Maddy summaryThe Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023 establishes the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund, initially funded with $150 million, to cover expenses related to seizures and forfeitures of property connected to sanctions violations by Iran or its designated proxies like Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The fund will pay for law enforcement costs including investigations, detention, equipment, and rewards for informants, with priority given to seizing oil and petroleum products that fund terrorist activities. The bill also creates an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security to better coordinate federal agencies' efforts on sanctions enforcement. Annual reports to Congress will detail fund usage, seizures, and financial status, with the fund required to repay the Treasury $150 million by 2034 unless waived for national security reasons.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Project Safe Childhood Act (S 1170) modernizes a federal program to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse by establishing a nationwide initiative requiring coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. It mandates the Attorney General to develop best practices for investigating and prosecuting cases involving child sexual abuse material, with specific protocols for identifying victims and serious offenders. The bill requires each U.S. Attorney to create district-specific strategic plans for coordinating investigations and prosecutions, and authorizes $28.55 million annually for 2023-2028 to support these efforts. It also establishes an annual Safer Internet Day to provide public education about online safety and reporting mechanisms. This legislation directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and child protection services working to address online child sexual exploitation.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $13.5 billion in supplemental funding for Israel to support military and diplomatic assistance in response to the situation in Israel. It provides $4.4 billion for defense operations, $4 billion for Iron Dome and David's Sling defense systems, $1.2 billion for Iron Beam system development, and $3.5 billion for foreign military financing. The bill authorizes $7 billion in drawdown authority from Defense Department stockpiles for defense articles and services, with specific limitations preventing funds from being used for Ukraine assistance or for entities in Gaza controlled by Hamas. All funding must be designated as an emergency requirement by the President and is available for specific defense and diplomatic purposes. The bill includes provisions for transfer authority between accounts and notification requirements for congressional committees.
Maddy summarySJRES 47 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Department of Justice rule about home confinement for federal prisoners under the CARES Act. The rule, published in April 2023, would have established guidelines allowing the Justice Department to use home confinement as an alternative to prison for certain inmates during the pandemic. If passed, this resolution would cancel the rule, preventing it from taking effect. It follows the standard process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, for Congress to reject agency regulations.
Maddy summaryThis bill imposes sanctions on foreign entities providing services to Hamas members or affiliates in allied countries, requiring annual reports to Congress on which countries allow such activities. It prohibits U.S. government business in Gaza and West Bank that would circumvent existing terrorism sanctions, and limits assistance to Gaza unless Hamas doesn't exercise actual control. The bill also expands sanctions to include Palestinian Islamic Jihad for using human shields, requiring reports on terrorist organizations that use civilians to shield military targets. Additionally, it targets financial transactions benefiting Iran with reporting requirements and sanctions for entities facilitating such transactions.
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to families and businesses and would severely harm the economic and national security of the country.
Maddy summarySJRES 42 is a resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) rule that updated how discrimination complaints are processed in federal food assistance programs (like SNAP). The rule applied the Supreme Court's Bostock v. Clayton County decision - which prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity - to the handling of program discrimination complaints. If passed, this resolution would block the FNS rule from taking effect, preventing it from changing existing complaint procedures. The measure uses the Congressional Review Act process to overturn the rule without altering program benefits or eligibility.
Maddy summarySRES 435 is a Senate resolution designating October 30 through November 4, 2023, as "National Veterans Small Business Week." It formally recognizes the contributions of veterans who own small businesses, highlighting their role in the economy (over 1.7 million veteran-owned businesses employing 2.9 million people). The resolution expresses support for veterans' entrepreneurship, encourages policies reducing regulatory burdens for small businesses, and thanks veterans for their service through business ownership. This is a symbolic recognition with no new legal requirements or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. congressional approval before the U.S. can vote to allocate International Monetary Fund (IMF) special drawing rights (SDRs) to eight specific countries: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Afghanistan under Taliban control. It also mandates that the U.S. oppose any IMF proposal to increase quotas or modify funding policies that would benefit these same countries. The law directly affects U.S. voting authority at the IMF, creating a new requirement for congressional authorization on SDR allocations and directing U.S. representatives to block certain IMF actions benefiting the listed nations. The bill aims to limit U.S. financial support for these countries through the IMF without explicit legislative approval.
Maddy summaryThe PANA Act of 2023 establishes the Venezuela Restoration Fund within the U.S. Treasury, using assets forfeited from individuals or entities tied to Venezuela's Chávez and Maduro regimes. The fund directly supports Venezuelan democratic institutions (like the National Assembly), human rights efforts, independent media, and anti-corruption initiatives within Venezuela. It requires the Secretary of State to use these funds without needing annual congressional appropriations, complementing existing U.S. foreign assistance. Annual reports to Congress must detail fund sources and expenditures.