Maddy summaryThe Time to Choose Act of 2024 requires consulting firms that provide management, scientific, or technical services (covered under NAICS code 5416) to certify they do not contract with Chinese government entities or affiliated organizations before receiving U.S. federal contracts. It prohibits federal agencies from awarding contracts to such firms if they fail this certification or are found to have undisclosed ties to "covered foreign entities" (including China’s government, Communist Party, or United Front). Firms submitting false certifications face contract termination, suspension, debarment, or penalties under the False Claims Act, including triple damages. The bill directly affects major consulting firms like Deloitte and McKinsey that currently serve both U.S. government agencies and Chinese entities.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits companies from owning both pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) or insurance companies. It requires any company violating this rule to sell its pharmacy within three years of the law's enactment. Companies found violating the ban must stop the practice, return revenue earned from pharmacy sales during the violation period, and face civil enforcement actions by federal or state agencies. The returned revenue funds healthcare needs in affected communities. The law also mandates federal review of required pharmacy divestments to ensure competition and public interest.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the PROTECT Our Children Act of 2008, extending and updating federal efforts to combat online child exploitation. It requires the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention to be updated every four years (instead of every two) and mandates detailed analyses of trends, resource needs, and ICAC task force performance - including arrests, prosecutions, and victim identification. The bill increases annual funding for these programs from $70 million (2025) to $90 million (2027) and adds limited liability protections for specialized law enforcement teams investigating online child exploitation. These provisions directly affect federal, state, local, tribal, and military law enforcement agencies operating ICAC task forces and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Maddy summaryS 3139, the Preventing Child Labor Exploitation in Federal Contracting Act, requires federal contractors and their subcontractors to annually disclose past violations of child labor laws (Section 12 of the Fair Labor Standards Act) to the Department of Labor. Contractors with serious, repeated, or uncorrected violations face a 5-year ban from federal contracts, as the Labor Secretary must publish an annual list of ineligible entities. The bill mandates annual reports from agencies detailing the number of contractors on the list, corrective actions taken, and contract values, with a separate study on child labor prevalence among federal contractors. It also imposes criminal penalties for knowingly failing to submit required disclosures. This directly affects all entities seeking or holding federal contracts involving subcontractors.
Maddy summaryThe Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 91) authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats who risked their careers and safety to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. These diplomats, representing countries including Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and others, issued visas and provided safe passage to Jews fleeing Nazi persecution despite strict orders from their home governments. The medal will be presented collectively to the next of kin of each diplomat, along with representatives from their home countries, and then permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The act recognizes these individuals' bravery without implying they represent all who performed similar humanitarian acts during the Holocaust. The medal serves as a permanent tribute to their sacrifice and will be available for public display and research.
Maddy summarySRES 925 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Fred R. Harris of Oklahoma, who died on November 23, 2024, at age 94. The resolution expresses the Senate’s sorrow at his passing, requests that his family be notified, and directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a formal expression of respect for a former senator’s legacy.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits airlines from incentivizing staff to charge passengers extra fees for add-on services like baggage or seating, and bans discriminatory pricing based on disability, family status, or other protected characteristics. It directly affects airlines, their employees, and contractors by banning payments tied to forcing passengers to pay for basic services. Key provisions require airlines to treat all passengers equally when setting prices for the same flight and service, eliminating incentives that push customers toward costly add-ons. The law covers common in-flight services such as seating, baggage, food, and internet access, as defined in the bill. (4 sentences)
Maddy summaryThe Cybersecurity Act of 2023 (S 2251) requires federal agencies to implement continuous cybersecurity risk assessments, improve incident response procedures, and enhance transparency about security incidents. It mandates agencies to report major incidents to Congress, implement zero trust architecture across systems, and establish vulnerability disclosure policies to better identify and address security weaknesses. The bill also creates a Federal Chief Information Security Officer position to oversee agency cybersecurity efforts and establishes new guidelines for sharing incident information with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). These provisions directly affect all federal agencies responsible for protecting government systems and data from cyber threats.
Maddy summaryThe Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2024 strengthens worker and retiree protections during business bankruptcies by raising the priority for wage claims from $10,000 to $20,000, creating new claims for lost pension and retirement benefits, and requiring courts to prioritize job preservation in asset sales. The bill restricts bankrupt companies from modifying or rejecting collective bargaining agreements without meeting specific criteria, limits executive compensation upon exit from bankruptcy, and establishes mechanisms to recover excessive executive payments made before bankruptcy. It ensures severance pay is deemed earned upon layoff, prioritizes WARN Act damages, and creates new requirements for preserving retiree benefits and maintaining employee benefits during bankruptcy proceedings. The legislation focuses on ensuring bankruptcy proceedings prioritize the financial security of workers and retirees over executive compensation and other considerations.
Maddy summarySRES 914 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for National Adoption Day (November 23, 2024) and National Adoption Month (November 2024). It promotes public awareness of children awaiting adoption in foster care, celebrates adoption families, and encourages Americans to support child safety and permanency. The resolution does not create new policies or alter existing laws; it is a non-binding statement of support. It directly affects public awareness and national recognition of adoption efforts, not specific individuals or programs.