Sen. Mike Braun

Maddy summarySRES 426 is a Senate resolution designating November 4, 2023 (the first Saturday of November), as "National Bison Day." It directly recognizes the cultural, historical, and economic significance of bison to Native American tribes, rural communities, and the U.S. ecosystem. The resolution encourages the American public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities, but it does not create new laws, funding, or obligations. This is a symbolic gesture acknowledging bison's role as the national mammal and its importance to tribal heritage and conservation efforts.

Maddy summaryS. RES. 420 designates Betty K. Koed as Historian Emerita of the U.S. Senate, effective October 21, 2023, honoring her 25-year career as the Senate's first female Historian (serving from 2015-2023 after roles as Assistant and Associate Historian). The resolution recognizes her work preserving Senate archives, producing historical publications, and supporting educational programs about Senate history. It is a ceremonial honor with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation or constituents.

This resolution states that the Senate stands with Israel as it defends itself, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas' war on Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and calls on the United States to lead an international effort to deprive Hamas of Iranian and other sources of funding and lethal assistance. Furthermore, the resolution states that nothing in it may be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force.

Maddy summaryThis bill blocks the EPA from implementing new vehicle emissions rules for model years 2027 and later, specifically targeting the "Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards" rule. It amends the Clean Air Act to prevent future regulations from mandating specific technology (like electric components) or limiting the availability of new vehicles based on engine type (e.g., gasoline vs. electric). The bill directly affects the EPA’s authority to set emissions standards and the auto industry’s ability to sell certain vehicle types. It ensures emissions rules cannot restrict consumer choices among new vehicle models.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects unspent U.S. foreign assistance funds originally designated for Gaza to directly support Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system. It requires the President to transfer these funds - bypassing other existing legal restrictions - to either the Defense Department or the Foreign Military Financing Program for grants to Israel specifically for resupplying Iron Dome components. The bill directly affects Israel's ability to maintain its short-range rocket defense system by providing immediate funding access. It does not create new funding but reallocates existing unexpended balances from Gaza assistance to this defense purpose.

Maddy summarySRES 413 is a symbolic Senate resolution condemning foreign nationals in the U.S. who endorsed or supported Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or Hezbollah - designated foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) - for their roles in the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel that killed over 1,300 people, including 30 U.S. citizens. It urges the President to enforce existing immigration law (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)(B)(i)(VII)) by revoking visas and initiating deportation for such individuals. The resolution affirms no equivalence between FTO terrorism and Israel’s self-defense, rejects anti-Semitism, and commemorates the victims. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but calls for applying current visa ineligibility rules.

Maddy summaryS. Res. 406 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Richard Clarence Clark, a former U.S. Senator from Iowa (served 1973-1979), who died in 2023. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that the House of Representatives and Clark’s family be informed, and directs the Senate to adjourn for the day as a mark of respect. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy or legal effect, reflecting the Senate’s collective tribute to a former member.

Maddy summaryS 3072 (Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act) creates new pre-charter planning subgrants to support educator-led teams developing new public charter schools. It provides up to $100,000 per prospective applicant to teams led by educators with at least 4.5 years of school-based experience (including teaching or after-school programs) who have drafted a community need assessment for their proposed school. The bill reserves 5% of certain charter school funds for these subgrants, requiring states to administer them through entities verifying educator leadership and community need alignment. This directly affects new charter school developers and state education agencies managing grant allocations under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the U.S. government from voting to allocate International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to countries that have committed genocide within the past decade or are designated as state sponsors of terrorism under specific U.S. laws. It directly affects the U.S. President, agencies, and IMF voting decisions regarding SDR allocations to targeted nations. The key mechanism requires explicit congressional authorization before the U.S. can support such allocations for countries meeting either of these criteria, amending existing IMF voting rules. The law targets nations designated under provisions like the Foreign Assistance Act (22 U.S.C. 2371) or the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780(d)).

Maddy summaryThe Air America Act of 2023 authorizes a one-time $40,000 payment to individuals who served for at least five years with Air America or its affiliated companies (1950-1976) or to their survivors, including widows, widowers, children, or dependents. Additional payments of $8,000 per full year beyond five years of service are provided for longer service periods. The total funding for these awards is capped at $60 million, with claims required to be filed within two years of implementing regulations. The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency administers the program, processing claims and issuing lump-sum payments to eligible individuals or their survivors.