Sen. Joni Ernst

Maddy summaryThe Investing in VETS Act (S 2146) raises the federal government's goal for contracting with service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses from 3% to 5% of total federal contracting dollars. This change directly affects federal agencies, which must now aim to meet the higher 5% target in their procurement plans, and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, which gain a stronger contractual target. The bill amends Section 15(g)(1)(A)(ii) of the Small Business Act to update this governmentwide requirement. It focuses on increasing opportunities for this specific business group through a concrete policy adjustment in federal contracting rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President, Vice President, and certain political appointees (including senior executive staff, ambassadors, and their non-Foreign Service aides) to report fossil fuel-powered official travel. Officials must submit details like travel routes, mode of transport, distance, estimated carbon emissions, and any emission-reduction actions taken. The Office of Management and Budget will compile this data into a public, searchable database updated monthly, with exceptions for national security risks. The law mandates this reporting to increase transparency about government emissions from travel, without changing emissions standards or requiring new environmental actions.

Maddy summaryS 2210, the Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act, requires the President to submit a detailed report to Congress before terminating, waiving, or significantly altering U.S. sanctions on Iran. Congress then has 30 days (or 60 days during summer months) to review the proposal through committee hearings and decide whether to approve or disapprove it via joint resolution. During this review period, the President cannot implement the sanction change without Congressional approval. The bill directly affects the executive branch's ability to modify Iran sanctions policy and gives Congress formal oversight authority over major foreign policy shifts related to Iran.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2082) amends existing U.S. law to clarify legal pathways for victims of terrorism to seek compensation from foreign states. It updates references in federal statutes (28 U.S.C. § 1605B and 18 U.S.C. § 2331) to explicitly include entities organized under U.S. law when defining "national of the United States" for terrorism lawsuits. The changes ensure victims can pursue claims under Section 2333 against foreign states that sponsor terrorism, while also clarifying how judgments against such states can be executed. These technical amendments apply to all pending or future cases filed after the bill's enactment, directly affecting terrorism victims seeking legal recourse in U.S. courts.

Maddy summaryThe FARMLAND Act of 2023 strengthens oversight of foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land, particularly by entities from countries designated as "foreign entities of concern" (including China and Russia) or state sponsors of terrorism. It requires entities involved in agricultural land transactions to conduct due diligence and certify compliance, increases civil penalties for non-compliance to 5-25% of transaction value, and prohibits foreign persons from participating in Farm Service Agency programs. The bill mandates annual reports on foreign ownership of farmland by state, creates a new position to monitor compliance, and requires a public database tracking foreign-owned agricultural land to protect U.S. agricultural security.

Maddy summaryThe CONSULT Act of 2023 prohibits the U.S. Department of Defense from entering into, renewing, or extending contracts with consulting firms that have business ties to specific foreign adversaries, including China’s government, military, or entities on U.S. sanctions lists (like the NS-CMIC List). It requires all companies bidding for DoD contracts to disclose if they’ve worked with these entities in the past five years or currently hold active contracts or funds from them. Failure to disclose can result in immediate contract termination and a five-year ban from federal contracting. The bill also allows affected firms to submit certification proving they’ve severed such ties to regain eligibility, with the Department of Defense mandated to update its acquisition policies within one year.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures female service members who served in cultural support teams (2010-2021) receive proper military records and veterans' benefits. It requires military records to include this service for retirement pay calculations and directs the VA to treat such service as "combat" for disability claims. Veterans who were previously denied benefits for service-related injuries can file supplemental claims within three years of the bill's enactment. The bill specifically covers approximately 310 women who served in these teams, who faced barriers in accessing VA care for traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, or physical trauma incurred during deployment.

Maddy summaryThe End Government Shutdowns Act (S 2041) would automatically continue federal funding for government programs at the previous fiscal year's level if Congress fails to pass a new budget on time. For the first 120 days, funding would remain at 100% of the prior year's level, then decrease by 1% every 90 days until a new budget is enacted. This prevents shutdowns for programs like national parks, food safety inspections, and federal agency operations by ensuring continuous funding without new legislation. The bill applies to all federal programs requiring annual appropriations, unless another law already specifies their funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state and local governments from imposing additional production standards on agricultural products grown in another state but sold in interstate commerce, unless those standards already apply under federal law or the state where production occurs. It directly affects farmers, distributors, and businesses operating across state lines by preventing states from creating new barriers to interstate agricultural trade. Key provisions include creating a federal legal right for affected parties to challenge such state regulations in court, with automatic preliminary injunctions to halt enforcement pending resolution. The law also sets a 10-year limit for filing lawsuits and specifies where cases can be heard.

Maddy summaryS 305 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell commemorative coins (gold, silver, and half-dollar denominations) to mark the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary in 2025. Each coin sale includes a surcharge ($5 to $35 per coin) that will fund the Marine Corps Heritage Center's educational programs, with proceeds paid directly to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The coins will be sold from January 1 to December 31, 2025, and the surcharge structure ensures no net cost to taxpayers by covering production expenses through sales. This bill directly affects the U.S. Mint (in coin production), the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (as recipient of funds), and the public (as potential buyers).