Maddy summaryThe Veterans' COLA Act of 2023 increases compensation rates for veterans with service-connected disabilities and for survivors of certain disabled veterans, effective December 1, 2023. These increases will be calculated using the same percentage as the Social Security Act's cost-of-living adjustment for that year. The bill affects veterans receiving disability compensation under section 1114 of Title 38, as well as survivors receiving dependency and indemnity compensation under sections 1311, 1313, and 1314. Specific provisions include adjustments to wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowances, and survivor benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs will publish the adjusted rates in the Federal Register by the date required for Social Security Act adjustments.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 305 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell commemorative coins (gold, silver, and half-dollar denominations) to mark the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary in 2025. Each coin sale includes a surcharge ($5 to $35 per coin) that will fund the Marine Corps Heritage Center's educational programs, with proceeds paid directly to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The coins will be sold from January 1 to December 31, 2025, and the surcharge structure ensures no net cost to taxpayers by covering production expenses through sales. This bill directly affects the U.S. Mint (in coin production), the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (as recipient of funds), and the public (as potential buyers).
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution condemns Russia's deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied territories, calling these actions violations of the Genocide Convention and Fourth Geneva Convention. It specifically references Russia's breaches of international law, including the unlawful transfer of children to Russia and efforts to erase Ukrainian identity through forced adoptions. The resolution declares these acts constitute genocide, targeting Ukrainian children to undermine Ukraine's future cultural and national identity. It directly addresses the Russian government's actions, which have affected thousands of children separated from their families since Russia's 2022 invasion.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to exclude certain payments received by property owners from state-run disaster mitigation programs from taxable income. It directly affects homeowners who receive funds from state or state-regulated programs to make property improvements (like reinforcing roofs or fire-resistant landscaping) specifically designed to reduce damage from windstorms, earthquakes, or wildfires. The key provision creates a new tax exclusion for "qualified catastrophe mitigation payments" made for these sole purposes, meaning such payments won't be counted as income. The change applies to taxable years beginning after 2020, with an option for retroactive tax filings to claim the exclusion.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 31) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule implementing the "Federal Good Neighbor Plan" for ozone air quality standards established under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. If approved, it would nullify the EPA rule (published June 5, 2023) that would have required certain states to address ozone pollution crossing state borders. The resolution uses a specific congressional disapproval process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code to prevent the rule from taking effect. This would directly affect states and industries subject to the ozone pollution regulations outlined in the EPA's submitted rule.
Maddy summarySRES 244 is a Senate resolution condemning Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor, which cuts off critical supplies to approximately 120,000 Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh - including 30,000 children, 20,000 elderly, and 9,000 people with disabilities. The resolution demands the U.S. suspend military aid to Azerbaijan, supports sanctions against officials responsible for human rights violations, and urges international investigations into Azerbaijani actions. It specifically references Azerbaijan’s 2022 blockade of the corridor, sabotage of infrastructure (like gas pipelines and hospitals), and violations of the 2020 ceasefire agreement. The resolution also calls for U.S. leadership in securing humanitarian aid and international observer access to the region.
Maddy summaryS 1907, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023, increases penalties for crimes committed against licensed firearm businesses. It amends federal law to impose a maximum 20-year prison term for knowingly violating firearm licensing rules or attempting to do so. If a burglary or robbery occurs on a licensed dealer’s, manufacturer’s, or importer’s business premises, the law mandates minimum sentences of 3 years for burglary and 5 years for robbery. This bill directly affects federal firearms licensees by strengthening criminal penalties for attacks on their business locations.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a framework for researchers to access certain data from large social media platforms for academic research. It requires platforms with at least 50 million monthly U.S. users to provide "qualified data" to approved researchers under strict privacy and security safeguards, after review by the National Science Foundation and Federal Trade Commission. The bill also mandates platforms to publicly disclose information about content dissemination, advertising, algorithms, and content moderation practices through searchable, real-time repositories. Researchers must use the data only for noncommercial public-interest research and cannot identify individual users, while platforms gain legal immunity for complying with these requirements.
China Trade Cheating Restitution Act of 2023 This bill requires the deposit into special accounts of certain interest earned on antidumping and countervailing duties collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on or after October 1, 2000. Currently, the applicable date is October 1, 2014. Amounts in special accounts are distributed to affected domestic producers.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Department of Veterans Affairs program to provide educational assistance for veterans to enroll in high technology training programs. It allows up to 6,000 veterans per year to receive funding for non-degree programs in computer programming, software, data processing, or information sciences that last 6-28 weeks. The program requires providers to meet specific quality standards, including a minimum 65% job placement rate for graduates, with payments tied to student enrollment, graduation, and successful employment outcomes. The bill also mandates annual reporting on program effectiveness, including employment rates, salaries, and program completion metrics. The program will continue until September 30, 2028.