Sen. Kevin Cramer

Maddy summarySRES 722 is a Senate resolution expressing gratitude for the heroism of U.S. Armed Forces members who participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. It commemorates the 80th anniversary of this pivotal World War II operation, which helped end the war, and commends the leadership and bravery of those who fought. The resolution requests the President issue a proclamation encouraging public ceremonies to honor veterans' sacrifices and recognizes France's efforts to preserve Normandy's historical sites as a UNESCO World Heritage site. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to publicly honor historical service and legacy.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 90) blocks a federal rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that would have required health programs receiving federal funds to follow new nondiscrimination standards. It uses a specific legal process (under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code) to formally disapprove the rule, making it ineffective. The rule, published on May 6, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 37522), directly affected health programs and activities funded by the federal government. The bill does not create new policy but halts an existing rule from taking effect.

Maddy summarySRES 705 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing May 28, 2024, as the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol. It commends the service of current and past Border Patrol agents, including honoring 155 agents who died in the line of duty. The resolution expresses support for improving working conditions and retention for Border Patrol agents but does not create new policies or affect any specific group through legislative action. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect on government operations or policy.

Maddy summarySRES 707 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month in May. It formally celebrates Jewish Americans' 350+ year contributions to U.S. society, culture, and history - highlighting their roles in government, arts, science, and community service. The resolution calls on elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society to condemn antisemitism and promote education about Jewish heritage, responding to documented rises in antisemitic incidents and Holocaust misinformation. It does not create new laws but affirms longstanding congressional recognition of this month, which has been observed annually since 2006 through presidential proclamations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans awarded the Purple Heart after September 11, 2001, to transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to family members (spouse or children). It permits transferring up to 36 months of unused benefits, with dependents able to use the benefits after completing high school or turning 18. The bill includes special provisions for children acting as primary caregivers for injured veterans and for emergencies like school closures, extending benefit use beyond standard age limits. It modifies existing GI Bill transfer rules to add Purple Heart recipients as eligible transferors while maintaining the same payment rates and administrative processes.

Maddy summaryThe Promising Pathway Act 2.0 creates a new FDA pathway for conditional approval of drugs treating rare, progressive, and serious diseases. This allows patients with limited treatment options to access promising new drugs sooner, based on preliminary safety data from Phase 1 trials and effectiveness data from Phase 2 trials (or preliminary evidence for terminal pediatric rare diseases). The law requires drug sponsors to establish observational registries tracking patient outcomes, mandates specific labeling for conditionally approved drugs, and requires private health insurers and federal health care programs to cover these drugs without cost-sharing. Conditional approval is initially granted for 2 years with potential for up to 3 renewals (totaling 8 years), but can be withdrawn if safety data changes or sponsors fail to meet requirements.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 58) seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Energy rule establishing new energy efficiency standards for consumer furnaces. It targets the specific rule published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 87502), which set requirements for furnace manufacturers. If passed, the resolution would nullify this rule, preventing it from taking effect and requiring the Department of Energy to withdraw the standards. The resolution directly affects furnace manufacturers and consumers by halting the implementation of these new efficiency requirements.

Maddy summarySRES 701 designates the week of May 19-25, 2024, as "National Public Works Week" to recognize professionals who maintain essential infrastructure like roads, water systems, and emergency services. The resolution directly honors public works professionals employed by federal, state, local governments, and private organizations. It urges communities to celebrate their contributions to public safety, health, and community well-being through recognition activities. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding legal effect but formally acknowledges the role of these workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends deadlines for federal dam safety programs under the National Dam Safety Program Act. It changes completion dates from 2023 to 2029 for certain program requirements and from 2026 to 2029 for high-hazard dam rehabilitation work. The change directly affects state dam safety programs and dam owners responsible for high-hazard potential dams.

Maddy summaryThe FASTA Reform Act of 2024 amends the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Act of 2016 to streamline how the federal government sells, leases, or redevelops its real estate properties. It reduces the Federal Assets Sale and Transfer Board from five to four members, allows agencies to use "no cost, nonappropriated contracts" for expert real estate services to get better value for taxpayers, and requires the Board to notify local governments and federally recognized tribes seven days before finalizing property disposal reports. The bill extends the Board’s operational deadline to December 31, 2026, and adds requirements for agencies to include property usage data (like employee counts and campus details) in their recommendations. These changes directly affect federal agencies managing real estate, the Board, and communities near federal properties where disposal or redevelopment occurs.