Sen. J.D. Vance

Maddy summaryThe Passport Sanity Act (S 3011) requires U.S. passports, passport cards, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad to only display "male" or "female" gender designations, banning the "X" gender option. It directly affects individuals who currently use or seek to use the "X" designation on these travel documents. The bill mandates that the Department of State stop issuing any covered document with the "X" gender marker and limits applications to only the two standard gender choices. This is a concrete policy change altering how gender is recorded on federal travel documents.

Maddy summaryThe Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 reauthorizes and updates federal programs to address maternal mortality. It requires the CDC to annually share evidence-based best practices for preventing maternal deaths and complications with hospitals, state medical groups, and perinatal quality collaboratives. The bill also improves maternal mortality review committees by requiring them to include obstetricians/gynecologists and better coordinate with death certifiers to enhance death record accuracy. This reauthorization extends funding and program operations through 2028, directly affecting healthcare providers and public health agencies working on maternal health.

Maddy summaryThe Protect Children's Innocence Act (S 2357) prohibits federal funding for gender-affirming care and makes it a federal crime to perform such care on minors (individuals under 18), with penalties including fines and up to 12 years in prison. The bill defines gender-affirming care broadly to include surgeries, hormone treatments, and certain medical procedures to change physical characteristics to align with a gender different from biological sex, with limited exceptions for medical conditions. It prohibits federal health facilities from providing such care, restricts federal funding for health coverage that includes gender-affirming care (allowing separate non-federal funding), and prohibits institutions of higher education from teaching gender-affirming care. The bill also makes individuals who perform such care on minors deportable under immigration law. The law does not apply to treating complications from gender-affirming care or to individuals with certain medical conditions as defined in the bill.

Maddy summaryThe Drive American Act (S 2962) repeals existing tax credits for electric vehicles and alternative fuel vehicles while establishing a new "America First Vehicle Credit" for new vehicles manufactured in the United States. The new credit requires vehicles to meet specific domestic content requirements (60% regional value content and 25% labor value content), with price limits ($55,000-$80,000 depending on vehicle type) and income thresholds ($150,000-$300,000 based on filing status). The credit applies to vehicles placed in service after December 31, 2024, and expires in 2033. This bill directly affects consumers purchasing new vehicles and vehicle manufacturers seeking to qualify for the tax credit.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public elementary, secondary schools, and colleges from receiving federal funding if they use their facilities to house non-citizens under federal immigration orders (excluding those already admitted to the U.S.). It amends existing law to block federal financial assistance for schools that provide shelter for these individuals, while exempting short-term disaster shelters (under 72 hours) or facilities used during declared disasters. The policy directly affects public educational institutions receiving federal programs, requiring them to avoid hosting such non-citizens to maintain funding eligibility. It does not restrict schools from housing other groups or affect private institutions.

Maddy summaryS 2940, the "Define the Mission Act," requires the President to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 30 days of the bill's enactment detailing U.S. strategy for involvement in Ukraine. The report must define U.S. national interests in the conflict, outline specific objectives with estimated timelines, resource needs, and progress benchmarks, and assess European NATO allies' security assistance contributions and Russia's natural gas market impact. This procedural bill directly affects the executive branch (President, Defense, and State Departments) and mandates reporting to specified congressional committees without requiring new funding or altering existing policy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 362) expresses the U.S. Senate's view that the situation at the southern border constitutes a constitutional "invasion," allowing state governors to take defensive action. It cites the Senate's belief that the Biden administration's border policies - such as ending border wall construction, terminating the "remain in Mexico" program, and expanding parole programs - have led to dangerous conditions including mass migration, drug trafficking, and criminal activity. The resolution concludes that governors possess constitutional authority under Article I, Section 10 and Article IV, Section 4 to repel this "invasion" without federal consent. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but formally states the Senate's position on state authority at the border.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 356) expresses the U.S. Senate's support for designating September 18-24, 2023, as "Rail Safety Week" in the United States. It does not create new laws or funding but publicly endorses efforts to reduce rail-related incidents - including highway-rail grade crossing collisions, trespasser incidents, derailments, and hazardous material transport risks - through education and awareness. The resolution specifically highlights goals aligned with Operation Lifesaver’s safety initiatives and references recent rail safety data, including 2022 statistics on collisions and derailments. It encourages public participation in safety activities but has no binding policy effect.

Maddy summaryS 2911, the "Protecting the Right To Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2023," prevents federal officials from using emergency declarations to impose gun control. It bans the President from declaring emergencies under the National Emergencies Act or the Stafford Act for gun control purposes, and stops the Health and Human Services Secretary from declaring public health emergencies for the same reason. The bill also amends the Stafford Act to explicitly prohibit emergency declarations that would restrict firearm possession, sale, or transfer of firearms, ammunition, or related accessories. This directly affects how federal emergency powers can be used during crises, limiting actions that could impact gun rights under the Second Amendment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. higher education institutions to disclose foreign gifts and contracts meeting specific thresholds. Institutions must report any gift or contract from a foreign source exceeding $250,000 (or any amount from a "covered nation" as defined in federal law) by January 31 or July 31 each year. The Department of Education must then forward these reports within 10 days to the FBI and National Intelligence Director, and transmit all existing records to these agencies within 90 days. The bill also mandates investigations for suspected noncompliance and requires new investigations to be shared with law enforcement upon completion. It amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to implement these disclosure and reporting requirements.