Maddy summaryThis bill (S 588) requires the U.S. President to impose sanctions on specific Chinese officials and block U.S. funding for joint research with China if China fails to allow a transparent international investigation into the origins of COVID-19 at Wuhan laboratories within 90 days of the bill’s enactment. It targets officials involved in concealing the outbreak or obstructing the investigation, including leaders of China’s Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and agencies like the Ministry of Health. Key provisions include blocking assets of sanctioned individuals, denying visas to them, and banning U.S. federal-funded researchers from collaborating with China on certain virus-related research. The bill aims to compel China to grant unrestricted access to labs, data, and personnel for an independent origin investigation.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill changes how often federal credit unions must hold board meetings based on their performance ratings. For all federal credit unions, boards must meet at least monthly for the first 5 years after their charter is approved. After that, credit unions rated 1 or 2 (highest performance) must meet at least 6 times yearly (with one per quarter), while those rated 3-5 must meet monthly. The bill directly affects all federal credit unions by adjusting their board meeting requirements according to their Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System score. These changes aim to align meeting frequency with credit union performance and oversight needs.
Maddy summaryThis resolution establishes a procedural requirement for the U.S. Senate to review international pandemic agreements negotiated under the World Health Organization (WHO). It mandates that any WHO agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness, or response - where the U.S. would make significant commitments - must be submitted to the Senate as a treaty requiring approval before implementation. The resolution requires the President to submit such agreements to the Senate within 60 days of signing, with the Senate declaring it "not in order" to fund or implement any such agreement without prior Senate ratification. This affects how the executive branch handles WHO pandemic agreements, ensuring Senate consultation and approval aligns with constitutional treaty procedures.
Maddy summaryS 558, the "Stop CRT Act," prohibits federal funding for elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions that promote defined "race-based theories" or compel students/staff to adopt such beliefs. The bill defines "race-based theories" as concepts like inherent racial superiority, the U.S. being fundamentally racist, or assigning moral worth based on race. It blocks federal funds to schools or colleges that "promote" these theories (e.g., including them in curricula with implied endorsement) or require adherence to them contrary to civil rights law. The law explicitly allows educational discussion of such theories in context (e.g., for research or critical analysis without school endorsement) and does not restrict speech outside school settings.
Maddy summaryThis bill aims to reduce European reliance on Russian energy by promoting U.S. natural gas exports to NATO allies and partners. It requires the State Department to develop a transatlantic energy strategy within 180 days and expedites LNG export approvals for qualifying countries, including NATO members and Japan. The bill also mandates sanctions on companies investing over $1 million in Russian energy pipelines, targeting projects like Nord Stream 2. These provisions directly affect NATO members, U.S. energy exporters, and entities involved in Russian pipeline development.
Maddy summaryS 556, the Combating Racist Training in the Military Act of 2023, prohibits the U.S. military and Defense Department-operated schools from promoting specific theories defined as "anti-American and racist" in training programs. It bans including such theories (like claims the U.S. is "fundamentally racist" or the Constitution is "racist") in curricula, workshops, or by hiring trainers who advocate them. The bill explicitly allows protected speech, research access to such materials, and educational contexts that clarify the military does not endorse these theories. This directly affects military training content and DoD academic institutions, aiming to align training with the military's mission to defend the Constitution.
Maddy summaryThe PASS Act of 2023 expands CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment) review to specifically cover foreign investments in U.S. agriculture businesses and agricultural real estate. It prohibits transactions involving "covered foreign persons" (defined as entities linked to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea) that would result in foreign control of U.S. agricultural operations or farmland. The President must block such transactions unless a national security waiver is granted after 30 days. The Secretary of Agriculture must also submit biannual reports to Congress on risks posed by foreign ownership in U.S. agriculture.
Maddy summaryThe Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act helps people with disabilities transition from jobs where they're paid below minimum wage (under special certificates) to regular community jobs. It creates grant programs for states to assist employers in moving from special certificate employment to paying at least minimum wage (or customary wage for similar work) and provides technical assistance for this shift. The bill phases out special certificates by gradually increasing wage rates over 5 years (from 60% to 100% of minimum wage) and prohibits new special certificates after enactment. Existing special certificates will expire 5 years after the law takes effect, with states required to help employers transition to competitive integrated employment models.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 536) authorizes the U.S. President to seize Russian government funds held under U.S. jurisdiction. Confiscated funds would be deposited into the U.S. Treasury to directly offset costs paid by the U.S. for emergency aid to Ukraine in fiscal year 2023. The bill grants the President authority to confiscate these assets through licenses or other means, with all rights to the funds vesting in the U.S. government. It directly affects Russian assets within U.S. jurisdiction and impacts how U.S. aid costs for Ukraine are funded.
Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the Supreme Court to no more than 9 justices. It would directly affect the composition of the Supreme Court by preventing future expansions beyond the current 9-justice structure. The key provision requires a constitutional amendment, which would need ratification by 38 state legislatures (three-fourths of states) within seven years of congressional submission. Congress would also gain authority to pass laws enforcing this limit. The amendment does not change the current court size but aims to restrict future changes to the Court's membership.