Maddy summaryThe Combating Cross-border Financial Crime Act of 2023 establishes a Cross-Border Financial Crime Center within Homeland Security to combat trade-based money laundering and other illicit cross-border financial activity. The Center will coordinate with federal agencies like Treasury, Justice, and State, as well as state and local law enforcement, to share information, provide training, and develop metrics to improve enforcement of anti-money laundering laws. It also creates Trade Transparency Units to work with foreign countries on information sharing and combating money laundering through trade channels. The bill authorizes $6.2 million for the Center in fiscal year 2024, with additional funding for subsequent years, and requires annual reports to Congress on trends and enforcement activities.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe DETERRENT Act requires colleges and universities to disclose foreign gifts and contracts worth $50,000 or more, including details about the foreign source, purpose, and value, with a public database for transparency. It establishes a waiver process for institutions seeking to contract with "foreign countries of concern" or "foreign entities of concern" while imposing fines up to 100-200% of investment value for non-compliance. The law primarily affects institutions receiving federal funds, particularly those with significant research funding, and mandates policies for faculty and staff regarding foreign gifts. It also requires interagency sharing of information with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to address potential national security concerns.
Maddy summaryThis bill would repeal a long-standing provision (Section 907) of the Freedom Support Act that has blocked U.S. economic assistance to Armenia since 1997. It directly affects U.S. foreign aid policy toward Armenia by removing the legal ban on providing economic aid. The key mechanism is amending the Foreign Operations Appropriations Act to eliminate the specific restriction on aid funding. If passed, it would allow the U.S. government to provide economic assistance to Armenia without this historical limitation. The bill does not create new aid programs but changes the legal framework for existing aid.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 471) expresses formal support for National Adoption Day (observed November 18, 2023) and National Adoption Month (November 2023). It promotes awareness about children in foster care awaiting adoption, celebrates adoption success stories, and encourages U.S. citizens to support efforts securing permanent, safe homes for all children. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight adoption needs. It specifically references foster care statistics (e.g., 114,000 children awaiting adoption) to underscore its purpose.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 43) is a joint resolution seeking to block a Department of Education rule that would have improved income-driven repayment plans for federal student loans. It targets a specific rule (88 Fed. Reg. 43820, July 10, 2023) affecting borrowers in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. If passed, the resolution would make this rule void, preventing it from taking effect. The resolution uses a specific procedural mechanism under Title 5 of U.S. Code to achieve this disapproval. It directly impacts student loan borrowers who rely on income-driven repayment options.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 466) urges the U.S. Senate to provide advice and consent for ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), a treaty the U.S. has not joined despite being a party to related 1958 conventions. By ratifying UNCLOS, the U.S. would gain full participation in international ocean governance forums, strengthen its legal position on maritime disputes (such as in the South China Sea and Arctic), and improve its ability to defend U.S. interests in ocean-related negotiations. The resolution emphasizes that current U.S. non-participation limits its influence in resolving territorial conflicts and managing critical maritime resources.
Maddy summaryThe AVERT Crises Act of 2023 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a high-frequency emergency communications system in all VA medical facilities within two years. This system must function independently during disasters without external infrastructure, enable coordination with other agencies, and help maintain healthcare services for veterans. The bill mandates VA staff training, annual emergency exercises, and regular reporting to Congress on system performance, including a three-year Inspector General audit to assess effectiveness and staffing. These changes directly affect VA medical facilities, their staff, and veterans relying on VA healthcare during emergencies.
Maddy summaryThe Encounter Data Enhancement Act (S 3307) requires Medicare Advantage plans to include specific new details in their encounter data reports starting in 2026. This affects Medicare Advantage plans directly, mandating they report payment types (like capitation or fee-for-service), allowed amounts, patient cost-sharing, and indicators for different health risk assessments (in-home, outside-home, or by specific entities). Key provisions also require network status for services and provider identifiers for certain items like lab tests, durable medical equipment, and home health services. The bill aims to improve data transparency for oversight of Medicare Advantage spending and service delivery without changing coverage rules.
Maddy summaryThe Disaster Learning and Life Saving Act of 2023 establishes a National Disaster Safety Board to review natural hazard incidents (such as wildfires, floods, and severe storms) that cause significant loss of life, injury, or economic damage. The Board will conduct fact-finding reviews without assigning blame, identify systemic causes behind incidents, and issue recommendations to prevent future harm, with special attention to communities disproportionately impacted by disasters. The Board will coordinate with Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments to standardize incident data collection and share best practices, publishing findings within one year of completing a review. The Act authorizes $25 million in funding for fiscal year 2024, increasing to $60 million by fiscal year 2027 to support these efforts.
Maddy summaryS 3305, the "Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act," lowers the age requirement for new employees to join employer retirement plans from 21 to 18 years old. It directly affects young workers aged 18-21 who previously had to wait until age 21 to qualify for retirement savings plans like 401(k)s. The bill modifies rules so employees meeting a 500-hour service requirement over two consecutive 12-month periods can enroll at 18, instead of waiting until age 21. It also adds a 5-year delay for participants who join solely due to this new rule, ensuring they are not counted as participants until five years after their first enrollment. The changes apply to plans operating after December 31, 2025.