Sen. Bill Cassidy

Maddy summaryThe Restore VA Accountability Act of 2023 revises disciplinary procedures for VA supervisors and management officials (excluding senior executives and political appointees). It requires the VA Secretary to use "substantial evidence" for removals, demotions, or suspensions, with decisions made within 15 business days based on specific factors like offense severity and position level. The bill limits judicial review to procedural errors (e.g., lack of evidence) and prohibits courts from reducing penalties. It also strengthens whistleblower protections by requiring Special Counsel approval for actions against employees reporting misconduct.

Maddy summaryThe Shelter Act creates tax credits for homeowners and businesses to offset costs of installing disaster mitigation features. Homeowners can claim a 25% credit (up to $2,500) for qualifying improvements like reinforced roofs, flood barriers, fire-resistant materials, or storm shelters. Businesses receive a similar 25% credit (up to $5,000) for similar hazard mitigation at their locations. To qualify, properties must be in areas with recent federal disaster declarations or designated resilience zones, and expenses cannot be covered by government funding. The credit reduces income tax liability for eligible expenses incurred after 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides specific benefits to Nicaraguans who were released as political prisoners and arrived in the U.S. on February 9, 2023, under a 2-year humanitarian parole program, including their immediate family members. Eligible individuals receive resettlement assistance, child welfare services, and driver's licenses under the same terms as refugees admitted under immigration law, after passing background checks and maintaining valid parole status. The bill explicitly states it does not grant lawful permanent residency or block individuals from seeking other eligible immigration benefits.

Maddy summaryS 2121, the DELETE Act, requires data brokers (entities that collect personal information from people they don’t have direct relationships with and sell or share it) to register annually with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and publicly disclose their data practices. It establishes a centralized system allowing individuals to submit one deletion request to remove their personal data from all registered brokers, with brokers required to delete data within 31 days (except for limited exceptions like legal compliance or human subjects research). Brokers must also undergo annual audits and submit reports on deletion request completion rates. The law aims to give individuals greater control over their personal information while setting national standards that preempt conflicting state privacy laws.

Work Without Worry Act This bill modifies eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for individuals who have a disability that began before age 22. Under current law, these individuals may obtain SSDI benefits based on the work record of a retired, disabled, or deceased parent. However, an individual with earnings after age 22 that exceed a specified monetary limit (i.e., constitute substantial gainful activity) permanently loses eligibility for such benefits. This bill allows individuals to retain eligibility for such benefits regardless of the amount of earnings after age 22. Additionally, individuals who apply for SSDI benefits on a parent's record and also independently qualify for Social Security benefits on their own record will receive the larger of the two benefit amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to provide detailed annual reports to health plan sponsors about drug pricing, spending, and rebates for plans covering large employers (50+ employees). It mandates full pass-through of rebates from drug manufacturers to health plans, prohibits PBMs from charging patients more than pharmacies are paid for drugs (spread pricing), and requires detailed reporting on drug costs, formulary decisions, and comparative pricing data between in-house and independent pharmacies. The reports must include information about drug spending, out-of-pocket costs for patients, wholesale acquisition costs, and pricing differences across pharmacy channels. These requirements apply to group health plans and health insurance issuers for plan years beginning in 2025, with some provisions for small employers as well.

Maddy summarySRES 260 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing Tunisia's pivotal role in the 2010-2011 Arab Spring and expressing support for its democratic progress following the uprising that ousted President Ben Ali. The resolution acknowledges Tunisia's early democratic reforms, including its 2014 constitution and free elections, while expressing deep concern over recent democratic backsliding under President Saied, including suspended parliament, weakened judicial independence, and political repression. It calls on Tunisia to release political prisoners, protect freedoms of assembly and press, and ensure a transparent 2024 presidential election. As a non-binding resolution, it does not alter U.S. policy but formally urges Tunisia to uphold democratic norms. This resolution directly addresses Tunisia's government and democratic trajectory, reflecting U.S. diplomatic engagement with the country's political developments.

This resolution designates June 2023 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month and June 27, 2023, as National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day. The resolution supports (1) the education of members of the Armed Forces, veterans, their families, and the public about post-traumatic stress; and (2) efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense to foster cultural change around the issue of post-traumatic stress. The resolution also encourages the leadership of the Armed Forces to support treatment of members of the Armed Forces who suffer from post-traumatic stress.

Maddy summaryS 2090, the *Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2023*, modifies federal clean air rules to restrict state vehicle emission standards. It adds a new requirement that state rules cannot "directly or indirectly limit the sale or use of new gas-powered cars," effectively blocking states from enforcing policies that would phase out internal combustion engine vehicles. The bill also mandates the EPA to cancel existing state emission waivers (like California’s) if those waivers don’t meet this new standard. This directly affects states with their own vehicle emission rules and the EPA’s authority to approve them under the Clean Air Act.

Maddy summaryS 2070, the Protect Lifesaving Anesthesia Care for Veterans Act of 2023, prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from allowing non-physician anesthesiologists (specifically certified registered nurse anesthetists) to have full practice authority for administering anesthesia to veterans. The bill blocks the VA from modifying its anesthesia care policies to grant such authority or implementing a 2016 proposed rule on this matter. This directly affects veterans receiving VA surgical care and VA anesthesia care policies, ensuring only physician anesthesiologists provide anesthesia services under current VA rules. The bill does not impact emergency procedures, which remain exempt under a separate safety provision.