Maddy summaryThe FEND Off Fentanyl Act (HR 3333) establishes new sanctions targeting foreign persons and transnational criminal organizations involved in fentanyl trafficking, specifically naming Mexican cartels like the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel. It authorizes the President to block transactions with individuals facilitating fentanyl trafficking and requires annual reports to Congress on enforcement actions. The bill also designates fentanyl-related transactions as a primary money laundering concern for financial institutions and extends the statute of limitations for sanctions violations to eight years. These measures aim to disrupt fentanyl trafficking networks by targeting both the drug flow and the financial mechanisms supporting them.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Farm Operations Support Act maintains the minimum wage rate for H-2A agricultural workers at the level established in each state on December 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023. This directly affects agricultural employers who hire temporary foreign workers under the H-2A visa program and the workers themselves, by preventing the standard annual adjustment to the wage rate. The bill provides one-year stability in labor costs for employers without altering the underlying wage requirements.
Maddy summaryThe FIGHT Act (HR 2742) amends the Animal Welfare Act to specifically target animal fighting events, such as cockfighting, by defining "rooster" as any male chicken over six months old and banning the live broadcasting (simulcasting) of such events. It prohibits using the postal service or interstate transport to move roosters for animal fighting purposes and adds civil enforcement tools allowing citizens to sue violators after a 60-day notice period. Fines up to $5,000 per violation may be imposed, and property used in animal fighting ventures can be seized. These changes strengthen enforcement against animal fighting by expanding legal remedies for the public and authorities.
Maddy summaryHR 3160, the Pharmaceutical Research Transparency Act of 2023, requires drug manufacturers and clinical trial sponsors to publicly disclose detailed cost and research spending data. The bill mandates the NIH create a searchable online repository for clinical trial costs (including personnel, materials, per-patient expenses, and phase-specific breakdowns) that sponsors must submit within one year of trial completion. It also requires drug manufacturers to report R&D expenditures disaggregated by research stage (basic research, pre-clinical, phases I-III trials) in their SEC annual filings. These provisions directly affect drug manufacturers subject to SEC reporting and sponsors of clinical trials starting after the bill's enactment. The law aims to increase transparency around drug development costs without altering drug pricing or approval processes.
Maddy summaryThe PAST Act of 2023 amends the Horse Protection Act to ban specific devices used to cause pain (soring) in horses at shows, particularly affecting Tennessee Walking Horses, Racking Horses, and Spotted Saddle Horses. It defines prohibited "action devices" (like boots or chains causing friction) and requires licensed, conflict-free inspectors at events to enforce rules. The bill increases penalties for violations to up to $5,000 fines or 3 years in jail, and mandates longer disqualifications for repeat offenses (180 days → 1 year → 3 years). Horse show organizers, exhibitors, and participants must comply with these new inspection and penalty requirements.
Maddy summaryThe COMFORT Act (HR 3267) allows licensed mental health professionals and Department of Defense personnel to provide non-medical counseling services to military families anywhere in the U.S. (including states, D.C., and territories) without location restrictions. It directly affects military families seeking counseling support and eligible providers (such as DoD-recognized licensed counselors or DoD employees/contractors). The key provision removes geographic barriers, enabling services to be delivered remotely or on-base regardless of where the provider or family member is located. This changes existing location-based rules for such counseling under federal programs.
Maddy summaryHR 3238, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023, updates the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program to increase the availability of affordable housing across the United States. The bill makes several key changes including increasing state funding formulas, modifying tenant eligibility rules to better serve vulnerable populations (such as domestic violence victims and students), and expanding credit eligibility for projects in rural and Native American communities. Specific provisions raise the credit for properties serving extremely low-income households, clarify rules around tenant income increases, and require housing providers to protect victims of domestic violence. The bill also updates terminology from "low-income" to "affordable" throughout the tax code and enhances program transparency through data sharing requirements. These changes aim to make the LIHTC program more effective at creating and preserving affordable housing units for low-income households nationwide.
Maddy summaryThe Beagle Brigade Act of 2023 establishes a National Detector Dog Training Center to train dogs and handlers for detecting foreign pests and diseases threatening U.S. agriculture and natural resources. The Center will collaborate with agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection and state agriculture departments to safeguard farms and ecosystems. It requires annual funding for operations and mandates a congressional report within one year detailing pest threats, Center effectiveness, and recommendations for improving detection capabilities. The law directly affects agricultural protection efforts by enhancing canine-based prevention of invasive species.
Maddy summaryThe Invest to Protect Act of 2023 establishes a federal grant program for local law enforcement agencies with fewer than 200 officers (including counties, municipalities, and tribal governments) to fund training and support services. Grants cover de-escalation training, mental health resources, evidence-based safety training (such as handling domestic violence or mental health crises), and recruitment/retention incentives like signing bonuses, retention bonuses (up to 20% of salary), and stipends for graduate education in mental health or social work. The bill requires a streamlined grant application process (under two hours), public disclosure of bonus amounts, and annual audits to prevent misuse of funds.
Maddy summaryThe HELPER Act of 2023 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program specifically for first responders and K-12 teachers. It allows eligible first-time homebuyers in these professions to secure mortgages with 100% financing (no down payment required) for purchasing or repairing a primary residence. To qualify, applicants must be employed as law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, or K-12 teachers, have completed housing counseling, and meet specific employment history requirements (e.g., 4 years in the role or disability-related release). The program authorizes $660,000 for fiscal year 2024 and $160,000 annually through 2030, with authority expiring after 5 years.