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 (S 482) adds Czechia to the list of countries whose business traders can enter the U.S. as E-1 nonimmigrants, provided Czechia offers similar status to U.S. nationals. It directly affects Czech businesspeople seeking to operate trade in the U.S. and U.S. citizens needing reciprocal treatment in Czechia. The key provision modifies the Immigration and Nationality Act to include Czechia as a qualifying country if the Czech government grants comparable business visitor status to U.S. citizens. This change would allow Czech nationals to access E-1 visa benefits for conducting trade, contingent on Czechia’s reciprocal policy. The bill focuses solely on updating eligibility criteria without altering broader immigration rules.
This resolution condemns Russia's nuclear escalatory rhetoric and implied threats on the potential use of nuclear weapons in the context of its invasion of Ukraine. The resolution also (1) condemns Russia's purported suspension of participation in the New START Treaty, (2) emphasizes the value of arms control agreements between the United States and Russia, and (3) calls on the administration to continue pursuing nuclear arms control and risk reduction with Russia and China.
Maddy summaryThe "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act" (S 409) amends U.S. tax rules to prevent corporations from avoiding taxes through foreign operations. It changes the definition of taxable foreign income from "global intangible low-taxed income" to "net CFC tested income" and requires country-by-country reporting of income for tax purposes. The bill also limits interest deductions for certain corporations in international financial reporting groups and modifies rules for "inverted corporations" (foreign companies that acquire U.S. companies to avoid taxes). These changes aim to close tax loopholes that allow companies to outsource operations to foreign jurisdictions while reducing their U.S. tax burden. The bill's provisions would generally apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
Maddy summaryS 422, the Right to Contraception Act, establishes a federal statutory right for individuals to access contraceptives and for healthcare providers to offer contraceptive services, free from state restrictions. It directly affects all Americans seeking or providing contraception, particularly protecting historically marginalized groups like people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and low-income or rural residents who face barriers to care. The bill overrides state laws that restrict access - such as bans on specific contraceptives, provider refusal policies based on personal beliefs, or Medicaid restrictions - and prohibits government actions that impede this right. Enforcement allows the Attorney General or affected individuals to challenge violations in court, with courts required to strike down restrictive laws.
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 summaryThis bill prohibits the U.S. government from exporting petroleum drawn from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to specific countries and entities: China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, and any group controlled by those nations or the Chinese Communist Party. It amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to add this export restriction, requiring the Secretary of Energy to enforce the ban. The Secretary may grant a waiver for exports deemed necessary for U.S. national security, but must issue a formal rule within 60 days of the bill’s enactment. The law directly affects SPR oil sales to the listed countries and entities, altering how the U.S. manages its emergency oil reserves.
Maddy summarySRES 51 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is essential for advancing U.S. national security. It states USAID helps mitigate foreign threats before they reach U.S. shores, promotes global stability, addresses the root causes of migration and extremism, and counters China's influence. The resolution does not change laws or funding - it only affirms the Senate’s view on USAID’s role. It was introduced by 38 Senators and refers to existing laws requiring congressional input for USAID changes.
Maddy summaryThe Stop Arming Cartels Act of 2025 bans the civilian sale, transfer, or possession of rifles capable of firing .50 caliber ammunition, directly affecting individuals and businesses handling these weapons. It includes exceptions for government use and rifles owned before the law's enactment, and requires owners to register such rifles with the federal registry within 12 months without fees. The bill also adds new liability for sellers who knowingly transfer these rifles to foreign narcotics traffickers or individuals designated under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Act. Additionally, it expands firearm sales reporting to include rifles and creates a new federal prohibition on firearm transfers to designated foreign traffickers.
Maddy summarySRES 49 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating the week beginning February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." It recognizes Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), which serve over 230 federally recognized tribes and provide culturally grounded education to Native and non-Native students in underserved communities. The resolution calls for public observance through activities that highlight TCUs' role in preserving indigenous languages, supporting tribal communities, and preparing students for the workforce. This symbolic measure does not create new laws or allocate funding, but aims to raise national awareness of TCUs' contributions.