Sen. Ted Budd

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual funding for the existing grant program supporting innovative dental health initiatives under the Public Health Service Act. It raises the annual appropriation from $13.9 million (2019-2023) to $15.2 million for 2024, $15.5 million for 2025, and $15.8 million for 2026, with funds remaining available until fully expended. The bill directly affects dental health programs, particularly those serving underserved communities, by providing higher, multi-year funding for existing grant activities. It does not create new programs but adjusts the financial authorization for the current grant mechanism.

Maddy summaryS 2911, the "Protecting the Right To Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2023," prevents federal officials from using emergency declarations to impose gun control. It bans the President from declaring emergencies under the National Emergencies Act or the Stafford Act for gun control purposes, and stops the Health and Human Services Secretary from declaring public health emergencies for the same reason. The bill also amends the Stafford Act to explicitly prohibit emergency declarations that would restrict firearm possession, sale, or transfer of firearms, ammunition, or related accessories. This directly affects how federal emergency powers can be used during crises, limiting actions that could impact gun rights under the Second Amendment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of State to notify Congress before entering, renewing, or extending any science and technology agreement with China. It mandates a 30-day waiting period after submitting detailed documentation to congressional committees, including the full agreement text, national security justification, risk assessments of technology transfer, human rights considerations, and monitoring plans. Existing agreements with China must be revoked unless the Secretary submits this notification within 60 days of the bill's enactment. The law directly affects U.S. diplomatic negotiations with China on scientific and technical collaborations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. higher education institutions to disclose foreign gifts and contracts meeting specific thresholds. Institutions must report any gift or contract from a foreign source exceeding $250,000 (or any amount from a "covered nation" as defined in federal law) by January 31 or July 31 each year. The Department of Education must then forward these reports within 10 days to the FBI and National Intelligence Director, and transmit all existing records to these agencies within 90 days. The bill also mandates investigations for suspected noncompliance and requires new investigations to be shared with law enforcement upon completion. It amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to implement these disclosure and reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution expresses Congress's support for Israel by declaring it is not a racist or apartheid state, rejecting antisemitism and xenophobia, and affirming the U.S. as a steadfast partner. It serves as a symbolic statement of bipartisan backing without creating new laws, funding, or obligations. Introduced by Senators Cotton, Cruz, and others in July 2023, it reflects congressional sentiment rather than policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hire the maximum number of new air traffic controllers each year from 2024 through 2028, based on the training capacity of the FAA Academy. It directly affects the FAA, which must set annual hiring targets aligned with its ability to train new controllers. The law does not change existing hiring rules but mandates that the FAA utilize its full training capacity each year for new controller hires during this period. It excludes certain individuals specified under federal law, but the core provision focuses on maximizing new controller recruitment within available training resources.

Maddy summaryThe Pay Our Military Act of 2023 ensures that military personnel, Defense Department civilians supporting them, and qualifying Defense contractors continue receiving pay during any funding gap in fiscal year 2024. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover military pay, allowances, and support staff salaries when regular budget legislation is delayed. The funding remains available until either a full budget is passed, a continuing resolution is enacted, or January 1, 2025, whichever occurs first. This bill directly affects active-duty service members, reserve components, Defense civilians, and contracted support staff by guaranteeing their compensation during fiscal uncertainty.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits healthcare entities receiving federal funds (like hospitals and clinics) from requiring employees to participate in activities promoting gender identity inconsistent with biological sex, use preferred pronouns against their beliefs, or sign statements supporting such identity. It defines "sex" biologically (based on genes, chromosomes, and physical anatomy at birth) and bars employers from forcing such actions as a condition of employment. Employees who face these requirements can sue for injunctive relief, attorney fees, and other remedies under civil rights law. The law directly affects healthcare workers and covered entities using federal funds, aiming to prevent compelled speech or action conflicting with religious or moral beliefs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires car manufacturers to include AM radio receivers as standard equipment in all new vehicles sold in the U.S., without additional cost to buyers. It mandates that AM radio controls be clearly visible on the dashboard for drivers. For vehicles sold before the rule takes effect, manufacturers must label them to disclose the absence of AM radio. The bill aims to maintain access to AM radio broadcasts, which are used for emergency alerts, but does not mandate new emergency systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2757) freezes current payment rates for veterans' transportation services provided through "special modes" (like non-emergency medical transport) starting January 1, 2023, preventing the VA from lowering these rates without strict conditions. It directly affects veterans relying on these transportation services and the contractors providing them. The key provision allows rate increases but requires the VA to conduct a detailed economic impact review, consult with veterans' groups and industry experts, and ensure new rates cover actual costs before any decrease can occur. This aims to protect veterans' access to care by preventing rate cuts that could disrupt transportation services.