Sen. Mike Braun

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Back the Blue Act of 2023," strengthens federal protections for law enforcement officers by creating new criminal penalties for killing or assaulting them while on duty. It makes it a federal crime to kill or attempt to kill law enforcement officers, federal judges, or federally funded public safety officers (including firefighters and first responders) during official duties, with penalties ranging from 10 years to life in prison or death if the victim dies. The bill also establishes a new federal offense for fleeing interstate to avoid prosecution for killing law enforcement officers and adds a new aggravating factor for death penalty cases involving officers. Additionally, it expands law enforcement officers' rights to carry firearms in certain circumstances and limits federal habeas corpus relief for murder convictions involving law enforcement officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Section 230 of the Communications Act to change how online platforms are treated for content moderation. It requires platforms to prove they are not publishers of user content in legal cases (an "affirmative defense"), and removes Section 230 protection if a platform restricts content based on a government request (or a non-governmental entity acting at government request) that targets political speech. The bill defines "legitimate law enforcement" and "national security" purposes to clarify when government communications about content aren't covered by the exception. This directly affects online platforms that moderate content and users whose content might be restricted based on government communications. The changes aim to limit Section 230 immunity when government entities influence content removal.

Maddy summaryThe FIGHT Act of 2023 prohibits sponsoring, exhibiting, attending, or live-broadcasting animal fighting events, and bans transporting roosters for such purposes. It directly affects individuals and organizations involved in animal fighting, including those who broadcast events online. The bill allows any person to file a civil lawsuit to stop violations after 60 days' notice, with potential fines up to $5,000 per violation, and permits seizure of property used to facilitate these activities. The law does not override state laws banning animal fighting, except in cases of direct conflict.

Maddy summaryThe Campus Free Speech Restoration Act (S 1511) strengthens student free speech protections at colleges and universities receiving federal funding. It defines "expressive activity" broadly to include peaceful assembly, protests, distributing literature, and other First Amendment-protected speech, while prohibiting schools from restricting such activities through overly broad speech codes or "free speech zones." The bill requires institutions to clearly disclose their speech policies online and in student handbooks, establishes a complaint process for students who believe their rights were violated, and allows for loss of federal funding if institutions don't comply with the new standards. It applies to public institutions and private institutions receiving federal funds, with exemptions for religiously controlled schools.

Maddy summaryS 1542, the DRUG Act, prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from charging fees tied to drug prices or rebates for services provided to health plans or insurers, effective January 1, 2026. Instead, PBMs may only charge a fixed "flat service fee" agreed upon in writing, not linked to drug costs or patient usage. The bill also bans PBMs from reimbursing affiliated pharmacies more than independent ones, charging health plans different amounts than they pay pharmacies, or steering patients to affiliated pharmacies through higher out-of-pocket costs. Violations trigger $10,000 daily civil penalties enforced by the HHS Secretary with Labor and Treasury. This directly affects PBMs, health insurers, employer health plans, and pharmacies, aiming to reduce cost-shifting and promote fair reimbursement practices.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funds allocated for substance use disorder treatment from being used to purchase or distribute pipes or cylindrical objects intended for smoking illegal scheduled drugs. It directly affects federal treatment programs receiving funding, requiring them to avoid using these funds for such items. The key mechanism is a specific restriction on the use of federal dollars, not a ban on the pipes themselves. The bill does not change drug laws or criminal penalties but limits how treatment funding can be spent. (3 sentences)

Maddy summaryS 1482 requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to reliquidate specific entries of K389 Hole-N-One golf cart tires that were incorrectly assessed duties, instead of being duty-free as previously determined. The bill directs Customs to refund any duties paid with interest for 200+ specific entries listed in the bill, covering imports from 2009 to 2015. These entries were previously classified under subheading 4011.69.00 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, which should have resulted in a duty rate of free. The bill affects several importers, including Monitor Manufacturing Co., Martin Wheel, and American Kenda, who paid duties on these tires when they should have been duty-free.

Maddy summaryThe SPACE Act (S 1483) requires the National Space Council to report on Chinese and Russian space investment activities, including their military-civil fusion efforts and space technology development. It bans federal funds from purchasing certain telecommunications or aerospace goods/services from entities linked to the Chinese government, Communist Party, military, or specific state-owned corporations like China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The bill also mandates new SEC disclosures for foreign investors owning over 2% of U.S. space-related companies and requires annual reports on foreign investment in U.S. space activities. These provisions directly affect U.S. government spending, covered entities (U.S. businesses in space/telecom sectors), and foreign investors in the U.S. space industry.

Maddy summaryThe Make the Migrant Protection Protocols Mandatory Act of 2023 (S 1479) would require the U.S. government to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly known as "Remain in Mexico," for certain asylum seekers encountered at the border. It amends Section 235(b)(2)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act by changing "may" to "shall," making MPP implementation mandatory rather than discretionary. The MPP requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their U.S. immigration cases are processed, directly affecting individuals seeking asylum at the border who would otherwise be allowed to remain in the U.S. during proceedings. This policy change would standardize the use of MPP across all relevant cases without requiring additional legislative action.

Maddy summaryThe Guidance Clarity Act of 2023 requires federal agencies to include a clear, prominent statement on certain guidance documents explaining that the guidance does not have the force of law. This applies to all agencies defined in federal law for guidance issued under specific procedures, directly affecting how agencies communicate rules to the public. The required statement must appear on the first page and state: "This document does not have the force and effect of law and does not bind the public or agency." Agencies must implement this within 30 days of OMB issuing final guidance, which must occur within 90 days of the bill's enactment.