Maddy summaryLeveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act makes significant changes to U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. It establishes special rules for successive investigations (follow-up investigations on the same merchandise), addresses cross-border subsidies and foreign market distortions that affect pricing, and requires importers to provide certifications to prevent duty evasion. The bill also includes provisions for investigating currency undervaluation as a countervailable subsidy. These changes primarily affect U.S. manufacturers competing with foreign imports and importers of goods from countries with potentially distorted markets. The bill aims to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of trade remedy investigations to better protect U.S. industries.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 228 is a purely ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Indiana Pacers' 1972-1973 American Basketball Association (ABA) championship - their third ABA title in five seasons. The resolution highlights the Pacers' history, including their three ABA championships (1969-70, 1971-72, 1972-73), key players like George McGinnis and Billy Keller, and the iconic "Boom, Baby!" call from their championship-clinching game. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect or policy changes; it simply expresses the Senate's sense that the Pacers' legacy should be acknowledged in 2023. This resolution directly affects no individuals or entities through legislative action.
Maddy summaryS 1768, the Taliban Sanctions Act of 2023, imposes U.S. sanctions on individuals and entities (including Taliban members) who support terrorism, commit serious human rights abuses, or facilitate narcotics trafficking in Afghanistan. It requires the President to block assets and deny visas to those meeting these criteria, effective 90 days after enactment. The bill also directs U.S. diplomacy to maintain UN sanctions against the Taliban and mandates regular congressional briefings on sanctions implementation and humanitarian impacts. It includes limited waivers for national security interests and specific exceptions for intelligence activities or humanitarian access.
Maddy summarySRES 225 is a Senate resolution commemorating the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 28, 2023, and formally recognizing it as "the greatest spectacle in racing" - a phrase coined in 1954. The resolution highlights the race's history since 1911 (excluding wartime years), its status as the world's largest single-day sporting event, and its cultural significance to Indianapolis, motorsports, and the automotive industry. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies. The resolution was introduced by Senators Young and Braun on May 18, 2023, and serves only as a symbolic tribute.
Maddy summarySRES 220 is a Senate resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program. The resolution acknowledges the program's 30-year history of building security partnerships with 100 nations and expresses gratitude to National Guard members for their service in fostering these international relationships. It does not create new policy but formally honors the program's role in strengthening global security cooperation.
Maddy summaryS 1696 (Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act) establishes a federal pilot program to help independent workers - such as freelancers, contractors, and temporary workers - access portable benefits like health insurance, retirement savings, and workers' compensation. The bill authorizes $20 million in fiscal year 2023 to award competitive grants to state/local governments or nonprofits for developing or improving models that provide these benefits, which workers can retain when changing jobs. Grants cannot fund models offering only retirement benefits, and the program requires a 2025 evaluation by the Comptroller General to assess impacts on worker compensation. This pilot aims to test scalable solutions for a growing segment of the workforce lacking traditional employment benefits.
Maddy summaryS 1688, the "Yes In My Backyard Act," requires local governments receiving Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to report on plans to adopt specific housing-friendly land use policies. It directly affects cities and counties that administer CDBG programs by mandating annual submissions describing their progress on 22 policy examples, such as allowing duplexes in single-family zones, reducing parking requirements, or streamlining permitting. The bill does not require adoption of these policies but tracks jurisdictions' efforts to remove barriers to affordable housing. This reporting mechanism aims to address discriminatory zoning while keeping existing CDBG funding rules intact.
Maddy summaryThe Small Business Innovation Voucher Act of 2023 establishes a grant program (the Innovation Voucher Grant Program) that provides small businesses with funds to purchase technical assistance and services from eligible entities like universities or research labs. It directly affects small businesses, particularly those in underserved markets (including rural areas, HUBZones, or owned by veterans, women, or socially disadvantaged individuals), by offering grants of $15,000-$75,000 to cover 50-75% of costs for developing new products or services. The bill requires 40% of annual funding to target underserved businesses or regions historically lacking federal R&D support, with mandatory reporting on project outcomes and program impact. This creates a structured mechanism for small businesses to access research expertise and advance innovation without requiring new infrastructure.
Maddy summaryThe Community College Agriculture Advancement Act of 2023 creates a new federal grant program to support community colleges and their consortia in expanding agriculture and natural resources education and workforce training. Eligible colleges can apply for competitive grants to fund equipment, faculty development, apprenticeships, and courses on farm business management, accounting, and finance - prioritizing partnerships with local agriculture businesses for hands-on student training. The bill authorizes $20 million annually from 2024 to 2029 for these grants, with colleges required to use funds to strengthen program capacity and share findings with agriculture communities. It also establishes "Centers of Agriculture Advancement" to demonstrate best practices and mandates a congressional report on the program’s impact within three years.
Beneficiary Enrollment Notification and Eligibility Simplification 2.0 Act or the BENES 2.0 Act This bill requires Social Security account statements for individuals attaining ages 60 to 65 to include information about Medicare eligibility, late enrollment penalties, benefit coordination, and related resources. Statements with the required information must be mailed to individuals at least three months before they turn 65; the required information must also be mailed to those who are age 65 or over and are entitled to Social Security benefits three months before their initial Medicare enrollment period begins.