Sen. Roger F. Wicker

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily halts U.S. funding for the World Health Organization (WHO) until the Senate approves any new international pandemic treaty. It prohibits the U.S. from joining or funding any WHO pandemic agreement unless it first receives Senate ratification as a treaty. The funding freeze begins when such an agreement is signed and ends only after the Senate approves the treaty. This directly affects WHO funding and the process for international pandemic cooperation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to fund sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation efforts along U.S. coasts. It provides $5 million annually (2024-2029) to eligible groups - including nonprofits, tribes, universities, and conservation organizations - to cover costs for rescuing stranded turtles, providing medical care, collecting research data, and releasing recovered turtles. Grants will be distributed equitably based on past stranding rates, regional risks, and endangered species recovery needs. The program aims to improve coordinated responses to stranded marine turtles, which include both dead turtles found on beaches and live turtles requiring medical assistance.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates August 1, 2024, as "Gold Star Children’s Day" to honor children who lost a parent while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It specifically recognizes these children’s sacrifices, building on existing observances for Gold Star Mothers (since 1936) and Gold Star Spouses (since 2010). The resolution has no policy or funding changes - it simply designates a date for national recognition and encourages public observance. It does not create new laws or alter existing programs.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates July 30, 2024, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day" to honor individuals who report government misconduct. It directs federal agencies to inform employees, contractors, and the public about their legal right to report waste, fraud, or misconduct through honest and good-faith disclosures. Agencies must also acknowledge whistleblowers' contributions to combating fraud and protecting public funds. The resolution is ceremonial and does not create new legal protections or alter existing whistleblower laws. It focuses on raising awareness and recognizing the role of whistleblowers in safeguarding taxpayer resources.

Maddy summaryS 4893, the TERMS Act, requires online platforms (like social media or apps requiring user accounts) to clearly explain their rules for suspending or terminating accounts. Specifically, platforms must publicly disclose their acceptable use policies in plain language, including what actions could lead to account restrictions, how they enforce rules, and appeal options. Platforms must also provide advance written notice before restricting an account, detailing the violation and appeal process, with limited exceptions for safety risks or court orders. Additionally, platforms must publish annual reports detailing how often they enforced their policies, including the reasons for restrictions and outcomes of user appeals. This bill directly affects platforms with public user accounts, aiming to increase transparency for users and businesses.

Maddy summarySJRES 104 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rule that established new fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars (for model years 2027 and beyond) and heavy-duty trucks (for model years 2030 and beyond). The rule, published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2024, would have required automakers to meet stricter emissions targets. If passed, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preserving current fuel economy standards. Introduced by multiple senators on July 30, 2024, it follows the congressional review process under Title 5, U.S. Code.

Maddy summaryThe NFIP Extension Act of 2024 extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through September 30, 2025, preventing its expiration. It updates funding deadlines and program expiration dates in the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 from 2023 to 2025. This directly affects homeowners, businesses, and communities in flood-prone areas who rely on NFIP policies for coverage. The bill maintains the existing program structure without changing eligibility or benefits. If enacted after September 30, 2024, the extension applies retroactively to that date.

Maddy summaryS 4770 prohibits federal agencies from entering contracts with companies that boycott Israel after January 1, 2024. It requires companies bidding on contracts over $100,000 for services or information technology to certify they are not boycotting Israel, and mandates that contracts include a prohibition on boycotts during their term. If a company violates this, agencies must notify them within 30 days and terminate the contract 30 days later unless the boycott ends. This directly affects businesses with federal contracts exceeding $100,000 for services or IT, with no impact on individual contractors or smaller contracts.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 103) seeks to block a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule titled "Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet; Restoring Internet Freedom" that was published in May 2024. It uses a specific congressional process under Title 5, U.S. Code, to formally disapprove the FCC rule, which would make the rule legally ineffective. The resolution directly affects the FCC’s regulatory authority over internet service providers and the implementation of net neutrality standards. If passed, it would prevent the FCC’s rule from taking effect, reverting to prior regulatory approaches for internet service. This is a procedural disapproval measure, not a new law.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends a federal tax credit for installing smart glass that automatically adjusts tint to control building temperature (electrochromic glass). It adds this specific technology to the list of eligible energy-saving features under the tax code, allowing property owners to claim the credit for installations beginning before January 1, 2033. The credit applies to systems placed in service after the bill's enactment. This directly affects builders and property owners installing this type of energy-efficient glass.