Maddy summaryS 4145 strengthens federal election laws by expanding the ban on foreign money in U.S. elections. It prohibits foreign nationals from funding specific activities like voter registration, ballot collection, get-out-the-vote efforts, and election administration - covering both federal and state/local ballot initiatives or referendums. The bill requires organizations to submit certifications under penalty of perjury confirming compliance with these restrictions before reporting contributions or independent expenditures. It also adds new provisions banning individuals from knowingly aiding foreign election interference and includes privacy protections preventing government disclosure of donor identities to tax-exempt organizations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 645 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating April 20-28, 2024, as "National Park Week." It does not create new laws or affect any group directly; instead, it formally recognizes this week to highlight the National Park System. The resolution encourages the public to responsibly visit, experience, and support national parks, referencing the system’s history, visitor statistics (325 million visits in 2023), and economic impact ($50.3 billion in 2022). As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to promote awareness of national parks.
Maddy summaryThe VA Abortion Transparency Act of 2024 (S 4128) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit quarterly reports to Congress detailing abortions facilitated by the VA. These reports must include the total number of abortions, broken down by type (surgical or medication), recipient (veteran or dependent), gestational age, legal justification, and Veterans Integrated Service Network, along with all related costs for procedures, staff training, infrastructure, and funding sources. The VA must exclude all individually identifiable patient information from these reports. This bill directly affects VA operations and congressional oversight, mandating specific data collection and transparency about abortion services provided to veterans and their dependents.
Maddy summaryThe Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023 updates the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program to create more affordable housing options. Key provisions include increasing state funding allocations through revised per capita and minimum amount calculations, modifying tenant eligibility rules to better protect vulnerable populations (including domestic violence victims), and expanding the program's reach to Native American communities and rural areas. The bill also changes the program's name from "Low-income Housing Credit" to "Affordable Housing Credit" and makes administrative improvements to enhance transparency and accountability. These changes aim to make it easier for developers to create and maintain affordable housing units for low- and moderate-income households.
Maddy summarySJRES 61 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Federal Highway Administration rule that established performance measures for the National Highway System, including a requirement to track greenhouse gas emissions from highway activities. The rule, published in December 2023, would have mandated that states and federal agencies assess highway performance using this emissions metric. If enacted, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preventing the implementation of the emissions tracking measure. This action is pursued under the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to reject federal regulations with a simple majority vote.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 638) calls on the Taliban to immediately release Ryan Corbett, a U.S. citizen wrongfully detained since August 2022 while visiting Afghanistan for business. It condemns the Taliban's detention of Corbett - held in a small cell under poor conditions without charges - and urges U.S. officials to prioritize his release. The resolution also demands the Taliban stop detaining Americans for political gain and calls for the release of other U.S. citizens wrongfully held in Afghanistan. As a symbolic congressional action, it does not create new law but expresses formal support for Corbett and his family.
Maddy summaryS 4093 requires the U.S. Secretary of State to review Qatar's status as a Major Non-NATO Ally within 90 days of enactment. The review focuses on Qatar's hosting of Hamas leaders, its efforts to secure the release of 5 U.S. hostages held by Hamas, and whether Qatar supports terrorism. The report must include a certification on whether Qatar meets criteria for maintaining ally status, including using leverage to free hostages and expelling Hamas leaders. If the certification fails, the U.S. must terminate Qatar's ally status under existing law. This bill directly affects Qatar's diplomatic and security relationship with the United States.
Maddy summaryThis bill, S 4106 (Students Bill of Rights Act of 2024), requires public colleges and universities receiving federal student aid (Title IV funds) to follow specific rules protecting student organizations. It mandates that institutions cannot deny recognition to student groups based on lack of faculty advisors, organizational affiliations, or viewpoint, and must use neutral standards for distributing student activity fees and setting security fees for events. The law provides an appeals process for denied recognition or funding and allows students harmed by violations to sue for remedies like injunctions or damages. Institutions failing to comply face potential loss of federal funding after a court ruling, with the Secretary of Education tracking violations and enforcement actions.
Maddy summaryThe FEND Off Fentanyl Act authorizes sanctions against foreign individuals and entities involved in trafficking fentanyl and its precursors into the United States, with specific focus on transnational criminal organizations like Mexican cartels and the flow of precursor chemicals from China. It requires the President to submit annual reports to Congress on actions taken under the law and designates fentanyl-related transactions as a primary money laundering concern for financial institutions. The bill also repeals a prohibition on imposing sanctions related to importation of goods under previous fentanyl sanctions law. It aims to increase financial costs for traffickers by blocking assets and prohibiting transactions involving sanctioned persons.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule that would have limited credit card penalty fees under Regulation Z. If approved, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, meaning credit card companies would not be required to comply with the proposed fee restrictions. The measure uses a standard congressional review process under federal law to invalidate the rule, which was submitted to Congress in March 2024. This directly affects credit card issuers by allowing them to maintain current penalty fee practices without new federal limits.