Maddy summaryThe FEND Off Fentanyl Act authorizes sanctions against foreign individuals and entities involved in trafficking fentanyl and its precursors into the United States, with specific focus on transnational criminal organizations like Mexican cartels and the flow of precursor chemicals from China. It requires the President to submit annual reports to Congress on actions taken under the law and designates fentanyl-related transactions as a primary money laundering concern for financial institutions. The bill also repeals a prohibition on imposing sanctions related to importation of goods under previous fentanyl sanctions law. It aims to increase financial costs for traffickers by blocking assets and prohibiting transactions involving sanctioned persons.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule that would have limited credit card penalty fees under Regulation Z. If approved, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, meaning credit card companies would not be required to comply with the proposed fee restrictions. The measure uses a standard congressional review process under federal law to invalidate the rule, which was submitted to Congress in March 2024. This directly affects credit card issuers by allowing them to maintain current penalty fee practices without new federal limits.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 62) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regarding the importation of fresh beef from Paraguay. The resolution targets the rule published in the Federal Register on November 14, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 77883), which would have allowed such imports. If passed, the resolution would nullify that rule, preventing it from taking effect under procedures outlined in Title 5, U.S. Code. This action directly affects U.S. meat import regulations and the beef industry, specifically halting the implementation of the Paraguayan beef import rule.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution states that the U.S. Senate believes Israel has the inherent right to defend itself and take necessary steps to eradicate the terrorist threat posed by Hamas. It also declares that any U.S. government official calling for elections in Israel would constitute electoral interference. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but expresses congressional support for Israel’s security actions and sets a position on U.S. involvement in Israeli electoral matters. The resolution was introduced in March 2024 by multiple senators.
Maddy summaryThe EMIT LESS Act of 2024 directs the USDA to establish research facilities and training programs focused on reducing methane emissions from livestock digestion. It creates testing labs for methane-mitigating products, funds training at land-grant universities, and updates farm conservation programs to include payments for practices that lower enteric methane. Specifically, it amends the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program to allow payments for livestock feed management practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This bill directly affects livestock farmers participating in USDA conservation programs by providing new funding pathways for methane-reducing practices.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 609) designates April 4, 2024, as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. It recognizes the ongoing humanitarian threat posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance to civilians in over 60 countries, citing statistics like over 135,000 recorded casualties since 2001. The resolution reaffirms U.S. leadership in global mine clearance efforts, highlighting $4.6 billion in U.S. funding for demining since 1993 and calls for continued U.S. support to address mine contamination as a priority. It does not create new laws but symbolically supports international mine action goals and acknowledges the work of deminers and survivors.
Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts veterans' disability and survivor benefits to match the cost-of-living increase for Social Security beneficiaries. Effective December 1, 2024, it requires the VA to raise payments for disability compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation (for spouses and children), and clothing allowances by the same percentage as the Social Security COLA announced for that year. These adjustments directly affect veterans receiving disability compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114, veterans with dependents under § 1115, surviving spouses under § 1311, and children under §§ 1313-1314. The bill ensures veterans' benefits rise automatically with the Social Security COLA, without requiring new legislative action each year.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide annual preventative health evaluations to veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. The evaluations assess health risks, chronic pain management, diet/weight, prosthetic equipment, and assistive technology needs - including devices like powered mobility aids. It mandates consultation with specialists and manufacturers during implementation, and requires annual reports to Congress tracking veterans' access to these evaluations and assistive technologies. The law directly affects veterans with spinal cord injuries/disorders receiving VA care, aiming to proactively address related health complications.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates March 21, 2024, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the contributions of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors, highlighting their role in farming operations, agricultural sales (accounting for 36% of U.S. farm sales in 2022), and workforce development. The resolution encourages all citizens to acknowledge women's impact on the agricultural industry and support their participation in the field through initiatives like mentorship and education. As a symbolic gesture with no legal effect, it does not create new policies or obligations but aims to raise awareness of women's roles in agriculture.
Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent a pilot program allowing the Veterans Benefits Administration to use contracted physicians (rather than VA employees) to conduct disability examinations for veterans applying for benefits. It requires these contract physicians to hold current state licenses and meet specific qualifications, while funding the program through existing VA benefit accounts. The bill terminates the previous temporary 1996 pilot program and mandates a report to Congress within three years on how the new system affects exam costs, speed, and quality. This change directly impacts veterans seeking disability benefits by altering how their medical evaluations are administered.