Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Maddy summaryS 1382, the Protecting Our Supreme Court Justices Act of 2023, increases penalties for obstructing justice near Supreme Court justices' residences or workplaces. It amends federal law to raise the maximum prison sentence for picketing or parading that obstructs justice from one year to five years. This change directly affects individuals who engage in disruptive protests near justices' homes or offices. The bill focuses solely on strengthening criminal penalties for obstruction, not on judicial decisions or court procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. research institutions, federal agencies, and companies receiving federal funds from engaging in scientific collaborations with Chinese entities tied to China's military-civil fusion strategy. It defines "Chinese entities of concern" as universities with military ties, defense-linked companies, and other organizations supporting China's military technology development. The law requires covered entities to report all research partnerships with these Chinese groups and establishes a public website listing restricted research areas (like quantum computing, semiconductors, and AI) and listed entities. Violations result in loss of federal funding, with annual reporting and audits mandated to enforce compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint three commemorative coins in 2026 to honor Golda Meir (Israel’s first female Prime Minister) and mark the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Israel relations. It specifies $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar coins bearing her image and inscriptions like "Golda Meir, Israel 75, 2026," with surcharges of $35, $10, and $5 per coin respectively. All surcharge revenue will fund Kiryat Sanz Laniado Hospital in Israel, while the coins - minted only in 2026 - will be sold as collectibles with no net cost to the U.S. government.

Securing our Border Act This bill addresses issues concerning border security and immigration, including by transferring funds from the Internal Revenue Service to certain border-related projects. Specifically, the bill transfers certain funds previously appropriated for tax enforcement activities (e.g., collecting owed taxes and conducting criminal investigations) to fund (1) nonintrusive inspection systems along the northern border and southwest border of the United States, and (2) the construction of a border wall system along the southwest border. The bill also authorizes the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to pay recruitment, retention, and relocation bonuses, subject to various requirements and limitations. For example, a relocation bonus may not exceed 15% of the agent's annual basic bay and must be conditioned on the agent agreeing to serve for at least three years at the new duty station. The bill also modifies the treatment of non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) arriving by land from a country next to the United States. Specifically, if such an individual is not clearly entitled to admission into the United States, the Department of Justice must (1) return the individual to that neighboring country or a safe third country while removal proceedings are pending, or (2) detain the individual while the individual's asylum application is under consideration. (Current law authorizes DOJ to return the individual to the neighboring country but does not require such action or detention.)

Maddy summaryThis bill extends current Medicare payment rates for durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs and oxygen) in non-rural areas until December 31, 2024. It delays the implementation of new, lower payment rates for all areas (including rural) until January 1, 2025. The bill directly affects Medicare providers who supply durable medical equipment, giving them additional time to adjust to potential payment changes. It modifies how Medicare administers payment rules without altering the underlying rates themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens penalties for individuals or organizations charging veterans unauthorized fees when assisting with VA benefit claims. It directly affects veterans who might be targeted by unscrupulous representatives and the representatives themselves who attempt to charge such fees. The key provision adds a new subsection (b) to Section 5905, making it illegal to solicit, charge, or receive any fee for preparing or submitting VA claims - except as allowed under specific other sections. Violations can result in fines, up to one year in prison, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the VA Secretary to respond to written questions from Senate and House Veterans' Affairs committees within 45 business days. If delays are expected, the VA must notify the committee member in advance, explaining the reason, providing a new timeline, and detailing steps needed to answer. It also mandates other federal agencies to promptly assist the VA when requested to meet these deadlines. The bill directly affects the VA Secretary, congressional committees, and other federal agencies involved in VA oversight.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 25) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific Department of Labor rule regarding wage rates for H-2A agricultural workers. It targets the rule published in the Federal Register (88 Fed. Reg. 12760) that established a methodology for calculating "Adverse Effect Wage Rates" (AEWR) for temporary H-2A nonimmigrant workers in non-range occupations. If passed, the resolution would block this rule from taking effect, directly affecting agricultural employers who rely on H-2A visas and the workers themselves by preventing the implementation of the new wage calculation method. The resolution does not create new policy but aims to halt an existing rule through the congressional disapproval process under U.S. Code.

Maddy summaryThe Save Local Business Act (S 1261) clarifies when businesses can be held jointly liable for labor violations under federal law. It amends the National Labor Relations Act and Fair Labor Standards Act to define "joint employer" status strictly: an employer must directly and immediately control essential employment terms like hiring, pay, scheduling, and discipline for another employer’s workers. This directly affects businesses operating under multi-employer structures (e.g., franchises, staffing agencies) by limiting joint liability to cases where control is demonstrable and immediate. The bill does not change existing labor protections but sets clearer, more specific criteria for determining joint employer responsibility.

Maddy summarySRES 169 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing the chamber's lack of confidence in DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. It states the Senate believes he does not have the confidence of the Senate or American people to carry out his duties, citing border enforcement challenges, alleged false testimony, and policy decisions like ending the Migrant Protection Protocols. The resolution does not change Mayorkas' position, alter border policies, or create new legal requirements - it is purely a formal statement of disapproval. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding effect on government operations.