Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act This act permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. Under the act, offenses involving fentanyl-related substances are triggered by the same quantity thresholds and subject to the same penalties as offenses involving fentanyl analogues (e.g., offenses involving 100 grams or more trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term). Additionally, the act establishes a new, alternative registration process for certain schedule I research. The act also makes several other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances, waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration. Finally, the act expresses the sense that Congress agrees with the interpretation of the Controlled Substances Act in United States v. McCray , a 2018 case decided by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. In that case, the court held that butyryl fentanyl, a controlled substance, can be considered an analogue of fentanyl even though, under the Controlled Substances Act, the term controlled substance analogue specifically excludes a controlled substance.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes federal funding for tick-borne disease programs under the Public Health Service Act. It reduces annual funding levels for two key programs: $8 million per year (from $10 million) for the National Strategy and Regional Centers of Excellence (2026-2030), and $19 million per year (from $20 million) for health department support programs (2026-2030). These changes extend existing programs through 2030 with adjusted funding amounts. The bill directly affects public health programs and state/local health departments addressing tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal crime for assaulting first responders (like police, firefighters, and paramedics) causing serious injury or death, with enhanced penalties. It specifically applies when the assault involves interstate travel, weapons that crossed state lines, or interference with the responder's work affecting commerce. Penalties include up to 10 years in prison for serious injury, or life imprisonment if death occurs, kidnapping, or an attempt to kill happens. Federal prosecution requires Attorney General certification unless states decline jurisdiction or fail to adequately address the crime.
Maddy summaryThe ETHIC Act (S 2276) limits patent holders from asserting multiple related patents against generic drug and biosimilar manufacturers. It restricts claims to one patent per "Patent Group" (defined as commonly owned patents linked through specific disclaimer filings) in infringement lawsuits involving drug/biosimilar applicants. This applies to cases related to FDA applications under 505(b)(2), 505(j), or 351(k) pathways for new drug approvals. The law aims to reduce legal barriers for competition by preventing patent thickets from delaying generic/biosimilar market entry.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals two provisions from a previous reconciliation act that reduced Medicaid funding flexibility for states and rescinds related funds. It directly affects Medicaid programs and rural hospitals by restoring prior funding structures and adding $10 billion annually from 2031 through 2035 to the Rural Health Transformation Program. Key mechanisms include undoing changes to state Medicaid provider tax authority and state-directed payments, while increasing annual funding for rural hospital support. The bill makes concrete policy changes by reversing specific funding cuts and guaranteeing new, sustained investment for rural healthcare facilities.
Maddy summaryS 2258, the "Protecting Our Farms and Homes from China Act," prohibits "covered foreign entities" (defined as Chinese corporations, government-affiliated organizations, or individuals tied to the Chinese Communist Party) from acquiring, leasing, or owning U.S. agricultural land or residential real estate. The bill requires these entities to divest all such holdings within one year of enactment and imposes daily fines of $100 per acre for farmland violations or $1,000 per home unit for residential violations. It establishes new offices within the Agriculture and Commerce Departments to monitor compliance and enforce penalties, including criminal fines and asset forfeiture for noncompliance. The residential real estate ban lasts for two years (extendable by the President) and mandates a report to Congress on its market impact. This law directly affects Chinese-owned businesses and entities operating in U.S. farmland and housing markets.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal education law to prohibit public schools from teaching concepts related to "gender ideology," as defined by a specific executive order. It directly affects K-12 public schools receiving federal funding by banning instruction on certain gender-related topics. The key provision adds a new restriction to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, explicitly forbidding the teaching of these concepts in classrooms. The bill does not specify which topics are covered, only referencing the executive order's definition. This change applies to all federally funded elementary and secondary schools.
Maddy summaryThe STOP CSAM Act of 2025 strengthens protections for child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation by expanding definitions of abuse to include psychological abuse and kidnapping, and by imposing new reporting requirements on internet service providers. The bill requires providers with over 1 million monthly users to report apparent child sexual abuse material to the CyberTipline within 60 days, with penalties for noncompliance including fines up to $1 million for large providers. It creates new civil remedies allowing victims to sue providers who host or promote child pornography, and establishes protections for "covered persons" (children under 18 who are victims or witnesses) by limiting public disclosure of their personal information. The bill also enhances law enforcement's ability to investigate online child exploitation while maintaining privacy safeguards for victims.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands healthcare access for energy workers covered under the federal compensation program for occupational illnesses. It amends existing law to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants (within their state-licensed scope and federal guidelines) to prescribe or order medical treatments, appliances, and supplies for eligible workers. The change directly affects energy workers receiving medical benefits under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. It modifies the program’s authority to include these providers in prescribing decisions, aiming to streamline care without altering the program’s core eligibility or funding. The bill does not change who qualifies for benefits or the compensation amounts.
Maddy summarySRES 295 is a ceremonial resolution designating the week of June 23-29, 2025, as "National Women's Sports Week" to commemorate the anniversary of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The resolution aims to celebrate the expansion of women’s athletic opportunities since Title IX’s enactment, which prohibits sex discrimination in education programs. It urges supporting programs that honor female athletes, coaches, and parents, while emphasizing the importance of single-sex sports competitions. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic observance.