Sen. John Kennedy

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 summaryThis bill (S 2082) amends existing U.S. law to clarify legal pathways for victims of terrorism to seek compensation from foreign states. It updates references in federal statutes (28 U.S.C. § 1605B and 18 U.S.C. § 2331) to explicitly include entities organized under U.S. law when defining "national of the United States" for terrorism lawsuits. The changes ensure victims can pursue claims under Section 2333 against foreign states that sponsor terrorism, while also clarifying how judgments against such states can be executed. These technical amendments apply to all pending or future cases filed after the bill's enactment, directly affecting terrorism victims seeking legal recourse in U.S. courts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review and mandate disclosure for certain Chinese government-backed investments in U.S. real estate used for manufacturing facilities. It targets transactions where a Chinese entity (or acting for the Chinese government) purchases or leases land to build a factory and could result in Chinese government control through ownership, board appointments, or ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The bill amends CFIUS rules to include these as "covered transactions" and mandates a declaration for such investments. This applies to investments potentially linked to China's Belt and Road Initiative, as reflected in the bill's title.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds multi-cancer early detection screening tests to Medicare Part B coverage, directly affecting Medicare beneficiaries. It creates a new coverage category for FDA-approved blood tests (like those analyzing cell-free DNA) that screen for multiple cancer types simultaneously, as defined in the bill. Medicare would cover these tests once every 12 months, and the bill clarifies that this change does not impact existing coverage for standard cancer screenings like mammograms or colonoscopies. The policy change ensures beneficiaries can access these new screening options without unnecessary delays after FDA approval.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Act of 2023 amends a federal law to prohibit the slaughter of horses and other equines (such as donkeys) for human consumption. It extends an existing ban on slaughtering dogs and cats for food to include equines, closing a gap in current law. The key change modifies Section 12515 of the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act to replace "dog or cat" with "dog, cat, or equine" in the prohibition language. This directly affects meat processors and businesses that might have engaged in slaughtering equines for human consumption, making such activity illegal under federal law.

This resolution celebrates the 246th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. flag, recognizes that the Pledge of Allegiance has been a valuable part of life for the people of the United States for generations, and defends the constitutionality of the pledge.

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 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 bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to create new disclosure rules for "blank check companies" (companies that raise funds before identifying a target company) during their initial public offering or before a merger. It mandates that these companies disclose specific financial details, including the expected cash per share under different redemption scenarios, any side payments or agreements involving sponsors or investors (and how they affect ownership), and fees paid to sponsors or underwriters. These disclosures aim to provide clearer information, especially for retail investors, about the financial structure and potential risks before a merger. The rules must be implemented within 120 days of the bill becoming law.

Maddy summaryThe Tracking Bad Actors Act of 2023 mandates that federal financial regulators (including the SEC, CFTC, and FDIC) create a free, publicly accessible database within three years. This database will list individuals or entities convicted or held liable in financial misconduct cases brought by federal regulators, the DOJ, state agencies, or self-regulatory organizations. Key provisions require automatic removal of entries if cases are overturned or withdrawn, and the SEC will oversee the database’s operation. The law directly affects financial professionals and entities subject to enforcement actions, providing transparency for investors and employers.