Sen. Lindsey Graham

Maddy summaryThis bill would require the U.S. Secretary of State to formally designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism under existing U.S. law, applying to the Russian government and entities under its control. It includes exceptions for agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices, which could be exported with 2-year licenses rather than being fully prohibited. The bill also establishes reporting requirements for these exceptions and sets conditions for removing the designation, including presidential certification that Russia no longer supports terrorism and that removal aligns with U.S. national security interests. This designation would trigger additional sanctions and diplomatic restrictions under current law.

Maddy summarySRES 741 is a Senate resolution condemning Nicolás Maduro's government in Venezuela for corruption, human rights violations, and anti-democratic actions, including embezzling funds, exploiting natural resources, and suppressing opposition. It demands Venezuela hold free and fair elections on July 28, 2024, with all opposition candidates - including Edmundo González Urrutia - allowed to run, and calls for the U.S. administration to impose additional sanctions if election fraud occurs. The resolution does not create new laws but formally expresses the Senate's position, referencing past sanctions and the expiration of a previous general license that suspended some sanctions. It specifically addresses Maduro's regime, the Venezuelan electoral process, and U.S. foreign policy toward Venezuela.

Maddy summaryS 4593, the "No More Political Prosecutions Act of 2024," amends federal law to remove a legal protection for the President, Vice President, and former Presidents/Vice Presidents. Specifically, it deletes language in Section 1442(a) of title 28, U.S. Code, that previously shielded these officials from lawsuits related to their official duties. This change means civil suits or criminal prosecutions against these top officials for actions taken in office would no longer be blocked by this specific legal provision. The bill applies to cases pending or filed after its enactment.

Maddy summaryS 2051, the Missing Children's Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2023, reauthorizes the Missing Children's Assistance Act through fiscal year 2028 with increased annual funding of $49.3 million. The bill updates definitions to use "child sexual abuse material" instead of "child pornography" and expands the CyberTipline's capabilities to help locate missing children and address child exploitation. It requires grantees to report on children missing from state-sponsored care, including those likely victims of sex trafficking, and provides new resources for internet safety education to prevent online child exploitation. This legislation directly affects law enforcement agencies, child welfare systems, and organizations working to protect children from abduction and exploitation.

Maddy summaryThe ADVANCE Act of 2023 promotes U.S. nuclear energy development through several key provisions. It establishes prizes for the first entities to receive licenses for advanced nuclear reactors, including those for non-electric applications like hydrogen production and district heating. The bill extends the Price-Anderson Act through 2045, providing liability protection for nuclear power plant operators, and requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to report on reducing reliance on Russian uranium. Additionally, it includes provisions to streamline regulatory processes for nuclear facilities at brownfield sites and support workforce development in the nuclear industry.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 97) seeks to block a Department of Labor rule finalized in April 2024 that redefined overtime exemptions for certain white-collar workers. The rule would have changed how employers classify executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees for overtime pay purposes. By invoking Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, this resolution aims to nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect. It directly affects employers and workers covered by the rule, but the resolution itself does not change existing labor standards - it only prevents the rule from being implemented.

Maddy summarySRES 735 designates July 17, 2024, as Glioblastoma Awareness Day to encourage public awareness of glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer with a 5-year survival rate of 6.9%. The resolution supports research efforts, promotes collaborative approaches to treatment development, and recognizes the challenges faced by patients and caregivers. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the urgent need for improved treatments and greater understanding of this disease.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 96 seeks to block a Department of Education rule that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools (e.g., colleges, K-12 programs receiving federal aid). If approved, it would invalidate the rule published April 29, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 33474), preventing it from taking effect under a congressional disapproval process. This would maintain existing nondiscrimination standards for education programs instead of implementing the new rule. The resolution directly affects all schools and programs receiving federal education funding.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 92) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that established new greenhouse gas emission standards for fossil fuel power plants and repealed an earlier rule. It targets the EPA's specific rule (published May 9, 2024), which set performance standards for new/modified plants, emission guidelines for existing plants, and removed the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. The resolution uses a procedural mechanism under the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the rule, meaning it would prevent the EPA rule from taking effect. If passed, the rule would have no legal force, directly affecting how power plants regulate emissions under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 93) seeks to block a specific rule proposed by the Department of Commerce. It targets the rule titled "Revision of Firearms License Requirements" (published April 30, 2024, in the Federal Register), which would have changed requirements for firearms licenses. If passed, the resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect by invoking a congressional disapproval process under Title 5, U.S. Code. The resolution directly affects the implementation of the Commerce Department's proposed firearms licensing changes, not the licensing requirements themselves.