Sen. John Hoeven

Maddy summarySRES 220 is a Senate resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program. The resolution acknowledges the program's 30-year history of building security partnerships with 100 nations and expresses gratitude to National Guard members for their service in fostering these international relationships. It does not create new policy but formally honors the program's role in strengthening global security cooperation.

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.

Maddy summaryS 1696 (Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act) establishes a federal pilot program to help independent workers - such as freelancers, contractors, and temporary workers - access portable benefits like health insurance, retirement savings, and workers' compensation. The bill authorizes $20 million in fiscal year 2023 to award competitive grants to state/local governments or nonprofits for developing or improving models that provide these benefits, which workers can retain when changing jobs. Grants cannot fund models offering only retirement benefits, and the program requires a 2025 evaluation by the Comptroller General to assess impacts on worker compensation. This pilot aims to test scalable solutions for a growing segment of the workforce lacking traditional employment benefits.

Maddy summaryThe "No START Treaty Act" declares that the New START Treaty with Russia is no longer in U.S. national security interests due to Russia's non-compliance (including refusing inspections) and China's rapid nuclear expansion, directing the U.S. to withdraw from the treaty. It mandates a 90-day report from the Secretary of Defense assessing U.S. nuclear deterrence capabilities and proposing specific improvements, such as increasing bomber alert status and restoring submarine missile capacity. The bill sets strict conditions for future arms control agreements, requiring limits on China's nuclear arsenal, robust verification for both China and Russia, and coverage of non-strategic weapons and emerging systems like hypersonic weapons. Additionally, it prohibits unilateral U.S. nuclear reductions without a treaty meeting these conditions and blocks funding for the New START Treaty or successor agreements that fail to satisfy these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program to increase annual funding from $10 million to $15 million for fiscal years 2024-2028, expanding support for farmers and ranchers facing mental health challenges. It adds crisis lines to the program's services and creates new referral pathways to connect individuals with certified community clinics, rural health centers, and other approved healthcare providers. The changes directly affect agricultural workers and their families by improving access to behavioral health counseling and wellness support. Key provisions include updated funding levels and expanded partnerships with specific healthcare facilities to ensure comprehensive mental health care.

Maddy summarySRES 215 is a Senate resolution designating May 9, 2023, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day. It supports raising public awareness about the dangers of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills, which are often disguised as legitimate medications and contribute to overdose deaths. The resolution encourages existing law enforcement efforts to combat counterfeit pill distribution and acknowledges the severe impact of fentanyl on young people, citing statistics on rising overdose deaths. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the issue through congressional support.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of May 14-20, 2023, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. It recognizes 444 officers killed in 2022 (including specific names listed in the resolution) and acknowledges 32 officers killed in 2023, while expressing support for law enforcement personnel. The resolution encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement officers and promoting awareness of their essential service. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policy or alter existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes sanctions on foreign individuals, entities, and governments that provide significant financial or material support to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or their affiliates. It requires the President to block transactions with those supporting these groups and to suspend U.S. aid to governments providing material support for their terrorist activities. The bill also mandates regular reports on foreign countries' efforts to disrupt Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fundraising, financing, and money laundering networks. Specific exceptions include military use and humanitarian aid for medicine and food. The bill includes a sunset provision, terminating either after 3 years or when Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are no longer designated as terrorist organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill recognizes women who served in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps (1943-1948) as veterans for specific benefits. It amends veterans' law to count their service as "active duty" for eligibility to benefits under Chapters 23 and 24 of Title 38 (including headstones), excluding Arlington National Cemetery interment. The Secretary of Defense must issue honorable discharges to qualifying individuals within one year of the bill’s enactment and may create commemorative medals or plaques. It clarifies that recipients gain veteran status for these specific benefits but do not qualify for other VA benefits solely based on this service. The bill directly affects women who were honorably discharged from the Cadet Nurse Corps during WWII.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new authorities for the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice to detect, identify, monitor, and mitigate drone threats to designated high-risk facilities including critical infrastructure, government buildings, airports, and other security-sensitive locations. It establishes a 5-year pilot program allowing select state and local law enforcement agencies to use specific drone detection technologies, with strict requirements for privacy protections, training, and coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration. The bill limits the use of technologies that disrupt radio or electronic signals, requires intercepted communications to be maintained for no more than 180 days, and mandates annual congressional reporting on the use of these authorities. It also includes detailed provisions for risk-based assessments, privacy safeguards, and coordination with transportation authorities to ensure national airspace safety.