Sen. John Cornyn

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how lawsuits challenge LNG facility approvals. It prevents courts from invalidating permits for LNG export facilities or related infrastructure during environmental reviews, requiring courts instead to send cases back to the agency for correction. It also limits lawsuits to a 90-day window after permit finalization and mandates expedited review by the court in the facility's location. The bill directly affects LNG developers seeking permits and environmental groups challenging projects, altering the legal process for these specific approvals under federal law.

Maddy summarySRES 241 is a symbolic Senate resolution supporting the designation of May 2025 as "National Beef Month" to highlight beef's economic and nutritional significance. It cites that cattle production generates $88.4 billion in annual agricultural receipts, notes the U.S. produces 19% of global beef, and emphasizes beef's nutritional value (e.g., high-quality protein, iron, vitamins B6/B12). The resolution does not create new laws or regulations but formally recognizes the industry's role in agriculture and consumer health. It directly affects no specific groups, serving only as a ceremonial acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryS 1843, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025, extends funding for existing federal reentry programs through 2030 instead of 2023. It updates timeframes across multiple programs, including state reentry demonstration projects (adding substance use disorder treatment and housing services), family-based substance abuse grants, prison education evaluations, career training for incarcerated individuals, and community mentoring programs. These programs directly support people returning from incarceration by providing critical services like recovery support, job training, and transitional housing. The bill makes no new policy changes but continues current federal funding mechanisms for reentry assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individual investors to defer paying taxes on capital gains from mutual fund dividends when they automatically reinvest those dividends through a dividend reinvestment plan. The deferred tax is triggered only when the investor sells shares or dies, rather than at the time of dividend receipt. It applies to most individual investors in regulated investment companies (like mutual funds) but excludes dependents and estates. The bill also adjusts holding period rules for reinvested shares, treating them as held for one year and a day from the date of reinvestment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33 under Title 38, U.S. Code. It directly affects current living recipients of the Medal of Honor, who are recognized for extraordinary military valor. The key provision amends the existing pension rate to reflect a substantial financial adjustment for these veterans. Surviving spouses' pension amounts remain unchanged at $1,406.73, as specified in the bill. The change aims to better honor recipients' service and sacrifice through enhanced financial support.

Maddy summarySRES 238 is a non-binding Senate resolution congratulating charter school students, parents, teachers, and leaders for their contributions to education during the 26th Annual National Charter Schools Week (May 11-17, 2025). It formally recognizes charter schools as public schools that provide diverse educational options, citing their role in improving student achievement and closing achievement gaps, particularly for disadvantaged students. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses support through symbolic recognition and encourages public observance during the designated week. It directly affects the charter school community nationwide, as acknowledged in the resolution’s text.

Maddy summarySRES 236 is a non-binding Senate resolution condemning Russia’s abduction and forced transfer of Ukrainian children, citing over 19,500 confirmed cases as of April 2025. It urges that all Ukrainian children abducted by Russia be returned before any peace agreement is finalized, emphasizing this as a prerequisite for a just resolution to the war. The resolution references Russia’s changed adoption laws, violations of international treaties, and documented human rights abuses against children in occupied territories. It does not create new law but formally expresses the Senate’s position on this issue.

Maddy summaryThe Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 allows livestock producers and their employees to remove or kill black vultures that are harming or likely to harm livestock, but prohibits using poison for this purpose. It requires these individuals to submit an annual report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about vultures taken, using a simple form developed by the agency within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. The reporting form must be no more complicated than similar forms under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This bill directly affects livestock operations facing vulture-related losses while maintaining federal bird protections outside these specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryThe Universal School Choice Act would create a federal tax credit for individuals and corporations that contribute to scholarship granting organizations. Individuals could claim a credit equal to 10% of their adjusted gross income or $5,000 (whichever is less), while corporations could claim a credit up to 5% of their taxable income. The credit would fund scholarships for qualified education expenses at public or private schools, including religious schools, with a $10 billion annual cap on total credits. Scholarship granting organizations would need to meet specific requirements, including verifying household income for low-income students and undergoing annual audits, while prohibiting government control over these organizations or discrimination against religious schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare Advantage plans to implement electronic prior authorization systems by 2028 and report detailed transparency data starting in 2027. Plans must publicly disclose approval/denial rates, average processing times (including for appeals), technology use, and other metrics for covered medical services. It mandates 24-hour response standards for expedited requests and routinely approved services, with data collection to analyze access patterns and potential disparities in rural/low-income communities. These changes directly affect Medicare Advantage plans, providers, and seniors enrolled in these plans by standardizing and increasing visibility into prior authorization processes.