No Tax Subsidies for E-Cigarette and Tobacco Ads Act This bill denies a tax deduction for expenses relating to direct-to-consumer advertising of tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Maddy summarySRES 67 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating February 2023 as "Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month" to recognize CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand careers. It does not create new policies or funding but expresses Senate support for CTE programs that connect students with workforce skills in fields like healthcare, technology, and construction. The resolution encourages educators and parents to promote CTE as a valuable educational pathway, referencing the 106th anniversary of the foundational Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct impact on legislation or affected individuals.
Maddy summaryThis symbolic Senate resolution (SRES 69) designates February 18-25, 2023, as "National FFA Week" to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the National FFA Organization. It recognizes FFA’s role in developing future agricultural leaders through its educational programs, which serve over 850,000 students across all 50 states and territories. The resolution has no legal effect - it is a ceremonial expression of support, not a policy change. It directly affects the FFA organization and its members by highlighting their educational mission during a designated week.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a USAID program to provide affordable bicycles in sub-Saharan Africa, directly supporting rural communities - particularly women and girls - by improving access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. It authorizes annual funding starting at $3 million in 2024 and rising to $12 million annually after 2027, with grants to local NGOs that have proven success in rural mobility. Key provisions include funding bicycle distribution, supporting local mechanics and spare parts access, reducing gender-based stigma, and building community management capacity. USAID must report annually to Congress on past and current projects, including country-specific impacts and outcomes.
Maddy summaryThe American Opportunity Accounts Act creates tax-free savings accounts for children to build financial assets. It establishes American Opportunity Accounts (AO accounts) for individuals born after December 31, 2007, who are under 18 and have a valid IRS-recognized ID. The government makes an initial $1,000 contribution for those born after 2023, plus annual contributions from age 0 to 18 that decrease based on household income (ranging from $2,000 to $0 for households earning 500% or more of the poverty line). Account funds can be used for education, home ownership, or other approved expenses after age 18, with the accounts exempt from counting toward eligibility for federal benefits.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 63) is a symbolic Senate measure formally celebrating Black History Month. It acknowledges the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history and society, recognizes the origins of Black History Month (beginning as Negro History Week in 1926), and encourages nationwide reflection on this history. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a formal Senate acknowledgment of the significance of Black History Month in February. It aims to honor the legacy of African American pioneers and promote learning about their impact on the nation.
Maddy summaryThis symbolic Senate resolution designates March 3, 2023, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day" to honor the value of speech and debate programs in schools. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but encourages educational institutions, businesses, and communities to recognize these programs. The resolution highlights how speech and debate education develops communication, critical thinking, and civic skills in students. It formally affirms the importance of these programs without imposing any requirements or funding changes.
Maddy summaryS 399, the "Saving the Civil Service Act," limits how federal agencies can move positions between the competitive service (where hiring is open and based on merit) and the excepted service (where hiring is more flexible). It restricts transferring positions to excepted service without meeting specific criteria, requires employee consent for any transfer between service types, and caps transfers during a presidential term at either 1% of an agency's workforce or five employees, whichever is greater. Agencies must also report all such transfers to Congress annually with justifications, and the Office of Personnel Management must issue implementing regulations within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This directly affects federal employees whose positions may be moved between service types and all federal agencies managing personnel transfers.
Maddy summarySRES 56 authorizes the Senate Committee on the Judiciary to spend up to specified amounts from the Senate's contingency fund for its operations from March 2023 through February 2025. It sets spending caps of $8.55 million for the first six months of 2023, $14.66 million for fiscal year 2024, and $6.11 million for early 2025, with limits on consultant services ($100,000-$125,000) and staff training ($10,000-$15,000) within these budgets. The resolution outlines how expenses will be paid, including streamlined approvals for routine costs like salaries and office supplies. This procedural resolution directly affects only the Committee on the Judiciary, providing the financial authority needed for its duties like hearings and investigations.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to give individuals who were minors when their data was collected the right to request deletion of that information once they turn 13. It requires websites and online services directed at children (or those knowing they collected children's data) to: (1) clearly notify users how to request deletion, (2) delete all childhood data upon request, (3) provide written confirmation of deletion, and (4) only retain limited data for legal or safety reasons like court orders. The law directly affects online platforms collecting children's personal information, mandating new procedures for data deletion requests. It does not override parental consent given at the time of collection but allows individuals over 13 or their guardians to override it for deletion.
