Sen. Lindsey Graham

Maddy summaryThe Honest Ads Act requires large online platforms (with 50 million+ monthly US visitors) to disclose who sponsors political advertisements and maintain public records of these ads. Platforms must display clear sponsor identification that remains visible when ads are shared, and maintain records including ad content, target audience, cost, and sponsor information for at least 4 years. This legislation extends existing disclosure requirements for political ads (currently applied to TV, radio, and cable) to online platforms. The goal is to increase transparency about who is funding political messaging online, particularly to help detect foreign influence campaigns and ensure voters know who is behind political advertisements.

Maddy summaryS 522, the SMART Cocaine Sentencing Act, reduces the weight thresholds triggering mandatory minimum sentences for cocaine offenses. It lowers the amount required to trigger penalties from 5 kilograms to 4 kilograms for powder cocaine (and from 280 grams to 1,600 grams for crack cocaine) under federal law. The bill also requires the Attorney General to certify whether defendants sentenced before enactment should have their sentences reduced under the new thresholds, considering factors like rehabilitation. Additionally, it mandates federal agencies to submit research reports within one year on cocaine dosage, lethality, addiction, and sentencing trends. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of federal cocaine offenses, particularly those facing sentencing under current weight-based minimums.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic Senate resolution (SRES 69) designates February 18-25, 2023, as "National FFA Week" to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the National FFA Organization. It recognizes FFA’s role in developing future agricultural leaders through its educational programs, which serve over 850,000 students across all 50 states and territories. The resolution has no legal effect - it is a ceremonial expression of support, not a policy change. It directly affects the FFA organization and its members by highlighting their educational mission during a designated week.

Maddy summaryS 428, the FIND Act, requires federal contractors and first-tier subcontractors to certify they do not discriminate against firearm industry businesses (including manufacturers, dealers, and ammunition sellers) in their policies or practices. It mandates that contractors avoid refusing services or imposing restrictions based on bias against the firearm industry rather than objective business criteria like financial risk or legal compliance. Contracts violating this requirement face termination and potential debarment, though the rule excludes sole-source contracts. The law applies to all new federal contracts awarded after its enactment.

Maddy summaryS 454, the Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2023, establishes a federal grant program to fund community-based organizations providing out-of-school-time workforce readiness programs for youth aged 6-18. The bill requires grantees to offer specific services including career exploration, mentoring, work-based learning opportunities (like internships and apprenticeships), and skills development aligned with local job markets. It mandates the creation of youth councils within local workforce boards to advise on youth-focused programs and requires grantees to serve underserved communities equitably. The law directly affects eligible youth (ages 6-18), community organizations, and employers collaborating on workforce development initiatives.

Maddy summaryS 444 requires the U.S. Senate to approve any World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic preparedness treaty before it becomes binding on the United States. The bill mandates that agreements resulting from the WHO’s pandemic treaty negotiations (currently led by the International Negotiating Body) must be treated as treaties under the U.S. Constitution, requiring Senate ratification with a two-thirds vote. It directly affects U.S. foreign policy implementation by ensuring congressional oversight of international pandemic agreements. The bill responds to concerns about WHO’s pandemic management and aims to prevent executive agreements from bypassing Senate review.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the IRS from requiring financial institutions to report new types of account activity, such as deposits, withdrawals, balances, or transaction details. It directly affects banks and other financial institutions that might otherwise be mandated to share this data. The law blocks any new reporting requirements but allows existing programs (in place when the bill passes) to continue. It does not change current IRS data collection practices under existing laws. The bill aims to limit the scope of financial data the government can access from financial institutions.

Maddy summaryThe Secure and Protect Act of 2023 makes significant changes to U.S. immigration procedures, particularly affecting minors and asylum seekers. It allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to detain alien minors (not previously unaccompanied) without regard to prior status, with a 100-day goal for removal proceedings, and preempts certain judicial decrees like the Flores settlement. The bill also changes asylum eligibility requirements, requiring a "credible fear" determination before referral to immigration judges, and establishes refugee processing centers in Mexico and Central America. Additionally, it mandates hiring 500 additional immigration judges and support staff to handle increased caseloads.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 7) seeks congressional disapproval of a 2023 rule defining "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS), which would have changed how federal agencies regulate wetlands and waterways. It targets a rule jointly issued by the Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, and other agencies (88 Fed. Reg. 3004, Jan. 18, 2023), directly affecting landowners, developers, and environmental regulators by altering jurisdiction over water resources. If passed, the resolution would nullify the rule under a specific disapproval process in Title 5 of U.S. Code, preventing it from taking effect. The resolution does not create new regulations but aims to block an existing federal rule. This is a procedural step, not a new law.

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.