Sen. James Lankford

Maddy summaryThe Shutdown Fairness Act guarantees standard pay for covered government workers and contractors during federal funding gaps. It directly affects federal employees, military personnel on active duty, and contractor staff who must work during a shutdown, ensuring they receive their regular compensation without regard to prior furloughs. The bill requires agencies to use emergency funds to pay covered employees within 7 days of enactment for the 2025-2026 shutdown period, and on regular pay schedules for future shutdowns. This applies retroactively from September 30, 2025, and limits funds strictly to pay, prohibiting reprogramming for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare drug plan sponsors and Medicare Advantage plans to pay long-term care pharmacies (pharmacies serving nursing homes and assisted living facilities) a mandatory $30 supply fee per prescription in 2026, increasing annually in 2027 based on inflation. The fee must be paid separately from existing reimbursements for drug costs or dispensing, and sponsors face $10,000 penalties for non-payment. The government will later reimburse sponsors for these fees through subsidies, paid within 18 months after each plan year. The bill also directs a GAO study on pharmacy payment sustainability in Medicare Part D, focusing on rural access and cost analysis. It directly affects long-term care pharmacies and Medicare drug plan sponsors, aiming to ensure uninterrupted pharmacy services for nursing home residents.

Shutdown Fairness Act This bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments to excepted employees for work performed during any period in which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown). An excepted employee is an employee who is required to work during a government shutdown. Under current law, excepted employees are not paid until the government shutdown is over. This bill provides appropriations to pay excepted employees during a government shutdown. The bill also specifies that the term  excepted employee includes certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown and members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty.  A federal agency may not use the funds provided by this bill during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for the purpose of paying excepted employees of the agency. The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.

Maddy summarySRES 482 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing November 3-7, 2025, as "National Veterans Small Business Week." It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges veteran-owned small businesses, which employ nearly 3.3 million people and generate over $952 billion in annual sales. The resolution expresses support for these businesses and appreciation for veterans' entrepreneurship, while highlighting the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship’s annual observance of this week. It has no direct impact on regulations, funding, or veteran business operations.

Maddy summaryThe Shadow Wolves Improvement Act (S 572) updates the Shadow Wolves Program within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to improve staffing, recruitment, and program expansion. It requires ICE to define the program’s mission with tribal partners (including the Tohono O'odham Nation), set staffing targets for special agents, and create a 180-day strategy with measurable goals for retention and recruitment. The bill mandates that current tactical officers receive detailed information about reclassifying as special agents, including pay, training, and eligibility changes, and establishes a plan to fill vacancies from retirements. It also directs ICE to develop criteria for expanding the program to additional tribal lands and requires a congressional report on implementation progress within one year.

Maddy summaryThe Guidance Clarity Act of 2025 requires all federal agencies (as defined in Title 5, U.S. Code) to include a clear statement on the first page of any agency guidance issued under specific rules. This statement must explicitly state that the guidance does not have the force of law, does not bind the public or the agency, and is solely intended to clarify existing legal requirements. Agencies must implement this requirement 30 days after the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issues its implementing guidance, which OMB must provide within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The bill directly affects how agencies communicate non-binding guidance to the public.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 3077, the Safer Supervision Act of 2025, would reform federal supervised release by requiring courts to make individualized assessments about whether to impose supervision and for how long, rather than automatically applying it. The bill establishes a presumption for early termination of supervised release after defendants serve 50% of their term (or 66.6% for certain offenses), provided they've demonstrated good conduct, compliance, and early termination won't jeopardize public safety. It also modifies probation officer compensation to match criminal investigators' pay, expands opportunities for prisoners not sentenced to supervised release to earn early release through time credits, and requires a GAO study on federal post-release supervision and reentry services. These changes aim to reduce probation officer caseloads, encourage rehabilitation, and better align supervision with public safety needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures that critical firearm-related operations continue during government shutdowns by designating them as "excepted" under federal law. It specifically covers the FBI's background check system (NICS), ATF enforcement programs, Commerce Department firearm export licensing, and State Department defense trade controls. These functions would remain operational even if most government services halt, directly affecting firearm background checks and export licensing processes. The policy change prevents temporary disruptions to gun sales and international firearm transactions during shutdowns.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 69 (SJRES 69) seeks to disapprove a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule titled "Record of Decision for the Barred Owl Management Strategy" in Washington, Oregon, and California. The rule, issued in September 2024, outlines a plan to manage barred owl populations to protect endangered spotted owls by controlling their numbers in the region. Under the Congressional Review Act, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, voiding its implementation. This directly affects the federal agency's ability to carry out the barred owl management strategy in the three states.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures the U.S. Capitol Police continue receiving pay during fiscal year 2026 funding gaps by authorizing temporary funds for salaries, benefits (including hazard pay and retirement), and contractor support. It directly affects Capitol Police officers (classified as "excepted employees" during emergencies), their civilian support staff, and contractors providing essential services. The funding mechanism provides immediate payments for the period starting October 1, 2025, and lasts until Congress passes regular appropriations for the Capitol Police or September 30, 2026, whichever comes first.