Sen. Josh Hawley

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax for estates of people who die on or after the bill's enactment date, directly affecting heirs of large estates (typically valued over $13 million for 2025). It also modifies the gift tax by establishing a $10 million lifetime exemption (adjusted for inflation), replacing the current exemption amount. The bill sets new tax brackets for gifts exceeding this threshold and adjusts the calculation method for gift tax liability. These changes apply to gifts made or estates settled after the bill becomes law, with no impact on existing estate plans or transfers before enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Clean Air Act to expand fuel options for retailers and support small refineries. It allows fuel blends containing 10-15% ethanol to meet vapor pressure requirements during high ozone seasons, replacing previous state-specific limits with a nationwide standard. Additionally, it enables small refineries to reclaim retired renewable fuel credits from 2016-2018 compliance years or apply them to future obligations under specific conditions. The changes directly affect fuel retailers selling ethanol-blended gasoline and small refineries participating in the renewable fuel program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal U.S.-Israel defense partnership focused on joint development of counter-unmanned systems technology, authorizing $150 million annually from 2026-2030 for a dedicated program. It directly affects U.S. and Israeli defense departments, contractors, and military personnel through collaborative research, joint training, and shared procurement of counter-drone systems. Additional provisions include extending existing anti-tunnel and counter-UAS cooperation with increased funding, creating a new emerging tech program for AI/cybersecurity collaboration, and establishing a U.S. Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel. The bill requires annual reports to Congress on program progress and mandates semiannual financial oversight for all joint activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes new sanctions on foreign entities (including banks, insurers, and logistics companies) that knowingly facilitate Iran's oil, gas, LNG, or petrochemical exports. It blocks U.S. property of sanctioned entities and bars targeted individuals from entering the U.S. via visa restrictions or revocation. Exceptions cover goods imports and certain international obligations, while the President may grant limited 180-day waivers for national security reasons, subject to congressional reporting. The law aims to disrupt Iran's energy revenue streams used for terrorism, weapons programs, and repression, with enforcement coordinated through a new interagency working group.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal offense for intentionally fleeing U.S. Border Patrol agents or assisting law enforcement while operating a vehicle within 100 miles of the U.S. border. It establishes tiered penalties: up to 2 years in prison for the basic offense, 5-20 years if serious injury occurs, and 10+ years or life if death results. The bill also links this offense to immigration consequences, making convictions trigger inadmissibility, deportability, and disqualification from seeking asylum. Additionally, it requires an annual report to Congress tracking prosecutions, apprehensions, and sentencing related to this new offense.

Maddy summaryS.68, the Complete COVID Collections Act, extends the deadline for prosecuting fraud related to pandemic relief programs to 10 years and streamlines collection processes for small business loans. It requires the Small Business Administration to refer claims under $100,000 to the Treasury for collection, mandates monthly reports to Congress on collection efforts, and demands monthly DOJ reports detailing fraud prosecutions and recovered funds. The bill directly affects businesses that received CARES Act loans, restaurant grants, or venue operator funds, as well as the SBA, Treasury, and DOJ. Key provisions include standardizing fraud enforcement timelines across all covered programs and requiring public transparency on recovered funds through the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs $1.4 billion annually (2025-2029) to upgrade U.S. Postal Service mailboxes with high-security models and replace physical "arrow keys" with electronic locks, directly affecting postal carriers and mail collection points. It requires the Attorney General to appoint dedicated prosecutors in each judicial district to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of crimes against postal employees, including assaults or robberies. The bill also mandates the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend guidelines so that assaults or robberies against postal employees are treated with the same severity as assaults against law enforcement officers. These changes aim to enhance physical security, improve legal responses to violence, and increase penalties for attacks on postal workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 484) amends the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) to allow gun manufacturers, sellers, and trade associations to move certain lawsuits filed against them from state courts to federal courts. Specifically, it permits these defendants to request removal to federal court if they claim a case is covered by PLCAA, which shields gun companies from liability for gun-related harms. The federal court would then decide if the case qualifies under PLCAA and dismiss it if it does. This change directly affects gun companies defending lawsuits and plaintiffs seeking redress in state courts, shifting jurisdiction to federal courts for these specific cases.

Mandatory Removal Proceedings Act This bill requires the immediate initiation of removal proceedings against a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) whose visa is revoked on security and related grounds.

Maddy summaryThis bill caps credit card interest rates at 10% annually for all finance charges, directly affecting credit card users by limiting how much lenders can charge. It prohibits lenders from using non-finance fees (like annual fees) to bypass this cap, and allows consumers to recover overpaid interest within two years of payment. The cap expires on January 1, 2031, and does not override stricter state consumer protections. This is a permanent policy change for credit card terms until the sunset date.