Sen. James Lankford

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to withdraw three specific proposed rules related to the Endangered Species Act. The rules would have changed how species are listed, habitats designated, and interagency cooperation is handled under the Act. The bill prohibits these agencies from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the withdrawn proposals. It directly affects federal agencies' regulatory process for endangered species protection, halting these specific rulemaking efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal grant criteria under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to prioritize civics and Constitution education. It requires grant programs to focus on improving teaching of American history, civics, government, and geography in K-12 schools, with specific emphasis on teaching the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Grants must also demonstrate innovation, scalability, accountability, and a focus on underserved students, while including hands-on civic engagement activities for teachers and students. The bill directly affects schools and programs seeking federal funding under this education law.

Maddy summaryThe SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act raises the asset limits for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) eligibility, allowing more savings without reducing benefits. It increases the individual resource limit from $2,250 to $20,000 (and couples from $1,500 to $10,000) in 2023, with future increases tied to inflation. The bill automatically adjusts these limits annually using the Consumer Price Index to maintain purchasing power. This directly affects low-income elderly, disabled, and blind individuals who rely on SSI by reducing the financial penalty for saving modest amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires car manufacturers to include AM radio receivers as standard equipment in all new vehicles sold in the U.S., without additional cost to buyers. It mandates that AM radio controls be clearly visible on the dashboard for drivers. For vehicles sold before the rule takes effect, manufacturers must label them to disclose the absence of AM radio. The bill aims to maintain access to AM radio broadcasts, which are used for emergency alerts, but does not mandate new emergency systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. embassies to designate a "Country China Officer" to monitor China's activities, particularly Belt and Road Initiative projects, in their host countries. It mandates detailed annual reports on Chinese-controlled infrastructure, debt obligations, and financial investments (including from Chinese banks and state entities), assessing economic risks to host nations' sovereignty. These reports would be submitted to Congress and relevant agencies, with a 10-year sunset provision. The bill also directs embassies to develop annual strategies to counter Chinese influence and prioritizes U.S. development financing as an alternative to Belt and Road projects.

Maddy summaryThe DETER Act of 2023 requires the President to annually certify whether China’s military or economic actions violated Taiwan’s sovereignty. If certification fails (e.g., due to military aggression or economic coercion against Taiwan), the U.S. would suspend normal trade relations with China, triggering higher tariffs on all Chinese imports. The bill also mandates a supply chain assessment identifying U.S. dependencies on Chinese goods and proposals to diversify sourcing. These provisions directly affect U.S.-China trade policy, tariff rates, and supply chain strategies for critical goods.

Maddy summaryThe JUDGES Act authorizes 66 new permanent federal district court judgeships across 16 states, primarily in high-filing districts like California, Texas, Florida, and New York, to address case backlogs. It schedules appointments for 2025 and 2029, including 2 temporary judgeships in Oklahoma (with vacancies not filled after 5 years) and converts existing temporary judgeships in Missouri, Arizona, and other districts to permanent status. The bill also requires a GAO report identifying underused federal courthouses within one year. These changes directly affect the judicial capacity of specific districts, aiming to reduce pending case loads by increasing judicial staffing.

Maddy summaryThe Freedom to Breathe Act (S 2738) prohibits federal funding or enforcement of mask mandates for passengers traveling on air carriers, public transit, or in covered schools (elementary, secondary, or higher education) during the period from enactment through December 31, 2024. It specifically bans requiring masks in these settings, prevents refusal of service to unmasked passengers, and overrides conflicting state or local rules during this timeframe. The law directly affects air carriers, public transit operators, and federally funded schools by eliminating federal authority to enforce mask requirements in these spaces. It applies only to mask mandates issued in response to public health emergencies during the specified period.

Maddy summaryThe CAMPUS Act (S 2726) requires the Director of National Intelligence to identify Chinese institutions of higher education supporting the People’s Liberation Army or Military-Civil Fusion strategy, and submit this list to Congress annually. It restricts U.S. Department of Defense and Education funding for research, contracts, or K-12 programs involving institutions on this list, and blocks facilities with such partnerships from hosting classified information. The bill also allows visa denials for students or employees of listed institutions and lowers the threshold for reporting foreign gifts to $50,000 under the Higher Education Act. These provisions directly affect U.S. universities, schools, and federal agencies receiving funds that partner with targeted Chinese entities.

Maddy summaryThe TAG Act requires federal agencies to provide clear, plain-language notices and appeal options when using automated systems to make critical decisions affecting individuals' rights, benefits, or well-being - such as access to healthcare, housing, government assistance, or employment. Within 180 days of enactment, the OMB must issue guidance mandating these disclosures, including notices at the point of interaction with automated systems and structured appeal processes for those harmed by such decisions. Agencies must implement this guidance within 270 days and track system performance to ensure accuracy, reliability, and explainability. The Act expires 10 years after enactment.