Maddy summaryS 475, the Alternatives to PAIN Act, changes Medicare Part D coverage to make non-opioid pain management drugs more accessible and affordable for beneficiaries. It requires Medicare plans to cover qualifying non-opioid pain drugs without deductibles and place them on the lowest cost-sharing tier (meaning patients pay the least out-of-pocket) starting in 2026. The bill also prohibits plans from requiring step therapy (forcing patients to try opioids first) or prior authorization for these specific drugs. Qualifying drugs must treat acute pain (like post-surgery), not work on opioid receptors, have no equivalent alternatives, and meet cost thresholds. This directly affects Medicare Part D beneficiaries needing pain management and the plans that cover them.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition to coordinate federal, state, and private efforts for restoring white oak forests across the U.S. It directs the Agriculture and Interior Departments to launch 5 pilot projects on public lands (including national forests and wildlife refuges) to improve white oak regeneration and health, and creates a voluntary grant program to help private landowners restore white oak forests through partnerships with organizations like the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The bill also requires developing a national strategy to address white oak seedling shortages in nurseries and funds research at land-grant universities on white oak genetics, disease resistance, and reforestation techniques. These provisions directly affect federal agencies, land-grant universities, forest landowners, and conservation groups working on white oak ecosystem restoration.
Maddy summaryThis bill reduces sentencing thresholds for fentanyl and similar synthetic opioid offenses by lowering the quantity amounts that trigger mandatory minimum penalties (e.g., changing "400 grams" to "20 grams" for certain offenses). It requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to update federal sentencing guidelines within 120 days to align with these changes. Additionally, it authorizes $9 million for the U.S. Postal Service to purchase chemical screening devices and staff to detect fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in mail and packages. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of federal drug offenses under the Controlled Substances Act.
Maddy summaryThis bill would require federal agencies to submit detailed reports about new regulations to Congress before they take effect. Major rules (defined as those with an annual economic effect of $100 million or more, or significant effects on competition, employment, or public safety) would need congressional approval via a joint resolution before taking effect, with Congress having 70 days to act. Nonmajor rules would have a different, shorter review process. The bill would also require agencies to publish cost-benefit analyses and other supporting documentation, and would mandate that rules be reviewed and potentially reapproved after 10 years.
Maddy summaryThe Focus on Learning Act requires the Surgeon General to study how mobile device use affects student learning, mental health, and school climate in K-12 schools. It establishes a pilot program offering $5 million to fund secure containers/lockers for schools to create "mobile device-free environments" during school hours (excluding school-issued devices). Participating schools must maintain communication systems for staff/emergency response, have clear parent contact processes, and get parental input before implementing the policy. The bill directly affects elementary and secondary schools, students, and parents by mandating a study and pilot program to test device-free learning environments.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal securities laws to expand regulatory exemptions for retirement plans used by charities and educational institutions. It specifically updates definitions to include 403(b) plans (common for nonprofit employees) under exemptions from certain registration and oversight rules, provided they meet three conditions: (1) they follow federal retirement law (ERISA), (2) the employer acts as a fiduciary for investment choices, or (3) they are governmental plans. This change directly affects employees of qualifying charities and educational institutions who participate in these 403(b) plans, reducing compliance burdens for their retirement plans. The policy change streamlines regulatory requirements without altering retirement benefits or funding.
Maddy summarySRES 55 is a Senate resolution designating January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month." It formally recognizes the value of mentoring relationships in supporting youth development, highlighting benefits like improved academic outcomes, mental health, career exploration, and reduced juvenile delinquency. The resolution encourages expanding mentoring programs in communities, schools, and workplaces to address the "mentoring gap" where one-third of U.S. youth lack consistent mentorship. As a symbolic measure, it aims to raise public awareness and promote cross-sector collaboration without creating new laws or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to increase penalties for obstructing justice through picketing or parading near judicial buildings. Specifically, it raises the maximum prison sentence for such offenses under 18 U.S.C. § 1507 from one year to five years. The law directly affects individuals who engage in protests or demonstrations that interfere with court operations near the Supreme Court or other judicial facilities. The key change is a stricter criminal penalty for obstructing justice, not a new policy or program.
Maddy summaryThe Fair Access to Banking Act (S 401) prohibits large financial institutions ($10 billion+ in assets) and payment networks from denying services to lawful businesses based on political or reputational factors, such as the type of legal business they operate. It requires banks to justify denials using objective, risk-based standards instead of category-based decisions, and mandates written explanations for denials. The law enables lawsuits against violators with treble damages and civil penalties up to 10% of service value (capped at $10,000 per violation). It directly affects major banks, payment processors, and credit unions that serve large-scale customers, ensuring fair access for businesses operating within federal law.
Maddy summaryS 364, titled the "Hearing Protection Act" (though it regulates firearm silencers, not hearing protection), changes federal law to treat firearm silencers like firearms for tax and regulatory purposes. It imposes a 10% federal tax on silencers (similar to firearms), preempts state laws that tax or regulate silencers beyond federal rules, and requires the destruction of existing silencer registration records within one year. The bill clarifies definitions of "firearm silencer" in federal law and modifies licensing requirements for these devices. This directly affects silencer owners, manufacturers, and state governments that previously imposed additional restrictions or taxes.