Sen. Chuck Grassley

Maddy summaryThis bill requires government contractors to report significant price increases on specific contracts. Contractors must notify the government within 30 days if prices for a product or service reach 25% above the current contract price or 50% above the price paid five years ago. It applies only to contracts awarded without competition (as defined by federal rules). Noncompliant contractors will have their failures listed in a public government database (FAPIIS), including details like product numbers, costs, and contract dates.

Maddy summaryThe Fertilizer Research Act of 2025 requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (specifically the Secretary and Economic Research Service) to publish a detailed report on the U.S. fertilizer industry within one year of the bill's enactment. The report must cover 25 years of market data - including fertilizer prices, import patterns (listing companies and countries), supply chain logistics, industry concentration, and emerging technologies - while excluding confidential business information. It also assesses regulatory burdens, price transparency needs, and recommends whether a mandatory industry price reporting system should be created. This research aims to inform agricultural producers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders about market dynamics and potential policy considerations.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands Medicare coverage to include certain pharmacist services in medically underserved areas. It allows pharmacists licensed in their state to provide services that would otherwise be covered if done by a physician (like medication management), specifically in health professional shortage areas or medically underserved regions. Medicare would pay 80% of the physician fee schedule rate for these services, starting January 1, 2027. The bill requires the development of new billing codes for pharmacists under Medicare's physician fee schedule. It directly affects pharmacists working in designated underserved communities and Medicare beneficiaries there.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Higher Education Act to require lenders to disclose the total interest cost of federal student loans over their full term, using the standard repayment plan. It directly affects borrowers by adding this total interest figure to existing disclosure forms under Section 433(a). The key change mandates that loan agreements clearly show the cumulative interest a borrower would pay, helping them understand the full financial impact of their loan. This is a disclosure requirement, not a new benefit or program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clean Air Act to require renewable fuel components in fuel for ocean-going vessels, alongside existing requirements for home heating oil and jet fuel. It directly affects shipping companies operating ocean vessels by mandating renewable fuel content starting in the second calendar year after enactment. The key mechanism updates the definition in the Clean Air Act to explicitly include "fuel for ocean-going vessels" in the renewable fuel requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency must issue implementing regulations within one year of the bill's enactment and submit a report to Congress one year after those regulations are finalized.

Maddy summaryThe Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025 would prevent government shutdowns by automatically continuing funding for federal programs at previous year's levels if Congress fails to pass regular appropriations bills. If a lapse in appropriations occurs, the bill would provide automatic funding for 14 days, extendable for additional 14-day periods until a new appropriations bill is enacted, with funds charged to the appropriate account once legislation is passed. The bill also restricts official travel for certain government employees and congressional staff during a lapse, with limited exceptions for returning to Washington, D.C. or responding to national security events. It establishes procedures requiring Congress to prioritize appropriations legislation during a funding gap and would take effect on September 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmaceutical companies and group purchasing organizations to publicly disclose payments made to patient advocacy groups. Starting March 31, 2027, and annually after, these entities must report the name of the organization and the payment amount to the government. The disclosure covers both direct payments and indirect payments routed through third parties. It directly affects patient advocacy groups that provide education, support, or advocacy for patients with medical conditions, as defined by the bill. The requirement applies to organizations meeting specific IRS 501(c)(3) criteria focused on patient care.

Maddy summaryS 2703, the Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025, prevents employers from requiring workers aged 40 or older to use pre-employment arbitration agreements or joint-action waivers in age discrimination cases. The bill makes such agreements invalid and unenforceable for disputes alleging age discrimination under federal, tribal, or state law. This means workers can choose to pursue age discrimination claims in court instead of binding arbitration. The law applies to all claims arising on or after its enactment date and ensures courts - not arbitrators - decide if the provision applies to specific agreements.

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide quarterly budget briefings to Congress, prohibits the VA from providing specified pay incentives to senior-level employees, and establishes an office to carry out customer service initiatives of the VA. Protecting Regular Order for Veterans Act of 2025 or the PRO Veterans Act of 2025 (Sec. 1) This section requires the VA to provide quarterly budget briefings to Congress, which must include information on any budget shortfalls the VA may be experiencing. The VA must present its plans to address or mitigate shortfalls during such briefings. Next, the section prohibits the VA from providing certain senior-level employees with a critical skill incentive, which is generally a payment bonus for employees possessing a high-demand skill or skill that is at a shortage. Specifically, the VA may not provide such an incentive to an employee in a Senior Executive Service position or other comparable position in the VA Central Office, regardless of the actual location where the employee performs the functions of the position.  Senior-level employees whose positions are primarily in the VA Central Office but perform some portion of their job function based out of non-Central Office VA facilities are eligible for an incentive for their non-Central Office work. The section also provides that an incentive may only be provided to senior-level employees on an individual basis and upon approval by specified officers (e.g., the Under Secretary for Health). The VA must report to Congress annually regarding senior-level employees who were provided a critical skill incentive. Improving Veterans’ Experience Act of 2025 (Sec. 2) This section establishes the Veterans Experience Office through FY2028 to carry out the key customer experience initiatives of the VA relating to veteran and beneficiary satisfaction with and usage of VA benefits and services. The Government Accountability Office must complete an analysis of and report on the methodology, effectiveness, and implementation of findings and feedback of veterans and beneficiaries used by the VA, including the Veterans Experience Office, to improve customer experience and satisfaction.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates August 21, 2025, as "Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day" to highlight the dangers of illicit fentanyl, which caused over 54,000 overdose deaths in 2024 (accounting for two-thirds of all drug overdose fatalities). It encourages all Americans - especially youth, schools, and communities - to participate in education efforts about fentanyl's risks, including its presence in counterfeit pills and its extreme potency (100x morphine). The resolution has no legal effect but aims to amplify existing awareness campaigns led by groups like the CDC, DEA, and affected families.