Sen. John Hoeven

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to withdraw three specific proposed rules related to the Endangered Species Act. The rules would have changed how species are listed, habitats designated, and interagency cooperation is handled under the Act. The bill prohibits these agencies from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the withdrawn proposals. It directly affects federal agencies' regulatory process for endangered species protection, halting these specific rulemaking efforts.

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.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 41) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific immigration rule issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The rule, published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2023, addressed "Circumvention of Lawful Pathways" in immigration processing. The resolution would formally block the rule from taking effect by directing Congress to disapprove it under procedures in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This action directly affects how USCIS and immigration courts implement certain immigration pathways.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership program through 2028, extending its existing authorization period. It expands the program’s scope to include wildfire recovery and enhancing soil/water resources, while requiring coordination between the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Forest Service on forest management and science. The bill updates wildfire risk language to include post-wildfire impacts and ties project funding to state forest action plans. The program directly affects federal agencies (Natural Resources Conservation Service, Forest Service) and state/local entities managing landscape restoration projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to maintain all northern border ports of entry (between the U.S. and Canada) open for equal or more hours daily than they operated before the pandemic. It directly affects CBP operations and travelers/businesses using these ports, mandating that hours return to pre-COVID-19 levels. The key provision specifies that operating hours must match those in effect immediately before the March 2020 public health emergency declaration related to the pandemic. The bill does not change border security policies but reverses pandemic-era reductions in port availability.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clean Air Act to adjust fuel standards and support small refineries. It changes how the EPA grants waivers for fuel additives (allowing fuels similar to certified vehicles or meeting specific waiver conditions) and modifies Reid Vapor Pressure limits from "10 percent" to "10 to 15 percent" for certain fuels. Small refineries that retired credits for 2016-2018 compliance years and had pending or denied petitions by December 2022 can now have those credits returned or applied to future compliance. The bill directly affects fuel retailers, ethanol producers, and small refineries by altering compliance rules and credit eligibility under the renewable fuel program.

Maddy summarySCONRES 2 is a symbolic congressional resolution commending Iranian protesters who risked their safety to demonstrate against the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, particularly following the death of Mahsa Amini after her arrest by morality police for alleged hijab violations. It specifically highlights protests in over 133 cities where demonstrators, including women removing headscarves, have faced violent crackdowns, with reports of over 500 deaths and 19,000 arrests. The resolution condemns the regime's brutality, supports internet freedom tools to bypass censorship, and urges the administration to impose human rights sanctions on officials responsible for repression. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses congressional support for protesters but does not enact new laws or policies.

This resolution recognizes the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program and its outsized influence in developing and supporting enduring relationships around the world. The resolution also expresses deep gratitude for the service of members of the National Guard to the program.

Maddy summaryS 2489, the FDPIR Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2023, allows federally recognized tribes to directly manage the food distribution program on Indian reservations. It enables tribes to enter self-determination contracts with the USDA to operate the program (established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008), using the same contract rules as other tribal self-governance agreements. The Bureau of Indian Affairs will provide technical assistance to both the USDA and tribes requesting it. This bill directly affects tribes that currently receive food assistance through the USDA's Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), giving them greater control over program administration.