Sen. John Kennedy

Maddy summaryThe Pay Our Military Act of 2023 ensures that military personnel, Defense Department civilians supporting them, and qualifying Defense contractors continue receiving pay during any funding gap in fiscal year 2024. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover military pay, allowances, and support staff salaries when regular budget legislation is delayed. The funding remains available until either a full budget is passed, a continuing resolution is enacted, or January 1, 2025, whichever occurs first. This bill directly affects active-duty service members, reserve components, Defense civilians, and contracted support staff by guaranteeing their compensation during fiscal uncertainty.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges all NATO members to spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense. It highlights that only 11 NATO countries met this target in 2022, with the U.S. paying 70% of NATO's defense costs despite contributing over 50% of the alliance's GDP. The resolution expresses concern that insufficient spending undermines NATO cohesion and U.S. taxpayer support, while commending countries like the UK, Germany, and Poland for meeting or exceeding the target.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires disclosure of foreign entities funding civil lawsuits in U.S. courts, specifically naming foreign persons (excluding foreign states and sovereign wealth funds) who might receive payments tied to case outcomes. It bans foreign states and sovereign wealth funds from funding litigation through contingent payment agreements, making such agreements void if violated. Parties must disclose funding sources in writing to courts, other parties, and the Attorney General within 30 days of filing or signing funding agreements. The Attorney General must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing foreign funding in federal courts, including funding sources and case types.

Maddy summarySRES 338 is a Senate resolution supporting the designation of the week of September 11-17, 2023, as "Patriot Week." It expresses the Senate’s backing for this observance to honor U.S. history, founding documents (like the Constitution and Declaration of Independence), historical figures, and national symbols. The resolution encourages schools, government agencies, and citizens to recognize the week by studying and celebrating American history and values. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires car manufacturers to include AM radio receivers as standard equipment in all new vehicles sold in the U.S., without additional cost to buyers. It mandates that AM radio controls be clearly visible on the dashboard for drivers. For vehicles sold before the rule takes effect, manufacturers must label them to disclose the absence of AM radio. The bill aims to maintain access to AM radio broadcasts, which are used for emergency alerts, but does not mandate new emergency systems.

Maddy summaryS 294, the Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act, amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to include "rural-area small businesses" in two existing exemptions currently available to women-owned small businesses. Specifically, it adds this category to Section 4(j)(4)(C) and Section 4(j)(6)(B)(iii), which govern exemptions for small business capital raising. This change directly affects rural small businesses seeking to access capital markets by making them eligible for the same exemptions previously reserved for women-owned businesses. The bill does not create new funding or programs but adjusts eligibility criteria within existing securities law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to allow schools to use existing federal funds for student sports clubs, teams, training, and related outdoor wellness activities. It directly affects K-12 schools by removing a previous restriction that barred such uses of ESEA funds. The key mechanism is an exception added to Section 8526(7), explicitly permitting these activities before the period ending that section. The change applies to funds already allocated under the ESEA, not creating new spending.

Maddy summarySRES 331 designates August 2023 as "National Catfish Month" to recognize the economic and cultural significance of the U.S. catfish industry. The resolution highlights that the industry supports over 9,000 jobs and contributes nearly $2 billion annually to the U.S. economy, while emphasizing catfish as a sustainable, year-round seafood source. It also acknowledges the industry’s role in regional cuisines and its status as the largest farm-raised seafood product in the United States. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise awareness of the industry’s contributions.

Maddy summaryS 2687, the "Protecting America's Property Rights Act," requires Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to only purchase conventional mortgages for one- to four-family homes if the mortgage lien priority is insured by a licensed title insurance company in the property's state. This directly affects these government-backed mortgage entities and the mortgage market for single-family homes. Key provisions include amending their charters to add this title insurance requirement for eligible mortgages, mandating prior approval from the FHFA Director and Treasury Secretary for new programs, and requiring semi-annual congressional reports on such programs. The bill updates the definition of "conforming mortgage" to include this title insurance standard.

Maddy summaryS 2655, the Transparency in Banking Act, requires major U.S. banking regulators (Federal Reserve, OCC, FDIC, and Treasury) to publicly report details about their participation in international banking rulemaking. The bill mandates annual reports by January 31 each year to Congress and online, including who attends Basel Committee meetings, issues discussed, proposed U.S. standards, and U.S. representatives' positions. Regulators must also notify Congress within 30 days of significant changes to these plans, including meeting results and voting records. This directly affects how federal banking agencies conduct international regulatory work and share information with Congress. The law aims to increase transparency around U.S. involvement in global banking standards without altering the standards themselves.