Sen. Mike Braun

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 200) expresses support for designating April 30-May 6, 2023, as "National Small Business Week" to honor small businesses and entrepreneurs across the United States. It recognizes that small businesses (over 33 million nationwide supporting 62 million jobs) are vital to the U.S. economy and highlights their resilience. The resolution specifically calls for celebrating their contributions, acknowledging challenges they face, and supporting efforts to improve access for underserved small businesses. As a symbolic gesture - not a law - it does not create new policies or funding but formally recognizes small business impact.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 119 recognizes the 202nd anniversary of Greece's independence (celebrated March 25, 2023) and celebrates the shared democratic values between Greece and the United States. The resolution highlights historical ties, including U.S. support during Greece's 1821 independence struggle, Greece's role in World War II, and its current status as a U.S. NATO ally. It also commends Greece's contributions to global security and its support for Ukraine's sovereignty following Russia's invasion. This procedural resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to strengthen bilateral relations without enacting new laws.

Maddy summarySRES 106 is a 2023 U.S. Senate resolution condemning China's implementation of the Hong Kong national security law and related actions. It specifically criticizes the law's use to suppress dissent, target figures like pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai and Cardinal Zen, and undermine Hong Kong's autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework. The resolution urges governments to hold China accountable, supports Hong Kong residents' fundamental freedoms, and calls for dropping all national security law charges against detainees. It does not create new laws or impose direct consequences but serves as a symbolic expression of congressional concern about Hong Kong's political rights and rule of law.

Maddy summaryThe LEOSA Reform Act (S 1462) clarifies and expands federal protections for qualified active and retired law enforcement officers who carry concealed firearms, directly affecting those who meet specific standards. It updates existing law to explicitly allow these officers to carry firearms in National Park System areas and on public property (even with entry fees), while requiring retired officers to maintain recent firearms qualification standards (within 12-36 months) to retain their rights. The bill also explicitly permits qualified officers to carry firearms in certain Federal facilities open to the public, such as Security Level I or II buildings. These changes streamline federal firearm carry rules for law enforcement personnel without altering state laws or creating new restrictions.

Lifting Our Communities through Advance Liquidity for Infrastructure Act or the LOCAL Infrastructure Act This bill reinstates tax provisions relating to advance refunding bonds. An advance refunding bond is a tax-exempt bond issued by a state or municipality to refinance or consolidate existing bond obligations.

Maddy summaryThe Rural Jobs Act allocates $500 million annually (for 2023 and 2024) of the New Markets Tax Credit specifically for investments in designated rural areas called "Rural Jobs Zones." These zones must exclude cities/towns over 50,000 population or adjacent urban areas, and require at least 25% of funds to target persistent poverty counties or high migration rural counties. The bill directly affects community development groups focused on job creation in rural regions by providing tax credit funding for equity investments in these areas. It modifies existing tax credit rules to prioritize economic development in underserved rural communities without changing overall tax rates.

Maddy summaryThe Healthy Competition for Better Care Act (S.1451) prohibits health insurance issuers and group health plans from entering contracts with providers that restrict their ability to steer enrollees to other providers, offer incentives for specific care, or require additional contracts with provider affiliates. It bans terms that force plans to accept payment rates for non-party affiliates or limit other plans from offering lower rates for the same services. The bill includes exceptions for health maintenance organizations (HMOs) operating through exclusive multi-specialty contracts and value-based networks like accountable care organizations. Health plans must annually attest to compliance, and the law preserves existing privacy protections under HIPAA, GINA, and ADA. This applies to all health insurance contracts entered into 18 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates April 2023 as "Financial Literacy Month" to raise public awareness about the importance of personal financial education and the consequences of financial illiteracy. It cites statistics showing widespread challenges, including 4.5% of U.S. households being unbanked, high credit card debt (47% of adults), and limited school-based financial education (only 23 states require personal finance courses). The resolution calls on federal, state, local, schools, nonprofits, and businesses to observe the month with educational programs. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to highlight existing financial literacy gaps affecting all Americans.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates April 2023 as "National Native Plant Month" to recognize the environmental and cultural value of native plants across the United States. It highlights that native plants - indigenous to specific regions - support biodiversity by providing food and habitat for wildlife, prevent erosion, and help restore ecosystems. The resolution does not create new laws or affect specific groups; it is a symbolic recognition by the Senate of native plants' role in environmental resilience. It follows a pattern of ceremonial resolutions honoring ecological themes without implementing policy changes.

Maddy summaryS 1419, the ERASER Act, requires federal agencies to repeal at least three existing regulations before issuing a new rule that affects businesses, states, or local governments. For major rules (those with significant economic impact), agencies must also demonstrate the new rule's cost does not exceed the cost of the repealed rules, with certification from the Office of Management and Budget. The bill applies to rules created through standard notice-and-comment rulemaking but excludes internal agency management rules. It aims to streamline regulations by mandating cost-neutral or cost-reducing rule changes, with the Government Accountability Office required to report on the number and economic cost of existing regulations every five years.