Sen. Marco Rubio

Maddy summaryThe Educational Choice for Children Act creates tax credits for individuals and corporations that contribute to scholarship organizations providing educational scholarships. Individuals can claim a credit up to 10% of their adjusted gross income or $5,000, while corporations can claim up to 5% of taxable income. Scholarships are available to students in households earning no more than 300% of the area median income and can be used for public or private school expenses, including religious schools. The bill establishes a $10 billion annual cap on total contributions with funds allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and requires scholarship organizations to verify student income and distribute scholarships to multiple students. It also prohibits government control over scholarship organizations and schools, ensuring maximum freedom for these organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. trade law to better support seasonal agricultural producers, specifically fruit and vegetable growers whose harvest cycles are concentrated within short periods (under 8 weeks). It creates a new "core seasonal industry" definition and adjusts countervailing and antidumping duty procedures to apply only during the relevant harvest season, rather than year-round. To qualify for these streamlined procedures, petitioning producers must demonstrate support from at least 50% of the total production in key states during the prior three seasons. The changes apply to trade cases involving Canada and Mexico under the USMCA agreement.

Maddy summaryThe Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act of 2023 requires pasteurized orange juice sold in the United States to contain at least 10% natural orange solids by weight (excluding any added sweeteners). This standard directly affects domestic orange juice manufacturers, who must reformulate products to meet this minimum content requirement. The bill preserves the Secretary of Health and Human Services' authority to adjust the standard through future regulations. This change establishes a concrete minimum for orange juice content in processed products.

Maddy summaryThe A PLUS Act (S 110) allows states to consolidate federal education funds under a "declaration of intent," giving them flexibility to manage programs like Title I under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) while reducing administrative burdens. States must submit a declaration outlining eligible programs, commit to using funds to supplement state funding (not replace it), and report annually on student progress to parents and taxpayers. Key provisions include limiting administrative costs to 1% of consolidated funds (or 3% if excluding Title I), requiring accountability for disadvantaged students, and prohibiting consolidation of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds. The bill directly affects states, local school districts, and parents through streamlined fund use and transparency requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how federal clean water funding is distributed to states, tribes, and territories starting in 2024. It requires 0.1% of funds for "Buy American oversight," guarantees each state at least its 2023 funding level, and allocates additional funds based on state population. It also sets fixed percentages: 2% for Indian tribes and 1.5% for U.S. territories. For 2029 onward, funding will use a new formula based on a biennial "clean watersheds needs survey" that estimates infrastructure costs. The bill clarifies it does not affect existing infrastructure funds from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts specific traditional handmade cigars from most FDA regulations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It directly affects small cigar manufacturers who produce cigars meeting strict criteria: 100% leaf tobacco wrappers and fillers, no filters, weighing at least 6 pounds per 1,000 cigars, and made primarily by hand using limited machinery. The law removes FDA authority to regulate these cigars, including requiring pre-market review or labeling changes. This change aims to preserve jobs in small businesses that specialize in these traditional products.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides targeted funding for recovery from Hurricanes Fiona, Ian, and Nicole by amending the 2023 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act. It allocates $200 million for agricultural land easements, $110 million for emergency watershed protection, $300 million for flood control projects through the Corps of Engineers, and $100 million for environmental restoration. The bill also establishes a pilot program for elevating structures in flood-prone areas in Florida and creates a process to reimburse interest on disaster-related loans. It directly affects communities in states and territories impacted by these hurricanes, as well as local governments and tribal communities working on recovery efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the FDA from approving new abortion drugs and restricts existing approved drugs to in-person administration by certified healthcare providers. It requires providers to be certified in pregnancy assessment, ectopic pregnancy diagnosis, and emergency care capabilities, and mandates that drugs can only be dispensed in clinics, offices, or hospitals. The bill also imposes new reporting requirements for adverse events (like hospitalizations or severe infections) and requires providers to document risks to patients before prescribing. These provisions apply to all drugs defined as "abortion drugs" under the bill, which includes any substance intended to terminate pregnancy (excluding specific medical exceptions).

Fishing Equipment Tax Relief Act of 202 3 This bill reduces from 10% to 3% the excise tax rate that applies to the sale of portable, electronically-aerated bait containers by the manufacturer, producer, or importer.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. federal funding for gain-of-function research on certain viruses. It directly affects universities and research institutions that conduct such research, banning new federal grants for them. The law defines gain-of-function research as work that could make influenza, MERS, or SARS viruses more dangerous or contagious in any organism. Federal agencies must stop awarding new grants to institutions performing this specific type of research.