Sen. Robert P. Casey, Jr.

Maddy summarySRES 244 is a Senate resolution condemning Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which cuts off critical supplies to approximately 120,000 Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh - including 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly, and 9,000 people with disabilities. The resolution demands the U.S. suspend military aid to Azerbaijan, supports sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations, and urges international investigations into Azerbaijani actions. It specifically references Azerbaijan’s 2022 blockade of the corridor, sabotage of infrastructure (like gas pipelines and hospitals), and violations of the 2020 ceasefire agreement. The resolution also calls for U.S. leadership in securing humanitarian aid and international observer access to the region.

Maddy summaryThe BUMP Act of 2023 (S 1909) prohibits the sale, possession, and transfer of devices that increase the rate of fire on semiautomatic firearms, including "bump stocks" and similar modifications. It directly affects owners of semiautomatic firearms modified to speed up firing or mimic machineguns, requiring them to register such weapons within 120 days of enactment. Key provisions ban devices designed to eliminate the need for separate trigger pulls per shot and define "semiautomatic firearm" to exclude machinegun-like modifications. The bill exempts government entities and pre-existing legal modifications from the ban, provided they are registered.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires airlines to make in-flight safety videos and entertainment programming accessible to passengers with disabilities. It mandates features like open/closed captioning, American Sign Language options, and audio description for video content, plus non-visual operation controls for touchscreens, apps, and web portals used for inflight services. Airlines must comply within 180 days of the law's enactment. Passengers with disabilities can pursue legal action if airlines fail to meet these standards, with courts able to award damages and cover legal fees. The law directly affects all airlines (including foreign carriers) operating in the U.S. and ensures equal access to safety and entertainment content.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Advisory Council to Support Victims of Gun Violence, which will identify and organize resources for individuals affected by gun violence. It directly impacts victims (including those wounded, threatened, witnessing incidents, or connected to victims) and their families, as defined by the bill to cover suicide, homicide, domestic violence, mass shootings, and other firearm-related incidents. The council will assess victim needs, compile best practices for medical, financial, mental health, and legal support, and publish accessible resources online and to government offices. The council must report to Congress and state agencies within 180 days of enactment, with a follow-up report two years later, but requires no new federal funding and expires after five years.

Maddy summaryLeveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act makes significant changes to U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. It establishes special rules for successive investigations (follow-up investigations on the same merchandise), addresses cross-border subsidies and foreign market distortions that affect pricing, and requires importers to provide certifications to prevent duty evasion. The bill also includes provisions for investigating currency undervaluation as a countervailable subsidy. These changes primarily affect U.S. manufacturers competing with foreign imports and importers of goods from countries with potentially distorted markets. The bill aims to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of trade remedy investigations to better protect U.S. industries.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to include questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics (intersex traits) in their demographic surveys, such as the census and health studies. Agencies must establish data standards within 360 days of the bill's enactment, using methods that ensure voluntary participation, privacy, and confidentiality, while avoiding personally identifiable information after three years. The law directly affects federal agencies conducting covered surveys, aiming to fill a gap in current data collection where intersex populations are not measured. Reports based on these surveys must include this data within three years, though agencies may request case-by-case waivers if compliance would harm survey quality or violate privacy laws.

Maddy summaryThe Midwives for MOMS Act of 2023 provides federal grants to expand midwifery education and training. It allocates $15 million annually (2024-2028) for accredited midwifery schools and programs, and $20 million for nurse-midwifery programs in schools of nursing. Grants support student financial aid, program expansion, and training supervisors, with priority given to institutions serving health shortage areas and increasing racial/ethnic diversity in midwifery. This directly affects higher education institutions offering midwifery training and future midwives, aiming to grow the workforce in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds "spotted lanternfly control" as a priority research area under federal agricultural funding. It authorizes grants for developing and sharing practical tools to combat the invasive spotted lanternfly insect (Lycorma delicatula), directly affecting agricultural researchers and extension programs. The key provision modifies existing law to include this specific pest control research within eligible grant programs. The bill also extends the funding authorization period for this priority through 2028. This is a research-focused bill, not a direct regulatory change affecting farmers or consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the online distribution of digital instructions (like 3D printer files) that can automatically create firearms or complete firearm frames/receivers. It directly affects individuals or entities sharing such code online, not those using 3D printers to make guns. The key mechanism bans sharing this code via the internet or World Wide Web, aiming to prevent untraceable firearms that lack serial numbers. This addresses a safety concern where 3D-printed guns evade detection and background checks, undermining firearm tracing used in crime investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal crop insurance law to specifically include mushrooms as a crop eligible for insurance research and development. It requires the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to study and develop policies insuring mushroom production or revenue, directly affecting commercial mushroom farmers who currently lack dedicated insurance options. The key mechanism mandates the Corporation to conduct this research and submit a detailed report to Congress within one year, outlining findings and recommendations. The bill does not create immediate insurance coverage but establishes a process for evaluating it.