Sen. Richard J. Durbin

Maddy summaryThe Investor Choice Act of 2024 prohibits brokers, dealers, and investment advisers from requiring investors to use mandatory arbitration or waive class action rights in contracts. It amends key securities laws (the Securities Exchange Act, Securities Act, and Investment Advisers Act) to ban clauses that force disputes into arbitration or restrict court access. Existing agreements with such clauses become void unless arbitration was already initiated before the law passed. This directly affects retail investors and financial firms by ensuring investors can choose between arbitration and court, and pursue class actions when appropriate.

Maddy summaryThe Preventing Algorithmic Collusion Act of 2024 requires companies with $5 million or more in annual revenue to disclose to customers and employees when prices or terms are set by an algorithm, and to report detailed information about their pricing algorithms to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or Department of Justice upon request. It prohibits the use or distribution of pricing algorithms trained on nonpublic competitor data - which could enable anti-competitive price-fixing - and creates a legal presumption of collusion under antitrust law if multiple parties use such algorithms in the same market. Violations carry civil penalties of at least $10,000 per day or the total sales from the algorithm, with additional enforcement for failure to disclose. The bill also mandates an FTC study on pricing algorithms' impact on competition and consumers within two years.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 534) designates January as "Muslim-American Heritage Month" to officially recognize and celebrate the contributions of Muslim Americans to U.S. society. It directly affects Muslim Americans by formally acknowledging their cultural, historical, and economic impacts, including their roles in fields like architecture, business, military service, and the arts. The resolution supports the designation, honors Muslim Americans' integral role in the nation's economy and identity, and urges public observance through ceremonies and activities. As a non-binding Senate resolution, it does not create new laws but serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Secretary of Energy to study and publicly report on greenhouse gas emissions intensity (emissions per unit of product) for 22 specific product categories, including aluminum, cement, lithium-ion batteries, and solar panels. It mandates comparing U.S. production emissions with those of "covered countries" (like G7 nations, U.S. trade partners, and major exporters). The study must create a public database of findings every five years, detailing methodology, data sources, and gaps in emissions data for both U.S. and foreign production. This is a data-gathering measure only - it does not impose new emissions regulations or affect current policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for eligible taxpayers. It raises the maximum credit rate from 35% to 50% (with income phaseouts), doubles the annual dollar limits from $3,000/$6,000 to $8,000/$16,000 for one/two or more dependents, and makes the credit refundable for qualifying taxpayers. The credit becomes refundable, meaning families can receive payments even if they owe no income tax. The bill also includes automatic annual inflation adjustments starting in 2025 to maintain the credit's value. It directly benefits working families with childcare costs, particularly those earning between $125,000 and $400,000 in adjusted gross income.

Maddy summaryS 3653 increases user fees paid by tobacco manufacturers to fund FDA activities targeting youth vaping. It raises annual fees from $712 million (2019-2024) to $812 million (2025), then adjusts them yearly using inflation data. The bill requires all tobacco product classes (including newer e-cigarettes) to pay fees, with detailed reporting on how funds are spent - specifically mandating breakdowns for youth prevention campaigns, enforcement, research, and education. These changes directly affect tobacco manufacturers and importers who pay the fees, and the FDA, which must publicly report spending details annually to Congress.

Maddy summarySRES 528 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating January 2024 as "National Stalking Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but urges organizations, schools, law enforcement, and the public to increase awareness and support services for stalking victims during that month. The resolution highlights stalking statistics (e.g., 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience stalking) and encourages efforts to combat stalking through education and improved victim support. It directly affects the public by promoting a national focus on stalking prevention and victim resources, while targeting community groups, campuses, and service providers to take action during January 2024.

Maddy summarySRES 523 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin. The resolution expresses the Senate's sorrow at his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to communicate it to the House of Representatives and send a copy to his family, and instructs the Senate to adjourn as a mark of respect. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally commemorates Kohl's service and legacy. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of Senators and passed unanimously on January 11, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal right for patients to access fertility treatments without unreasonable restrictions, protects health care providers who offer these services, and requires insurance coverage for such treatments. It guarantees patients the right to continue ongoing treatments under written agreements and retain control over reproductive materials. States cannot impose requirements that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures or that don’t significantly advance safety. Violations can be challenged in federal court by the government, patients, or providers, while states may still enforce health/safety regulations that are necessary and least restrictive.

Maddy summaryS 3597, the Promoting Dental Health Act, reauthorizes existing dental health programs under the Public Health Service Act. It updates the expiration dates for two specific program authorizations from previous periods (2010-2014 and 2001-2005) to 2024-2028. This bill does not create new programs or change funding levels; it simply extends the current authorization period for established dental health services. The programs directly affect communities served by these federally funded dental initiatives, particularly those with limited access to care. The change ensures continuity for these existing services through 2028.