Sen. Mike Braun

Maddy summarySJRES 15 is a joint resolution disapproving a rule issued by the Department of Commerce. The rule established procedures for suspending import duties under Presidential Proclamation 10414, which relates to trade measures affecting goods entering the U.S. This resolution, if enacted, would nullify the Commerce Department's rule (published at 87 Fed. Reg. 56868), meaning the suspended duty procedures would no longer apply to importers and customs operations. The bill directly affects businesses and importers subject to these customs procedures.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 17) is a symbolic measure introduced in the U.S. Senate on February 16, 2023, to formally apologize to veterans of the Vietnam War for the mistreatment they faced upon returning home. It directly affects Vietnam War veterans and their families by recognizing their sacrifice and acknowledging the hostile reception they endured due to the war's divisiveness. The resolution urges the President to acknowledge this mistreatment during the Vietnam War Commemoration and expresses support for improved educational efforts in U.S. schools about veterans' experiences. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws, provide funding, or alter policy - it serves solely as a formal statement of apology.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the Supreme Court to no more than 9 justices. It would directly affect the composition of the Supreme Court by preventing future expansions beyond the current 9-justice structure. The key provision requires a constitutional amendment, which would need ratification by 38 state legislatures (three-fourths of states) within seven years of congressional submission. Congress would also gain authority to pass laws enforcing this limit. The amendment does not change the current court size but aims to restrict future changes to the Court's membership.

Maddy summarySRES 66 is a Senate resolution condemning China's use of a high-altitude surveillance balloon over U.S. territory as a violation of U.S. sovereignty. It specifically denounces China's false claims that the balloon was a weather device that drifted off course. The resolution requires the President to provide Congress with detailed briefings on the incident, including the balloon's timeline, intelligence gathered, and plans to prevent future violations of U.S. airspace. It calls for decisive U.S. action to deter foreign surveillance activities and holds the Chinese government accountable for such actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual payments for former U.S. presidents to $200,000 each for an annuity and a monetary allowance, with yearly adjustments tied to Social Security cost-of-living increases. It requires former presidents to disclose tax returns to calculate potential reductions if their income exceeds $400,000 annually. Surviving spouses will receive $100,000 yearly instead of $20,000, with the same inflation adjustments. The changes apply only to future former presidents, not those serving at the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State Department to publish and update every six months a list of countries with security agreements or joint police initiatives with China, and mandates annual FBI briefings to Congress on China's global security presence. It also sets strict timelines: if Chinese police stations are found in the U.S., the FBI must notify local law enforcement within 24 hours, the public within 72 hours, and Congress within 15 days, with follow-up updates every 60 days. The bill directly affects federal agencies (State Department, FBI), state/local law enforcement, and congressional committees (Homeland Security and Judiciary committees in both chambers). It focuses on transparency and notification procedures, not on banning or restricting activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires any U.S. agreement with Iran regarding its nuclear program to be treated as a treaty, mandating Senate approval by a two-thirds vote before it can take effect. It directly affects the President, who cannot bypass this requirement to waive or reduce sanctions related to Iran's nuclear activities. The key provision blocks the President from granting sanctions relief or taking related actions under any Iran nuclear deal - including joint plans, side agreements, or future documents - without first securing Senate treaty approval. This applies to all forms of agreements, whether legally binding or not, and covers all related materials like annexes or technical understandings.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the executive branch's authority to pause or cancel federal student loan payments during national emergencies. It prohibits the President or Secretary of Education from suspending payments or canceling balances for borrowers with household incomes above 400% of the poverty line during emergencies, and bans executive actions to cancel loans related to the COVID-19 pandemic or other emergencies. Any such pause or cancellation would be treated as a "major rule" requiring congressional review under the Congressional Review Act. The bill primarily affects higher-income borrowers during emergencies by limiting executive relief options, while maintaining existing loan programs for lower-income borrowers. It does not change standard loan repayment terms but restricts emergency executive actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 471) gives states more flexibility in determining which Medicaid providers can participate in state plans if they perform abortions. It allows states to set their own criteria for excluding abortion providers from Medicaid participation, except in specific cases. The exceptions require coverage for abortions needed due to rape or incest, or when a physician certifies a life-threatening physical condition related to pregnancy. This directly affects Medicaid providers who perform abortions and state Medicaid programs, changing how states manage provider participation under federal Medicaid rules.

Maddy summaryThe BENEFIT Act of 2023 amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require drug sponsors to include patient experience data in the risk-benefit assessment for new drug approvals under Section 505(d). This directly affects pharmaceutical companies seeking FDA approval for new drugs and the FDA itself, which must now consider this data during evaluations. The key provision adds a specific requirement for sponsors to submit patient experience data as part of the approval framework and to describe how this data influenced the risk-benefit assessment. The bill does not change drug safety standards but expands the data considered during the review process. This is a procedural change to the FDA’s evaluation criteria, not a new drug benefit.