Sen. Bill Hagerty

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 41) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific immigration rule issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). The rule, published in the Federal Register on May 16, 2023, addressed "Circumvention of Lawful Pathways" in immigration processing. The resolution would formally block the rule from taking effect by directing Congress to disapprove it under procedures in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This action directly affects how USCIS and immigration courts implement certain immigration pathways.

Maddy summarySRES 326 is a procedural Senate resolution (not a law) designating August 23, 2023, as "National Poll Worker Recruitment Day." It formally recognizes the importance of poll workers in elections and encourages eligible citizens to volunteer for this role in the 2023 elections. The resolution has no binding effect but aims to raise awareness about the need for poll workers. It directly affects the public by inviting them to participate in election administration.

Maddy summaryS 2623, the Protecting Small Business Information Act of 2023, delays the implementation of certain Treasury rules under the Corporate Transparency Act. It requires the Treasury Secretary to certify to Congress that all required rules have been issued and will take effect simultaneously before any rule can go into effect. This directly affects small businesses that would otherwise have faced new beneficial ownership reporting requirements, by postponing those obligations until the Treasury completes its rulemaking process and certifies synchronization. The bill does not create new requirements but changes the timing for existing rules.

Maddy summaryThe INDEX Act requires investment advisers managing passively managed funds (like index funds) to follow voting instructions from the fund's actual investors for non-routine corporate proposals (e.g., major mergers, governance changes). It applies when an adviser controls over 1% of a company's voting shares through such funds, mandating they distribute voting materials and wait 5 business days for instructions. Advisers may still vote freely on routine matters (e.g., board elections) or use a "mirror voting" exception for majority-approved proposals. This directly affects retail investors in index funds and the advisers managing them, ensuring investor preferences shape votes on significant corporate issues.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution commemorates Vanderbilt University's 150th anniversary by honoring its history and achievements. It commends the university for its educational contributions, research impact, and role in developing leaders across various fields. The resolution requests that a copy be sent to Vanderbilt's chancellor and board chair, but it has no binding effect or policy changes. As a ceremonial gesture, it does not directly affect any laws, programs, or individuals beyond symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts U.S. exports of genetic collection and analysis technology to certain countries designated as "covered countries" (including China, Russia, Iran, and others). It requires adding specified genetic technologies - like DNA sequencers, testing kits, and related software - to export control lists and denies licenses for their transfer to covered countries unless exporters prove the technology won’t enable human rights abuses. The bill imposes sanctions on foreign entities (including specific Chinese research institutes, companies like BGI Group, and universities) that provide such technology to covered countries in ways linked to human rights violations. These sanctions include blocking U.S. property, denying visas to corporate officers, and revoking existing visas for sanctioned individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the Secretary from requiring any State, clinic, or provider to counsel or refer for abortions as a condition for receiving Title X family planning funding. It directly affects Title X-funded clinics and health centers that provide reproductive health services. The key provision explicitly adds that no entity receiving Title X funds may be compelled to offer or facilitate abortion services. This changes existing requirements by removing mandatory abortion counseling or referral as a condition for federal funding under Title X. The bill focuses on clarifying funding rules without altering other Title X program requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to study including rapeseed and canola (defined as "covered oilseed crops") in double cropping policies, which allow farmers to plant two crops on the same land in one year. The study must assess economic/environmental benefits and risks (like soil health impacts) through research conducted with stakeholders, focusing on winter-planted crops. The Corporation must complete this research and submit a report to Congress within 13 months of the bill's enactment, detailing findings and recommendations. This study specifically affects Mid-South farmers growing these oilseed crops and could inform future crop insurance policy changes, but does not alter current insurance rules.

Maddy summarySCONRES 2 is a symbolic congressional resolution commending Iranian protesters who risked their safety to demonstrate against the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, particularly following the death of Mahsa Amini after her arrest by morality police for alleged hijab violations. It specifically highlights protests in over 133 cities where demonstrators, including women removing headscarves, have faced violent crackdowns, with reports of over 500 deaths and 19,000 arrests. The resolution condemns the regime's brutality, supports internet freedom tools to bypass censorship, and urges the administration to impose human rights sanctions on officials responsible for repression. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses congressional support for protesters but does not enact new laws or policies.

Maddy summarySRES 75 is a U.S. Senate resolution affirming Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India and condemning China's border provocations. It specifically addresses China's 2021 map publication assigning Mandarin names to features in Arunachal Pradesh, its 2022 border clashes with India, and infrastructure projects near the Line of Actual Control. The resolution supports India's sovereignty, commends its border infrastructure development and defense measures, and encourages U.S. and international support for Arunachal Pradesh's economic growth. It serves as a diplomatic statement to strengthen U.S.-India relations and signal U.S. opposition to China's territorial claims in the region.