Sen. John Cornyn

Maddy summarySRES 269 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating July 22, 2023, as "National Day of the American Cowboy." It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but encourages the general public to observe the day through ceremonies and activities. The resolution highlights the cultural significance of cowboys, citing their embodiment of values like honesty and work ethic, their economic contributions through ranching, and their role in American traditions and media. This is a ceremonial designation with no direct policy impact or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies SNAP (food stamp) rules to help unemployed or underemployed recipients access job training. It defines "covered individuals" as SNAP households not receiving TANF aid and not enrolled in state job programs, allowing states to use SNAP administrative funds for WIOA job training programs. States must also create publicly available online calculators showing how future earnings compare to SNAP benefits. The law directly affects SNAP recipients facing employment barriers, aiming to ease transitions into work without losing benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to immediately revert to the previous mortgage pricing structure (effective April 30, 2023) by eliminating the "recalibrated" fee system for single-family mortgages. It directly affects lenders and borrowers by banning fees based on debt-to-income ratios and mandating that future fee adjustments must align with risk-based pricing principles. The bill also mandates a 14-month GAO study to analyze the previous pricing changes' methodology, economic impacts on borrowers and lenders, and effects on affordable housing. This reverses recent FHFA policy changes without altering the underlying regulatory framework for mortgage enterprises.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2023 would require the President to appoint the Director of the Bureau of Prisons with the advice and consent of the Senate, replacing the current system where the Director is appointed by the Attorney General. It also establishes a 10-year term for the Director, with the current Director permitted to continue serving until three months after the bill’s enactment. This change directly affects the leadership of the federal prison system, which manages 122 facilities and oversees over 159,000 inmates and 34,000 employees. The bill aligns the appointment process for the Bureau of Prisons Director with other senior Justice Department positions that require Senate confirmation.

Maddy summarySRES 284 is a Senate resolution expressing support for designating June 2023 as "National Dairy Month." It recognizes the dairy industry's role in providing essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D for a healthy diet, its economic impact (supporting $793 billion in U.S. economic activity and 3.2 million jobs), and dairy producers' environmental stewardship. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the industry's contributions. It was introduced by multiple senators and refers to nutritional guidelines emphasizing dairy's health benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine how transnational criminal organizations finance the trafficking of synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. The study will analyze business models, online drug markets (including social media and payment apps), money laundering methods, and government efforts to disrupt these illicit financial flows. It directly affects Congress, as the GAO must submit a report detailing findings within one year of the bill's enactment. The bill does not create new laws but aims to identify gaps in combating drug trafficking finance through this targeted analysis.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal compensation program for poultry farmers whose operations are restricted in "control areas" designated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) due to animal health threats. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to pay affected farmers an amount calculated as their average income from the five most recent flocks multiplied by the number of flocks they were prohibited from raising during the control period. Compensation is capped to avoid double payments - covering only the difference between the calculated amount and any existing state or other compensation received. Payments must be issued within 60 days of a farmer’s request, and farmers who already received compensation for destroyed animals under existing law are excluded.

Maddy summaryThe SHOPP Act of 2023 amends the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program to expand eligibility for nutrition incentives. It adds legumes (like beans and lentils) to the list of eligible items and allows fresh frozen fruits and vegetables to be used year-round, instead of requiring only fresh produce. This directly affects low-income SNAP participants in the program who use incentives to buy healthier foods. The changes take effect March 6, 2024, making frozen produce and legumes accessible year-round under the incentive.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires lobbyists to disclose the name and address of any foreign government or political party (including regional or local units) that directs or controls their lobbying activities. It directly affects lobbyists representing foreign governments or political parties in the U.S. lobbying process. The key change amends existing law to mandate this new disclosure, overriding previous rules that didn't require naming foreign entities involved in directing lobbying efforts. This makes foreign influence in lobbying more transparent to the public and government.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 36) seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule (88 Fed. Reg. 12842, March 1, 2023) that would have removed religious exemption provisions from the Equal Opportunity Clause requirements for federal contractors. If approved, it would prevent the rule from taking effect, meaning federal contractors would continue to be required to comply with the Equal Opportunity Clause without the religious exemption previously allowed. The bill directly affects federal contractors subject to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs' (OFCCP) regulations. It is a procedural disapproval measure under Title 5, U.S. Code, not a new policy change.