Maddy summaryHR 1289, the Dollar-for-Dollar Deficit Reduction Act, requires Congress to include equivalent spending reductions whenever it considers raising or suspending the debt limit. Specifically, any bill increasing the debt limit must include net spending cuts over the current and next 10 fiscal years equal to the requested increase amount, calculated using a standard budget baseline and excluding net interest savings. The bill mandates that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate must be publicly available for 24 hours before a vote, and it prohibits shifting spending outside the 10-year window to meet the savings target. This procedural rule applies to both debt limit increases and suspensions, with the Senate requiring a 60-vote supermajority to waive the requirement. The bill directly affects how Congress votes on debt limit measures, not specific programs or populations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new framework for imposing sanctions on foreign governments that engage in "gross negligence" with respect to chemical or biological programs. It defines gross negligence as when a government knew or should have known such actions would cause injury or damage to other countries. The President would be required to make determinations based on credible information about such negligence and impose specific sanctions, including suspending scientific cooperation, restricting exports of certain goods and technologies, and terminating foreign assistance. The bill also mandates a specific determination about China within 180 days of enactment, requiring the President to report whether reasonable grounds exist for concluding China meets the gross negligence criteria. Sanctions can be lifted if the foreign government addresses the negligence, develops preventive measures, and provides information to the U.S. and international organizations.
Maddy summaryThe Military Spouse Hiring Act expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include military spouses. Employers who hire a spouse of an active-duty military member - certified by a local agency as meeting eligibility requirements on the hiring date - can claim this tax credit. The credit reduces the employer's federal tax liability for hiring such individuals. This provision applies to new hires after the bill's enactment date.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges to provide pre-loan counseling to students before they take out federal student loans, including an estimate of monthly payments compared to expected income after expenses (using government data) and a full breakdown of all debt (federal, private, and future costs). It also mandates that lenders send borrowers quarterly statements during non-payment periods (like while in school), showing loan balances, interest rates, payments made, and how making small payments can reduce total interest. These changes apply directly to students receiving federal loans, colleges, and loan servicers. The goal is to improve transparency about long-term repayment impacts before borrowing begins.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act to exempt certain family-owned assets from being counted when calculating federal student aid eligibility. Specifically, it excludes family farms where the family resides and small businesses with 100 or fewer full-time equivalent employees owned and controlled by the family. These assets will no longer be considered when determining a student's financial need for aid programs. The change directly affects students from qualifying family farms or small businesses when applying for federal financial aid. The exemption applies to assets held by the family, not just the business itself.
Maddy summaryHR 1200, the National Right-to-Work Act, prohibits requiring workers to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment in both private-sector workplaces (covered by the National Labor Relations Act) and railroad industries (covered by the Railway Labor Act). The bill amends key sections of these laws to eliminate provisions that allowed union security agreements, meaning workers in unionized settings would no longer be forced to pay dues to retain their jobs. This directly affects employees in unionized workplaces across the U.S., particularly those in industries with existing union contracts that included mandatory dues. The law changes the legal framework to ensure union membership and dues payment remain voluntary for all workers.
Maddy summaryHRES 124 is a non-binding House resolution expressing congressional support for expanding domestic nuclear energy and advanced nuclear technology. It states the House believes the U.S. should promote nuclear energy as a reliable, low-carbon power source to enhance energy leadership and independence, citing its high reliability (92% operation rate), carbon reduction benefits (482 million metric tons avoided in 2021), and economic contributions (475,000 jobs supported). The resolution urges actions like streamlining regulations for advanced reactors, securing domestic uranium supply chains, and addressing misinformation about nuclear safety - though it does not create new laws or funding. It serves solely as a statement of policy preference, not a legislative mandate.
Maddy summaryHR 1190, the "Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act," amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require lobbyists to disclose the name and address of any foreign government or political party (other than the client) that directs, plans, supervises, or controls their lobbying activities. This change directly affects registered lobbyists who work with foreign entities, mandating them to report these foreign influences in their filings. The key provision adds a new requirement to disclosure forms, specifying that foreign governments or political parties involved in controlling lobbying efforts must be named, even if they are not the direct client. This focuses on transparency about foreign involvement in U.S. lobbying, without altering the core lobbying registration framework.
Maddy summaryHR 1009 requires the President to develop a national strategy for using microreactors (small nuclear reactors under 20 MW thermal) to replace diesel generators during natural disasters. The strategy must evaluate current diesel generator use, compare environmental impacts, and address deployment logistics like storage, transportation, and maintenance. It mandates collaboration between agencies like FEMA, the Department of Energy, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with annual reports to Congress. The bill aims to improve disaster response by providing reliable, low-emission power to critical facilities like hospitals and water plants, while reducing reliance on diesel.
Maddy summaryHR 1012, the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act of 2023, creates a uniform federal liability shield for individuals and entities involved in using or managing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) during cardiac emergencies. It protects AED users (including non-professionals), property owners/managers where AEDs are located, and AED owners/acquirers from civil lawsuits - unless harm resulted from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or a licensed professional acting within their scope of practice. The law overrides inconsistent state "Good Samaritan" laws, ensuring consistent protection regardless of AED signage, registration, or user training. This aims to encourage wider AED deployment in public spaces by reducing liability concerns for businesses and property owners.