Sen. Bill Cassidy

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts pay rates for Bureau of Prisons correctional officers currently assigned to the "Rest of U.S." pay locality. It requires these employees to be paid according to the nearest other pay locality within 200 miles (choosing the one with the highest wage rate), rather than the standard "Rest of U.S." rate. For officers in areas with multiple nearby wage areas, it directs payment based on the closest facility or the most similar area in population and industry. The changes apply to pay periods starting 180 days after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Social Security Act to clarify who qualifies for reemployment services under unemployment programs. It updates the language to refer specifically to "claimants for regular compensation" (unemployed workers receiving regular unemployment benefits) instead of vague terms like "individuals referred to reemployment services." The change ensures that workers actively collecting unemployment benefits are clearly identified as the direct beneficiaries of these job support services. The bill makes a technical adjustment to existing law without creating new programs or changing eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Medicare beneficiaries to authorize family caregivers to access their personal health information through Medicare's 1-800-MEDICARE line by completing a specific form (CMS-10106). It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries (enrolled in Part A, Part B, or Medicare Advantage plans) and their family caregivers. Key provisions require Medicare to provide clear outreach via websites, notices, and call center training, include the authorization form prominently, and share fraud protection best practices. The bill also mandates multilingual access and feedback opportunities for caregivers, without changing Medicare benefits or costs.

Maddy summaryS 3744, the Health ACCESS Act, modifies federal law to regulate payments between healthcare providers/suppliers and online health information platforms (like appointment finders). It directly affects these platforms (called "information service providers") and the healthcare providers using them. Key provisions require platforms to: disclose financial arrangements to users, avoid steering patients based on payments, not share patient contact details improperly, not make medical promises, and base provider recommendations on objective criteria. The bill mandates written payment terms that don’t exceed fair market value and explicitly prohibits using patient data for targeted marketing without consent.

Maddy summaryThe STRONGER Act (S 3740) updates federal funding for substance use disorder treatment programs in prisons and jails. It expands access to medication-assisted treatment (using any FDA-approved medication) for people in correctional facilities, replacing outdated "substance abuse" terminology with "substance use disorder" throughout the law. The bill requires staff training on addiction science and treatment continuity, mandates partnerships with community providers for post-release care, and allocates $40 million annually (2025-2029) for these programs. It directly affects state and local correctional facilities receiving federal funds and individuals in custody awaiting trial or serving sentences.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 540 requests the U.S. State Department to provide Congress with a detailed report within 30 days on Azerbaijan's human rights practices, including specific violations like unlawful killings, torture, and restrictions on freedom of speech. The report must cover Azerbaijan's treatment of ethnic Armenians, judicial independence, and assessments of U.S. security assistance to Azerbaijan. This resolution does not alter existing law but mandates a review to inform future U.S. policy decisions regarding aid and diplomatic engagement.

Maddy summaryThe SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act (S 3393) extends and updates federal programs addressing the opioid and substance use crisis, authorizing funding through fiscal year 2028. It increases funding for prevention efforts like first responder training, expands treatment programs for pregnant women and mental health services, and creates new recovery support mechanisms including the Office of Recovery within SAMHSA. The bill also updates technical provisions related to controlled substances dispensing and prescriber training requirements to improve access to care and strengthen community-based support systems for people with substance use disorders.

Maddy summaryThis bill excludes certain wildfire relief payments from taxable income for individuals affected by federally declared wildfires. It applies to payments covering uninsured losses like property damage, additional living expenses, or emotional distress resulting from qualified wildfires (declared after 2014). The exclusion prevents double tax benefits by disallowing deductions for expenses already covered by these payments. The policy change applies only to payments received between 2020 and 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Natural Gas Act to give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exclusive authority to approve or deny applications for LNG terminal construction, expansion, or operation for exporting or importing natural gas. It requires FERC to deem LNG exports consistent with the public interest when making decisions, streamlining the approval process for energy companies seeking to build or expand export facilities. The bill clarifies that this change does not affect other federal agencies' responsibilities regarding LNG facilities or existing laws governing imports/exports. It directly affects LNG terminal developers, energy exporters, and the federal regulatory process for natural gas trade.

Maddy summaryS 3682, the GHOST Act, requires the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to recover overpayments of special financial assistance made to multiemployer pension plans for deceased participants or beneficiaries. It mandates PBGC to audit participant lists against Social Security’s Death Master File within six months, provide plans a 60-day hearing to dispute claims, and demand repayment within 30 days of a determination. Any recovered funds must be transferred to the U.S. Treasury. The bill directly affects multiemployer pension plans that received PBGC assistance, ensuring taxpayer money is not paid for deceased individuals.