Sen. Markwayne Mullin

Maddy summaryThe Love Lives On Act of 2023 restores survivor benefits for veterans' spouses who remarried before age 55 and before the bill's enactment, which they previously lost due to remarriage. It removes an expiration date for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship for surviving spouses and expands access to military commissaries and exchanges for remarried surviving spouses. The bill also extends TRICARE coverage to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage ended.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 10) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding reproductive health services for veterans. It requests Congress disapprove the rule (published September 2022) under a process in federal law that allows Congress to halt agency regulations. If approved, the VA rule would be nullified and could not take effect, meaning the VA could not enforce its provisions on reproductive health services for veterans. The bill directly affects the implementation of this VA policy for veterans receiving care at VA facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends key labor laws to strengthen worker protections and clarify union election processes. It requires employers to provide voter lists for union elections with only one employee-chosen contact detail (like email or phone), mandates secret ballot elections for union representation, and restricts union dues from funding non-representational activities without written employee consent for at least 35 days. The bill also clarifies joint employment standards, making it harder for companies to avoid responsibility for workers' pay and conditions, and adds tribal sovereignty protections to labor law definitions. These changes directly affect employers, unions, and employees in collective bargaining contexts.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal agencies from banning lead ammunition or tackle for hunting and fishing on federal lands and waters managed by the Interior Department or Agriculture Department. It directly affects hunters and anglers using these public areas by preventing federal restrictions on lead products, except in limited cases. The exception allows restrictions only on specific federal sites where state wildlife data shows lead use is harming wildlife, and only if approved by the state's fish and wildlife agency. The bill requires federal agencies to explain in public notices how any exception meets these state approval and wildlife harm criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal list of drugs needed to address national security threats like chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attacks. It requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to maintain this list, considering factors like public health needs and input from the Defense Department, and to periodically update it based on current threats. Drug developers seeking faster FDA review for these countermeasures must align with the list, which will be publicly accessible. The program's deadline for review is extended from 2023 to 2029, and a report on its effectiveness will be required by 2027. The bill directly affects pharmaceutical companies developing medical countermeasures and federal agencies managing national health security.

Maddy summaryThe Access to AEDs Act (S 1024) provides $25 million in federal funding over five years (2024-2028) to help public elementary and secondary schools improve access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training. It authorizes grants for schools to purchase AEDs, train students and staff, develop emergency response plans, and partner with health organizations - such as local hospitals or fire departments - to implement these programs. The bill also requires the creation of a national database to track school AED access and share best practices, aiming to support immediate response during cardiac emergencies. This directly affects schools, students, and school staff by enhancing preparedness for sudden cardiac arrest, which the bill cites as a leading cause of death among young athletes and children.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 22) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Education regarding federal student loan modifications. It targets the rule titled "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans," which included a one-time debt relief program announced in October 2022. The resolution requests Congress disapprove the rule under the Congressional Review Act, preventing the Department from implementing it. If approved, the rule would have no legal effect, directly affecting how student loan borrowers could access modifications or debt relief under that specific policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public colleges and universities from denying religious student groups access to campus facilities or official recognition that is available to other student organizations. It directly affects public institutions of higher education and religious student organizations by requiring equal treatment based on the institution's policies for non-religious groups. The key provision states that no federal funds can be withheld from an institution that denies a religious group access to facilities or recognition due to its religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or conduct codes. The law applies to all public colleges receiving funds under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Maddy summaryS 989, the North American Energy Act, requires federal approval for new cross-border oil, natural gas, or electricity infrastructure projects in the U.S. It mandates that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) or Secretary of Energy issue a "certificate of crossing" within 90 days for such projects, unless they're deemed not in the U.S. public interest. The bill specifically accelerates approvals for natural gas imports/exports to Canada and Mexico (requiring approval within 30 days) and eliminates the need for Presidential permits for these projects. It does not affect existing facilities or projects with pending permits, and it repeals certain existing requirements for electricity transmission approvals. This bill directly affects energy companies seeking to build new border-crossing infrastructure.

Maddy summaryS 909, the Tribal Firearm Access Act, allows members of federally recognized tribes to use their tribal government-issued ID documents when purchasing firearms from federally licensed dealers. This bill amends federal law to accept tribal IDs as valid identification, replacing the current requirement for state-issued IDs. It specifically applies to tribal members whose tribes are listed under the 1994 Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act. The change streamlines firearm purchases for tribal members without altering gun ownership laws or safety standards. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.