Sen. Bill Cassidy

Maddy summaryThe TRAPS Act establishes a federal Task Force on Payment Scams, chaired by the Treasury Secretary, to coordinate efforts across agencies and industry to combat electronic payment scams. The Task Force includes representatives from the FTC, FCC, DOJ, financial regulators, consumer groups, and industry experts to evaluate scam trends, develop prevention strategies, and improve consumer education. It must submit an initial report to Congress within one year and provide annual updates, with the Task Force terminating three years after the first report. This bill directly affects how federal agencies and industry collaborate to address scams targeting consumers through digital payment platforms.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1986) extends a temporary tax rate increase for distilled spirits imports into Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It amends the tax code to change the expiration date of this provision from January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2032. The change affects businesses importing distilled spirits into these territories, keeping the higher tax rate in place for another decade. The key mechanism is simply extending the existing temporary tax rule, with the new rate applying to spirits brought into the U.S. after December 31, 2021.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends a tax credit for employer social security taxes related to tips earned by employees in beauty service businesses (including barbering, nail care, esthetics, and spa treatments). It requires that tips from these services exceed 15% of the business's gross receipts to qualify for the credit. The bill also creates a "tip reporting safe harbor" for beauty service employers who implement training programs, monthly tip reporting by employees, and maintain records for four years, shielding them from IRS tip examinations unless an employee complaint arises. Additionally, it mandates that landlords renting space to two or more beauty service businesses (with $600+ in annual rent) must report rental income details to the IRS. These provisions apply to taxable years beginning after 2024 or 2025, depending on the section.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes tax rules to help certain financial guaranty insurance companies avoid being classified as "passive foreign investment companies" (PFICs) under U.S. tax law. It specifically allows these companies to include unearned premium reserves in their insurance liabilities for PFIC calculations if they meet strict exposure ratios: at least 15-to-1 for financial guaranty exposure or 9-to-1 for state/local bond exposure. The bill also requires clearer financial reporting for these companies and applies to taxable years starting after December 2024. It directly affects insurance companies whose sole business is writing or reinsuring financial guaranty insurance (like bond insurance).

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2025 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.

Maddy summaryThe Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025 establishes a national program to eliminate hepatitis C virus in the United States by providing free treatment to people with hepatitis C who are in correctional facilities, enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP programs, receiving care through Indian Health Services, or without health insurance. The bill creates a subscription program where the Secretary of Health and Human Services will purchase and distribute hepatitis C treatments directly to covered populations without cost-sharing, while also establishing a national strategy, implementation plan, and public dashboard to monitor progress. It includes $5.5 billion for treatment access and $4.283 billion for public health activities like screening, diagnosis, and community outreach to improve hepatitis C treatment outcomes. The program requires participation from the Bureau of Prisons and Indian Health Service, and aims to coordinate care across health systems to eliminate hepatitis C virus.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies U.S. tax rules for distilled spirits, specifically affecting Puerto Rico. It repeals a previous restriction on redirecting taxes collected from rum imported into the U.S. back to Puerto Rico, and requires Puerto Rico to transfer a portion of those rum tax revenues to the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust Fund. The transfer amount equals at least 1/6 of the difference between $10.50 per proof gallon and the actual tax rate (capped at $13.25 per gallon). The fund, established in 1968, uses these funds for conservation efforts like protecting natural areas and restoring habitats in Puerto Rico.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1949) creates new penalties for manufacturing or distributing candy-flavored drugs marketed to minors. It specifically targets producers who combine schedule I or II controlled substances with candy/beverage products, market them to appear like candy, or modify them with candy-like flavors/coloring, knowing they’ll be sold to people under 18. First offenses carry up to 10 additional years in prison, while repeat offenses carry up to 20 additional years. Exceptions apply for FDA-approved medications sold as prescribed and products altered under a doctor’s direction for legitimate medical use.

Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act This bill requires federal agencies to assess their software inventory and develop software management plans. The bill requires each agency (which includes any executive department, military department, or other establishment in the executive branch) to complete a comprehensive assessment of the software paid for by, in use at, or deployed throughout the agency. The assessment must include information such as (1) the current inventory of software; (2) contracts and other arrangements used to acquire, build, deploy, or use the software; (3) costs and fees not included in the initial contract or agreement; and (4) the interoperability of the software and restrictions on its use. Each agency must use their assessment to develop a plan to consolidate software entitlements, develop procedures for cost-effective acquisition strategies, and restrict subordinate entities from using any software entitlement without approval. (A software entitlement is software that has been purchased, leased, or licensed by or billed to an agency and that is subject to use limitations.) Such plans must be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Congress.  Within two years of enactment, OMB must submit recommendations to Congress regarding government software procurement policies and practices to     • increase the interoperability of software licenses,     • consolidate licenses when appropriate,     • reduce costs,     • improve performance, and     • modernize the management and oversight of agency software.      The GAO must report on certain related topics, including governmentwide trends in agency software asset management practices and comparisons of such practices among agencies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates June as "Life Month" each year, recognizing the inherent dignity of all human life. It urges Congress to acknowledge that every life is a sacred gift and to commend organizations and individuals supporting pregnant mothers and families. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic statement affirming life as a fundamental right.