Sen. Jeff Merkley

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 820) symbolically supports designating September 21-28, 2024, as "National Estuaries Week" to raise public awareness about estuaries. It highlights estuaries' ecological and economic importance - such as supporting jobs, protecting coastlines, and sustaining biodiversity - without creating new laws or funding. The resolution expresses the Senate's backing for protecting and restoring estuaries but does not impose obligations or alter existing policies. It is a procedural statement, not a substantive legislative measure.

Maddy summaryThe Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act of 2024 authorizes $2 billion in federal grants to help school districts reduce class sizes in kindergarten through third grade at high-poverty public elementary schools. School districts must apply with evidence-based plans to limit classes to 18 students or fewer, focusing on hiring teachers, creating additional classroom space (with limits), and providing professional development. Priority is given to districts serving the most students from low-income families, and grants require annual reporting on progress and outcomes. The bill mandates evaluations of student achievement, teacher working conditions, and program effectiveness, with funds supplementing - rather than replacing - existing education budgets.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies that maintain sanctions lists to coordinate by notifying each other within 30 days when an individual or entity is added to one list. Agencies must then review within 30 days and decide within 90 days whether to add the same person or entity to their own lists. It directly affects agencies managing six specific sanctions lists, including Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals list and Commerce’s Entity List. Agencies must also submit an annual report detailing compliance and any new inclusions resulting from this coordination process.

Maddy summaryThe Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act of 2024 imposes a tax on fossil fuel companies based on historical carbon emissions exceeding 1 billion metric tons during 2000-2022. The tax revenue will fund a new Climate Fund to support climate resilience projects, disaster response, and environmental justice initiatives, with 40% of resources required for environmental justice communities. The bill mandates specific minimum funding levels for FEMA climate disaster programs and Clean Air Act environmental programs. The legislation explicitly states it does not affect existing legal claims against polluters or preempt state climate regulations.

Maddy summaryS 5021, the 340B PATIENTS Act of 2024, clarifies and strengthens the 340B drug discount program by ensuring covered entities (like community health centers, hospitals, and clinics) can legally contract with pharmacies to dispense 340B drugs to their patients. The bill explicitly prohibits drug manufacturers from restricting how covered entities use discounted drugs - such as by limiting delivery locations, requiring extra data, or refusing to ship to contracted pharmacies - regardless of where the drugs are dispensed. It adds specific provisions requiring manufacturers to offer discounts without conditions and creates new enforcement tools, including $2 million daily penalties for violations. This directly affects manufacturers who sell to covered entities and ensures these entities can use contract pharmacies to access essential medications, particularly for complex treatments like cancer drugs.

Maddy summaryS 4973, the "No Kings Act," removes presidential and vice presidential immunity from federal criminal prosecution, requiring such cases to be handled in federal district courts with appeals limited to the D.C. Circuit. The bill specifically bars the Supreme Court from reviewing cases involving claims of presidential immunity for official acts, including dismissals of indictments or overturning convictions. It directly affects current and former presidents and vice presidents by subjecting them to the same federal criminal accountability as all other citizens. Key provisions prevent courts from considering whether alleged crimes were part of official duties unless Congress specifies otherwise, and clarify that state criminal laws remain applicable.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to affirm that no person, including the President and other federal officials, is above the law. It would require all officials holding authority under the U.S. government to be subject to ordinary criminal prosecution for both official and unofficial actions. The amendment mandates that general laws apply to the President unless specified otherwise and grants Congress power to enforce this by, for example, extending the statute of limitations for prosecuting a sitting President during their term. If ratified by three-fourths of states, this change would become part of the Constitution, altering how federal law applies to high-level government officials.

Maddy summarySRES 800 is a symbolic Senate resolution introduced on August 1, 2024, by a bipartisan group of senators. It condemns the July 13, 2024, attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania, rally and honors three individuals affected: Corey D. Comperatore (who died shielding his family), David Dutch (critically injured), and James Copenhaver (critically injured). The resolution calls for national unity and civility following the violent incident. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but expresses the Senate's stance on the event.

Maddy summaryThe NO BAN Act (S 4961) expands federal anti-discrimination protections in immigration law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on national origin or religion for nonimmigrant visa holders, refugees, and other temporary travelers. It reforms Section 212(f) of immigration law by requiring the President to provide specific, credible evidence to Congress within 48 hours before restricting entry, mandating narrow tailoring of such restrictions, and requiring waivers for family/humanitarian cases. The bill also creates detailed reporting requirements for all entry restrictions, including quarterly updates to Congress and public reports on visa denials, waivers, and refugee admissions. This directly affects travelers, visa applicants, and refugees impacted by presidential entry bans or restrictions, while adding new procedural checks on executive authority.

Maddy summaryThe Digital Integrity in Democracy Act (S 4977) amends Section 230 of the Communications Act to create a new exception: social media platforms with at least 25 million U.S. monthly users must remove *objectively false information* about election timing, location, voter eligibility, or penalties if notified. Platforms must delete such content within 24 hours on election days or 48 hours otherwise, and provide written confirmation of removal. Violations allow the Attorney General, state officials, or candidates to sue for $50,000 per item of unremoved false information. The law explicitly excludes political speech about candidates, officeholders, or parties from this definition.