Sen. John Barrasso

Maddy summaryThis bill ends a specific tax rate used to fund hazardous waste cleanup under the Superfund program, effective January 1, 2023. It directly affects businesses and entities that paid this tax, as the rate will no longer apply after December 31, 2022. The bill also changes repayment rules for government advances from the Superfund, requiring quarterly repayments from unused funds until fully repaid. The title "Pay Less at the Pump" is misleading, as the bill does not address fuel costs or gas prices.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 31) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule implementing the "Federal Good Neighbor Plan" for ozone air quality standards established under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. If approved, it would nullify the EPA rule (published June 5, 2023) that would have required certain states to address ozone pollution crossing state borders. The resolution uses a specific congressional disapproval process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code to prevent the rule from taking effect. This would directly affect states and industries subject to the ozone pollution regulations outlined in the EPA's submitted rule.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1895) requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to immediately reissue a 2020 rule that removed gray wolves from the federal endangered species list. It would directly affect gray wolf populations by ending their federal protections under the Endangered Species Act, impacting how states and wildlife agencies manage wolf populations. The bill mandates the agency reissue the specific rule within 60 days of enactment and explicitly prevents any court challenges to this reissuance. This policy change would shift management authority for gray wolves from federal to state-level oversight.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to exempt certain income from mutual ditch irrigation companies and similar water organizations from taxable income. It specifically excludes revenue from selling, leasing, or exchanging water rights, water delivery contracts, or company stock from taxation. The change aims to support water conservation by allowing these organizations to retain income from water transactions without tax liability, provided the funds are used for eligible expenses like new water conveyance systems. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Treasury to instruct American representatives at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to oppose any increase in the Chinese renminbi's weight within the IMF's currency basket (used to value Special Drawing Rights), unless China meets four specific conditions. These conditions require China to comply with IMF rules, not have recently manipulated its currency (per U.S. trade laws), implement policies for the renminbi to be "freely usable," and adhere to international debt and export credit standards. The U.S. position on this issue would remain in effect for 10 years from enactment. The bill directly affects U.S. voting at the IMF and China's potential inclusion in the IMF's currency basket.

Maddy summaryS 1845, the Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act, creates a new 5-year Medicare model providing community-based palliative care to beneficiaries with serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, or dementia. It directly affects Medicare Part A enrollees with qualifying conditions, replacing the current Medicare Care Choices Model and ensuring no exclusion for prior hospice use. Key provisions require 24/7 access (including telehealth), team-based care with at least one certified palliative provider, coordination across settings (homes, hospitals, or community sites), and coverage of services like pain management, mental health support, and advance care planning. The model aims to reduce unnecessary emergency visits and hospitalizations while improving care experience for high-risk Medicare beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryS 1802, the United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act of 2023, establishes a $50 million annual fund (2024-2028) for collaborative defense projects between the U.S. and Israel in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and directed energy. The bill directly affects U.S. defense programs and Israeli defense research entities by authorizing joint development of new warfare capabilities. Key provisions include creating the "United States-Israel Future of Warfare Research and Development Fund" under the Secretary of Defense to support projects that enhance both nations' military responses to evolving threats. The legislation builds on existing U.S.-Israel defense cooperation, such as past funding for counter-tunnel systems and drone defense technology.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the U.S. Department of Energy from providing financial awards (such as grants, loans, or loan guarantees) to certain entities with ties to China. It directly affects companies, research institutions, or organizations that either operate in joint ventures with Chinese state-owned enterprises or have leadership participating in Chinese government talent programs. The key provisions block funding for entities meeting either of these two conditions: (1) being part of a joint venture with a Chinese state-owned enterprise, or (2) having board members or senior leaders who have joined China's foreign talent recruitment programs. The policy change specifically restricts federal funding disbursement under the Department of Energy's programs, aiming to limit financial support for entities linked to Chinese state influence.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) for uranium miners, mill workers, ore transporters, and core drillers who were exposed to radiation between 1942 and 1978. It requires claimants to provide medical documentation linking their illness (like lung cancer or kidney disease) to that exposure. The bill transfers $475 million from unused coronavirus relief funds to the RECA trust fund and extends the deadline for filing claims from 2 to 4 years after enactment. This directly affects workers in specific states (including Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico) who developed radiation-related illnesses after working in uranium-related industries during the specified period.

Maddy summaryS 1734 (SARFA Act) requires polygraph examinations for foreign nationals working at Department of Energy National Laboratories or accessing their sensitive information. It applies specifically to individuals from countries designated as national security concerns (as defined in related law) who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Employees must undergo these exams before starting work, when transferring to sensitive roles, and every five years, with refusal resulting in immediate loss of access or termination. The law mandates examinations consistent with Intelligence Community guidelines and affects foreign national staff and contractors at National Laboratories.