Sen. Thom Tillis

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to require the U.S. Supreme Court to have exactly nine justices. Currently, Congress sets the Court's size through legislation, but this amendment would make the nine-justice structure a permanent requirement in the Constitution. It would need ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years to become part of the Constitution. If adopted, it would prevent Congress from changing the Court's size via ordinary legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the U.S. Treasury to instruct American representatives at multilateral development banks (like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank) to oppose new loans to China. It is based on findings that China exceeded the income threshold for graduation from development assistance in 2016 and has since received over $20 billion in loans from these institutions. The bill requires annual reports tracking China's borrowing, U.S. voting efforts to end lending to countries that have surpassed graduation thresholds, and the status of China's eligibility. It directly affects China's access to multilateral development financing and the operational policies of these banks.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires TSA to deny airport security access to travelers presenting certain immigration enforcement documents (like deportation warrants or "Notice to Appear" forms) at checkpoints. It mandates TSA to notify immigration agencies when such documents are presented and to collect biometric data (fingerprints, photos) from non-citizens without valid ID who cannot verify U.S. citizenship. Travelers departing for deportation are exempt from entry restrictions. The law directly affects individuals under immigration supervision attempting to access secured airport areas using prohibited documents.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the CDC to collect and publicly share information about concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affecting public safety officers, including research on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. It mandates updating the CDC website and developing targeted resources for medical professionals, public safety employers, mental health providers, patients/families, and researchers. The goal is to improve care for officers, reduce injury incidents through better protocols, and enhance awareness of TBI impacts. The bill specifically covers law enforcement, firefighters, and other public safety personnel as defined by federal law.

Merchant Category Code Neutrality Act This bill prohibits the Internal Revenue Service from auditing a taxpayer based primarily on the Merchant Category Codes, or other similar codes, used to classify the goods or services provided by the taxpayer's business. The bill defines Merchant Category Code to mean classification codes assigned by payment card organizations to merchants or payees that accept their payment cards to classify the goods or services provided or furnished by a merchant or payee.

Maddy summaryS.835, the Pro Codes Act, requires standards development organizations to make technical and safety standards publicly accessible online at no cost within a reasonable time after those standards are incorporated by reference into federal, state, or local government regulations. This applies to standards referenced in laws or regulations (like building codes or safety guidelines) but not directly copied into them. The bill balances the need for standards organizations to fund their work through copyright revenue with the public’s right to access these referenced standards, ensuring free online access without requiring payment or account creation. It specifically targets government agencies that use such standards and the organizations that develop them, without altering how standards are created or adopted.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies U.S. tax code to boost research and development (R&D) investment by businesses. It allows companies to immediately deduct R&D costs (instead of amortizing them over 5 years) and expands refundable tax credits for small businesses, raising the annual credit cap from $250,000 to $750,000 by 2032. Small businesses with gross receipts under $15 million can now qualify for higher credit rates (up to 20% of R&D costs) and may exclude years with no R&D expenses when calculating credits. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 2022, directly benefiting R&D-focused startups and small businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the existing adverse effect wage rate for H-2A agricultural workers through December 31, 2023. It requires the Secretary of Labor to maintain the wage rate in effect in each state as of December 1, 2022, for these workers during that period. The bill directly affects agricultural employers hiring H-2A visa holders and the workers themselves, preventing immediate changes to their wage rates. It does not alter the actual wage amount but ensures stability by preserving the prior rate for one additional year. This is a procedural adjustment to current wage implementation rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to increase annual federal funding for impact aid programs. It sets specific, rising funding amounts for four key areas: payments to school districts affected by federal property use ($90.3M in 2024, growing to $150.3M by 2029), basic payments to local school districts ($1.63B in 2024, growing to $2.45B by 2029), payments for children with disabilities ($60.3M in 2024, growing to $120.3M by 2029), and school construction grants ($22.9M in 2024, growing to $45.4M by 2029). These funds directly support school districts facing financial impacts from federal land ownership or operations. The bill advances toward full federal funding for these established programs by authorizing increased annual appropriations through 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary commission to develop a comprehensive U.S. strategy for relations with China, requiring a "whole-of-government" approach across all federal departments and agencies. The China Grand Strategy Commission would be composed of government officials and appointed experts with China expertise, tasked with defining U.S. national security priorities, assessing economic and security ties, and making recommendations to protect U.S. interests. The commission must submit its final report by September 1, 2025, and will terminate 120 days after submission. This proposal creates a structured process for developing coordinated policy toward China without implementing immediate policy changes.