Sen. James Lankford

Maddy summaryS 77, the Early Participation in Regulations Act of 2025, requires federal agencies to publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking 90 days before issuing a formal notice for "major rules." This bill defines a "major rule" as one likely to cost the economy $100 million annually or significantly impact areas like health, safety, or competition. The advance notice must include the problem being addressed, regulatory alternatives, and legal authority, and must solicit public comments for at least 30 days. It directly affects agencies issuing major regulations and the public, providing earlier opportunity for input before formal proposals. Exceptions apply for rules exempt from standard notice requirements or deemed routine.

Maddy summaryThe STEP Act requires federal agencies to identify programs likely to have significant improper payments (those with over $100 million in annual spending during their first three years). Agencies must annually estimate improper payment rates using approved methods and report these findings to Congress. The bill also mandates annual reports on agency progress in implementing fraud controls, monitoring payment risks, and tracking 11 specific fraud management practices. These reports must include a chief financial officer's certification of the agency's process for identifying high-risk programs. The law does not authorize new funding but updates existing reporting requirements under federal payment oversight rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies managing emergency funds (like those for disasters or public health crises) to create and maintain internal financial control plans. Covered agencies must designate a senior official responsible for these plans, assess fraud and improper payment risks before spending emergency funds, and implement safeguards to prevent misuse. Agencies must submit these plans to the Office of Management and Budget within one year of the bill’s enactment, with updates every three years, and the OMB must report all plans to Congress annually. The law does not authorize new funding and prohibits courts from reviewing agency actions under this bill. It directly affects agencies receiving emergency appropriations, aiming to improve accountability during crises.

Maddy summarySRES 19 is a Senate resolution honoring former President Jimmy Carter's life and legacy, commending his decades of public service, humanitarian work, and diplomatic achievements including the Camp David Accords and founding The Carter Center. The resolution specifically recognizes his Nobel Peace Prize, efforts to combat diseases like Guinea worm, and 30+ years of Habitat for Humanity homebuilding. It formally mourns his passing and extends condolences to his family, while highlighting his role in establishing U.S.-China diplomatic relations and creating the Departments of Education and Energy. As a symbolic resolution with no policy impact, it directly affects no individuals or entities but serves as a formal Senate tribute to Carter's historical contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain and place a statue of Benjamin Franklin in the U.S. Capitol by specific deadlines. The Joint Committee must secure the statue by December 31, 2025, and install it in a public area accessible during Capitol Visitor Center guided tours by December 31, 2026. It affects the Joint Committee’s duties and the Capitol’s public display arrangements, with no policy changes beyond the physical placement. As a procedural bill, it focuses solely on the statue’s procurement and location, not legislative substance.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 50 (Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act), creates new federal crimes targeting actions that hinder border security. It makes it illegal to knowingly share law enforcement location data (like border patrol movements) to aid immigration, customs, or border control crimes, and to destroy or damage border infrastructure like fences or sensors. The bill also expands firearm penalties for individuals using guns during alien smuggling crimes, specifically linking these enhancements to violations of immigration laws. Violations carry fines, up to 10 years in prison (or 20 years if a firearm is involved), and apply to individuals directly involved in obstructing border enforcement.

Maddy summaryThe America First Act would restrict eligibility for numerous federal benefit programs based on immigration status. It requires verification of citizenship or lawful immigration status for programs including Medicaid, Medicare, Head Start, school meals, WIC, the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and housing assistance. The bill specifically would deny benefits to individuals who are unlawfully present in the U.S. or who have certain immigration statuses including parolees, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, DACA recipients, and asylum seekers. These provisions would directly affect millions of immigrants and their families who currently qualify for these programs. The bill would also prohibit use of FEMA assistance for certain non-citizens and limit access to postsecondary financial aid based on immigration status.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow individuals with a valid concealed carry permit from their home state to carry concealed handguns in other states that either permit concealed carry for residents or don’t ban it entirely. It applies to permit holders who are federally eligible to possess firearms, require government-issued ID, and must follow the host state’s specific restrictions (like where carry is prohibited). The bill does not override state laws on issuing permits but ensures reciprocity for those who legally carry in their home state, excluding machineguns and destructive devices.

Maddy summaryThe Build the Wall Act of 2025 redirects unused Coronavirus relief funds to create a dedicated account for constructing physical barriers along the southern U.S. border. It mandates that the Department of Homeland Security use these redirected funds - specifically unobligated amounts from the Social Security Act's pandemic recovery programs - to build and maintain border walls. The bill directly affects the Department of Homeland Security (as the agency responsible for implementation) and U.S. taxpayers (as the source of redirected funds). This is a funding mechanism, not a new policy, repurposing existing pandemic relief money for border infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThe REMOTE Act requires federal agencies to collect and retain data on teleworking employees' digital activity, including login frequency, connection duration, and data usage, for at least three years. Agencies must report this data in budget documents, comparing telework patterns to in-office work while protecting personal information. Managers must also document reasons for revoking telework privileges, including employee details and circumstances, to improve oversight of telework programs. This bill directly affects all Executive departments and their teleworking staff, including contract workers.