Maddy summaryS 1506, the FAA Advancements Act, requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct an independent study on modernizing aircraft type certification processes, including evaluating digital tools, risk-based approaches, and faster resolution for software updates. It also mandates an evaluation of the FAA’s international validation program under bilateral agreements and establishes an internal review team to streamline the development of aviation safety regulations. The bill directs the FAA to report findings to Congress and implement recommendations to reduce delays, improve efficiency, and enhance safety in aircraft certification and regulatory rulemaking. These changes directly affect the FAA’s internal operations, international partners, and industry stakeholders involved in aircraft design and safety compliance.
Sponsored bills
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 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 summarySRES 194 designates May 5, 2023, as National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. The resolution directly addresses the disproportionate violence faced by Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women by calling for public commemoration of victims and solidarity with affected families. It uses May 5 - the birthday of Hanna Harris, a Northern Cheyenne woman whose case is cited in the resolution - as the designated date for awareness efforts. As a Senate resolution, it serves as a symbolic recognition of this issue rather than creating new legal obligations.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends a federal program supporting air service to small communities. It expands eligibility by redefining when air service is considered "significantly reduced" to include factors like passenger numbers, available seats, flight schedules, or routes - not just termination. The bill increases annual funding for the program from $10 million to $16 million (for fiscal years 2024-2028) and requires the Secretary of Transportation to solicit grant applications if over $5 million in available funds exists during a fiscal year. These changes directly affect small communities reliant on federal air service development funds to maintain or restore air connectivity.
Maddy summaryThe Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2023 (S 1328) amends the National Labor Relations Act to clarify that tribal governments and tribal-owned enterprises operating on tribal lands are considered "employers" under federal labor law. This change directly affects Native American tribes, tribal members working for these entities, and tribal businesses located on Indian lands. The bill adds specific definitions to the law, including "Indian Tribe," "Indian," and "Indian lands" (covering tribal reservations, trust lands, and certain Oklahoma lands), ensuring tribal employers fall under the same labor protections as other employers. As a result, workers at tribal-run operations gain the right to organize, bargain collectively, and file complaints under the National Labor Relations Act.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Southwestern Power Administration Fund within the U.S. Treasury to consolidate existing financial accounts. It directly affects the Southwestern Power Administration (a federal power marketing agency) and the Department of Energy, by merging unexpended balances from three previous funds into one centralized account. The fund will be used exclusively for operating power transmission facilities, marketing electricity, building infrastructure, and related administrative costs under existing laws. The bill streamlines financial management without creating new programs or altering policy.
Maddy summaryS 897, the Expedite Veteran Appeals Act of 2023, increases the permanent number of judges serving on the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims from seven to nine. This change directly affects veterans whose appeals are processed through this court, aiming to reduce delays in resolving their claims. The key provision is a straightforward staffing adjustment in Title 38 of the U.S. Code, adding two permanent judicial positions. This policy change focuses on improving processing capacity without altering the appeals process itself.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the VA Secretary to respond to written questions from Senate and House Veterans' Affairs committees within 45 business days. If delays are expected, the VA must notify the committee member in advance, explaining the reason, providing a new timeline, and detailing steps needed to answer. It also mandates other federal agencies to promptly assist the VA when requested to meet these deadlines. The bill directly affects the VA Secretary, congressional committees, and other federal agencies involved in VA oversight.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 25) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific Department of Labor rule regarding wage rates for H-2A agricultural workers. It targets the rule published in the Federal Register (88 Fed. Reg. 12760) that established a methodology for calculating "Adverse Effect Wage Rates" (AEWR) for temporary H-2A nonimmigrant workers in non-range occupations. If passed, the resolution would block this rule from taking effect, directly affecting agricultural employers who rely on H-2A visas and the workers themselves by preventing the implementation of the new wage calculation method. The resolution does not create new policy but aims to halt an existing rule through the congressional disapproval process under U.S. Code.