Sen. James Lankford

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 72) seeks congressional disapproval of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule requiring companies to standardize climate-related financial disclosures for investors. If passed, it would block the SEC’s rule (published March 28, 2024) from taking effect, directly affecting public companies subject to SEC reporting requirements. The resolution uses a specific legal process under Title 5, U.S. Code, to invalidate the rule without altering its content. It does not create new regulations but halts the implementation of the SEC’s existing climate disclosure proposal.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Lieutenant General Thomas P. Stafford for his contributions to the Armed Forces and space mission of the United States. Additionally, the resolution extends condolences to the family and friends of General Stafford.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It specifically applies to cases involving discrimination based on actual or perceived Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics in schools and federally funded programs. The bill clarifies that this guidance does not expand the Department's authority, alter existing discrimination standards, or affect First Amendment rights. It aims to ensure consistent enforcement against antisemitism under existing civil rights law, as previously adopted by the Department of Education.

Maddy summarySJRES 61 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Federal Highway Administration rule that established performance measures for the National Highway System, including a requirement to track greenhouse gas emissions from highway activities. The rule, published in December 2023, would have mandated that states and federal agencies assess highway performance using this emissions metric. If enacted, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing the implementation of the emissions tracking measure. This action is pursued under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to reject federal regulations with a simple majority vote.

Maddy summarySJRES 71 is a congressional resolution seeking to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that set emissions standards for the oil and natural gas sector. It directly targets the EPA's "Standards of Performance for New, Reconstructed, and Modified Sources" rule, which was published in the Federal Register on March 8, 2024. The resolution uses a specific disapproval process under federal law to declare the EPA rule "shall have no force or effect." This is a procedural action to overturn an existing regulation, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 638) calls on the Taliban to immediately release Ryan Corbett, a U.S. citizen wrongfully detained since August 2022 while visiting Afghanistan for business. It condemns the Taliban's detention of Corbett - held in a small cell under poor conditions without charges - and urges U.S. officials to prioritize his release. The resolution also demands the Taliban stop detaining Americans for political gain and calls for the release of other U.S. citizens wrongfully held in Afghanistan. As a symbolic congressional action, it does not create new law but expresses formal support for Corbett and his family.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic Senate resolution (SRES 630) celebrates NATO's 75th anniversary and affirms U.S. support for the alliance. It recognizes NATO's historical role in collective security, highlights the recent additions of Finland and Sweden, and emphasizes the importance of all members meeting the 2% GDP defense spending target. The resolution does not create new laws or funding requirements; it is a non-binding statement expressing support and urging NATO members to fulfill existing commitments. It directly addresses NATO member nations and the U.S. Senate's stance on alliance priorities.

Maddy summaryThe Countering Antisemitism Act establishes a National Coordinator within the Executive Office of the President and an Interagency Task Force to coordinate federal efforts against antisemitism across government agencies. The bill requires annual threat assessments of antisemitic violent extremism from the FBI, DHS, and National Counterterrorism Center, and mandates reports from relevant agencies on implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. It also requires the Department of Education to designate a senior officer to address antisemitic discrimination in higher education and to report on complaints, while directing a study on Holocaust education in schools. Additionally, the legislation amends the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to require public reporting on grant applications and awards, and designates May as Jewish American Heritage Month.

Maddy summaryThe Revoke Iranian Funding Act of 2023 revokes existing licenses and exemptions that permitted U.S. funds to be released to Iran for humanitarian purposes, including the $6 billion South Korea transfer in September 2023, and blocks the Treasury from issuing new such licenses for one year. It also rescinds a specific waiver issued by the State Department in September 2023 that allowed humanitarian funding. The bill requires the Treasury to report within 30 days on Iranian assets held in the U.S. and current licenses related to Iran sanctions, directly affecting Iran's government and entities linked to its military, nuclear program, or terrorist groups like Hamas. This targets financial transactions involving Iran's accounts in Qatar and aims to prevent funds from being diverted to support terrorism.

Maddy summaryThe FEND Off Fentanyl Act authorizes sanctions against foreign individuals and entities involved in trafficking fentanyl and its precursors into the United States, with specific focus on transnational criminal organizations like Mexican cartels and the flow of precursor chemicals from China. It requires the President to submit annual reports to Congress on actions taken under the law and designates fentanyl-related transactions as a primary money laundering concern for financial institutions. The bill also repeals a prohibition on imposing sanctions related to importation of goods under previous fentanyl sanctions law. It aims to increase financial costs for traffickers by blocking assets and prohibiting transactions involving sanctioned persons.