Sen. Bill Cassidy

Maddy summaryThis bill sets two limits on foreign ownership of U.S. debt: it caps total foreign-held debt at 25% of the national debt, and limits any single country's holdings to 5% of the national debt. It requires the Treasury Secretary, with OMB coordination, to calculate and enforce these limits. The President may temporarily waive either limit if deemed necessary for national security, but must notify key congressional committees with a justification. The law directly affects foreign governments, foreign entities, and foreign citizens holding U.S. debt obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring working dogs, including $5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar coins, to be sold starting January 1, 2025. A surcharge of $35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin, and $5 per half-dollar coin will be added to the sale price, with all surcharge funds directed to America’s VetDogs to support its service dog programs for veterans and people with disabilities. The coins are legal tender but will only be issued for one year (2025), with production limited to specified quantities (50,000 gold, 500,000 silver, 750,000 half-dollars). The bill does not create new government programs but uses commemorative coin sales to fund existing service dog initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the 2016 Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act to clarify which federal agencies handle tax refunds for Coast Guard veterans with combat-related injuries. It specifically ensures that when the Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security (not the Navy), the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Secretary of Transportation (during prior service periods), will process refunds for improperly withheld taxes on severance payments. The bill requires these agencies to identify and refund withheld amounts within one year of enactment. It directly affects Coast Guard veterans who received severance payments but had taxes withheld incorrectly due to unclear agency responsibilities. The change corrects a technical gap in the existing law, ensuring veterans receive refunds without needing to navigate complex jurisdictional rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholders to lock in their 2020 premium rates for the duration of the law's implementation period, directly affecting homeowners in flood-prone areas. It requires FEMA to publish all data and methods used in its Risk Rating 2.0 system, create an online tool for policyholders to compare rates under different scenarios, and conduct a 20-year impact assessment on affordability, property values, and government revenues. FEMA must also publish detailed county-level rate distributions showing how premiums would change under various assumptions, including the removal of rate caps. The law mandates these transparency measures before policyholders' locked-in rates expire, ensuring clearer information about how flood insurance costs are determined.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the VETT Act (VSO Equal Tax Treatment Act), amends the tax code to allow military members to deduct charitable contributions made to certain federally chartered veterans service organizations (VSOs). Specifically, it adds these organizations - described under Section 501(c)(19) and federally chartered - to the list of eligible recipients for tax-deductible contributions under Internal Revenue Code sections 170(c)(5) and 170(b)(1)(A). The change directly affects active-duty and veteran military members who contribute to qualifying VSOs, enabling them to claim these donations as tax deductions. The policy change takes effect for taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryS 692 requires the Social Security Administration to update its terminology in all materials by January 1, 2025. It mandates replacing "early eligibility age" with "minimum benefit age," "full retirement age" and "normal retirement age" with "standard benefit age," and removing "delayed retirement credit" while using "maximum benefit age" instead of age 70 references. This change directly affects individuals interacting with Social Security rules, forms, and online resources, ensuring consistent terminology for clarity. The bill focuses solely on renaming terms, not altering benefit calculations or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryS 664 requires the Social Security Administration to mail paper statements to all individuals with Social Security numbers under specific age-based schedules: upon starting a new job, then every 5 years starting at age 25, every 2 years at age 55, and annually after age 60. The bill mandates these paper statements be sent regardless of whether an individual has an online "my Social Security" account, and includes an opt-out option for recipients. It applies directly to all U.S. workers and Social Security account holders, ensuring regular updates on their earnings and benefit estimates. The bill also authorizes funding for administrative costs to implement this requirement.

Maddy summarySRES 91 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing support for negotiating a tax treaty between the United States and Taiwan. It recognizes Taiwan as the U.S.'s eighth-largest trading partner (supporting over 188,000 American jobs) and notes the U.S. lacks an income tax treaty with Taiwan despite having agreements with 66 other countries. The resolution encourages the President to begin negotiations and work with Congress on a formal agreement, while also promoting broader U.S.-Taiwan trade and investment ties. This resolution directly affects U.S. economic relations with Taiwan but does not create new law or policy.

Maddy summarySRES 57 is a Senate resolution honoring David Ferdinand Durenberger, a former U.S. Senator from Minnesota (served 1978-1989). It commemorates his life and career, highlighting his role as the lead Republican sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act and his work protecting Minnesota's natural resources like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The resolution directs the Senate to formally recognize his passing and transmit a copy to his family. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor Navy pilot Everett Alvarez, Jr., for his service as a Vietnam War POW and subsequent public service. It directs the Speaker of the House and Senate President pro tempore to arrange for the medal's presentation, specifying it must bear his name and image. Bronze duplicates may be sold to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint fund. The bill is purely ceremonial, recognizing Alvarez's 8+ years as a prisoner of war and his post-military career. It does not create new policies or affect any government programs.