Maddy summaryThe Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2024 clarifies that states may use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to support pregnancy centers and similar life-affirming programs that provide services like counseling, parenting classes, baby supplies, and referrals to health or housing resources - without offering or referring for abortions. It directly affects pregnancy centers, adoption agencies, and maternity homes currently receiving TANF funding in states such as Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, and Ohio. The bill amends federal law to explicitly permit TANF funding for these programs and prohibits the federal government from discriminating against them or imposing unwarranted requirements. It also establishes legal remedies, including lawsuits for damages, if the government violates these provisions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Pregnancy Center Support Act of 2024 would create a federal tax credit for individuals and businesses donating to qualifying pregnancy centers, covering 50% of contributions up to $10,000 per person ($20,000 for joint returns). To qualify, centers must be tax-exempt non-profits (501(c)(3)) that provide free services like counseling, medical support, and material aid to pregnant women without performing or promoting abortions. The credit aims to reduce the tax burden on donors supporting centers that help women choose childbirth over abortion through services such as prenatal care, housing assistance, and adoption referrals. This bill directly affects donors and pregnancy centers meeting these specific criteria, with the credit applying to donations made after the law’s enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill restricts health savings account (HSA) and similar account reimbursements for abortions, except in specific cases. It amends tax code provisions to exclude most abortion expenses from qualified HSA distributions, Archer MSAs, health flexible spending accounts, health reimbursement arrangements, and retiree health accounts. Exceptions allow reimbursement for abortions resulting from rape or incest, or when a physician certifies the pregnancy poses a life-threatening physical condition to the woman. The changes apply to expenses incurred after December 31, 2024. The bill directly affects individuals using these tax-advantaged health accounts seeking abortion coverage.
Maddy summaryS 3604, the Safeguarding Charity Act, clarifies that tax exemptions under IRS Section 501(c) or 401(a) do not count as "Federal financial assistance" for regulatory purposes. The bill amends U.S. Code to explicitly exclude tax-exempt status from definitions of federal assistance in all federal laws, rules, or regulations. This directly affects tax-exempt charities and nonprofits that rely on IRS 501(c) status, ensuring their tax exemptions are not treated as government funding when applying federal programs or requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the federal tax code to exclude abortion costs from medical expense deductions. It prevents taxpayers from deducting abortion expenses on their federal income tax returns, directly affecting individuals who pay for abortions. The bill includes exceptions for abortions needed to save a woman's life (due to pregnancy-related conditions), or in cases of rape or incest, as certified by a physician. The policy change applies to taxable years starting after the bill's enactment. This alters how abortion expenses are treated for tax purposes but does not affect access to abortion services.
Maddy summarySRES 524 is a non-binding Senate resolution congratulating the University of Missouri Tigers football team for winning the 2023 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. It recognizes their 11-2 season record, 8th-place national ranking, and specific achievements like Cody Schrader winning the Burlsworth Trophy. The resolution directs the Senate to send a copy to the University of Missouri chancellor, athletic director, and head coach Eliah Drinkwitz. This is purely ceremonial and does not create any legal obligations or policy changes.
Maddy summaryThe Mandatory Removal Proceedings Act (S 3587) requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to immediately start removal proceedings for non-citizens whose visas are revoked due to security concerns. It removes the previous discretion of the Secretary to decide whether to proceed, mandating automatic removal when a visa revocation occurs under specific security grounds outlined in immigration law. This policy directly affects foreign nationals with visas revoked on security-related grounds, such as those posing threats to national security. The bill changes the procedural step after visa revocation without altering the grounds for revocation itself.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. arbitration law to explicitly include human trafficking disputes in the scope of cases eligible for arbitration. It defines "human trafficking dispute" to cover cases involving conduct prohibited under federal law (Title 18 Chapter 77) or state/tribal anti-trafficking laws. The bill updates two key sections (401 and 402) of the U.S. Code to add "human trafficking dispute" alongside existing categories like sexual assault and harassment disputes. This change directly affects victims of human trafficking who might pursue arbitration for related civil claims. The amendment ensures these cases are treated consistently with other covered disputes under federal arbitration procedures.
Maddy summary# Summary of "Secure the Border Act of 2023" (Employment Eligibility Verification Provisions) This legislation (primarily Sections 801-816) fundamentally reforms the U.S. employment eligibility verification system by replacing the current E-Verify program with a new, mandatory verification system for employers. ## Key Provisions: 1. **Mandatory Verification System**: Requires all employers to verify the work authorization of new hires through a new verification system established under Section 274A(d). 2. **Phased Implementation Timeline**: - Large employers (10,000+ employees): 6 months after enactment - Medium employers (500-10,000 employees): 12 months after enactment - Small employers (20-500 employees): 18 months after enactment - Very small employers (<20 employees): 24 months after enactment - Agricultural workers: 36 months after enactment 3. **Verification Process**: - Requires examination of specific documents to verify identity and work authorization - Establishes a verification system with confirmation or tentative nonconfirmation within 3 business days - Requires secondary verification process for tentative nonconfirmations 4. **Penalties for Non-Compliance**: - Civil penalties ranging from $2,500 to $25,000 per violation - Criminal penalties for pattern or practice violations ($5,000 per unauthorized alien) - Potential debarment from federal contracts for repeat violators 5. **Fraud Prevention Measures**: - Blocks social security account numbers subject to unusual multiple use - Allows suspension of compromised social security numbers - Protects children's identities from being used for employment verification 6. **Agricultural Workforce Provisions**: - Extended timeline for agricultural workers (36 months) - Specific definitions of agricultural labor - Study on agricultural workforce composition and recommendations 7. **Good Faith Defense**: - Allows employers to avoid penalties if they can demonstrate good faith compliance - Requires reasonable security measures for identity verification This legislation represents a significant expansion of employer verification requirements with substantial penalties for non-compliance, designed to strengthen enforcement against unauthorized employment while establishing a more comprehensive verification system. The phased approach aims to give employers time to adjust to the new requirements based on business size.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 32) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) on May 31, 2023. The rule, published as Regulation B under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), addressed how lenders must evaluate small business loan applications to prevent discrimination. If passed, the resolution would block this rule from taking effect, meaning lenders would not be required to follow these specific small business lending provisions. The bill directly affects the CFPB's regulatory authority and financial institutions that process small business loans under ECOA.