Sen. Todd Young

Maddy summaryS 364, titled the "Hearing Protection Act" (though it regulates firearm silencers, not hearing protection), changes federal law to treat firearm silencers like firearms for tax and regulatory purposes. It imposes a 10% federal tax on silencers (similar to firearms), preempts state laws that tax or regulate silencers beyond federal rules, and requires the destruction of existing silencer registration records within one year. The bill clarifies definitions of "firearm silencer" in federal law and modifies licensing requirements for these devices. This directly affects silencer owners, manufacturers, and state governments that previously imposed additional restrictions or taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill permanently prohibits U.S. foreign assistance funds from being used for abortions, involuntary sterilizations, or related biomedical research. It amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Peace Corps Act to block funding for organizations supporting coercive abortion or sterilization programs. The law directly affects all U.S. government programs distributing foreign aid, including international health and development initiatives. It ensures funds cannot cover abortion services as family planning, lobbying on abortion, or programs involving coercion.

Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act This bill allows, beginning in 2028, for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are used to screen for cancer across many cancer types, if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determines such coverage is appropriate. Coverage is limited to those under a certain age (age 68 in 2028, increased by one year every year thereafter) and to one test every 11 months.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of January 26-February 1, 2025, as "National School Choice Week" to recognize the range of K-12 education options available to families, including public schools, charters, private schools, and homeschooling. It does not create new policies, funding, or requirements but encourages parents to learn about educational choices and promotes public awareness through events. The Senate formally acknowledges this annual observance without binding legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes tax credits for individuals and corporations who contribute to scholarship granting organizations that provide educational scholarships for eligible students. The individual tax credit is limited to 10% of adjusted gross income or $5,000, while corporate credits are capped at 5% of taxable income. The bill defines "eligible students" as those from households with income not exceeding 300% of the area median gross income, and specifies that scholarships can cover tuition, materials, tutoring, and educational therapies. The bill includes a $10 billion annual cap on tax credits, with a first-come, first-served allocation system, and requires scholarship organizations to meet specific financial and operational standards.

Laken Riley Act This act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. The act also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. Under this act, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of the above crimes. The act also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody; failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act, extending mental health support programs for healthcare professionals through 2029. It updates existing provisions to require annual reporting on program implementation and expands funding eligibility to include organizations focused on reducing administrative burdens for healthcare workers. The bill directly affects healthcare providers by maintaining access to confidential mental health and substance use disorder services through federally supported initiatives. Key changes include extending the program period from 2022-2024 to 2025-2029 and adding specific criteria for grant recipients to address workplace stressors.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses Congress's sense that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies - organizations providing life, health, and accident benefits to members - have historically and continue to deliver significant community benefits through charitable programs, volunteer efforts, and mutual aid. It highlights their role in addressing unmet community needs, supporting financial security for members, and contributing an estimated $3.8 billion annually in social value. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code is essential to sustaining these services. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new law but formally recognizes these societies' contributions.

Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act This bill prohibits the provision of funding for purposes outside the United States to certain foreign or domestic organizations that perform or promote abortions, furnish or develop items intended to procure abortions, or provide financial support for an entity that conducts such activities.

Maddy summaryS 199 would create special tax rules for "qualified residents of Taiwan" with income from U.S. sources. It would lower tax rates on interest, dividends, and royalties from 30% to 10% (15% for some dividends), provide tax relief for certain wages paid to Taiwan residents working in the U.S., and exempt income from entertainment or athletic activities up to $30,000. The bill establishes specific requirements for entities to qualify for these benefits, including ownership and income criteria. It also creates a process for the U.S. to negotiate a formal tax agreement with Taiwan to further address double taxation concerns.