Maddy summaryThe Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act prohibits "reverse payment" settlements where brand-name drug companies pay generic competitors to delay market entry, treating such agreements as anticompetitive violations of the Federal Trade Commission Act. The bill empowers the FTC to enforce these rules through civil penalties that can reach up to three times the value transferred in the settlement and allows for the forfeiture of a generic company's 180-day exclusivity period if they violate the new law. It also requires executives to certify that all settlement documents filed with regulators are complete and accurate, including any related oral agreements or contingent conditions. These provisions apply to both traditional generic drugs and biosimilar biological products to ensure that patent disputes do not unduly restrict consumer access to lower-cost alternatives.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 148, the Stop STALLING Act, targets pharmaceutical companies that file sham petitions to delay generic drug approvals. It authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to penalize companies submitting objectively baseless petitions under FDA drug approval processes, which are deemed to interfere with competitors' business. Penalties include up to $50,000 per day a sham petition was under review or revenue from drug sales during the delay. The bill directly affects brand-name drug manufacturers (who may file such petitions) and generic drug developers (who face delays), with enforcement triggered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services' determination of delay intent. It applies to petitions filed after enactment and does not alter existing antitrust laws.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and report on practices in the pharmaceutical supply chain, focusing on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and their impact on drug pricing. The FTC must submit an interim report within 180 days and a full report within one year, examining issues like whether PBMs steer patients to pharmacies they own, use proprietary data for competitive advantage, or design formularies to favor higher-cost drugs. The reports will also assess competition in the supply chain, legal barriers to enforcement, and the FTC’s ability to address anticompetitive behavior by drug manufacturers. The goal is to identify transparency gaps and recommend policy changes to improve competition and ensure consumers benefit from cost savings.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal coordination framework between federal agencies to streamline patent applications and reduce duplication of efforts. It requires agencies to share information about their patent activities and creates a centralized system for tracking and managing intellectual property across the government. The legislation applies to all federal departments and agencies that file patents, aiming to improve efficiency and consistency in how the government protects its innovations.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce European reliance on Russian energy by promoting U.S. natural gas exports to NATO allies and partners. It requires the State Department to develop a transatlantic energy strategy within 180 days and expedites LNG export approvals for qualifying countries, including NATO members and Japan. The bill also mandates sanctions on companies investing over $1 million in Russian energy pipelines, targeting projects like Nord Stream 2. These provisions directly affect NATO members, U.S. energy exporters, and entities involved in Russian pipeline development.
Maddy summaryS 541 establishes the Office of the Special Inspector General for Ukrainian Military, Economic, and Humanitarian Aid to independently oversee U.S. funding provided to Ukraine for military, economic, and humanitarian assistance. This office will conduct audits and investigations of all aid programs, monitor fund usage, and submit quarterly reports to Congress and the Secretaries of State and Defense detailing obligations, expenditures, and project costs. The Special Inspector General will have authority to conduct investigations without interference from other agencies, must publish reports in English, Ukrainian, and Russian, and is authorized $20 million for fiscal year 2024. The office will terminate when unexpended aid funds for Ukraine fall below $250 million.
Maddy summaryThe National Right-to-Work Act would amend federal labor law to prohibit requiring employees to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. It removes existing provisions in the National Labor Relations Act that allowed for "union security agreements" (such as agency shops) and similarly amends the Railway Labor Act for railroad workers. This change would mean private sector and railroad workers nationwide would not face mandatory union fees to retain their jobs, applying to all new or renewed employment agreements after enactment. The bill directly affects all covered employees in the private workforce and railroad industry by eliminating forced financial contributions to labor unions.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges to improve their net price calculators - tools that estimate student costs after aid - by setting specific display and data standards. Institutions must prominently label calculators on their websites, show detailed cost breakdowns (tuition, room/board, books), and display estimated grant aid disaggregated by income and academic year. The bill also mandates clear privacy notices stating user data won’t be sold and ensures veterans’ benefits are clearly distinguished if included. It applies to all colleges already required to provide these calculators under federal law, with changes due within one year of enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges and universities to provide pre-loan counseling to students before they accept federal student loans, including an estimate of monthly payments compared to expected income (after taxes, living expenses, and health insurance) based on their program's starting wages and total debt. It mandates that institutions verify students manually enter the exact loan amount they wish to borrow, while also providing warnings about high debt-to-income ratios and options to reduce borrowing through scholarships or timely graduation. Additionally, lenders must send quarterly statements during non-repayment periods (like while in school) showing loan balances, interest rates, total interest paid, and how paying interest during these times can lower long-term costs. The bill updates existing requirements to replace "entrance counseling" with "pre-loan counseling" throughout the Higher Education Act. These changes directly affect federal student loan borrowers, colleges, and lenders by improving transparency before and during loan repayment.
Maddy summaryThe FOCA Act (S 537) requires federal agencies and recipients of federal construction funds to prohibit bid specifications or project agreements from mandating or banning contractor agreements with labor organizations (like unions), or discriminating against contractors based on such affiliations. It applies to all federal construction contracts and subcontracts awarded after the law's enactment, aiming to ensure open competition, reduce costs, and expand opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses. Federal agencies must update their regulations within 60 days to implement these rules, with limited exemptions only for urgent public health, safety, or national security threats - not labor disputes. This law directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and federal construction projects funded by the government.