Sen. Thom Tillis

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 471) gives states more flexibility in determining which Medicaid providers can participate in state plans if they perform abortions. It allows states to set their own criteria for excluding abortion providers from Medicaid participation, except in specific cases. The exceptions require coverage for abortions needed due to rape or incest, or when a physician certifies a life-threatening physical condition related to pregnancy. This directly affects Medicaid providers who perform abortions and state Medicaid programs, changing how states manage provider participation under federal Medicaid rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals specific provisions from the Affordable Care Act (sections 6001 and 10601) and the 2010 Health Care Reconciliation Act (section 1106), which had limited Medicare exceptions for physician referrals to hospitals. It restores the prior rules that allowed physicians to refer patients to hospitals without triggering certain restrictions. The bill directly affects hospitals and physicians participating in Medicare by removing these referral limitations. This is a procedural change to revert to pre-2010 law regarding physician-hospital relationships under Medicare.

Maddy summarySRES 67 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating February 2023 as "Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month" to recognize CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand careers. It does not create new policies or funding but expresses Senate support for CTE programs that connect students with workforce skills in fields like healthcare, technology, and construction. The resolution encourages educators and parents to promote CTE as a valuable educational pathway, referencing the 106th anniversary of the foundational Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct impact on legislation or affected individuals.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic Senate resolution (SRES 69) designates February 18-25, 2023, as "National FFA Week" to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the National FFA Organization. It recognizes FFA’s role in developing future agricultural leaders through its educational programs, which serve over 850,000 students across all 50 states and territories. The resolution has no legal effect - it is a ceremonial expression of support, not a policy change. It directly affects the FFA organization and its members by highlighting their educational mission during a designated week.

Maddy summaryS 428, the FIND Act, requires federal contractors and first-tier subcontractors to certify they do not discriminate against firearm industry businesses (including manufacturers, dealers, and ammunition sellers) in their policies or practices. It mandates that contractors avoid refusing services or imposing restrictions based on bias against the firearm industry rather than objective business criteria like financial risk or legal compliance. Contracts violating this requirement face termination and potential debarment, though the rule excludes sole-source contracts. The law applies to all new federal contracts awarded after its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax relief to new car dealers who sold inventory due to supply chain disruptions between March 2020 and January 2022. It allows dealers using the LIFO tax accounting method to avoid recognizing income from those sales in the year they occurred, instead deferring tax consequences until they replace the sold vehicles. Dealers have until 2026 to repurchase similar vehicles; if they fail to fully replace the inventory within this window, they must pay back the tax plus interest. The relief directly affects new car dealers who held LIFO inventory during the specified period and are subject to IRS tax rules.

Maddy summaryS 444 requires the U.S. Senate to approve any World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic preparedness treaty before it becomes binding on the United States. The bill mandates that agreements resulting from the WHO’s pandemic treaty negotiations (currently led by the International Negotiating Body) must be treated as treaties under the U.S. Constitution, requiring Senate ratification with a two-thirds vote. It directly affects U.S. foreign policy implementation by ensuring congressional oversight of international pandemic agreements. The bill responds to concerns about WHO’s pandemic management and aims to prevent executive agreements from bypassing Senate review.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to add a new aggravating factor for death penalty cases involving the killing of law enforcement officers or first responders. Specifically, it makes it a capital offense if someone kills or targets a police officer, firefighter, or other first responder while they are performing official duties, because of their duties, or due to their status as a public official. The change applies to cases where the victim was engaged in preventing, investigating, or prosecuting crimes, or providing emergency services. This policy shift directly affects defendants convicted of such killings by expanding the circumstances under which the death penalty could be sought.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 63) is a symbolic Senate measure formally celebrating Black History Month. It acknowledges the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history and society, recognizes the origins of Black History Month (beginning as Negro History Week in 1926), and encourages nationwide reflection on this history. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal Senate acknowledgment of the significance of Black History Month in February. It aims to honor the legacy of African American pioneers and promote learning about their impact on the nation.

Maddy summaryThe Secure and Protect Act of 2023 makes significant changes to U.S. immigration procedures, particularly affecting minors and asylum seekers. It allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to detain alien minors (not previously unaccompanied) without regard to prior status, with a 100-day goal for removal proceedings, and preempts certain judicial decrees like the Flores settlement. The bill also changes asylum eligibility requirements, requiring a "credible fear" determination before referral to immigration judges, and establishes refugee processing centers in Mexico and Central America. Additionally, it mandates hiring 500 additional immigration judges and support staff to handle increased caseloads.