Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to remove the Thirteenth Amendment's exception that permits slavery and involuntary servitude as criminal punishment. It would directly affect all individuals within the U.S. criminal justice system by banning any form of forced labor for crimes, addressing a historical loophole that enabled mass incarceration of Black Americans post-Civil War. Key provisions explicitly state: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude may be imposed as a punishment for a crime," while clarifying it does not interfere with voluntary prison work programs, community service alternatives, or existing employment protections for incarcerated people. The amendment aims to align U.S. law with constitutional principles by eliminating this exception without altering current sentencing options.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Right to Contraception Act (S 1999) establishes a federal statutory right for individuals to access contraceptives and related information without government interference, directly affecting all people seeking reproductive care and health care providers who offer these services. Key provisions prohibit state or federal laws that restrict contraceptive access, single out contraceptive services, or allow provider refusals based on personal beliefs, while requiring any restrictions to be narrowly tailored to advance access. The bill preempts conflicting state laws, allows enforcement through lawsuits by affected individuals or the Attorney General, and explicitly protects access for historically marginalized groups facing barriers. It does not alter existing insurance coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act but ensures contraceptive access remains protected from restrictive state policies.
Maddy summaryThe College for All Act of 2023 would establish a federal-state partnership to eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students at public community colleges and 4-year institutions. It would cover students from families earning under $125,000 (single) or $250,000 (married) annually, with the federal share of costs decreasing from 100% to 80% over five years. The bill also includes separate provisions to eliminate tuition at historically Black colleges and minority-serving institutions through dedicated grant programs, while requiring states to maintain higher education funding levels and improve student support services.
Maddy summaryS 1990, the Tax on Wall Street Speculation Act, imposes a small tax (0.005% to 0.5%) on most financial trades, including stocks, bonds, derivatives, and digital assets. The tax applies to transactions cleared in the U.S. or involving U.S. persons, with rates varying by security type (e.g., 0.5% for stocks, 0.005% for digital assets), and is paid by exchanges or brokers, not individual traders. It includes exemptions for initial stock sales, short-term debt, and securities lending, while providing a tax credit for eligible low-income individuals (over 18, not students, with modified AGI under $50,000). The bill aims to generate revenue from frequent trading, with the credit offsetting costs for qualifying individuals. The tax takes effect for transactions after December 31, 2023.
Maddy summaryS 1975, the Discharge Review Board Accountability Act of 2023, requires the Comptroller General to study how military discharge review boards implement "liberal consideration" for veterans seeking discharge upgrades. The study will assess whether boards follow guidance from the 2017 Kurta memorandum and 2014 Hagel memorandum, examine data on cases referencing these policies, and identify barriers to proper implementation. It mandates a report to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment, focusing on compliance with existing rules rather than changing discharge procedures. This bill does not alter military discharge policies but aims to evaluate current practices affecting veterans seeking upgraded discharges.
Maddy summaryS 305 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell commemorative coins (gold, silver, and half-dollar denominations) to mark the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary in 2025. Each coin sale includes a surcharge ($5 to $35 per coin) that will fund the Marine Corps Heritage Center's educational programs, with proceeds paid directly to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The coins will be sold from January 1 to December 31, 2025, and the surcharge structure ensures no net cost to taxpayers by covering production expenses through sales. This bill directly affects the U.S. Mint (in coin production), the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (as recipient of funds), and the public (as potential buyers).
This resolution designates June 2023 as Great Outdoors Month. The resolution encourages all individuals in the United States to responsibly participate in recreation activities in the great outdoors.
Maddy summaryThe TEST Act addresses the backlog in evaluating fentanyl-related substances under the Controlled Substances Act. It requires the Attorney General to complete scheduling evaluations for identified fentanyl substances within 1 year for those identified before enactment and 3 years for newly identified substances. The bill creates a temporary 3-year scheduling mechanism for new fentanyl substances while establishing procedures to potentially remove substances from Schedule I if they're determined to have less abuse potential. It also streamlines research registration processes for scientists studying fentanyl-related substances to accelerate development of life-saving treatments. The legislation authorizes $50 million for these evaluations in fiscal years 2023-2024 and mandates public posting of evaluation results.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to exclude certain payments received by property owners from state-run disaster mitigation programs from taxable income. It directly affects homeowners who receive funds from state or state-regulated programs to make property improvements (like reinforcing roofs or fire-resistant landscaping) specifically designed to reduce damage from windstorms, earthquakes, or wildfires. The key provision creates a new tax exclusion for "qualified catastrophe mitigation payments" made for these sole purposes, meaning such payments won't be counted as income. The change applies to taxable years beginning after 2020, with an option for retroactive tax filings to claim the exclusion.
Maddy summaryThe Methane Emissions Research Act of 2023 requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a two-year pilot study measuring methane emissions from oil and gas production, gathering, processing, transmission, and storage infrastructure (excluding distribution systems). The EPA must select two regions, develop measurement methodologies, and assess how this data could support a future national methane census. The study will analyze regional emission patterns, reconcile different measurement methods, and identify research gaps, with a final report due within two years of enactment. The bill authorizes $20 million to fund this research, aiming to improve data accuracy for climate reporting and future policy.