Sen. Joni Ernst

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies tax credits for clean fuel production under the Internal Revenue Code. It requires that feedstocks used for qualifying clean fuel must be produced in the United States (effective after 2024), directly affecting domestic biofuel producers who previously could use foreign feedstocks. It also excludes indirect land use change emissions from calculations when determining credit eligibility (effective after 2025), extends the clean fuel production credit deadline to 2034 (from 2027), and adjusts emissions factor rounding from 0.1 to 0.01 (effective after 2024). These changes aim to prioritize U.S. agricultural production and refine emissions accounting for tax credit purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals with a "seriously delinquent tax debt" (an unpaid federal tax debt for which a lien was filed, excluding debts being paid under agreement or under review) from working at the IRS. It directly affects current and prospective IRS employees (including contractors) who owe such debts. The bill requires the IRS Commissioner to verify annually that all current employees meet this requirement and to check applicants before hiring. This creates a formal process to prevent people with significant unresolved tax debts from working for the agency.

Maddy summaryThe TRACKS Act (S 1434) requires federal grant recipients to report subawards made to entities in "foreign countries of concern" or "foreign entities of concern" as defined in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. It directly affects organizations receiving federal funds that pass money to foreign entities in designated countries. The bill adds new definitions and mandates that recipients disclose data about these specific "covered subawards" using the same reporting methods as standard subawards. Agencies must issue compliance guidance within 90 days of the bill’s enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the IRS from using funds to purchase, receive, or store firearms or ammunition, requiring all existing IRS firearms and ammunition to be transferred to the General Services Administration within 120 days of enactment. It mandates that the GSA sell IRS firearms to licensed dealers and ammunition to the public through auctions, with all proceeds deposited into the Treasury to reduce the federal deficit. Additionally, the bill transfers all IRS criminal investigation functions related to tax enforcement to the Department of Justice, effective 90 days after enactment, placing these responsibilities under the Attorney General's supervision.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from funding or conducting biomedical research involving animals in facilities owned by or located in China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or other countries designated as "foreign countries of concern" by HHS (with input from State and Defense. It directly affects HHS-funded research institutions and foreign entities collaborating with U.S. researchers. Key mechanisms include banning federal funding for such research and requiring HHS to submit detailed reports to Congress within 60 days when adding new countries to the restricted list. The law aims to restrict U.S. financial support for animal research in specific foreign jurisdictions without altering existing research practices elsewhere.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Treasury Department to publish an annual public report listing federal employees (including military personnel and retirees) with unpaid tax debt or unfiled returns, broken down by agency. It makes individuals with "seriously delinquent tax debt" ineligible for federal employment or continued service, unless they certify they have no such debt or provide authorization for tax verification. The law includes due process protections, allowing 180 days to resolve debt issues and exemptions for financial hardship cases. It applies to all federal civilian and military roles, including new hires and current employees, with enforcement beginning 270 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to assign a single new ZIP Code to 14 specific communities across seven states (including Eastvale, CA; Castle Pines, CO; and multiple Wisconsin villages) within 270 days of enactment. It does not alter postal services or fees, only establishing unique ZIP Code identifiers for these designated locations. The law applies directly to the listed communities and the USPS, requiring them to implement the new codes. As a purely procedural measure, it has no broader policy implications or financial impact.

Maddy summaryThe GHOST Act of 2025 establishes a Russia Sanctions Enforcement Fund to cover costs related to seizing and forfeiting property from violations of U.S. sanctions against Russia and covered merchant ships. The Fund will pay for investigative expenses, property maintenance, payments to informants, equipment purchases, and joint operations with state and local law enforcement. It authorizes $150 million in initial funding for fiscal year 2026, with repayment required by 2036, and mandates annual reports on Fund activities and seizures. The bill also creates an Export Enforcement Coordination Center to coordinate federal agencies' efforts on export control enforcement across multiple departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits "reverse payment" agreements where brand-name drug companies pay generic or biosimilar manufacturers to delay entering the market, which harms competition. It creates a presumption that such agreements are anticompetitive if a generic or biosimilar company receives value in exchange for delaying market entry, with exceptions for standard settlements involving early market entry rights or reasonable litigation expenses. The bill amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to enforce this new prohibition and requires certification of such agreements, aiming to enhance competition and lower drug costs for consumers. This would directly affect brand-name drug companies, generic manufacturers, and biosimilar biological product manufacturers.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1326 (Food Security and Farm Protection Act), prohibits state and local governments from imposing additional production standards on agricultural products sold across state lines. It directly affects farmers, food producers, and businesses involved in interstate agricultural trade by preventing states from creating new rules for farming that occurs in another state, unless federal or the producing state's rules already cover it. Key mechanisms include banning such extra state rules and creating a federal court process for affected parties (like producers or distributors) to challenge those rules and seek damages. The law also requires courts to issue temporary injunctions against enforcement of challenged regulations while cases are resolved, unless the state proves it will likely win and would suffer severe harm without the rule.