Sen. Lindsey Graham

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal grant program to fund sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation efforts along U.S. coasts. It provides $5 million annually (2024-2029) to eligible groups - including nonprofits, tribes, universities, and conservation organizations - to cover costs for rescuing stranded turtles, providing medical care, collecting research data, and releasing recovered turtles. Grants will be distributed equitably based on past stranding rates, regional risks, and endangered species recovery needs. The program aims to improve coordinated responses to stranded marine turtles, which include both dead turtles found on beaches and live turtles requiring medical assistance.

Maddy summarySJRES 106 is a joint resolution that would authorize the U.S. President to use military force against Iran if Iran is developing nuclear weapons or possesses weapons-grade nuclear material. The resolution specifies two conditions for military action: if Iran is in the process of possessing a nuclear weapon, or if Iran possesses uranium enriched to weapons-grade level, a nuclear warhead, or a delivery vehicle capable of carrying a nuclear weapon. This resolution is based on congressional concerns about Iran's nuclear program, including its enrichment of uranium to 83.7% (just short of weapons-grade 90%) and its failure to fully cooperate with international inspectors. If passed, this resolution would serve as a specific statutory authorization for military action under the War Powers Resolution.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate resolution condemns Hezbollah and Iran for terrorism against Israel and the U.S., citing historical attacks like the 1983 Beirut embassy bombing and recent rocket strikes on northern Israel. It asserts that Iran bears responsibility for Hezbollah’s actions and urges the President to use all diplomatic tools - including military deterrence - to hold both groups accountable. The resolution also denounces rhetoric calling for Israel’s destruction and supports Israel’s defense efforts. It does not create new laws but expresses congressional policy on diplomatic and security responses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that support the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization's system of paying terrorists and their families, which the bill states incentivizes terrorism. Sanctions include blocking U.S. property, denying visas, and restricting financial transactions with officials, organizations (like the Commission of Prisoners), or financial institutions facilitating these payments. The President must act within 90 days of enactment, and sanctions remain in effect until the Secretary of State certifies the payments have ceased. The bill builds on the 2018 Taylor Force Act, which previously tied U.S. aid to ending such payments.

Maddy summaryS 4770 prohibits federal agencies from entering contracts with companies that boycott Israel after January 1, 2024. It requires companies bidding on contracts over $100,000 for services or information technology to certify they are not boycotting Israel, and mandates that contracts include a prohibition on boycotts during their term. If a company violates this, agencies must notify them within 30 days and terminate the contract 30 days later unless the boycott ends. This directly affects businesses with federal contracts exceeding $100,000 for services or IT, with no impact on individual contractors or smaller contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to impose a minimum 500% tariff on all goods and services imported into the U.S. from any country that purchases, trades, consumes, or imports crude oil or petroleum products from Iran. It mandates quarterly reviews to identify such countries and adjust tariffs accordingly, with tariffs applying in addition to existing antidumping or countervailing duties. The tariffs would remain in effect until the President certifies to Congress that a country no longer engages in these oil transactions. The law directly affects U.S. importers and foreign countries importing Iranian energy, with no specified exemptions for specific goods or services.

Maddy summaryS 3696, the DEFIANCE Act of 2024, creates a federal civil remedy for individuals harmed by non-consensual disclosure of intimate images or digital forgeries. It directly affects people whose authentic intimate images are shared without consent or who are subjected to AI-generated "deepfake" images that appear real. Key provisions allow victims to sue for $150,000 in liquidated damages, privacy protections (like pseudonyms), and injunctions against disclosure, with a 10-year statute of limitations. The law supplements existing state laws but does not override them, focusing solely on civil remedies for these specific harms.

Maddy summaryS 412, the SHIELD Act of 2023, creates a federal criminal offense for knowingly distributing non-consensual intimate visual depictions (such as photos or videos of someone without their consent) or visual depictions of nude minors. It directly affects individuals who distribute such content without consent, including those sharing intimate images of adults or nude photos of minors, with penalties including up to 5 years in prison and asset forfeiture. Key provisions define "intimate visual depictions" (showing genitals or engaging in sexual conduct without consent), exclude law enforcement activities and legal reporting from the ban, and require forfeiture of materials used to distribute such content. The bill aims to address non-consensual image sharing and child sexual abuse material through federal criminal penalties.

Maddy summarySRES 765 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma following his death on July 9, 2024. The resolution commemorates his 28-year Senate service (1994-2023) and 52 years in public office, highlighting his work on defense policy, aviation legislation, infrastructure projects, and support for military bases in Oklahoma. This procedural resolution expresses the Senate's condolences and formally recognizes his legacy, rather than enacting any policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Congress to award a single Congressional Gold Medal to Jens Stoltenberg, former Secretary General of NATO, recognizing his leadership during his nine-year tenure. It directs the Treasury to strike the medal and allows for the sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. The medal honors Stoltenberg's role in strengthening NATO's defense spending, enlargement, and unity - particularly during Russia's invasion of Ukraine - though the bill itself creates no new policy or obligations. The award is purely ceremonial and affects only Stoltenberg as the recipient.