Sen. Tammy Baldwin

Maddy summaryS 4418, the China Exchange Rate Transparency Act of 2024, requires the U.S. Treasury to advocate at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for greater transparency in China’s exchange rate policies and practices. Within 90 days of enactment, the Treasury must determine if China meets criteria for designation as a currency manipulator under existing law. The bill expires either 30 days after China complies with IMF transparency obligations or 7 years after enactment, whichever comes first. It directly affects U.S. diplomatic and financial engagement with China regarding currency policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to create rules preventing companies from reducing product sizes without proportionally lowering prices - a practice known as "shrinkflation." It defines shrinkflation as downsizing a product while not decreasing the price commensurately, treating violations as deceptive practices under existing FTC authority. The rules would be finalized within 18 months of the bill's enactment, with enforcement by the FTC and states allowed to sue companies for violations. The measure directly affects consumers, who face deceptive pricing, and manufacturers who would need to adjust product sizing and pricing transparency.

Maddy summaryThe Price Gouging Prevention Act of 2024 prohibits businesses from selling goods or services at "grossly excessive prices" during normal market conditions. During exceptional market shocks (such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, or other major disruptions), the bill creates a presumption of violation if businesses with "unfair leverage" (defined as companies with $1 billion+ annual revenue or dominant market position) increase prices disproportionately compared to their costs. Small businesses with less than $100 million in annual revenue are exempt from the core prohibition but must demonstrate price increases are due to uncontrollable costs. The bill requires publicly traded companies to disclose detailed pricing information in SEC filings during exceptional market shocks and authorizes the FTC and state attorneys general to enforce the law through civil penalties and injunctions, with the FTC receiving $1 billion in funding for enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1274 (REEF Act), amends the 2020 Railroad Unemployment Insurance payment rules to clarify when certain provisions apply. It removes specific paragraphs and changes the effective date to make the payment rules retroactive, as if they had been in place before the end of the federal COVID-19 national emergency. The change directly affects railroad workers receiving unemployment benefits through the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Account. The key mechanism is adjusting the timing of these payment rules without altering the benefits themselves.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to meet specific on-time delivery targets for periodicals (like newspapers) to qualify for future rate increases. If USPS doesn’t achieve a 95% on-time delivery rate or a 2-point improvement over its best prior year, the Postal Regulatory Commission must block rate hikes for periodicals. It also mandates annual public reports from USPS tracking newspaper delivery performance by location, with provisions for handling data limitations. Additionally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study financial solutions for underfunded postal services like periodicals and report back within two years.

Maddy summarySRES 697 is a commemorative resolution designating the week of May 12-18, 2024, as "National Police Week" in the U.S. Senate. It aligns with the 1962 law authorizing the President to designate this week, honoring law enforcement officers who have died or been injured in the line of duty. The resolution expresses support for officers, recognizes their service in protecting communities, and encourages public observance to honor their mission and sacrifices. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups, as it is purely ceremonial.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisors. It directs the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to determine if state laws "substantially provide" for specific rights including the right to form unions, bargain collectively, and have interest impasse resolution mechanisms. If a state law doesn't meet these standards, the FLRA would administer collective bargaining for affected employees. The bill also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would disrupt emergency services and preserves existing collective bargaining agreements in place before the bill's enactment. It does not preempt state laws that already meet these minimum standards.

Maddy summarySRES 690 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating May 15, 2024, as "National Senior Fraud Awareness Day." It aims to raise public awareness about scams targeting seniors (ages 65+), such as Social Security impersonation, Medicare fraud, and tech support scams, which cost seniors an estimated $2 billion annually. The resolution encourages existing efforts to prevent these scams and improve protections but does not create new laws or funding. It highlights that seniors report significant financial losses (e.g., $1,450 median loss for those 80+) and emphasizes collaboration between law enforcement, area agencies on aging, and financial institutions to address the issue.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 692) designates May 7, 2024, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day to raise public attention about the dangers of counterfeit fentanyl pills. It highlights alarming statistics, including that illicit fentanyl was involved in 81% of drug-induced deaths among youth aged 14-23 in 2023 and that only 36% of teens were aware of fentanyl in fake pills. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but urges increased awareness and supports law enforcement efforts against counterfeit pills. It directly aims to educate families and young people about the risks of fake pills marketed as legitimate medications.

Maddy summarySRES 693 is a Senate resolution recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the historical contributions of these communities to U.S. history. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of their achievements, growth (including demographic data and key anniversaries like the 50th anniversary of *Lau v. Nichols*), and ongoing challenges like anti-Asian hate crimes. It directly honors these communities and aims to raise awareness of their diverse impacts on American society.