Sen. Steve Daines

Maddy summaryThe Federal Courts of Appeals Modernization Act (S 1879) establishes a Commission to study the structure of federal appellate courts, focusing on caseload efficiency and fairness - particularly the Ninth Circuit. The Commission, appointed by the Chief Justice and composed of five members, must complete a 300-day study and submit recommendations to Congress within 60 days of finishing. It does not enact changes itself but will propose potential adjustments to court boundaries or structure. The bill authorizes up to $1 million for the Commission’s operations and requires its termination 90 days after submitting the report.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from sending veterans' personal information to the national background check system solely because a fiduciary (a person managing a veteran's benefits) has been appointed. It directly affects veterans who have a fiduciary appointed under VA law, preventing the VA from automatically sharing this detail with the Justice Department for background checks. The key provision requires a court order finding the veteran a danger to themselves or others before such information can be transmitted. This change only impacts the sharing of fiduciary appointment details, not the background check process itself or other veteran information.

Maddy summaryS 1843 (End Child Trafficking Now Act) requires adults (18+) entering the U.S. with minors under 18 to prove a family relationship through documents or a witness, with DNA testing as a last resort if proof is insufficient. If an adult refuses DNA testing or fails to provide valid proof, they may be denied entry and the minor treated as an unaccompanied child. The bill also creates a new federal crime ("recycling of minors") for adults who repeatedly use a minor they aren’t related to for illegal entry, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. This directly affects adults traveling with minors, immigration officers, and law enforcement handling entry-related trafficking cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill redefines "equity" within the Department of Defense as the opportunity for qualified individuals to participate in programs, prohibits mandatory adoption of beliefs about racial or ethnic superiority, and bans race-based distinctions in military personnel decisions. It directly affects active-duty service members, military dependents, and DoD civilian employees by requiring all promotions, assignments, and training to be based solely on individual merit and performance. Key provisions ban DoD directives compelling adherence to certain beliefs, prohibit training suggesting racial superiority, and mandate that demographic data collection for reporting remains the only exception to race-based distinctions. The bill focuses on ensuring military decisions prioritize merit over identity, aligning with the bill's stated findings about military readiness and equal opportunity.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Medicare's payment system for air ambulance services to better reflect actual costs. It requires air ambulance providers to submit detailed cost and revenue data every three years (including fixed costs, utilization, and revenue) to the Medicare Secretary. The Secretary must then revise fee schedules using this data, considering stakeholder input. A separate provision mandates a GAO study analyzing average costs per transport, payment adequacy, geographic variations, and recommendations for improving Medicare payments - directly affecting Medicare beneficiaries receiving air ambulance care and the providers who serve them.

Maddy summaryS.Res. 229 designates May 2023 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month" in the U.S. Senate. The resolution encourages public awareness of brain tumors, supports research for better treatments, and honors individuals affected by the disease, including those living with or battling brain tumors. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves as a symbolic recognition of the health impact of brain tumors.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 226) designates May 20, 2023, as "Kids to Parks Day" to promote outdoor recreation for children. It recognizes the annual event's goals of encouraging families to visit public parks, fostering appreciation for nature, and supporting healthy, active lifestyles for young people. The resolution has no binding requirements or new policies - it is a symbolic observance sponsored by Senators Wyden, Hyde-Smith, Daines, Capito, Collins, Hirono, Booker, and Heinrich.

Maddy summaryThe Formula 3.0 Act eliminates tariffs on infant formula base powder (dry mixtures requiring only vitamins/minerals to become formula) when imported by manufacturers authorized by the FDA or granted enforcement discretion by the FDA. It also establishes new duty-free or reduced tariff rates for finished infant formula products entering the U.S. The bill directly affects U.S. infant formula manufacturers and importers who meet FDA authorization requirements, lowering costs for domestically produced formula. These changes take effect 120 days after the bill’s enactment.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requires the Senate and House Budget Committees to hold an annual joint hearing within 45 days of the Treasury submitting the federal government's audited financial statement. The Comptroller General will present findings from the audit and analyze the government's financial position, including deficits, surpluses, and long-term fiscal projections. The hearing must follow nonpartisan GAO standards to provide objective, fact-based information to Congress. This procedural measure affects only the Budget Committees and the Comptroller General, creating a regular process for reviewing federal finances.

Maddy summaryThe Main Street Tax Certainty Act permanently extends the 20% tax deduction for qualified business income (QBI), which currently applies to owners of pass-through businesses like sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations. The bill achieves this by amending the tax code to remove an expiration date (via striking subsection (i) of Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code). This change directly affects small business owners who rely on the QBI deduction to reduce their taxable income. The key provision eliminates uncertainty about the deduction’s future, ensuring continued eligibility without requiring future legislative action.