Sen. Steve Daines

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 4687, authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded collectively to wildland firefighters for their service in protecting U.S. forests, grasslands, and communities from wildfires. The medal, designed by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the National Interagency Fire Center, will be presented by congressional leaders and displayed permanently at the National Interagency Fire Center for public access and research. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates at cost to the public, with proceeds covering production expenses. This commemorative measure recognizes the collective sacrifice and dedication of wildland firefighters without altering their duties or benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts when non-detained immigrants can be released under the Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program, requiring the government to fill all detention beds and exhaust all detention options first. It mandates that all immigrants in the ATD program must wear GPS trackers during all immigration proceedings and until removal, plus stay home between 10 PM and 5 AM. Failure to follow these rules results in an automatic "removal in absentia" order without a court hearing. The law directly affects immigrants released from custody under ATD, changing their release conditions and consequences for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that public comments on federal land management rules must come only from U.S. citizens, amending existing law to specify "citizens of the United States" instead of general "citizens." It mandates that online comment systems use CAPTCHA technology to prevent automated submissions by artificial intelligence. The bill directly affects anyone submitting public comments on rules for federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management or National Forest System. It does not change land management policies but alters who can participate in the rulemaking comment process.

Maddy summarySRES 759 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing U.S. support for the alliance with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (the Baltic States) amid Russian aggression. It reaffirms U.S. commitment to Baltic security through NATO, supports continued security assistance including the Baltic Security Initiative, and recognizes the Baltic States' contributions to transatlantic defense despite facing Russian intimidation, cyberattacks, and disinformation. The resolution directly affects U.S.-Baltic security cooperation by formally endorsing ongoing military aid and joint defense efforts. It does not create new policy but serves as a symbolic statement of congressional support.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal firearms laws to simplify interstate transactions. It allows licensed dealers to sell firearms to other licensed individuals anywhere in the U.S. and permits sales to non-licensed buyers at temporary locations (like gun shows) across state lines. It also updates residency definitions to clarify that active-duty military members and their spouses can be considered residents of multiple states for firearms purposes, including their duty station location. These changes directly affect licensed firearm dealers, military personnel, and civilians purchasing firearms across state borders. The bill removes current restrictions on where transactions can occur and clarifies applicable state laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a final settlement for water rights claims of the Fort Belknap Indian Community (comprising the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes) in Montana. It ratifies a water rights compact between the tribe and the State of Montana, allocating 20,000 acre-feet of water annually from Lake Elwell for tribal use on and off the reservation. The bill authorizes land exchanges between federal and state governments, establishes trust funds for water resource management, and includes provisions for rehabilitating irrigation systems on the reservation. This settlement resolves longstanding water rights disputes while providing a framework for managing water resources for tribal members and the reservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 4597 (FDIC Discrimination Relief Act of 2024), helps current and former Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) employees who faced discrimination between 2015 and 2023. It removes the requirement to first use internal administrative processes before filing a lawsuit and extends the deadline for filing claims related to discrimination under key laws (like the Civil Rights Act, Age Discrimination Act, and Pregnant Workers Fairness Act) to one year after the bill’s enactment. Employees can now pursue civil lawsuits or administrative remedies within 180 days of enactment, with the lawsuit deadline paused during administrative proceedings. The bill ensures the U.S. government cannot claim immunity in these cases and allows for attorney fees for successful plaintiffs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows tipped workers to deduct cash tips they report to their employers from their taxable income. It creates a new tax deduction (Section 224) for cash tips included on statements given to employers, directly benefiting service industry workers like waitstaff who receive cash tips. The deduction is available to all taxpayers (not just those who itemize deductions) and avoids being treated as a limited miscellaneous deduction under current tax rules. The changes apply to tax years starting after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that would allow electronic eartags as official identification for cattle and bison. If approved, it would block the rule from taking effect, requiring ranchers to continue using traditional identification methods instead of electronic tags. The rule, published in the Federal Register on May 9, 2024, aimed to modernize livestock tracking systems. This disapproval process follows standard procedures under Title 5 of the U.S. Code for congressional review of federal regulations. The resolution directly affects cattle and bison producers who would have been required to adopt the new tagging system.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 739) introduced by Senators Rubio, Tuberville, and others on June 18, 2024. It commemorates the second anniversary of the Supreme Court's June 24, 2022, *Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization* decision, which overturned *Roe v. Wade*. The resolution expresses support for the Court's ruling that the Constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion, and it includes statements about protecting "unborn life" and supporting families. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new laws or policies.