Maddy summaryS 1310, the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act, denies tax deductions for employer spending aimed at influencing workers' decisions about union organizing or collective bargaining. It amends the tax code to block deductions for expenses like anti-union consultant fees, captive audience meetings, and other tactics that interfere with labor rights under the National Labor Relations Act. Employers must report such spending on tax returns with specific details, including dates, amounts, and whether activities relate to unfair labor practice charges. This directly affects businesses that engage in anti-union organizing tactics, removing a tax incentive for these activities while preserving deductions for standard union negotiations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe IDEA Full Funding Act (S 1277) mandates specific annual funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) starting in fiscal year 2026. It sets fixed dollar amounts or percentage-based funding (ranging from 11.6% to 40% of a calculated base) for states providing special education services to children with disabilities aged 3-21. Funding becomes available on July 1 each year and remains accessible through September 30 of the following year, with amounts increasing annually through 2035. This directly affects all states receiving IDEA grants by guaranteeing minimum federal funding tied to the number of eligible students and national per-pupil spending averages.
Maddy summaryS 1289 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The bill specifies coin specifications (e.g., 90% gold/silver content, design requirements including "Never Forget"), sets a one-year issuance window (January 1, 2027-2028), and requires surcharges of $35 per gold coin and $10 per silver coin. These surcharges will be paid directly to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance, with coins sold at a price covering face value, surcharge, and production costs. The legislation does not impose new regulations or affect public policy but focuses on commemoration and funding for the museum.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow workers to deduct union dues directly from their taxable income (an "above-the-line" deduction) and restore deductions for other work-related expenses like uniforms or tools that were disallowed after 2017. It affects employees who pay union dues or incur job-specific costs, particularly those in unionized workplaces or professions requiring specialized equipment. The key mechanism creates a new deduction for union dues under existing tax code sections and revives the ability to itemize other work expenses, excluding them from the 2% floor on miscellaneous deductions. These changes would apply to tax returns filed for years beginning after December 31, 2024.
Maddy summaryThe CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands Medicare coverage for telehealth services by removing geographic restrictions that previously limited where patients could receive telehealth care. It allows more healthcare providers to offer telehealth services, including expanding eligibility for practitioners and removing the six-month in-person visit requirement for telemental health. The bill also includes specific provisions for Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural health clinics, and Native American health facilities to better integrate telehealth into their services. Additionally, it establishes program integrity measures to address billing patterns and requires the posting of telehealth service data to improve transparency and quality measurement. These changes aim to make telehealth more accessible for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly in rural areas and for underserved populations.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care and social service employers to develop and implement workplace violence prevention plans for their employees. The plans must include risk assessments, hazard prevention measures, incident reporting procedures, and annual evaluations. Employers must provide specific training to employees, maintain incident records for 5 years, and protect employees from retaliation for reporting violence. The bill applies to hospitals, residential treatment facilities, clinics, and other covered facilities that provide health care or social services. It establishes specific definitions for types of workplace violence and requires employers to follow detailed safety protocols.
Maddy summaryS 1240, the Defending America’s Future Elections Act, repeals Executive Order 14248 (issued by President Trump in 2025), which the bill claims exceeded constitutional authority and threatened voter access. It prohibits federal funds from being used by the Department of Government Efficiency to access state voter registration lists, election records, or immigration databases for election-related purposes. The bill does not change existing voter registration rules (like the National Voter Registration Act of 1993) or election administration standards (like the Help America Vote Act of 2002). It directly affects federal agencies and departments by blocking funding for specific data access activities tied to the repealed executive order. This is a procedural bill focused on reversing a specific executive action, not creating new election policies.
Maddy summaryThe Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 establishes a framework for imposing comprehensive sanctions on Russia if the President determines Russia is engaging in actions that undermine peace with Ukraine, such as refusing to negotiate a peace agreement, violating peace agreements, or planning another military invasion. If such a determination is made, the bill mandates blocking property of Russian officials and entities, prohibiting transactions with Russian financial institutions, increasing tariffs on Russian goods to at least 500% ad valorem, banning energy exports to Russia, and prohibiting purchases of Russian sovereign debt. It also imposes sanctions on countries that purchase Russian oil, uranium, or petroleum products, with duties of at least 500% on such goods. The bill requires the President to make determinations every 90 days and allows for termination of sanctions if Russia ceases harmful actions and enters a peace agreement with Ukraine, with immediate reimposition if Russia resumes those actions.
Maddy summarySRES 148 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the U.S. Senate to honor the late Senator Alan K. Simpson of Wyoming, who died in 2022. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow and deep regret" over his passing and formally requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy to his family. It also directs the Senate to adjourn as a mark of respect during its final session following the resolution's adoption. This resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents - it solely serves as a formal tribute to Simpson's legacy.
Maddy summaryThe Hot Foods Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to explicitly allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to be used for hot foods or hot food products ready for immediate consumption. This change removes previous restrictions that excluded such items, directly affecting SNAP recipients who purchase ready-to-eat hot meals from authorized vendors. The bill modifies key sections of the law to clarify that hot foods are permitted, while maintaining a 50% sales limit for hot foods in participating stores. This policy change updates the program's rules to align with current food retail practices without altering benefit amounts or eligibility.