Maddy summaryThe Predatory Lending Elimination Act (S 3549) would extend the military lending rate cap - currently protecting service members and their families - to most consumer credit products, including credit cards, while exempting residential mortgages, car loans used solely for vehicle purchases, and Federal credit union loans. It sets a maximum interest rate and restricts certain fees on credit cards, such as those for credit insurance and ancillary products, to prevent hidden costs. States may enforce these rules through their attorneys general or regulators within three years of a violation, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must issue implementing rules within one year that align with existing military lending protections. This bill directly affects creditors offering consumer credit and aims to limit predatory lending practices across most credit markets.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 500 is a Senate resolution designating November 8, 2023, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day." It recognizes first-generation college students - those whose parents did not earn a bachelor's degree - and commemorates the anniversary of the 1965 Higher Education Act, which established key support programs like Federal TRIO and Pell Grants. The resolution urges all Americans to celebrate this day, acknowledge the contributions of first-gen students to the future workforce, and honor the Higher Education Act's role in expanding access to higher education. This is a symbolic designation with no new funding or policy changes.
Maddy summaryS 3488 creates a formal program allowing NASA to temporarily exchange employees with private sector companies for up to two years (renewable to a total of three years). It directly affects NASA civil servants and private sector workers in fields like technology or cybersecurity, requiring NASA employees to return to government service for twice the assignment duration. Key provisions include strict written agreements covering confidentiality, prohibitions on using government information for private gain, and limits (capping participation at 2% of NASA's workforce). The bill mandates annual reporting to Congress on participation numbers, assignment details, and workforce impacts, with a GAO review after three years.
Maddy summaryThe Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2023 reauthorizes the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) to support economic development and infrastructure projects in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas border counties. The bill authorizes $100 million annually for 2024-2028 and $200 million annually for 2029-2033 for SBRC programs, including grants for transportation infrastructure, housing, health facilities, and water/wastewater systems. It establishes new capacity building programs focused on workforce development, broadband access, and health professional shortages, with special provisions to waive matching requirements for colonias and Indian tribes. The bill also modifies commission membership rules and voting procedures to streamline decision-making and allows for fund transfers from other federal agencies to support SBRC initiatives.
Maddy summaryThe Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act of 2023 establishes a new regulatory framework for hardrock mineral mining on federal lands. It requires mining operations to pay royalties of 5-8% on mineral production (with exemptions for existing operations), introduces annual $200 maintenance fees for existing mining claims, and $50 location fees for new claims. The bill creates a Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund to finance reclamation of abandoned mine sites, funded by these new fees and royalties. It also establishes new permitting requirements for exploration and mining activities, including environmental protection standards and financial assurances for reclamation. The law directly affects mining claim holders, operators, and the federal government through new revenue streams and regulatory requirements.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 492) honoring the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter. It expresses the Senate's condolences for her passing and recognizes her lifetime of humanitarian work, including her advocacy for mental health care, founding of caregiver support programs, and service with The Carter Center. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a commemorative statement. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2023.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to use alternative evidence to determine eligibility for benefits when a veteran's military or medical records are lost or damaged after being held by the federal government. It directly affects veterans whose service records are incomplete due to federal record loss, enabling the VA to consider sources like medical exams soon after discharge, the veteran's own account of injuries, or credible buddy statements. The VA must create rules for this process within one year of the bill's passage, and benefits awarded under this provision will follow standard dating rules without delays based on claim submission timing. The law clarifies that veterans can use these alternative methods to prove service-connected disabilities or other benefits when official records are unavailable.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to approve or deny applications from retailers seeking to accept SNAP benefits for online purchases within 180 days of receiving the application. It directly affects online grocery retailers and food stores applying to participate in SNAP’s online purchasing program. If the deadline isn’t met, the Secretary must notify Congress with an explanation of the delay.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires phone calls and texts to 9-8-8 (the national suicide prevention hotline) to be routed to the nearest participating crisis center based on the caller's location, rather than a single national center. It mandates that phone providers transmit all 9-8-8 calls/texts (including from phones without service plans) and protects caller privacy by preventing precise location disclosure. The bill affects mobile service providers (who must implement routing), crisis centers (who receive localized calls), and callers (who get geographically relevant support). It also updates phone system rules to allow direct dialing to 9-8-8, with implementation deadlines for providers and systems.
Maddy summaryThe Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act of 2023 establishes a federal research program to develop low-emissions cement, concrete, asphalt binder, and asphalt mixtures, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in construction materials. The bill authorizes $200 million for demonstration projects, creates Manufacturing USA institutes to develop testing standards, and establishes advance purchase commitments to incentivize government adoption of these materials. It also creates an Interagency Task Force to coordinate federal efforts across agencies and update construction codes to support low-emission materials. The legislation primarily affects cement and asphalt producers, government contractors, and the construction industry, aiming to make low-emission materials more competitive and widely used.