Maddy summaryThis bill would reform the H-1B and L-1 visa programs to prevent fraud, abuse, and displacement of U.S. workers. It requires employers to pay H-1B and L-1 workers wages at or above the highest of three wage levels (prevailing wage, median wage for the occupation, or median wage for skill level 2), prohibits displacing U.S. workers within 180 days of visa placement, and mandates employers to post job openings online for 30 days. The bill creates new enforcement mechanisms including expanded investigation authority for the Department of Labor, imposes penalties for violations (up to $25,000 per violation), and requires employers to provide benefits to foreign workers on the same basis as U.S. workers. It also establishes a new fee for H-1B applications to fund oversight activities and requires employers to submit annual reports on their use of these visas.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public colleges and universities from denying religious student groups access to campus facilities or official recognition that is available to other student organizations. It directly affects public institutions of higher education and religious student organizations by requiring equal treatment based on the institution's policies for non-religious groups. The key provision states that no federal funds can be withheld from an institution that denies a religious group access to facilities or recognition due to its religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or conduct codes. The law applies to all public colleges receiving funds under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCONRES 8) expresses Congress's formal opinion that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies - mutual aid organizations operating under IRS Section 501(c)(8) - have long provided essential community benefits. It highlights that these societies, with approximately 7 million members nationwide, contribute over $3.8 billion annually through charitable work, volunteerism, and financial security programs. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to support their mission and relieve pressure on government safety net programs. As a non-binding statement of congressional sentiment, it does not change tax law or create new obligations.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to require the U.S. Supreme Court to have exactly nine justices. Currently, Congress sets the Court's size through legislation, but this amendment would make the nine-justice structure a permanent requirement in the Constitution. It would need ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years to become part of the Constitution. If adopted, it would prevent Congress from changing the Court's size via ordinary legislation.
Maddy summaryThe Healthy Moms and Babies Act (S 948) establishes new requirements for Medicaid and CHIP programs to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. The bill mandates states to report on maternal health quality measures, including cesarean birth rates, and creates a "maternity health home" option allowing pregnant and postpartum women to receive coordinated care through designated providers. Key provisions include requiring quality improvement initiatives to reduce unnecessary cesarean sections, expanding access to doula services, and directing studies on racial disparities in maternal care. The act also requires states to collect data on social determinants of health affecting pregnant and postpartum women and provides guidance for improving care coordination across providers. These changes directly affect pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, as well as state Medicaid programs and healthcare providers.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Treasury to instruct American representatives at multilateral development banks (like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank) to oppose new loans to China. It is based on findings that China exceeded the income threshold for graduation from development assistance in 2016 and has since received over $20 billion in loans from these institutions. The bill requires annual reports tracking China's borrowing, U.S. voting efforts to end lending to countries that have surpassed graduation thresholds, and the status of China's eligibility. It directly affects China's access to multilateral development financing and the operational policies of these banks.
Maddy summaryS 942 is a procedural Senate rule that would prevent consideration of any bill or amendment attempting to change the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. It creates a "point of order" (a procedural objection) that, if sustained by the Senate chair, would automatically remove such provisions from legislation. This rule applies to all Senate consideration stages, including amendments and conference reports, and requires a two-thirds vote to override. The bill directly affects any legislation proposing to alter the Supreme Court's size, blocking it from advancing through Senate procedures.
Maddy summaryThe Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023 requires automotive manufacturers to design vehicles (starting with 2028 models) to operate with gasoline containing 10-25% ethanol (with 95+ research octane) and later 10-30% ethanol (with 98+ octane). It mandates fuel retailers to offer 95+ octane gasoline at certain outlets by 2027 and 98+ by 2032, with specific availability requirements for different retail outlet sizes. The bill also requires clear labeling at fuel pumps and on vehicles to inform consumers about fuel requirements and consequences of using lower-octane fuels. Additionally, it establishes new standards for gasoline composition, including limits on aromatic content and requirements for low-carbon octane additives.
Maddy summarySRES 116 is a Senate resolution supporting the goals of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month. It recognizes the severity of these preventable conditions - impacting up to 900,000 Americans annually and causing 60,000-100,000 deaths each year - and emphasizes the need for public awareness. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal statement to encourage education and prevention efforts. It directly affects public awareness efforts by highlighting these conditions without imposing legal requirements.
Maddy summaryS 887 would amend the Federal Reserve Act to prohibit Federal Reserve banks from offering financial products or services directly to individual consumers. Specifically, the bill bans these banks from maintaining personal accounts or issuing a central bank digital currency directly to people. This change would require the Federal Reserve to avoid direct consumer financial services, shifting such offerings to commercial banks and other institutions. The bill does not alter the Federal Reserve's core responsibilities for monetary policy or bank regulation.