Sen. John Barrasso

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 summaryThis bill creates federal grant programs to expand education and training for health professionals in palliative care and hospice services. It establishes requirements for training programs to emphasize interprofessional team-based care, patient and family engagement, and addressing gaps in care for individuals with serious or life-threatening illnesses. The bill prioritizes programs serving rural areas, medically underserved populations, pediatric patients, and racial/ethnic minorities, and authorizes $15 million annually for 2024-2028 to support these initiatives. It also includes provisions for disseminating palliative care information to patients, families, and health professionals through federal agencies.

Maddy summaryS 535 (Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act) modifies federal permitting requirements for oil and gas drilling on lands where the federal government owns less than half the minerals. It exempts drilling permits within certain "spacing units" from federal review if the federal government owns under 50% of the minerals and doesn't control the surface land. Companies must still notify the Interior Secretary about state drilling permits within 5 days of submission and 45 days after approval. The bill does not change royalty payments owed to the federal government for production on qualifying lands.

Maddy summaryThe Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023 establishes programs to increase domestic production of nuclear fuel, specifically low-enriched uranium (LEU) and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), to support advanced nuclear reactor development. It requires the Department of Energy to acquire specific quantities of HALEU by 2026 (3 metric tons by 2024, 8 more by 2025, and 10 more by 2026) while prioritizing domestic production but allowing partnerships with U.S. allies when domestic options are insufficient. The legislation authorizes $3.5 billion for these programs, to be used through 2032, and includes provisions to ensure reasonable compensation for fuel supplied under these programs. The bill directly affects U.S. nuclear energy companies, advanced nuclear reactor developers, and the Department of Energy's operations.

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.

Maddy summarySJRES 11 is a joint resolution seeking to cancel an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that set new emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks and buses. The rule, published in the Federal Register on January 24, 2023, would have required manufacturers to meet specific pollution control measures for new vehicles. This resolution uses a congressional disapproval process under the Congressional Review Act to nullify the EPA rule, meaning it would have no legal effect if enacted. If passed, the EPA's emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles would be voided, removing requirements for manufacturers to comply with those specific pollution controls.

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 2118, the "Real Emergencies Act," prohibits the President from declaring national emergencies, major disasters, or public health emergencies based on climate change. It specifically blocks the use of climate change as a justification under three key laws: the National Emergencies Act, the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act, and the Public Health Service Act. The bill does not affect past emergency declarations but restricts future declarations where climate change is cited as the primary reason. This directly impacts the executive branch's authority to invoke emergency powers for climate-related events.