Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Maddy summarySRES 707 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month in May. It formally celebrates Jewish Americans' 350+ year contributions to U.S. society, culture, and history - highlighting their roles in government, arts, science, and community service. The resolution calls on elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society to condemn antisemitism and promote education about Jewish heritage, responding to documented rises in antisemitic incidents and Holocaust misinformation. It does not create new laws but affirms longstanding congressional recognition of this month, which has been observed annually since 2006 through presidential proclamations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterans awarded the Purple Heart after September 11, 2001, to transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to family members (spouse or children). It permits transferring up to 36 months of unused benefits, with dependents able to use the benefits after completing high school or turning 18. The bill includes special provisions for children acting as primary caregivers for injured veterans and for emergencies like school closures, extending benefit use beyond standard age limits. It modifies existing GI Bill transfer rules to add Purple Heart recipients as eligible transferors while maintaining the same payment rates and administrative processes.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 58) seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Energy rule establishing new energy efficiency standards for consumer furnaces. It targets the specific rule published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 87502), which set requirements for furnace manufacturers. If passed, the resolution would nullify this rule, preventing it from taking effect and requiring the Department of Energy to withdraw the standards. The resolution directly affects furnace manufacturers and consumers by halting the implementation of these new efficiency requirements.

Maddy summaryThe VALID Act prohibits airlines from using three specific Department of Homeland Security (DHS) documents or the CBP One mobile app as valid identification for air travel. It bans air carriers (including foreign carriers) from operating flights if they actively facilitate transportation using the CBP One app, DHS Form I-385 ("Notice to Report"), or DHS Form I-862 ("Notice to Appear"). The law directly affects airlines that might rely on these documents for passenger identification during domestic or international flights. This creates a permanent requirement that airlines must verify passengers using only standard, approved identification methods for boarding. The bill does not alter the legal status of the documents themselves but restricts their use in air travel verification.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Critical Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response Program within the Department of Commerce to strengthen U.S. supply chains for critical goods. The program requires the Secretary of Commerce to identify critical industries, supply chains, and goods, and develop strategies to reduce vulnerabilities in these supply chains, particularly those dependent on countries deemed security risks. It establishes a unified coordination group to work with private sector partners, states, and international allies to monitor supply chains, identify risks, and develop contingency plans for supply chain shocks. The program mandates annual reports on supply chain vulnerabilities and resilience strategies, including early warning systems using AI to detect potential disruptions. The program will sunset after 7 years.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 86) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding endangered species protections. The rule, published April 5, 2024, aimed to update regulations for interagency cooperation on endangered and threatened wildlife conservation. The resolution would block this rule from taking effect by invoking a statutory process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code that allows Congress to reject federal agency regulations. If passed, the rule would have no legal force, maintaining existing regulatory standards instead of implementing the new provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 88) seeks congressional approval to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that sets emissions standards for coal- and oil-fired power plants. Specifically, it aims to disapprove the EPA's rule on "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants" for these plants, which was published in the Federal Register on May 7, 2024. If passed, the rule would have no legal effect, preventing the EPA from enforcing these specific emissions limits on affected power plants. The bill directly affects the EPA's regulatory authority and the operations of coal- and oil-fired electricity generators.

Maddy summarySRES 697 is a commemorative resolution designating the week of May 12-18, 2024, as "National Police Week" in the U.S. Senate. It aligns with the 1962 law authorizing the President to designate this week, honoring law enforcement officers who have died or been injured in the line of duty. The resolution expresses support for officers, recognizes their service in protecting communities, and encourages public observance to honor their mission and sacrifices. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups, as it is purely ceremonial.

Maddy summarySRES 699 is a ceremonial Senate resolution congratulating students, parents, teachers, and leaders of U.S. charter schools for their contributions to education during the 25th Annual National Charter Schools Week (May 12-18, 2024). It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it symbolically recognizes charter schools’ role in providing public education options and improving student outcomes, as noted in the resolution’s background statements. The resolution directly addresses the charter school community and encourages public celebration of National Charter Schools Week. It is a non-binding expression of support, not a legislative action affecting any specific group or policy.

Maddy summaryThe Reshape Alternatives to Detention Act of 2024 terminates two programs that allowed certain immigrants to avoid detention (Case Management Pilot and Young Adult Case Management) and prohibits similar alternatives. It mandates GPS tracking for all non-detained immigrants throughout their immigration proceedings - including appeals - and until removal, while requiring biometric data for eligibility in any alternative-to-detention program. The bill also bars participation for immigrants residing in areas that restrict sharing immigration status information with federal authorities (so-called "sanctuary jurisdictions") and mandates strict check-in requirements for the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program.