Sen. John Kennedy

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) funding deadline from September 30, 2023, to September 30, 2024. It directly affects homeowners in flood-prone areas who rely on federal flood insurance and the federal government managing the NFIP. The bill amends two sections of the National Flood Insurance Act to push the expiration date forward by one year and ensures the extension applies retroactively if enacted after September 30, 2023. It does not change insurance rates, coverage terms, or program rules - only the timeline for its continued operation.

Maddy summarySRES 269 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating July 22, 2023, as "National Day of the American Cowboy." It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but encourages the general public to observe the day through ceremonies and activities. The resolution highlights the cultural significance of cowboys, citing their embodiment of values like honesty and work ethic, their economic contributions through ranching, and their role in American traditions and media. This is a ceremonial designation with no direct policy impact or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThe Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (S 2347) makes it a federal crime for foreign officials to demand bribes from U.S. companies or domestic entities in exchange for official favors, such as influencing decisions or retaining business. It specifically targets demands for "anything of value" made by foreign officials - whether acting officially or unofficially - through U.S. mail, interstate commerce, or while in the U.S. The law imposes penalties of up to $250,000, 15 years in prison, or both for violations. It applies to U.S. companies (issuers) and domestic concerns, and requires annual Department of Justice reports on enforcement efforts and challenges.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a framework for qualifying news organizations to form groups to negotiate with large online platforms about fair payment for their content. It allows these groups to jointly deny platforms access to their content during negotiations and use binding arbitration to determine fair compensation based on the content's market value. The bill provides antitrust immunity for these negotiations, requires platforms to pay based on the value of news content rather than platform benefits, and includes transparency requirements for how funds support journalism. It defines specific eligibility criteria for news organizations and platforms, and sets a 6-year expiration for the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal banking regulators to study challenges faced by proposed new depository institutions - especially minority depository institutions and community development financial institutions - seeking bank charters. Within 18 months, regulators must publish a strategic plan to help these institutions navigate the chartering process, promote banking access in underserved areas, and ensure safety and consumer protection. The plan must include specific actions to increase the number of depository institutions in communities lacking banking services. This is a procedural measure focused on improving regulatory support, not creating new financial programs or funding.

Maddy summaryS 2230, the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act, prevents the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from requiring financial exchanges and their members to report investors' personal details like names, addresses, or Social Security numbers under routine data reporting rules. The SEC may only request such information during an investigation into suspected securities law violations, and must destroy it within 24 hours after the investigation concludes. This directly affects national securities exchanges, associations, and their members who handle market participant data. The bill aims to limit unnecessary collection and retention of sensitive investor information while maintaining enforcement capabilities.

Maddy summarySJRES 11 is a joint resolution seeking to cancel an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that set new emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and buses. The rule, published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2023, would have required manufacturers to meet specific pollution control measures for new vehicles. This resolution uses a congressional disapproval process under the Congressional Review Act to nullify the EPA rule, meaning it would have no legal effect if enacted. If passed, the EPA's emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles would be voided, removing requirements for manufacturers to comply with those specific pollution controls.

Maddy summaryS 2164, the Accountability for Long Term Medicare Solvency Act, requires the HHS Inspector General to study how Medicare adds, modifies, or removes billing codes and report findings to Congress within one year. It also mandates that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) annually report new Medicare billing codes, along with their usage volume and associated costs, starting in 2024. The bill directly affects CMS and Congress by increasing transparency around Medicare billing code changes. Key provisions include the IG's analysis of CMS processes and the annual public reporting of code data. This focuses on oversight mechanisms, not changes to Medicare benefits or funding.

Maddy summaryS 2210, the Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act, requires the President to submit a detailed report to Congress before terminating, waiving, or significantly altering U.S. sanctions on Iran. Congress then has 30 days (or 60 days during summer months) to review the proposal through committee hearings and decide whether to approve or disapprove it via joint resolution. During this review period, the President cannot implement the sanction change without Congressional approval. The bill directly affects the executive branch's ability to modify Iran sanctions policy and gives Congress formal oversight authority over major foreign policy shifts related to Iran.

Maddy summaryS 2068, the Main Street Growth Act, creates a new category of securities exchange called a "venture exchange" to facilitate trading for early-stage companies. It defines "early-stage, growth companies" as those without an IPO and with a market value of shares held by outside investors under $2 billion (adjusted for inflation), and establishes rules for exchanges to register specifically to trade these "venture securities." The bill requires the SEC to approve new venture exchanges within 90 days, restricts venture securities from trading on non-venture exchanges, and mandates clear disclosures about the unique risks of these securities. This directly affects startups seeking capital and investors in high-growth, pre-IPO companies by creating a dedicated trading venue with tailored rules.