Sen. John Barrasso

Maddy summaryThe Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2023 requires the federal health agency to study how to more accurately identify areas with shortages of general surgeons, particularly in underserved rural and urban communities. The study will compare current designation methods with a new approach using hospital service areas and surgeon-to-population ratios, considering factors like wait times and transportation access. Based on the findings, the agency may establish a new system to formally label areas with critical shortages of general surgeons. The agency must complete the study and report to Congress within one year, with any new designations reviewed annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill maintains the National Coal Council under its existing charter (filed with Congress in 2021) and exempts it from the termination provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. It requires the Secretary of Energy to continue operating the council as a federal advisory body. The bill does not create new policies or directly affect coal industry operations, but clarifies the council's procedural status. It is a procedural measure focused on the council's administrative continuity.

Maddy summaryThe Securing Our Schools Act of 2023 authorizes approximately $38 billion in funding for school security and mental health programs. It creates a nonprofit security grant program providing funds for schools to implement security measures like access control systems, metal detectors, and surveillance equipment. The bill establishes a Student Access to Mental Health Program Fund to support mental health professionals in schools, with specific requirements including prohibitions on teaching Critical Race Theory and advocating for abortion services. The legislation also includes provisions for developing best practices for identifying mental health concerns and preventing violence, while restricting federal funding for abortion services.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how small airports receive federal funding by modifying the calculation method for fiscal years 2024-2026. It directly affects airports with fewer than 10,000 annual passenger boardings in the relevant year but that had at least 10,000 boardings in 2019. Instead of using the standard funding formula, qualifying airports would receive funding based on their highest passenger count from 2019, 2020, or 2021. The bill aims to provide more stable funding for airports significantly impacted by pandemic-era travel declines. This is a concrete policy change to the existing airport funding allocation process.

Maddy summaryThe Natural GAS Act of 2023 requires the Department of Energy to conduct a full fuel cycle analysis and disclose the results on appliance labels when developing new energy efficiency standards for water heaters, furnaces, boilers, and gas cooktops/ranges/ovens. It mandates that the Department certify new rules won’t cause a significant shift from gas to electric appliances in residential, commercial, or replacement markets. The bill exempts small manufacturers (as defined by federal regulations) from the rule application and requires the analysis results to be prominently displayed on energy efficiency labels at the point of sale. This directly affects federal agencies, appliance manufacturers, and consumers by shaping how future efficiency standards are created and communicated.

Maddy summaryThis bill would block U.S. federal funding for two international environmental agreements until China's classification in those treaties changes. Specifically, it prohibits funds for the Montreal Protocol (ozone layer protection) until China is removed from "developing country" status, and blocks funds for the UN Climate Change Convention until China is added to Annex I (the list of developed nations). The bill requires the President to certify to Congress that these treaty changes have occurred before funding can resume. It affects only U.S. government spending on these agreements, not direct policy changes for citizens or businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal "National Parkinson’s Project" under the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate efforts across agencies in preventing, treating, and curing Parkinson’s disease and related conditions. It requires an integrated national plan, annual progress assessments, and a public Advisory Council - including patient advocates, researchers, and healthcare providers - to guide strategy and recommend actions. The project mandates data sharing among federal agencies and biannual reports to Congress evaluating federally funded Parkinson’s programs, aiming to improve care coordination, reduce financial burdens on Medicare and families, and advance research on environmental triggers. The law directly affects people living with Parkinson’s, their caregivers, and federal health agencies involved in research and patient services. The initiative is scheduled to sunset in 2035.

This resolution designates March 2023 as National Women's History Month. The resolution also recognizes the celebration of such month as a time to reflect on the contributions that women have made to the United States.

Maddy summaryThe Venezuelan Democracy Act establishes specific criteria for determining when Venezuela has a transition government or democratically elected government, including requirements for respecting human rights, restoring democratic institutions, and releasing political prisoners. It imposes financial sanctions on the Maduro regime, blocking transactions related to debt instruments and cryptocurrency, and restricts Venezuela's membership in international financial institutions until a democratically elected government is in place. The bill authorizes U.S. support for democratic groups, human rights observers, and humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people, while directing that aid be provided through transition or democratically elected governments. Sanctions can be suspended or terminated if Venezuela meets the established democratic transition criteria, aiming to promote democratic change through targeted sanctions and support for democratic institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 22) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Education regarding federal student loan modifications. It targets the rule titled "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans," which included a one-time debt relief program announced in October 2022. The resolution requests Congress disapprove the rule under the Congressional Review Act, preventing the Department from implementing it. If approved, the rule would have no legal effect, directly affecting how student loan borrowers could access modifications or debt relief under that specific policy.