Sen. John Cornyn

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 280) designates May 2023 as National Foster Care Month to raise public awareness about challenges faced by children in foster care. It encourages Congress to develop policies improving outcomes for these children, without specifying new laws or funding. The resolution highlights issues like educational instability, lengthy stays in care, and the need for family reunification support, but does not create binding requirements. It focuses on recognition - honoring foster parents, youth resilience, and child welfare workers - rather than enacting policy changes. As a procedural resolution, it serves as a symbolic call to action, not a legislative measure with concrete policy effects.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 272) commemorates the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's June 24, 2022, *Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization* decision, which overturned *Roe v. Wade*. It expresses the Senate's support for the Court's ruling that the Constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion and affirms the return of abortion regulation authority to state legislatures. The resolution celebrates the decision as a step toward protecting "unborn life" and commits to supporting families and "proclaiming the humanity of the unborn." As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any individuals directly.

Maddy summaryS 2210, the Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act, requires the President to submit a detailed report to Congress before terminating, waiving, or significantly altering U.S. sanctions on Iran. Congress then has 30 days (or 60 days during summer months) to review the proposal through committee hearings and decide whether to approve or disapprove it via joint resolution. During this review period, the President cannot implement the sanction change without Congressional approval. The bill directly affects the executive branch's ability to modify Iran sanctions policy and gives Congress formal oversight authority over major foreign policy shifts related to Iran.

Maddy summaryS 2173, the Trademark Licensing Protection Act of 2023, clarifies that trademark licensing relationships between franchisors (or trademark owners) and related companies do not create employment relationships under labor laws. It specifically states that franchisors or trademark owners cannot be deemed employers simply because they license a mark or exercise limited control over its use to maintain quality, reputation, or uniformity. The bill explicitly excludes personnel-related policies (like hiring, pay, or work schedules) from being considered "control over the mark" under this provision. This protects franchisors and trademark owners from unintended labor law obligations tied to standard licensing practices.

Maddy summaryS 2125 amends the Clean Air Act to change how the EPA establishes and reviews national air quality standards. It extends the review cycle for these standards from 5 to 10 years, sets specific deadlines (December 2030) for reviewing ozone and particulate matter standards, and requires the EPA to consider technological feasibility and economic impacts when setting standards. The bill also creates "Extreme Areas" for ozone nonattainment zones, exempting them from certain cleanup requirements, and mandates that EPA publish implementation guidance alongside new standards to help states and industries obtain permits for new facilities. Additionally, it requires the EPA to report on how foreign pollution affects U.S. air quality designations and the handling of interstate pollution petitions.

Ensuring Access to Lower-Cost Medicines for Seniors Act This bill requires prescription drug plans under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to include generic drugs and biosimilars on their formularies. Specifically, the bill requires plans that use formularies to include generic drugs and biosimilars on the formularies and without any requirements (e.g., prior authorization requirements) that are more restrictive as compared to those for brand-name drugs and biologics. Plans that use cost-sharing tiers must also have specific tiers for generic drugs and biosimilars, in accordance with certain limitations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges and universities to have their president (or equivalent) and at least one board member annually review all reported Title IX incidents involving covered employees. The review must examine factual findings, conclusions about policy violations, disciplinary actions taken, and supportive measures provided to complainants. Institutions must certify this review to the federal government each year, ensuring leaders didn't interfere with investigations. It directly affects higher education institutions and their leadership, focusing on transparency in handling campus sexual misconduct reports. The law defines "covered employees" as full-time staff or contractors acting for the institution (excluding undergraduate students).

Maddy summarySRES 263 is a symbolic Senate resolution commemorating June 19, 2023, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day" to recognize June 19, 1865 - the date Union troops announced the end of slavery in Texas. It honors the historical significance of this date, when news of emancipation reached enslaved people in the Southwestern U.S. after the Civil War. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges this observance as part of U.S. history and heritage, supporting nationwide recognition of the event. It affects all Americans by affirming a shared historical moment in the nation's journey toward freedom.

Maddy summarySRES 259 is a symbolic Senate resolution (not a bill) recognizing the significance of U.S.-India relations. It reaffirms the partnership rooted in shared strategic interests, trade (with $191 billion in 2022 bilateral trade), defense collaboration, educational exchanges (including 82,000 Indian student visas in 2022), and technological cooperation like the iCET initiative. The resolution does not create new laws or obligations but formally expresses support for deepening ties across economic, defense, and people-to-people channels. It was introduced by Senators Menendez, Warner, and Cornyn on June 21, 2023, and referred to the Foreign Relations Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies a federal disaster assistance program to provide full financial coverage for crop losses caused by drought or other disasters to farmers and ranchers in New Mexico who rely on acequia water systems. It also removes the requirement for special permits for routine maintenance and minor repairs (like ditch cleaning or infrastructure repairs) conducted by community members managing acequias on federal lands. The bill mandates a Department of Agriculture report within two years detailing how many acequia-dependent farmers received disaster aid, access to other agricultural programs, and available targeted assistance. These changes directly support New Mexico's acequia communities by strengthening their financial resilience and reducing bureaucratic barriers to maintaining their century-old water infrastructure.