This change directly affects employees who need to take FMLA leave to care for a spouse with a serious health issue, eliminating a prior cap on the leave period. The bill makes no new provisions but updates existing law to allow continuous leave without the previous time restriction.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clean Air Act to adjust fuel standards and support small refineries. It changes how the EPA grants waivers for fuel additives (allowing fuels similar to certified vehicles or meeting specific waiver conditions) and modifies Reid Vapor Pressure limits from "10 percent" to "10 to 15 percent" for certain fuels. Small refineries that retired credits for 2016-2018 compliance years and had pending or denied petitions by December 2022 can now have those credits returned or applied to future compliance. The bill directly affects fuel retailers, ethanol producers, and small refineries by altering compliance rules and credit eligibility under the renewable fuel program.

Maddy summaryThe RAPID Reserve Act (S 2510) creates a federal program to prevent critical drug shortages by requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with eligible manufacturers and distributors to maintain 6-month reserves of key drugs and their active ingredients. It directly affects qualifying drug manufacturers (with domestic or OECD-registered facilities, strong quality records, and domestic manufacturing capacity) and distributors, focusing on drugs with vulnerable supply chains that are critical for public health emergencies or at-risk populations. Key mechanisms include mandating regular replenishment of reserves, allowing the Secretary to redirect reserves during emergencies, and prioritizing domestic manufacturing capacity. The program is funded with $500 million for fiscal year 2024, with annual reports to Congress on drug selections and program effectiveness.

Maddy summaryThe SCORE Act of 2023 updates the Small Business Administration's SCORE program, renaming it the Supporting Coaching Opportunities for Resilient Entrepreneurs program. The bill establishes new requirements including a 5-year recompete process for the organization managing the program, performance standards for coaches, and mandates expanded online services like webinars and e-commerce tools. It creates the National Women's Business Coaches to help connect women entrepreneurs with resources and develop workshops on internet sales, e-commerce, and social media marketing. The program is set to sunset after 4 years unless reauthorized, affecting small business entrepreneurs seeking guidance, SCORE volunteers, and the Small Business Administration's operations.

This resolution recognizes the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program and its outsized influence in developing and supporting enduring relationships around the world. The resolution also expresses deep gratitude for the service of members of the National Guard to the program.

Maddy summaryThe Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act of 2023 makes the 7-year tax depreciation recovery period for motorsports entertainment complexes permanent. This directly affects businesses operating racetracks and motorsports facilities by allowing them to spread the tax deduction for certain assets over seven years instead of a shorter period. The bill amends Section 168(i)(15) of the Internal Revenue Code by removing a temporary provision (subparagraph (D)) that previously limited this recovery period. As a result, these businesses will retain the 7-year tax benefit indefinitely without needing future legislative changes.

Maddy summaryS 931 mandates federal agencies to conduct a comprehensive review of their software entitlements and inventories within one year of enactment, requiring detailed accounting of software contracts, costs, usage, and interoperability. Agencies must develop plans to consolidate software licenses, prioritize enterprise agreements for cost savings, and minimize restrictive licensing terms - particularly for cloud services - while ensuring vendor-neutral procurement. The bill also requires a government-wide strategy by the Office of Management Budget within two years, including cost-benefit analyses for enterprise licensing and integration of software spending data into federal budget processes. These provisions directly affect all federal agencies, their CIOs, CFOs, and procurement officers, with reporting to Congress and the Government Accountability Office.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Defense from using military funds to cover travel, lodging, meals, or transportation expenses related to abortions for service members or their dependents, except in cases where the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life, results from rape, or results from incest. It also terminates a 2022 Department of Defense memo that allowed access to abortion-related care and bans using medical convalescent leave or administrative absences for abortion-related travel under the same limited exceptions. The bill directly affects active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their dependents who might seek abortion care. It modifies existing travel and leave regulations under U.S. Code titles 37 and 10 to restrict these benefits, aligning with existing federal law that limits abortion funding. The policy change removes prior allowances for abortion-related travel expenses and leave under military benefits programs.

Maddy summaryThe Regional Integration and Normalization Act of 2023 (RINA) establishes a Special Presidential Envoy and creates a $105 million fund to support economic, security, and people-to-people initiatives among Israel, Abraham Accords countries (UAE, Bahrain, Morocco), and Negev Forum countries (including Egypt, Jordan, and others). The bill authorizes enhanced reporting on regional integration efforts, promotes educational exchanges, scientific collaboration, and cybersecurity cooperation, and supports projects addressing water security, energy, and agricultural challenges. It establishes mechanisms for economic partnership, including negotiating frameworks for trade, investment, and regulatory alignment, and aims to deepen cooperation through initiatives like the UAE-Israel CEPA. The legislation directly affects U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East, focusing on regional stability and economic growth through normalization frameworks.