Strategic Production Response Act or the SPR Act This bill limits the drawdown of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the Department of Interior issues a plan or updates a previously issued plan to increase the production of oil and gas on federal land. The bill defines federal land to (1) include Outer Continental Shelf land; and (2) exclude land otherwise not available for oil and gas development within the National Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Wilderness Preservation System, a National Marine Sanctuary, or Indian land.
Sponsored bills
Tribal Adoption Parity Act This bill allows Indian tribal governments to determine whether a child has special needs for the purposes of the adoption tax credit.
This resolution supports the designation of November 21, 2021, as National Warrior Call Day to encourage individuals to talk with members of the Armed Forces and veterans to connect them with support.
Maddy summarySRES 451 is a commemorative Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Max Cleland (D-GA), who died November 9, 2021. The resolution recognizes his service as a Vietnam War veteran (losing both legs and an arm in combat), his 50+ years of public service including roles as Georgia State Senator, Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, and Administrator of the Veterans Administration, and his advocacy for veterans. It formally expresses the Senate’s "profound sorrow" and "deep regret" over his death, commemorates his legacy of service to Georgia and veterans, and requests the Secretary of the Senate transmit the resolution to his family. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or legal effect.
This resolution recognizes November 2021 as National Native American Heritage Month and the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.
This resolution requires the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to establish the SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program for family members of members of the Armed Forces who die in the line of duty or of veterans who die of service-connected injuries. Under the fellowship program, an individual may serve a 24-month fellowship in a Senator's office.
Maddy summarySRES 441 designates November 6, 2021, as National Bison Day to recognize the historical, cultural, and economic significance of bison in the United States. The resolution encourages the American public to observe the day with ceremonies and activities, building on an annual tradition that began in 2012. It highlights bison's role in Native American heritage, conservation efforts, and contributions to rural economies, without creating new legal requirements or funding.
North Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to exchange, at the election of North Dakota, certain federal land for certain state land of substantially equal value. Specifically, if North Dakota elects to relinquish a parcel of state land located wholly or partially within the boundaries of any Indian reservation or the Little Missouri National Grassland in North Dakota, the bill authorizes North Dakota to select one or more parcels of federal land of substantially equivalent value within that state. No later than 60 days after Interior approves North Dakota's selection of federal land, Interior shall initiate the actions necessary to convey the federal land to the state. As consideration for the conveyance of the federal land, North Dakota shall concurrently relinquish and convey the state land to Interior or, for a parcel that is located wholly or partially within the boundaries of the grassland, to the Department of Agriculture. Land conveyed to Interior that is within the boundaries of a reservation becomes part of the reservation on request of the tribe.
Prohibiting Taxpayer Funded Settlements for Illegal Immigrants Act This bill prohibits using federal funds to make settlement payments to compensate any individuals for being separated from family members while detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection if the detention was (1) a result of the individual improperly entering (or attempting to improperly enter) the United States, and (2) in accordance with a Department of Justice memorandum that adopted a zero-tolerance policy for such improper entry into the United States.
Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate resolution supports parents' primary role in decisions about their children's education. It specifically opposes a Justice Department memo (issued October 4, 2021) directing federal resources to investigate parents protesting school policies, and demands that memo be rescinded. The resolution condemns efforts to restrict parental involvement in school decisions, such as limiting access to school meetings or curricula. It was introduced in response to controversies involving school board meetings in Loudoun County, Virginia, and a National School Boards Association letter comparing parent protests to domestic terrorism.