Sen. Ted Cruz

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of January 26-February 1, 2025, as "National School Choice Week" to recognize the range of K-12 education options available to families, including public schools, charters, private schools, and homeschooling. It does not create new policies, funding, or requirements but encourages parents to learn about educational choices and promotes public awareness through events. The Senate formally acknowledges this annual observance without binding legislative action.

Maddy summaryThe WALL Act of 2025 appropriates $25 billion for constructing a physical barrier along the southern U.S. border. It implements new Social Security number requirements for tax credits like the child tax credit and earned income tax credit, with exceptions for individuals prohibited from working in the U.S. The bill also mandates E-Verify checks for eligibility for certain federal benefits, including housing assistance, and increases civil penalties for illegal entry and overstay. These provisions directly affect immigrants seeking tax benefits, housing assistance, and those who enter the country without authorization.

Maddy summaryS 303, the "Defund the CFPB Act," would eliminate all federal funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by amending the 2010 law that created it. The bill specifically changes the funding provision to state the CFPB's budget must be "not more than $0," effectively cutting all financial support. This would directly prevent the CFPB from operating its consumer protection programs, which regulate financial products like mortgages, credit cards, and loans. As a result, consumers relying on the CFPB's enforcement and education efforts would no longer have this federal oversight mechanism.

Maddy summaryS 304, the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025, would amend U.S. immigration law to redefine who qualifies for automatic U.S. citizenship at birth under the 14th Amendment. It specifies that a child born in the U.S. gains citizenship only if one parent is a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident living in the U.S., or a military service member in active duty. This change would exclude children born to undocumented immigrants from automatic birthright citizenship under this definition. The bill explicitly states it would not affect citizenship status for anyone born before its enactment date. The legislation focuses on clarifying the "subject to the jurisdiction" requirement in existing law, not creating new citizenship categories.

Maddy summaryThe A PLUS Act (S 309) allows states to consolidate federal education funds for eligible programs into a single, flexible funding stream, reducing administrative complexity and enabling states to manage resources more efficiently to improve student achievement. States must submit a "declaration of intent" detailing which programs they will consolidate (excluding special education funds), commit to public accountability through annual reports on student progress, and ensure federal funds supplement - rather than replace - state education funding. The bill limits administrative costs to 1% of consolidated federal funds (3% if excluding Title I funds) and requires states to report how funds address achievement gaps for disadvantaged students. This directly affects states and local school districts that adopt the declaration, shifting how they administer and report on federal education dollars.

Maddy summaryS 312, the "Jamie Reed Protecting Our Kids from Child Abuse Act," creates a federal legal claim for minors harmed by gender-transition procedures. It defines "gender-transition procedure" (excluding cases involving ambiguous biological characteristics, medical emergencies, or life-threatening conditions) and holds pediatric gender clinics, medical practitioners, and affiliated hospitals/institutions liable for bodily or mental health harm caused to minors. The bill prohibits federal funding for such clinics or procedures and allows affected individuals to sue up to 30 years after turning 18, seeking damages and attorney fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 313) restricts U.S. funding for United Nations assistance programs in Afghanistan until the Secretary of State certifies specific conditions are met. It prohibits voluntary or assessed U.S. contributions to the UN for Afghanistan aid unless the Secretary certifies no U.S. funds are used in UN cash shipments there, and no designated terrorist groups (either "foreign terrorist organizations" or "specially designated global terrorist organizations") receive funds from those shipments. If certification is later found inaccurate, the Secretary must revoke it and provide a detailed justification to congressional committees. The bill directly affects U.S. foreign aid policy and UN operations in Afghanistan, requiring a formal certification process before funding can proceed.

Laken Riley Act This act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. The act also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. Under this act, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of the above crimes. The act also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody; failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.

Maddy summaryS 271, the "Stop Illegal Reentry Act," increases penalties for immigrants who re-enter the U.S. after being denied entry, deported, or removed without authorization. It directly affects individuals previously removed or excluded from the U.S. who return without prior consent from the Secretary of Homeland Security. Key provisions include raising maximum prison terms to 10 years for re-entry after prior removals linked to drug crimes, violent offenses, or multiple removals, and mandating a minimum 5-year sentence for those convicted twice of re-entry or of serious crimes before removal. The bill also clarifies that "removal" includes agreements made during criminal trials, expanding the scope of affected individuals.

Maddy summaryThe Personalized Care Act of 2025 expands Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility to include more types of health coverage, such as health care sharing ministries and certain government programs (like Medicaid, Medicare, and TRICARE). It significantly increases annual HSA contribution limits - from $2,250/$4,500 to $10,800/$29,500 for individuals/families - and allows HSA funds to pay for health plan premiums and medical care service arrangements (like fixed-fee physician contracts). The bill also explicitly treats health care sharing ministry fees as qualified medical expenses, removing barriers for members of these alternative coverage groups. These changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.