Sen. Steve Daines

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies and streamlines the process for states and agencies to certify that federally permitted projects (like dams or pipelines) won't harm water quality. It requires certifying authorities to publish clear certification requirements upfront, make written decisions within 90 days based only on specific water quality standards (sections 301, 302, 303, 306, and 307), and explain their reasoning. The changes directly affect project applicants seeking federal permits and state agencies handling water quality certifications. Key mechanisms include setting a strict 90-day timeline for decisions, banning arbitrary delays, and ensuring certifications are strictly tied to established water quality rules.

Maddy summaryThe Retirement Savings for Americans Act of 2023 creates a new retirement savings program for workers who don't have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan with automatic enrollment. The program automatically enrolls eligible workers at 3% of their pay, with the government matching up to 100% of the first 3% contributed. Workers can choose from investment options including government securities, fixed income, and stock index funds. The program is managed by a new Investment Board with fiduciary responsibilities to protect participants' savings and is funded through participant contributions and government matching credits.

Maddy summaryS. Res. 406 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Richard Clarence Clark, a former U.S. Senator from Iowa (served 1973-1979), who died in 2023. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that the House of Representatives and Clark’s family be informed, and directs the Senate to adjourn for the day as a mark of respect. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy or legal effect, reflecting the Senate’s collective tribute to a former member.

Maddy summaryThe Fortify Israel Act blocks the release of U.S.-held Iranian assets until the President certifies that Hamas-led hostilities against Israel have ended and either Israel has received full compensation for damages or Iran is participating in a verified international compensation mechanism. It requires the President to notify Congress 30 days before releasing any such asset and allows Congress to block the release via an expedited joint resolution. The bill mandates that confiscated Iranian assets be deposited into a fund specifically for procuring defense articles and services for Israel, with no judicial review of the confiscation. This directly affects the U.S. Treasury (in asset management), Israel (as the beneficiary of funds), and Congress (with review authority), focusing on concrete compensation mechanisms tied to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the scope of national security reviews for real estate transactions involving foreign investors. It requires the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to treat intelligence community sites and National Laboratories (as defined in the Energy Policy Act of 2005) as sensitive U.S. government property for review purposes. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress on CFIUS activities related to these sensitive sites and requires yearly reviews of the official list of such sites to ensure it remains current. These changes directly affect foreign buyers of real estate near national security facilities and streamline oversight for the government.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act to prohibit colleges and universities receiving federal funding from authorizing, facilitating, funding, or supporting campus events promoting antisemitism. It requires institutions to comply with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's 2016 definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples. The law directly affects all higher education institutions participating in federal student aid programs by mandating they take action against antisemitic events on their campuses.

Maddy summaryS 3052, the GAZA Act, prohibits individuals holding Palestinian Authority passports from entering the United States. It makes such individuals automatically inadmissible, blocks them from receiving visas or parole, and denies them any immigration benefits under U.S. law. The bill directly affects Palestinian Authority passport holders by restricting their ability to travel to or reside in the U.S. The key mechanism is a blanket exclusion based solely on passport issuance by the Palestinian Authority, without requiring individual case reviews. This policy change creates a permanent travel restriction for this specific group under existing immigration statutes.

Maddy summaryS 3053 prohibits U.S. imports of crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas from Venezuela and Iran, effective 15 days after enactment. The bill directly affects energy exporters in those countries by blocking a key revenue stream. It includes an exception for energy products seized by U.S. authorities due to existing sanctions. The prohibition is justified under World Trade Organization security exceptions related to national security concerns about these nations' ties to terrorist groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new NIH-led Youth Mental Health Research Initiative to coordinate federal research on youth mental health. It directs the National Institute of Mental Health, along with two other NIH institutes, to study how to build community resilience and improve mental health services in places where youth live, learn, and work. The initiative is authorized to receive $100 million annually from 2024 through 2028. This funding supports research aimed at developing better approaches to help young people, though it does not directly change healthcare access or services for individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. representative at the United Nations to actively work toward expelling Iran from the UN General Assembly and to encourage investigations into Iran's potential violations of the Genocide Convention. It also blocks U.S. funding to the UN agency aiding Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) until two conditions are met: Iran is expelled from the UN and under investigation for genocide. The bill directly affects Iran's international standing and U.S. financial commitments to the UN, tying funding to specific diplomatic outcomes. It does not alter existing U.S. law regarding genocide investigations but mandates specific diplomatic actions and funding restrictions.