Maddy summaryThe BLOCK Act establishes a new congressional review process for federal agency regulations. It requires agencies to submit detailed reports to Congress before rules take effect, including cost-benefit analyses, economic impact assessments, and information on how the public can access supporting data. Major rules (those costing $50 million or more annually) must be approved by Congress within 30 session days to take effect, while nonmajor rules can be disapproved within 60 days through a congressional resolution. This process affects all federal agencies that issue regulations, requiring them to provide comprehensive information about proposed rules before implementation. The bill also creates an annual review process for existing rules, requiring Congress to approve them within 90 days or they will expire.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 8) is a congressional resolution seeking to block a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule. The rule, published in the Federal Register on December 13, 2024, would have increased the automatic extension period for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain renewal applicants. If approved, the resolution would prevent this DHS rule from taking effect, directly affecting non-citizens in the U.S. whose work permits are pending renewal. The resolution uses a statutory process (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code) to disapprove the rule, not to create new policy.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 9) seeks congressional disapproval of a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) rule issued in October 2024. The rule provided guidance for listing "voluntary carbon credit derivative contracts" on exchanges, which would have governed how these carbon credit trading contracts could be traded. If passed, the resolution would block this guidance from taking effect, meaning the CFTC's rule would have no legal force. This action directly affects the CFTC and market participants involved in carbon credit derivative contracts, preventing the new regulatory framework from being implemented.
Maddy summaryThis bill excludes certain state-funded payments for disaster-resistant property improvements from taxable income. Homeowners who receive payments from state programs to make upgrades (like reinforcing roofs against windstorms or elevating homes to reduce flood damage) will not have those amounts counted as taxable income. The law specifically covers payments for "qualified catastrophe mitigation payments" made to reduce damage from windstorms, earthquakes, floods, or wildfires. It applies to payments received under state-established programs, including those managed by state insurance agencies or entities ensuring property insurance markets.
Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act This bill allows, beginning in 2028, for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are used to screen for cancer across many cancer types, if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determines such coverage is appropriate. Coverage is limited to those under a certain age (age 68 in 2028, increased by one year every year thereafter) and to one test every 11 months.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Medicare payment calculations for rural hospitals to provide increased funding. It directly affects "sole community hospitals" and "Medicare-dependent hospitals" by rebasing their payment formulas using a 2016 cost reporting period as the new base, effective October 1, 2025. The key mechanism replaces the previous base period with 2016 data, potentially increasing payments if this change results in higher reimbursement. The bill also extends existing payment programs for these hospitals through future fiscal years and prohibits certain payment adjustments for rebased amounts. This is a technical adjustment to Medicare reimbursement rules, not a new eligibility program.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes tax credits for individuals and corporations who contribute to scholarship granting organizations that provide educational scholarships for eligible students. The individual tax credit is limited to 10% of adjusted gross income or $5,000, while corporate credits are capped at 5% of taxable income. The bill defines "eligible students" as those from households with income not exceeding 300% of the area median gross income, and specifies that scholarships can cover tuition, materials, tutoring, and educational therapies. The bill includes a $10 billion annual cap on tax credits, with a first-come, first-served allocation system, and requires scholarship organizations to meet specific financial and operational standards.
Laken Riley Act This act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. The act also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. Under this act, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of the above crimes. The act also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody; failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.
Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act This bill prohibits the provision of funding for purposes outside the United States to certain foreign or domestic organizations that perform or promote abortions, furnish or develop items intended to procure abortions, or provide financial support for an entity that conducts such activities.
Maddy summaryS 199 would create special tax rules for "qualified residents of Taiwan" with income from U.S. sources. It would lower tax rates on interest, dividends, and royalties from 30% to 10% (15% for some dividends), provide tax relief for certain wages paid to Taiwan residents working in the U.S., and exempt income from entertainment or athletic activities up to $30,000. The bill establishes specific requirements for entities to qualify for these benefits, including ownership and income criteria. It also creates a process for the U.S. to negotiate a formal tax agreement with Taiwan to further address double taxation concerns.