Maddy summaryThe JOBS Act of 2023 expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to short-term job training programs that provide 150-600 clock hours (8-15 weeks) of instruction aligned with in-demand local industries. It directly affects students enrolled in eligible career-focused programs at institutions of higher education, requiring programs to offer industry-recognized credentials and meet validation standards from employers or sector partnerships. Key provisions include mandatory industry validation of program quality, institutional credit articulation for noncredit programs, and lowering the minimum Pell Grant percentage from 10% to 5% for qualifying students. The bill ensures these programs count toward students’ total Pell Grant eligibility period while maintaining standard Pell Grant terms and conditions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe SHORT Act revises federal firearm regulations to eliminate separate restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns. It redefines shotguns used for sporting purposes to avoid being classified as destructive devices and removes language that previously treated these weapons differently from other firearms. The bill also requires states to recognize federal compliance as meeting state registration requirements for these weapons and preempts state taxes or registration rules on them in interstate commerce. Finally, it mandates the federal government to destroy related ownership records within 365 days of enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill would prevent government shutdowns by automatically continuing funding for most federal programs at the previous fiscal year's level if Congress fails to pass a full budget by the start of the new fiscal year. The automatic funding would continue in 14-day increments until a budget is enacted, with the government returning to normal funding levels once a budget is passed. During these automatic funding periods, government employees (including congressional staff) would face restrictions on travel, with limited exceptions for returning to Washington, D.C. or responding to national security events. The bill also establishes specific procedures for Congress to prioritize budget negotiations during these periods. This would affect the entire federal government and its operations during budget stalemates.
Maddy summaryThe Educational Choice for Children Act creates tax credits for individuals and corporations that contribute to scholarship organizations providing educational scholarships. Individuals can claim a credit up to 10% of their adjusted gross income or $5,000, while corporations can claim up to 5% of taxable income. Scholarships are available to students in households earning no more than 300% of the area median income and can be used for public or private school expenses, including religious schools. The bill establishes a $10 billion annual cap on total contributions with funds allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and requires scholarship organizations to verify student income and distribute scholarships to multiple students. It also prohibits government control over scholarship organizations and schools, ensuring maximum freedom for these organizations.
Maddy summaryThis bill would change how federal education funds are distributed by allowing funds to follow students to the schools they attend, rather than being tied to school districts. It provides financial support to low-income students (from households with income ≤130% of poverty level) who attend public, private, or home schools. The bill establishes two types of funding: a "concentration distribution" based on school district poverty rates (ranging from $50-$300) and a "basic distribution" based on family income. Funds would be distributed to the student's school or deposited into their 529 education savings account, with privacy protections for collected data.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. federal funding for gain-of-function research on certain viruses. It directly affects universities and research institutions that conduct such research, banning new federal grants for them. The law defines gain-of-function research as work that could make influenza, MERS, or SARS viruses more dangerous or contagious in any organism. Federal agencies must stop awarding new grants to institutions performing this specific type of research.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funds from covering abortions in most circumstances, including health benefits plans, with exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or when a pregnancy endangers a woman's life. It specifically bars the use of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions for health plans that cover abortion, requiring insurers to disclose abortion coverage details separately in marketing materials. The law applies to all federal health programs and ACA marketplace plans, ensuring taxpayer dollars aren't used for abortion services or coverage. It does not affect private insurance plans purchased with non-federal funds or separate abortion coverage options.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 80) creates an independent Inspector General (IG) position specifically for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It amends the 1978 Inspector General Act to add the NIH Director to the list of federal agencies required to have an IG, directly affecting NIH operations. The bill requires the President to appoint an IG within 180 days of the bill becoming law, following the same process used for other agency IGs. This establishes a dedicated oversight role to audit NIH programs and investigate fraud or waste within the agency.
Maddy summaryS 68, the FARM Act, requires the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) to review foreign investments in U.S. agriculture businesses and supply chains. It adds the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS and designates agricultural supply chains as critical infrastructure and critical technologies. The bill mandates a report within one year detailing foreign investments in U.S. agriculture, potential threats to supply chains, and espionage risks targeting agricultural data. This directly affects foreign entities seeking to acquire or invest in U.S. agricultural operations and supply chain systems.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit Members of Congress to a maximum of three terms in the House of Representatives and two terms in the Senate. It specifies that filling a vacancy for more than one year in the House or more than three years in the Senate counts toward these term limits. The amendment would not apply to terms served before its ratification. If approved by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years, it would change how long representatives and senators could serve. This is a proposed constitutional change, not current law.