This bill increases the annual limit on the tax credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenses (also referred to as the short line railroad tax credit) and expands eligibility for claiming the credit. Under current law, the tax credit is limited each tax year to $3,500 multiplied by the sum of the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the taxpayer (miles owned or leased) and the number of railroad track miles assigned to the taxpayer by a Class II or III railroad (miles assigned). This bill increases the annual limit to $6,100 multiplied by the sum of miles owned or leased and miles assigned. The $6,100 amount used in the calculation of the tax credit limit is adjusted for inflation for tax years beginning after 2025. The bill also expands eligibility for the tax credit to include gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2024. Under current law, the tax credit is limited to gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2015.
Sponsored bills
Insurance Data Protection Act This bill limits the ability of federal entities to compel insurance companies to share information. Specifically, the bill eliminates the subpoena power of the Federal Insurance Office. Under current law, the office has the power to subpoena information from insurers to, among other purposes, identify issues that could contribute to a systemic crisis in the insurance industry or the U.S. financial system. The bill also eliminates the ability of the Office of Financial Research to subpoena insurance companies. When seeking to collect insurance company data under specified consumer protection laws, a financial regulator must obtain the data from other regulators or from publicly available sources if possible. Otherwise, the financial regulator may only collect this data directly from the insurance company if the regulator complies with the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Maddy summaryThe Stand with Israel Act would prohibit U.S. federal funds from being used to pay the U.S. share of United Nations dues or contributions to UN programs, specialized agencies, or related entities if the UN or a UN entity expels, downgrades, or suspends Israel's membership or restricts Israel's full and equal participation as a member state. This means the U.S. government would withhold payments to the UN in cases where the UN takes such actions against Israel. The bill directly affects the Department of State and other federal agencies responsible for UN funding, requiring them to block these payments under specified conditions. It does not compel the UN to act but would prevent U.S. financial support in response to UN decisions impacting Israel's membership status.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when reviewing discrimination complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. It specifically applies to cases involving discrimination based on Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics in schools and programs receiving federal funding. The bill clarifies that this guidance does not expand the Department’s authority, alter existing discrimination standards, or affect First Amendment rights. It aims to ensure consistent enforcement against antisemitism in federally funded education settings, building on existing Department practices since 2019.
Maddy summarySRES 186 designates April 29, 2025, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day to raise public awareness about the dangers of counterfeit fentanyl pills. The resolution specifically aims to inform families and young people about how fake pills - often disguised as legitimate medications - contribute to overdose deaths, citing that illicit fentanyl was involved in 81% of drug deaths among youth aged 14-23 in 2023. It does not create new laws or funding but formally supports existing efforts to combat counterfeit pills and encourages awareness campaigns. The resolution highlights alarming statistics, including 51,010 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2024 and low youth awareness (only 55% of teens knew about counterfeit pills).
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 187), not a legislative bill. It formally recognizes April 25, 2025, as National Arbor Day to celebrate the 153rd anniversary of Arbor Day's founding on April 10, 1872. The resolution encourages the public to participate in Arbor Day activities focused on tree planting and environmental stewardship, but it does not create new laws, programs, or obligations. It serves solely as a symbolic acknowledgment of Arbor Day's history and purpose, with no direct impact on individuals, communities, or policy.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to expand the definition of "aggravated felonies" by adding "sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence" to the list of crimes triggering mandatory deportation for non-citizens. It directly affects non-citizens convicted of these specific sexual offenses, making them subject to automatic deportation under immigration law. The key change is adding this provision to Section 101(a)(43) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which defines aggravated felonies. This policy shift would expand the scope of offenses classified as deportation triggers without creating new enforcement procedures.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 98) condemns the Chinese government's implementation of Hong Kong's National Security Law and the Article 23 Ordinance, which the Senate states have undermined Hong Kong's autonomy, rule of law, and freedoms. It specifically urges accountability for actions like the sentencing of pro-democracy figures (including Jimmy Lai) and calls for Hong Kong authorities to drop related charges. The resolution also advocates for U.S. and international efforts to adjust Hong Kong's voting status at multilateral organizations, arguing that Hong Kong no longer maintains meaningful independence from mainland China. As a non-binding resolution, it does not enact new laws but formally expresses the Senate's position on these matters.
Maddy summaryThe Combating Organized Retail Crime Act amends federal law to strengthen legal tools for addressing organized retail crime, including theft from stores, online, and supply chains. It establishes a new Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts. The Center will share information, assist with investigations, track crime trends, and provide training to combat these crimes. The bill expands legal definitions to include organized retail crime as a specific category and requires annual reports on the Center's activities. The Center will operate for 7 years before sunset.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 to exclude certain veterans' disability benefits from income calculations for housing assistance. Specifically, it excludes disability benefits received under Chapter 11 or 15 of Title 38 (veterans' benefits) when determining eligibility for the Section 8 supported housing program and other housing assistance. It directly affects disabled veterans receiving these specific benefits by making them less likely to be disqualified from housing programs due to their disability income. The change applies to income eligibility determinations under HUD-administered housing assistance programs, not to the definition of adjusted income itself.