Maddy summaryThe SCHEDULES Act of 2024 establishes specific time limits for scheduling veterans' healthcare appointments after referrals. It requires the VA to set a standard of 3 business days for appointments at VA facilities and 7 calendar days for community care referrals, with updates published in the Federal Register. The bill mandates quarterly reports to Congress tracking how many referrals meet these standards, broken down by facility, care type (like mental health or cardiology), and state. These reports must be publicly available online, including annual data on overall compliance and VA plans to improve scheduling timeliness. The law directly affects veterans seeking timely care through the VA system by creating measurable scheduling goals.
Sponsored bills
Stopping Eating Waste And Guarantee Excellence for Garlic Assurance and Regulatory Legislation to Inhibit Chinese Imports Act of 2024 or the SEWAGE GARLIC Imports Act of 2024 This bill prohibits the importation of garlic from China. The prohibition applies to garlic that originates in China, whether such garlic is fresh, peeled, frozen, dried, dehydrated, toasted, roasted, packaged, in the form of an essential oil, or otherwise processed.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 521) expresses the U.S. Senate's support for Taiwan's democratic institutions and its history of free elections. It commends Taiwan for holding 7 presidential and 9 legislative elections since transitioning to democracy in the late 1980s, including peaceful transfers of power between political parties. The resolution specifically highlights Taiwan's upcoming 2024 elections and reaffirms U.S. commitment to existing policy frameworks like the Taiwan Relations Act. As a symbolic resolution, it has no binding effect but formally recognizes Taiwan's democratic achievements and expresses concern over potential interference in its elections.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires federal agencies to publicly report detailed spending data related to China in annual budget submissions. It mandates that agencies disclose, for each fiscal year, all funds provided to Chinese entities (including the Chinese government, Communist Party, Chinese campuses of U.S. universities, and China-based entities), funds used in U.S.-China partnerships, and funds for U.S. employees working in China. The reports must disaggregate spending by specific recipients and projects, covering all relevant accounts and including 10 years of historical data in the first submission. This transparency measure applies to all federal departments and agencies managing such funds.
Maddy summaryS 3588, the Constitutional Election Integrity Act, prohibits federal funding for election administration in states that block presidential candidates from appearing on ballots using Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment (which disqualifies individuals who engaged in insurrection). It directly affects states administering federal elections by cutting off federal funds if they restrict ballot access for candidates under this constitutional provision. The bill shifts jurisdiction for disputes over presidential ballot eligibility under Section 3 to federal courts, requiring three-judge panels to handle cases and send findings to the Supreme Court for expedited review. It also explicitly bars state courts and officials from deciding such disputes, centralizing legal challenges in federal courts.
Maddy summaryS 993, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, makes the illicit distribution and use of xylazine illegal under federal drug laws. The bill defines xylazine broadly (including multiple chemical variants) and prohibits all human use or non-lici distribution, while allowing only veterinary and pharmaceutical uses approved under existing regulations. It requires the DEA and FDA to report to Congress within a year on xylazine's spread and impacts, with a follow-up report four years later. This directly affects drug traffickers and distributors adding xylazine to illicit drugs like fentanyl, aiming to address a public health threat linked to severe health consequences including necrosis.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 32) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) on May 31, 2023. The rule, published as Regulation B under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), addressed how lenders must evaluate small business loan applications to prevent discrimination. If passed, the resolution would block this rule from taking effect, meaning lenders would not be required to follow these specific small business lending provisions. The bill directly affects the CFPB's regulatory authority and financial institutions that process small business loans under ECOA.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires a comprehensive audit of the Federal Reserve Board and its regional banks within one year of enactment, conducted by the nonpartisan government auditor (Comptroller General). The audit findings and recommendations must be reported to Congress within 90 days, with the report shared widely among congressional leadership and members. It repeals a previous legal limitation that restricted such audits and updates related provisions in federal law to clarify what activities are subject to oversight. The law directly affects the Federal Reserve System by mandating greater financial transparency and accountability for its operations.
Maddy summarySRES 514 is a ceremonial Senate resolution congratulating the Florida State University Seminoles women’s soccer team for winning the 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship. It recognizes their undefeated season (22-0-1 record), 5-1 championship victory over Stanford, and fourth national title. The resolution directs the Senate to send a copy to FSU’s president, athletic director, and head coach Brian Pensky. It has no policy impact or financial provisions - only serves to honor the team’s athletic achievement.
Maddy summaryThis bill retroactively restores pay, benefits, and seniority for senior military officers (O-7 rank or higher) whose promotions were delayed due to a Senate confirmation suspension starting in February 2023. It applies specifically to officers confirmed between December 5-31, 2023, who faced delays because the Senate paused its advice-and-consent process for such appointments. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to pay retroactive compensation from a defined date (the later of 30 days after Senate calendar placement or the original appointment date) and use that date for determining the officer's seniority in their new rank. It directly affects military personnel whose career progression was impacted by the confirmation delay, without creating new policy or changing appointment procedures.