Sen. Deb Fischer

Maddy summaryThe No Budget, No Pay Act requires Congress to pass a budget resolution and all regular spending bills by October 1 each fiscal year. If Congress misses this deadline, Members of Congress (including Senators and Representatives) will not receive pay for the period after October 1 until the budget is approved, and they will not receive retroactive pay for that time. The chairs of the budget and appropriations committees in each chamber will determine compliance and certify the pay suspension period. The law takes effect on September 29, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow individuals with valid concealed carry permits from their home state to carry concealed handguns in other states that either permit concealed carry for residents or don't ban it. It requires permit holders to have a government-issued ID, meet federal firearm possession rules, and carry only handguns (excluding machineguns or destructive devices). Carrying would still follow local restrictions in the destination state, such as bans in schools or government buildings. The bill does not change how states issue permits but creates automatic recognition of valid permits across participating states.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the U.S. Department of Energy from selling petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to any entity owned or controlled by China, or to entities that might later export those products to China. It directly affects the Department of Energy’s management of the reserve and Chinese entities seeking to purchase U.S. oil. The key mechanism requires the Secretary of Energy to block sales to China-linked entities and to ensure any sale does not result in the petroleum being exported to China. This is a direct restriction on existing reserve operations, not a new policy. The bill applies to all current and future sales from the reserve.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers performing abortions to provide the same immediate medical care and hospital admission to any infant born alive during or after the procedure, as they would for any newborn. It mandates reporting of any failure to provide this care to law enforcement and imposes penalties including fines or up to 5 years in prison for violations. Women who undergo abortions may pursue civil lawsuits for damages, including compensation for physical/psychological harm and three times the abortion cost, if providers fail to comply. The law directly affects abortion providers, hospitals, and the women receiving abortion services.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 5) disapproves the District of Columbia Council’s approval of the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-640), which would have expanded voting rights for D.C. residents. It directly affects the D.C. law that was enacted by the District Council on November 21, 2022, and transmitted to Congress under the Home Rule Act. The resolution uses Congress’s statutory authority to block the D.C. law from taking effect by formally expressing disapproval. This is a procedural action, not a new policy, and does not create new voting rules itself.

Maddy summaryS 160, titled "Sarah's Law," amends immigration law to require mandatory detention for non-citizens charged with crimes causing death or serious bodily injury. It specifically applies to individuals who entered without inspection, held revoked visas, or fall under certain immigration categories. The bill also mandates that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) notify crime victims or their families about the alien's identity, immigration status, custody details, and removal efforts. This policy change directly affects non-citizens facing such charges and ensures victims receive ongoing case information.

Maddy summaryThe Rural Internet Improvement Act of 2023 updates the USDA's ReConnect Program to expand rural broadband access. It raises minimum broadband speed requirements from 10/1 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for new projects (later increasing to 100/20 Mbps for future grants), directly affecting rural broadband providers applying for USDA grants, loans, or loan guarantees. Key provisions simplify applications by reducing required data, allowing bond ratings instead of full financial documentation, and preventing duplication of existing broadband infrastructure projects. The bill also requires annual public reports on project distribution, locations served, and service levels to ensure transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes three $1 million demonstration grants to foster care stabilization agencies, directly aiding foster youth under age 26 who are waiting for placement. The grants fund emergency relief like clothing (capped at $250 per youth annually), food, personnel, and abuse prevention services to improve pre-placement support. Agencies must use funds within three years and report on how grants reduced home transfers, provided necessities, and impacted youth outcomes. The law requires public application postings with special outreach to rural and tribal communities, and mandates annual congressional reporting on grant usage and youth case evaluations.

Maddy summaryS 97 amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act to establish clear procedures for removing the Architect of the Capitol. It adds a new subsection specifying that removal can occur via impeachment or by a joint congressional resolution for defined reasons, including permanent disability, inefficiency, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or certain felonies. This bill directly affects the Architect of the Capitol by outlining the formal grounds and process for their removal. The key change is codifying specific, limited grounds for congressional action, replacing previous ambiguity with defined criteria. The bill focuses solely on procedural changes to the removal process.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the FDA from approving new abortion drugs and restricts existing approved drugs to in-person administration by certified healthcare providers. It requires providers to be certified in pregnancy assessment, ectopic pregnancy diagnosis, and emergency care capabilities, and mandates that drugs can only be dispensed in clinics, offices, or hospitals. The bill also imposes new reporting requirements for adverse events (like hospitalizations or severe infections) and requires providers to document risks to patients before prescribing. These provisions apply to all drugs defined as "abortion drugs" under the bill, which includes any substance intended to terminate pregnancy (excluding specific medical exceptions).