Sen. Todd Young

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 to prioritize research on adult education programs. It adds specific definitions for "digital literacy skills" and "information literacy skills" and requires federal research on how adult education programs improve these skills, literacy, numeracy, and job readiness for adult learners. Key mechanisms include mandating studies on successful program outcomes and identifying effective metrics to assess adult education progress. The changes directly affect federal education research programs and adult education providers receiving federal funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) from public disclosure requirements under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), meaning internal program communications and decisions will not be subject to public disclosure requests. It directly affects the federal broadband funding program established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocates $42 billion to expand high-speed internet access. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly exclude BEAD-related information from FOIA requests, while still subjecting the program to standard federal transparency rules. This is a procedural change focused on information access, not new infrastructure funding or policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 10) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding reproductive health services for veterans. It requests Congress disapprove the rule (published September 2022) under a process in federal law that allows Congress to halt agency regulations. If approved, the VA rule would be nullified and could not take effect, meaning the VA could not enforce its provisions on reproductive health services for veterans. The bill directly affects the implementation of this VA policy for veterans receiving care at VA facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends key labor laws to strengthen worker protections and clarify union election processes. It requires employers to provide voter lists for union elections with only one employee-chosen contact detail (like email or phone), mandates secret ballot elections for union representation, and restricts union dues from funding non-representational activities without written employee consent for at least 35 days. The bill also clarifies joint employment standards, making it harder for companies to avoid responsibility for workers' pay and conditions, and adds tribal sovereignty protections to labor law definitions. These changes directly affect employers, unions, and employees in collective bargaining contexts.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public Health Service Act to give the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to temporarily restrict people and property entering the U.S. from specific foreign countries. It directly affects border crossings from nations identified as sources of significant fentanyl smuggling that poses a serious public health danger. The key provision allows the Secretary to prohibit or limit these entries for a set period, based on their determination that such restrictions are necessary to avert the risk of fentanyl introduction. The measure focuses on public health protection related to fentanyl trafficking, not broader immigration policy.

Maddy summarySRES 161 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating April 22-30, 2023, as "National Park Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but formally recognizes the National Park System's significance. The resolution highlights the parks' historical value, visitor impact (312 million visits in 2022), and economic contributions ($42.5 billion in 2021). It encourages public engagement with national parks but contains no funding, regulatory changes, or policy mechanisms. As a procedural resolution, it serves purely to honor the parks' legacy.

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should negotiate and enforce rules on digital trade and the digital economy with like-minded countries as part of its broader trade and economic strategy.

Maddy summaryThe ALIGN Act (S 1117) permanently allows businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of qualified property (like equipment or machinery) purchased and placed in service after September 27, 2017, instead of depreciating it over time. This tax provision directly affects businesses that invest in qualifying assets, reducing their taxable income in the year of purchase. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to set a 100% "applicable percentage" for these deductions, making the change permanent. Conforming updates to related tax code sections ensure the provision works with existing rules, effective as if included in prior legislation.

Maddy summaryThe RISE Act requires colleges and universities to accept multiple forms of documentation, such as past Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans, to determine if a student qualifies for disability accommodations. It mandates that institutions clearly explain their accommodation processes to students and staff and report disability-related data (like enrollment numbers and accommodations provided) to federal databases. The bill also allocates $10 million for a national center to provide information and technical support to postsecondary students with disabilities. These provisions directly affect higher education institutions and students with disabilities seeking accommodations.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the gross receipts threshold for most nonprofits from $5,000 to $50,000 before they must file detailed annual reports with the IRS. It exempts certain organizations, like those focused solely on investments (not lobbying or political activity), from reporting donor names and addresses. The changes apply to tax years beginning after the bill's enactment, reducing reporting burdens for smaller nonprofits and protecting donor privacy for qualifying groups. These provisions directly affect thousands of local nonprofits and community organizations that previously faced higher administrative costs.