Sen. Mike Braun

Maddy summarySRES 562 is a Senate resolution honoring George F. McGinnis, a Hall of Fame basketball player from Indiana who led the Pacers to two ABA championships and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The resolution recognizes his career achievements, including his ABA MVP title, NBA All-Star selections, and contributions to basketball in Indiana. It formally expresses the Senate's respect for his legacy and requests that a copy of the resolution be transmitted to his family. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy or legal impact.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Hulman Center in Terre Haute, Indiana, which opened in 1973. It highlights the venue’s historical role as home to Indiana State University’s basketball teams (including Larry Bird’s 1978-79 championship season), NCAA tournaments, and major concerts by artists like Elvis Presley and Van Halen. The resolution serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the center’s cultural and community significance to Terre Haute, Indiana State University, and the state. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new policies or funding.

Maddy summarySRES 553 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring Jean A. Carnahan, who served as Missouri’s first female U.S. Senator from 2001 to 2002 after her husband’s passing. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow over her death, recognizes her service as First Lady of Missouri and U.S. Senator, and her advocacy for families and veterans. It directs the Senate Secretary to share the resolution with the House and Carnahan’s family, with no substantive policy changes or affected parties. This is a standard commemorative measure with no legislative impact.

This resolution supports the designation of February 17-February 24, 2024, as National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of globally conscious leaders who will change the world; and (2) celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Give the Gift of Blue program, which has donated more than 17,000 FFA blue jackets to FFA members in need.

Maddy summarySRES 550 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating February 2024 as "Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month" to recognize the value of CTE programs. It does not create new laws or funding but formally supports CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand careers through secondary and postsecondary training. The resolution encourages educators and parents to promote CTE as a respected educational pathway, aligning with the Senate's recognition of CTE's importance for workforce development and economic competitiveness. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect but expresses bipartisan support for CTE initiatives.

Maddy summaryS 3777, the Budgeting for Disasters Act, modifies how Congress handles emergency and disaster funding. It ends budget cap exemptions for disaster-related spending starting in fiscal year 2025 and raises the vote threshold for emergency spending from three-fifths to two-thirds in Congress. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study past emergency and disaster funding from 2015-2024, including how funds were designated, spent, and cost-shared, and provide recommendations for improvement. This directly affects federal budget processes, congressional voting rules, and the administration of disaster relief funds under the Stafford Act.

Maddy summaryS 3780, the END CELLS Act, prohibits providing, possessing, or facilitating the introduction of wireless communications devices in U.S. detention facilities (like prisons or jails) when it violates existing federal or state laws. It directly affects facility staff, inmates, and anyone attempting to smuggle such devices into these facilities. Key mechanisms include imposing civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation (capped at $1 million total) and criminal fines up to $50,000 per violation for willful violations. The bill defines "wireless communications device" broadly to include phones and network components, while explicitly preserving law enforcement activities and state enforcement powers.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a specific regulation (described in a proposed rule from the Federal Register) that would affect funding for pregnancy centers. It defines "pregnancy centers" as organizations supporting maternal and fetal life and providing services like counseling, pregnancy testing, diapers, and baby clothes. The law directly affects federally funded pregnancy centers by blocking a regulatory change that could restrict their eligibility for federal expenditures. The key mechanism is a statutory prohibition preventing HHS from advancing the proposed rule, preserving existing funding pathways for these centers.

Maddy summarySJRES 59 is a joint resolution that would disapprove a rule by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) treating its Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 (SAB 121) as a binding regulation. The SEC had submitted this rule for congressional review under the Congressional Review Act, and the resolution would block it from taking effect. If enacted, the disapproval would prevent SAB 121 from being enforced as a regulation, meaning public companies would not be required to follow it as a legal rule. The bill directly affects the SEC's regulatory authority and the accounting practices of public companies.

Maddy summarySRES 529 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing January 2024 as "National Mentoring Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funds, but formally acknowledges the value of mentoring relationships for youth development. The resolution highlights mentoring's benefits - including improved academic outcomes, mental health, and career readiness - while noting that one-third of U.S. youth lack a mentor. It urges support for mentoring programs but has no direct effect on individuals or policy implementation.