Sen. Mike Braun

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a federal law (Section 248 of Title 18, U.S. Code) that prohibited blocking access to healthcare clinic entrances, including abortion clinics. It directly affects individuals participating in protests near such facilities by removing this specific criminal prohibition. The key mechanism is the repeal of the existing statute, meaning prosecutions under this provision for blocking clinic entrances would no longer be possible after enactment. The bill does not create new protest rights but removes a specific federal restriction on access.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies when a worker is classified as an employee versus an independent contractor under federal law. It adds specific criteria: a worker is an independent contractor if the company doesn't control *how* the work is done (only the final result) and the worker has entrepreneurial risks and opportunities. The bill explicitly prohibits using factors like compliance with health/safety standards, insurance requirements, or meeting deadlines to classify workers as employees. This directly affects workers (determining their eligibility for minimum wage, overtime, and union rights) and businesses that classify workers as contractors.

Maddy summaryS.3028, the PUNISH Act of 2023, extends existing U.S. sanctions against Iran by preventing their modification or removal until a specified termination date. It requires the Secretary of State to submit annual reports to Congress assessing whether Iran's government or affiliated entities (like the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) have engaged in activities such as assassinations, violence against U.S. citizens, or politically motivated detention of Iranian nationals in the U.S. The bill maintains current sanctions tied to Executive Orders 13871, 13876, 13902, and 13949, as well as sanctions on Iran's Central Bank and National Development Fund. These measures remain in effect until the President certifies compliance with specific conditions under the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Act.

Maddy summaryThe PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023 extends federal funding for research and care related to preterm births and low birthweight infants through fiscal years 2024-2028, replacing previous funding periods. It updates existing programs to include screening for and treatment of chronic conditions in infant care and requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to establish an interagency working group within 18 months. The bill mandates a National Academies study to assess financial costs of preterm birth (including neonatal ICU stays and long-term family expenses), factors influencing birth rates, gaps in public health support, and research strategies for prevention, with a final report due within 24 months. This legislation directly affects federal health agencies, healthcare providers, and families caring for preterm infants by advancing evidence-based improvements in care.

Maddy summarySRES 391 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating the week beginning October 15, 2023, as "National Character Counts Week." It does not create new laws or obligations but encourages schools, families, youth organizations, and communities to focus on character education during that week. The resolution calls on these groups to embrace core values like trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, and caring through events and activities. It is a non-binding recognition effort aimed at promoting character development among young people, not a policy change affecting specific individuals or programs.

Maddy summaryThe Protect Children's Innocence Act (S 2357) prohibits federal funding for gender-affirming care and makes it a federal crime to perform such care on minors (individuals under 18), with penalties including fines and up to 12 years in prison. The bill defines gender-affirming care broadly to include surgeries, hormone treatments, and certain medical procedures to change physical characteristics to align with a gender different from biological sex, with limited exceptions for medical conditions. It prohibits federal health facilities from providing such care, restricts federal funding for health coverage that includes gender-affirming care (allowing separate non-federal funding), and prohibits institutions of higher education from teaching gender-affirming care. The bill also makes individuals who perform such care on minors deportable under immigration law. The law does not apply to treating complications from gender-affirming care or to individuals with certain medical conditions as defined in the bill.

Maddy summarySRES 380 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating October 1-7, 2023, as "Religious Education Week" to recognize the role of religious education in U.S. schools. It calls on all 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia to accommodate students attending religious classes during school hours through "released time" programs. The resolution affirms that religious education contributes to students' moral, ethical, and civic development, referencing existing programs where approximately 540,000 public school students participate annually. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or alter funding, focusing instead on celebrating current religious education practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Benjamin Harrison National Recreation Area (29,382 acres) and adds 15,300 acres to the Charles C. Deam Wilderness within Indiana's Hoosier National Forest. It requires the Forest Service to manage the area while protecting Monroe Reservoir's water quality, allowing existing recreational uses like hiking and mountain biking, and permitting hunting/fishing with possible seasonal or zone restrictions for safety or endangered species. The bill mandates a public advisory committee and a 5-year management plan addressing fire, invasive species, and trail maintenance, while preserving existing infrastructure access (e.g., utilities, emergency services) and using existing agency funds. It directly affects public recreation users, local communities, and federal/state agencies managing the land.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public elementary, secondary schools, and colleges from receiving federal funding if they use their facilities to house non-citizens under federal immigration orders (excluding those already admitted to the U.S.). It amends existing law to block federal financial assistance for schools that provide shelter for these individuals, while exempting short-term disaster shelters (under 72 hours) or facilities used during declared disasters. The policy directly affects public educational institutions receiving federal programs, requiring them to avoid hosting such non-citizens to maintain funding eligibility. It does not restrict schools from housing other groups or affect private institutions.

Maddy summaryS 2964 would grant a federal charter to the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), a California-based nonprofit already recognized under IRS tax code 501(c)(19). This charter would allow VAREP to operate nationally under federal oversight while requiring it to maintain tax-exempt status and comply with strict rules, including no political activities, no stock or dividends, and no distribution of assets to members. The bill mandates VAREP focus its work on veterans' housing needs, financial literacy education, workforce development, and suicide prevention programs. VAREP must submit annual reports to Congress detailing its activities but cannot claim government endorsement for its work.