Maddy summaryThe 21st Century Worker Act establishes a new classification system for service providers, determining whether they are employees or independent contractors under federal law. It creates specific criteria for mandatory classification (such as substantial economic relationships for employees or licensed professions for independent contractors) and allows some service providers to elect their classification with written agreements requiring counter-signatures from service recipients. The bill amends key federal laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act and tax code to align with these new definitions, imposing penalties for non-compliance with classification requirements. This affects workers and businesses across various industries who provide services for compensation, changing how they're treated under labor and tax laws. The legislation also requires a GAO study to identify other federal laws that need to be updated to match these new definitions.
Sponsored bills
Protect Drug Innovation Act This bill repeals several programs and requirements that were enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 relating to the prices of prescription drugs, including (1) the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, (2) provisions that require drug manufacturers to issue rebates for certain drugs under Medicare for which prices increase faster than inflation, and (3) provisions that cap annual out-of-pocket spending under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that human cadaveric islet transplants (cells from deceased donors used in diabetes treatment) are not classified as "drugs," "biological products," or "HCT/Ps" under existing federal law. It amends the Public Health Service Act to explicitly include "human cadaveric islets" in regulatory references, ensuring these transplants are not subject to the same oversight as pharmaceuticals or other biological products. The bill requires the Health Secretary to update relevant regulations within one year of enactment and report progress to Congress within six months. This change directly affects how the FDA and other agencies regulate islet transplants, streamlining their approval process without altering medical practice.
Maddy summaryThe REPORT Act (S 945) requires U.S. federal agencies (like Homeland Security, Justice, and FBI) to submit unclassified reports within one year after a terrorist attack investigation concludes. These reports must detail the attack facts, identify security gaps, and suggest prevention measures, while being made publicly available online. Agencies may withhold specific information if it jeopardizes ongoing investigations, but must still submit other required report elements to Congress. The law expires automatically five years after enactment.
Maddy summaryThe PRESS Act (S. 2074) limits government access to journalists' protected information, including sources and communications. It requires federal courts to approve subpoenas forcing journalists or tech companies to disclose such information only if the government proves a "reasonable threat of imminent violence" or prevents terrorism. The law specifically protects personal accounts and devices used by journalists, barring disclosure unless a court finds it necessary and narrowly tailored. It excludes civil defamation cases and certain criminal investigations (e.g., if a journalist is suspected of a crime), while applying only to federal cases.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2082) amends existing U.S. law to clarify legal pathways for victims of terrorism to seek compensation from foreign states. It updates references in federal statutes (28 U.S.C. § 1605B and 18 U.S.C. § 2331) to explicitly include entities organized under U.S. law when defining "national of the United States" for terrorism lawsuits. The changes ensure victims can pursue claims under Section 2333 against foreign states that sponsor terrorism, while also clarifying how judgments against such states can be executed. These technical amendments apply to all pending or future cases filed after the bill's enactment, directly affecting terrorism victims seeking legal recourse in U.S. courts.
Maddy summaryThis bill changes a date reference in existing law regarding the CDC Director's appointment timeline. It amends Section 2101(b) of the 2022 pandemic preparedness law by replacing "January 20, 2025" with "the date of enactment of the CDC Accountability Act of 2023." This procedural adjustment directly affects the timing for appointing the CDC Director under the referenced law. The bill does not create new policies or alter substantive responsibilities.
Maddy summaryThe Child Tax Credit for Pregnant Moms Act of 2023 allows parents to claim the child tax credit for unborn children in two specific scenarios: for the tax year immediately before a child's birth (if a Social Security number is provided on the return), or for the year of a miscarriage or stillbirth (if a government-issued certificate is submitted). It requires a new certificate of miscarriage or stillbirth, issued by the National Center for Health Statistics, which must include a health care provider's certification (excluding abortion centers) and a parent's sworn statement. The credit applies to the biological mother or her husband on a joint return and covers children born alive, stillborn, or miscarried after the bill's enactment. This change makes the credit accessible earlier in pregnancy and for pregnancy loss, without altering the standard credit amount for children born alive.
Maddy summaryS 2054, the "Audit the Pentagon Act of 2023," requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to obtain an unqualified audit opinion on its full financial statements by 2024. If a DoD component (like a military branch or agency) fails to achieve this by the end of the calendar year for any fiscal year after 2024, it faces a 1% reduction in its next fiscal year's funding. The withheld funds are distributed proportionally across all programs within that component and then deposited into the Treasury's general fund for deficit reduction. This bill directly affects all DoD financial components by linking their budget authority to audit compliance.
Maddy summaryS 2010, the Competition in Professional Baseball Act, removes a decades-old legal exemption that previously shielded Major League Baseball (MLB) from federal antitrust laws. The bill directly affects MLB clubs by requiring them to operate under the same antitrust rules as other businesses, ending their special status established by a 1922 Supreme Court case. Key provisions repeal Section 27 of the Clayton Act (which granted the exemption) and explicitly state that MLB clubs are subject to all antitrust laws, including those prohibiting anti-competitive practices. This change would subject MLB’s business operations, such as team relocations or player contracts, to standard antitrust scrutiny. The bill does not alter baseball’s structure but changes its legal framework for competition.