Sen. Cory A. Booker

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a federal provision (subsection (b) of section 14 of the National Labor Relations Act) that allowed states to enact "right-to-work" laws. These laws prohibit mandatory union membership as a condition of employment. By removing this federal barrier, the bill would prevent states from passing or enforcing such laws, directly affecting workers in states with existing right-to-work statutes. The key mechanism is the federal preemption of state right-to-work laws, making union membership voluntary nationwide without requiring state action.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Supreme Court to establish a code of conduct for justices within 180 days of enactment, with public access to these rules on the Court's website. It sets minimum disclosure standards for gifts, income, and reimbursements received by justices and their law clerks, and strengthens recusal requirements when justices have financial ties to parties in cases. The bill creates procedures for filing complaints about justices' conduct and establishes a judicial investigation panel to review such complaints, while also requiring parties and amicus curiae to disclose gifts to justices and lobbying activities related to the nomination of justices. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in Supreme Court operations.

Maddy summarySCONRES 19 is a non-binding concurrent resolution introduced in the U.S. Senate on July 27, 2023, by Senators Booker, Coons, and others. It urges the President to establish a United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation to address historical racial inequities. The resolution identifies over 400 years of systemic oppression against Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, including discriminatory policies like the Chinese Exclusion Act and residential segregation. The proposed commission would aim to "jettison the belief in a hierarchy of human value," "embrace our common humanity," and eliminate persistent racial inequities. As a resolution, it does not create the commission itself but formally calls on the executive branch to take action.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution directs the Archivist of the United States to immediately certify and publish the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution, claiming it was validly ratified after Virginia became the 38th state to approve it in 2020. It asserts that the ERA meets all constitutional requirements under Article V, including the completion of ratification by three-fourths of states (38 states total), and references historical precedents like the 27th Amendment’s delayed certification. The resolution does not alter legal rights or create new law - it solely addresses the Archivist’s statutory duty under 1 U.S.C. §106b to formally recognize the ERA’s ratification. It affects only the Archivist’s office, requiring them to fulfill a procedural step without delay.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution designates August 20th as "Slavery Remembrance Day" to commemorate the arrival of the first 20 enslaved Africans at Fort Monroe, Virginia, on August 20, 1619. It encourages all Americans to observe the day through ceremonies and activities to acknowledge slavery's history and its lasting impacts. The resolution is symbolic - requiring no new laws or funding - and asks the President to issue a proclamation urging public observance. It does not directly affect specific groups or alter existing policies.

Maddy summarySRES 319 is a non-binding Senate resolution (introduced July 27, 2023) that declares racism a public health crisis in the United States. It cites documented health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minorities, including lower life expectancy for Black and Native American people, higher maternal mortality rates, and disproportionate COVID-19 impacts. The resolution commits the Senate to developing a nationwide strategy to dismantle systemic racism, address health inequities, and advance reforms targeting social determinants of health. It directly affects all racial and ethnic minority communities facing these documented health disparities, though it does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Maddy summarySRES 326 is a procedural Senate resolution (not a law) designating August 23, 2023, as "National Poll Worker Recruitment Day." It formally recognizes the importance of poll workers in elections and encourages eligible citizens to volunteer for this role in the 2023 elections. The resolution has no binding effect but aims to raise awareness about the need for poll workers. It directly affects the public by inviting them to participate in election administration.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate resolution expresses the chamber's support for nuclear power as a clean, reliable energy source critical to achieving a secure, low-emission grid. It commits the Senate to promoting nuclear energy development, including establishing domestic uranium production, strengthening the nuclear supply chain, and cultivating a skilled workforce. The resolution also highlights nuclear energy as an export opportunity for U.S. manufacturing expertise. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect policy implementation.

Maddy summaryThe Farmland for Farmers Act of 2023 restricts corporate ownership of agricultural land by prohibiting "unauthorized legal entities" (primarily large corporate investors like pension funds) from acquiring or holding such land. It defines "authorized legal entities" as those with no more than 25 natural persons who are actively engaged in farming, requiring these entities to certify compliance when acquiring land or applying for USDA programs. The bill establishes enforcement mechanisms including civil penalties up to twice the fair market value of the land and potential divestiture orders for violations. This law directly affects institutional investors who have increasingly purchased farmland since 2009, aiming to protect family farmers from being outbid by corporate interests.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. courts from using race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation to calculate future earnings in civil damages cases, affecting plaintiffs in personal injury or discrimination lawsuits. It requires the Labor Secretary to create inclusive earnings tables within 180 days that exclude these protected characteristics, and mandates studies on how damages are awarded by protected class. The law also directs judge training on implementing these changes and ensures calculations align with equal protection laws. These provisions directly reshape how future earnings are quantified in court rulings.