Sen. Mike Braun

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how often federal credit unions must hold board meetings based on their performance ratings. For all federal credit unions, boards must meet at least monthly for the first 5 years after their charter is approved. After that, credit unions rated 1 or 2 (highest performance) must meet at least 6 times yearly (with one per quarter), while those rated 3-5 must meet monthly. The bill directly affects all federal credit unions by adjusting their board meeting requirements according to their Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System score. These changes aim to align meeting frequency with credit union performance and oversight needs.

Maddy summaryS 148, the Stop STALLING Act, targets pharmaceutical companies that file sham petitions to delay generic drug approvals. It authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to penalize companies submitting objectively baseless petitions under FDA drug approval processes, which are deemed to interfere with competitors' business. Penalties include up to $50,000 per day a sham petition was under review or revenue from drug sales during the delay. The bill directly affects brand-name drug manufacturers (who may file such petitions) and generic drug developers (who face delays), with enforcement triggered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services' determination of delay intent. It applies to petitions filed after enactment and does not alter existing antitrust laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and report on practices in the pharmaceutical supply chain, focusing on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their impact on drug pricing. The FTC must submit an interim report within 180 days and a full report within one year, examining issues like whether PBMs steer patients to pharmacies they own, use proprietary data for competitive advantage, or design formularies to favor higher-cost drugs. The reports will also assess competition in the supply chain, legal barriers to enforcement, and the FTC’s ability to address anticompetitive behavior by drug manufacturers. The goal is to identify transparency gaps and recommend policy changes to improve competition and ensure consumers benefit from cost savings.

Maddy summaryThis resolution establishes a procedural requirement for the U.S. Senate to review international pandemic agreements negotiated under the World Health Organization (WHO). It mandates that any WHO agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness, or response - where the U.S. would make significant commitments - must be submitted to the Senate as a treaty requiring approval before implementation. The resolution requires the President to submit such agreements to the Senate within 60 days of signing, with the Senate declaring it "not in order" to fund or implement any such agreement without prior Senate ratification. This affects how the executive branch handles WHO pandemic agreements, ensuring Senate consultation and approval aligns with constitutional treaty procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to require states to prioritize funding for workforce development programs based on research evidence. States must now describe in their applications how they will give highest priority to programs proven effective through rigorous research (high-evidence), followed by moderately proven programs (moderate-evidence), and then programs with preliminary evidence (low-evidence). The bill defines these evidence tiers clearly, requiring states to base funding decisions on documented research showing positive outcomes for participants. This directly affects states administering federal workforce programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award a single gold medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment collectively, recognizing their service during the Revolutionary War. The medal, designed by the Treasury Secretary, will be permanently displayed at the Rhode Island State Library, with Congress encouraging its use for research and potential display at other historically significant locations. Bronze duplicates may be sold to cover production costs, and all medals are classified as national medals under U.S. law. The bill directly honors the regiment, which in 1778 became one of the first integrated units in American history by recruiting over 200 Black and Indigenous soldiers.

Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce European reliance on Russian energy by promoting U.S. natural gas exports to NATO allies and partners. It requires the State Department to develop a transatlantic energy strategy within 180 days and expedites LNG export approvals for qualifying countries, including NATO members and Japan. The bill also mandates sanctions on companies investing over $1 million in Russian energy pipelines, targeting projects like Nord Stream 2. These provisions directly affect NATO members, U.S. energy exporters, and entities involved in Russian pipeline development.

Maddy summaryThe National Right-to-Work Act would amend federal labor law to prohibit requiring employees to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. It removes existing provisions in the National Labor Relations Act that allowed for "union security agreements" (such as agency shops) and similarly amends the Railway Labor Act for railroad workers. This change would mean private sector and railroad workers nationwide would not face mandatory union fees to retain their jobs, applying to all new or renewed employment agreements after enactment. The bill directly affects all covered employees in the private workforce and railroad industry by eliminating forced financial contributions to labor unions.

Maddy summaryThe FOCA Act (S 537) requires federal agencies and recipients of federal construction funds to prohibit bid specifications or project agreements from mandating or banning contractor agreements with labor organizations (like unions), or discriminating against contractors based on such affiliations. It applies to all federal construction contracts and subcontracts awarded after the law's enactment, aiming to ensure open competition, reduce costs, and expand opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses. Federal agencies must update their regulations within 60 days to implement these rules, with limited exemptions only for urgent public health, safety, or national security threats - not labor disputes. This law directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and federal construction projects funded by the government.

Maddy summaryS 529, "Eric's Law," amends federal death penalty sentencing procedures to address jury deadlocks. It requires courts to impanel a new jury if the original jury fails to reach a unanimous sentencing recommendation (death, life without parole, or a lesser sentence) in capital cases. If the new jury also cannot agree unanimously, the court must impose a non-death sentence authorized by law. This directly affects federal defendants facing capital charges where juries cannot unanimously agree on sentencing.