Sen. Mike Braun

Maddy summarySRES 751 is a ceremonial Senate resolution congratulating Trine University's women's softball team for winning the 2023 NCAA Division III National Championship. It recognizes the team's 46-6 season record, championship game victory (1-0), and individual honors like Most Outstanding Player Debbie Hill. The resolution formally thanks the players, coaches, and university community for their contributions. It directs the Senate to send a copy to Trine University's president, athletics director, and head coach. As a procedural resolution, it has no policy impact and serves only to honor the team's achievement.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 100) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that sets new air pollution standards for specific chemical manufacturing industries. It directly targets the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry and Group I & II Polymers and Resins Industry by requesting Congress disapprove the EPA's rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 42932, May 16, 2024). The resolution uses a statutory process (under chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code) to formally reject the rule, which would prevent it from taking effect. If passed, the EPA rule establishing emission limits for hazardous air pollutants and new source performance standards would have no legal force. This is a procedural disapproval effort, not a new environmental policy.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate resolution (SRES 748) expresses that the United States should not enter into new security agreements with Ukraine. It specifically targets the June 2024 Bilateral Security Agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine, demanding that this existing agreement be submitted to the Senate for ratification as a treaty - requiring two-thirds approval - before it can have legal force. The resolution argues the current agreement bypasses constitutional requirements by circumventing Senate oversight and could commit the U.S. to indefinite military support without congressional authorization. As a resolution, it does not change policy but formally opposes the agreement’s current status and requires Senate ratification for future security commitments.

Maddy summarySRES 747 is a Senate resolution designating June 16-22, 2024, as "National Pollinator Week" to recognize pollinators' critical role in U.S. agriculture and ecosystems. It acknowledges that pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds support food production (contributing over $18 billion annually to crops) and biodiversity. The resolution encourages the public to observe the week through conservation and educational activities while committing the Senate to continue efforts protecting pollinator habitats and raising awareness. This is a symbolic recognition with no new funding or regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows tipped workers to deduct cash tips they report to their employers from their taxable income. It creates a new tax deduction (Section 224) for cash tips included on statements given to employers, directly benefiting service industry workers like waitstaff who receive cash tips. The deduction is available to all taxpayers (not just those who itemize deductions) and avoids being treated as a limited miscellaneous deduction under current tax rules. The changes apply to tax years starting after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThe Innovative Nutrition for Seniors Act (S 4574) allows states to use up to 5% of certain Older Americans Act nutrition funds for new services like mobile meal units, grab-and-go meals, or medically-tailored meals to improve food access for seniors and address food insecurity. Tribal organizations and nonprofits serving Native Hawaiian seniors can use up to 2% of their grants for similar services targeting older Native individuals. All new services must meet existing nutrition standards for meals. This amendment expands flexible service options without requiring additional funding.

Maddy summaryS 4575, the Evidence-Informed Health Promotion Act, amends the Older Americans Act to require that health promotion programs for older adults consider evidence-informed practices - meaning methods supported by research to improve health outcomes. It updates existing provisions to include "evidence-informed practices" alongside current standards in services, disease prevention, and falls prevention programs. This change directly affects older Americans receiving services under the Older Americans Act by directing federal agencies to prioritize research-backed approaches when designing and delivering health programs. The bill does not create new programs but modifies how existing services must be evaluated and implemented.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the federal government to create an online portal listing all national resource centers funded under the Older Americans Act. The portal must be updated every 180 days with specific details for each center, including their goals, the states and populations they serve, annual service numbers, and yearly funding sources (both federal and non-federal). It also mandates that each center provide metrics showing how effectively they advance their stated goals. The bill directly affects older Americans who use these centers and the federal agencies managing them, by making program data publicly accessible.

Maddy summaryThe Long-Term Care Transparency Act (S 4578) requires the federal government to annually compile and summarize state-level reports from long-term care ombudsman programs. The Assistant Secretary must submit this aggregated report to specific congressional committees - including the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee - each year. The bill mandates that the report combine all state findings under existing law and provide a clear summary of trends and issues. This law directly affects the federal agency administering the Older Americans Act and ensures Congress receives consolidated data on long-term care oversight.

Maddy summaryThe Pathways to Prosperity Act creates a new grant program to help community colleges develop workforce training programs aligned with local employer needs. It provides funding for community colleges to form partnerships with employers in high-demand industries, creating career pathways that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials. Recipients must track program outcomes including completion rates, employment placement, and earnings, and report this data annually. The program specifically aims to improve job training quality for community college students, particularly those with barriers to employment or from underserved communities.