Maddy summaryThis bill amends key labor laws to strengthen worker protections and clarify union election processes. It requires employers to provide voter lists for union elections with only one employee-chosen contact detail (like email or phone), mandates secret ballot elections for union representation, and restricts union dues from funding non-representational activities without written employee consent for at least 35 days. The bill also clarifies joint employment standards, making it harder for companies to avoid responsibility for workers' pay and conditions, and adds tribal sovereignty protections to labor law definitions. These changes directly affect employers, unions, and employees in collective bargaining contexts.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public Health Service Act to give the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to temporarily restrict people and property entering the U.S. from specific foreign countries. It directly affects border crossings from nations identified as sources of significant fentanyl smuggling that poses a serious public health danger. The key provision allows the Secretary to prohibit or limit these entries for a set period, based on their determination that such restrictions are necessary to avert the risk of fentanyl introduction. The measure focuses on public health protection related to fentanyl trafficking, not broader immigration policy.
Maddy summarySRES 161 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating April 22-30, 2023, as "National Park Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but formally recognizes the National Park System's significance. The resolution highlights the parks' historical value, visitor impact (312 million visits in 2022), and economic contributions ($42.5 billion in 2021). It encourages public engagement with national parks but contains no funding, regulatory changes, or policy mechanisms. As a procedural resolution, it serves purely to honor the parks' legacy.
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should negotiate and enforce rules on digital trade and the digital economy with like-minded countries as part of its broader trade and economic strategy.
Maddy summaryThe ALIGN Act (S 1117) permanently allows businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of qualified property (like equipment or machinery) purchased and placed in service after September 27, 2017, instead of depreciating it over time. This tax provision directly affects businesses that invest in qualifying assets, reducing their taxable income in the year of purchase. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to set a 100% "applicable percentage" for these deductions, making the change permanent. Conforming updates to related tax code sections ensure the provision works with existing rules, effective as if included in prior legislation.
Maddy summaryThe RISE Act requires colleges and universities to accept multiple forms of documentation, such as past Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans, to determine if a student qualifies for disability accommodations. It mandates that institutions clearly explain their accommodation processes to students and staff and report disability-related data (like enrollment numbers and accommodations provided) to federal databases. The bill also allocates $10 million for a national center to provide information and technical support to postsecondary students with disabilities. These provisions directly affect higher education institutions and students with disabilities seeking accommodations.
Maddy summaryThis bill raises the gross receipts threshold for most nonprofits from $5,000 to $50,000 before they must file detailed annual reports with the IRS. It exempts certain organizations, like those focused solely on investments (not lobbying or political activity), from reporting donor names and addresses. The changes apply to tax years beginning after the bill's enactment, reducing reporting burdens for smaller nonprofits and protecting donor privacy for qualifying groups. These provisions directly affect thousands of local nonprofits and community organizations that previously faced higher administrative costs.
Maddy summaryThe HALT Fentanyl Act (S 1141) creates a new, broader definition for "fentanyl-related substances" under the Controlled Substances Act, making many chemical variations subject to Schedule I restrictions without needing individual listing. It establishes streamlined research registration procedures for scientists studying these substances, allowing single registrations for multi-site research within institutions and creating expedited processes for new research applications. The bill also includes provisions to allow ongoing research on substances newly added to Schedule I, with specific timelines for researchers to transition to full registration. These changes aim to balance strict controls on fentanyl-related substances with the need for medical research on these compounds.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals two specific legal authorizations for U.S. military force against Iraq: the 1991 authorization (Public Law 102-1) and the 2002 authorization (Public Law 107-243). If enacted, it would end the legal basis for military operations in Iraq under these two resolutions. The repeal directly affects the executive branch’s authority to use military force against Iraq under these specific laws. It does not create new policy but removes existing legal permissions.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 22) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Education regarding federal student loan modifications. It targets the rule titled "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans," which included a one-time debt relief program announced in October 2022. The resolution requests Congress disapprove the rule under the Congressional Review Act, preventing the Department from implementing it. If approved, the rule would have no legal effect, directly affecting how student loan borrowers could access modifications or debt relief under that specific policy.