Sen. Tommy Tuberville

Maddy summaryS 383 (the JOBS Act of 2025) expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in certain short-term job training programs at eligible institutions of higher education. The bill creates a "job training Federal Pell Grant" for programs meeting specific criteria: 150-600 clock hours over 8-15 weeks, aligned with high-demand industry sectors, and leading to recognized postsecondary credentials that meet employer hiring requirements or licensure prerequisites. It also lowers the minimum Pell Grant award from 10% to 5% of the full annual amount. This directly affects students seeking career-focused training and institutions offering qualifying programs that validate industry partnerships.

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 summaryThis bill would eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across federal agencies by requiring the closure of DEI offices, rescinding related executive orders (including those on racial equity and LGBTQ+ inclusion), and prohibiting federal funds from being used for DEI-related activities. It defines "prohibited diversity, equity, or inclusion practice" as including training that asserts certain groups are inherently superior or inferior, or requiring employees to sign statements about such concepts. The bill affects all federal agencies, personnel, contractors, and grantees by banning DEI training, offices, and related activities while exempting Equal Employment Opportunity offices and disability-related programs. It also creates a private cause of action allowing individuals to sue for violations with penalties of $1,000 per violation per day.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes tax credits for individuals and corporations who contribute to scholarship granting organizations that provide educational scholarships for eligible students. The individual tax credit is limited to 10% of adjusted gross income or $5,000, while corporate credits are capped at 5% of taxable income. The bill defines "eligible students" as those from households with income not exceeding 300% of the area median gross income, and specifies that scholarships can cover tuition, materials, tutoring, and educational therapies. The bill includes a $10 billion annual cap on tax credits, with a first-come, first-served allocation system, and requires scholarship organizations to meet specific financial and operational standards.

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 summaryS 308, the Graduate Opportunity and Affordable Loans Act, changes federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students starting July 1, 2025. It sets new annual limits of $20,500 for regular graduate students and $40,500 for professional students (like those in medical or law programs), with lifetime aggregate limits of $65,000 and $130,000 respectively (excluding undergraduate debt). The bill also phases out eligibility for Federal Direct PLUS Loans for graduate and professional students after June 30, 2025, requiring schools to notify students of this change. These changes directly affect students pursuing master's, doctoral, or professional degree programs enrolled in postbaccalaureate education.

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.

Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act This bill prohibits the provision of funding for purposes outside the United States to certain foreign or domestic organizations that perform or promote abortions, furnish or develop items intended to procure abortions, or provide financial support for an entity that conducts such activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funding for Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates. It directly affects Planned Parenthood by banning all federal money from being allocated to them under any circumstances. The key provision is a clear, explicit ban on using federal funds for these organizations, overriding any other existing laws that might allow such funding. This is a straightforward policy change that would immediately halt federal financial support to Planned Parenthood.

Maddy summaryS 213, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, makes the qualified business income deduction permanent for small business owners. It directly affects pass-through business owners (like sole proprietors and small partnerships) who currently benefit from this tax break. The bill removes the temporary expiration of Section 199A of the tax code, providing long-term certainty for these taxpayers by ensuring they can continue deducting up to 20% of their qualified business income.