Sen. Markwayne Mullin

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment (SJRES 13) would require the federal government to balance its annual budget, meaning spending could not exceed revenue unless Congress passes a specific exception with a two-thirds vote. It also sets a limit of 18% of GDP for total government spending, with similar supermajority requirements to exceed this cap. The bill would mandate the President to submit a balanced budget proposal to Congress each year and require a two-thirds vote for tax increases or debt limit hikes. As a proposed amendment, it would only take effect if ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 12) seeks congressional disapproval of the District of Columbia Council’s approval of the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-789). It directly affects D.C. residents and local government, as the resolution targets the District’s newly enacted criminal code. The mechanism is a formal congressional disapproval under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, requiring passage by both chambers to block the D.C. law from taking effect. The resolution does not alter the D.C. code itself but aims to halt its implementation through federal action.

Maddy summarySRES 45 is a non-binding Senate resolution introduced on February 9, 2023, by a group of senators expressing the Senate's view that the current migration levels at the U.S. southern border constitute a crisis. This resolution does not create new laws or policies, nor does it directly affect any individuals or groups - it serves solely as a symbolic statement of the Senate's position. It contains no concrete policy mechanisms or implementation plans, as resolutions of "sense" are typically used for expressing opinions rather than enacting change. The resolution was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee but has no legal effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands U.S. immigration restrictions by adding new grounds for denying entry to non-citizens. It makes individuals inadmissible if a consular officer or DHS believes they engaged in, or plan to engage in, activities like espionage, sabotage, violating U.S. export laws for sensitive goods/technology, unlawful activities, or efforts to overthrow the U.S. government by force. It also bars entry for spouses or children of individuals deemed inadmissible under these new rules if the qualifying activity occurred within the last five years. The law directly affects people seeking visas or entry into the United States based on these specific security-related activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes asylum procedures for people entering the U.S. from Mexico or Canada after traveling through other countries. It requires such individuals to first get an interview at a U.S. embassy in Mexico or Canada to prove they face credible fear of persecution or torture before being allowed to apply for asylum in the U.S. The bill also blocks asylum eligibility for those who transited through other nations without seeking protection there, unless they meet specific exceptions like being trafficked or traveling through countries without refugee treaties. Additionally, it creates criminal warrants for immigration violations and removes limits on detaining asylum seekers under the Flores agreement. These changes primarily affect asylum seekers crossing the southern border after traveling through other countries.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the President from blocking or delaying new oil, gas, coal, or mineral leases on federal lands (including national forests, public lands, and the outer continental shelf) without explicit congressional approval. It specifically prevents the President from imposing moratoria on new energy leases or withdrawing federal lands from energy development without an act of Congress. The law applies directly to federal land management decisions, requiring Congress to authorize any action that would restrict energy leasing or development on these lands. This is a procedural change affecting how federal energy leasing and land use decisions are made.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans with combat-related disabilities and less than 20 years of service to receive both military retired pay and VA disability compensation simultaneously. Previously, such veterans had their retired pay reduced to avoid "concurrent receipt" of both benefits. The bill removes the 20-year service requirement for this group, applying specifically to those retired under Chapter 61 of Title 10 with a combat-related disability as defined in existing law. It does not change eligibility for veterans with non-combat disabilities or those with 20+ years of service.

Maddy summaryThe Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2023 amends immigration detention procedures to extend the length of detention for certain aliens without time limits, except as specified in the bill. It changes terminology from "parole" to "recognizance" throughout the process and establishes new criteria that make it more difficult for certain aliens to be released on bond during removal proceedings. The bill adds specific circumstances under which detention can continue beyond the standard removal period, including for aliens convicted of certain crimes, those deemed a threat to national security, or those who fail to cooperate with removal efforts. These changes primarily affect immigrants facing removal proceedings who may be held in detention for extended periods without bond eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 73822), which addressed "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights." If enacted, it would block the rule from taking effect, directly affecting retirement plan fiduciaries (such as those managing 401(k) plans) who must follow these standards. The resolution uses a specific disapproval process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, to nullify the rule without altering its content. This is a procedural action targeting the rule's implementation, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryS 293, the Fair Access to Banking Act, prohibits large financial institutions (with $10 billion+ in assets) from denying banking services to lawful businesses based on political reasons, bias, or industry category. It requires these "covered banks" to justify service denials using documented, objective risk assessments - not subjective political judgments - and to provide written explanations for denials. The bill directly affects businesses operating legally in industries often targeted by banks (like cannabis or firearms), ensuring equal access to services like loans, credit cards, or payment processing. Violations allow affected businesses to sue for treble damages and attorney fees, with payment networks and credit unions also barred from blocking access based on "reputational risk."