Maddy summaryThe TEST Act addresses the backlog in evaluating fentanyl-related substances under the Controlled Substances Act. It requires the Attorney General to complete scheduling evaluations for identified fentanyl substances within 1 year for those identified before enactment and 3 years for newly identified substances. The bill creates a temporary 3-year scheduling mechanism for new fentanyl substances while establishing procedures to potentially remove substances from Schedule I if they're determined to have less abuse potential. It also streamlines research registration processes for scientists studying fentanyl-related substances to accelerate development of life-saving treatments. The legislation authorizes $50 million for these evaluations in fiscal years 2023-2024 and mandates public posting of evaluation results.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 1934, the *Empowering States' Rights To Protect Consumers Act of 2023*, would allow states to set their own maximum interest rates for most consumer credit (like credit cards or personal loans), overriding federal limits. It directly affects consumers and lenders in states with stricter rate caps than current federal law, excluding residential mortgages. The bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to require that non-mortgage credit transactions follow the highest rate limit permitted by the consumer’s state of residence. This shifts regulatory authority from federal to state level for these financial products.
Maddy summaryThe Global Respect Act of 2023 requires the U.S. President to publicly list foreign officials or entities responsible for severe human rights violations against LGBTI individuals, including torture, arbitrary detention, or inciting violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity (Section 4). This list must be updated every 180 days and published in the Federal Register, with individuals added facing U.S. visa ineligibility and potential removal from the country (Section 5). The bill also mandates annual reports tracking additions/removals from the list and directs the State Department to monitor global violence against LGBTI people in country reports (Section 7). It directly affects foreign government actors accused of targeting LGBTI communities, using visa restrictions as a tool to increase accountability for human rights abuses.
Maddy summaryThe SECURE Act would allow certain foreign nationals to adjust their immigration status to lawful permanent residence. It specifically targets individuals who are nationals of countries designated under Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or who were in TPS, and who have been continuously present in the U.S. for at least three years. The bill includes provisions for work authorization while applications are pending, fee exemptions for vulnerable applicants (such as minors, low-income individuals, and those in foster care), and a "stay of removal" for those with pending applications. It also contains confidentiality protections for application information and requires detailed reporting when countries lose TPS status. The bill aims to streamline the process for eligible TPS holders to obtain permanent residency without having to file motions to reopen prior removal orders.
Maddy summarySRES 243 is a Senate resolution designating June 2023 as "Immigrant Heritage Month" to honor the contributions of immigrants and their children to the United States. It highlights their roles in key areas like health care (e.g., 27% of physicians), economic growth, and cultural diversity, without creating new laws or altering policies. As a non-binding resolution, it encourages public recognition through community events but does not affect any legal status or rights.
Maddy summaryThe BUMP Act of 2023 (S 1909) prohibits the sale, possession, and transfer of devices that increase the rate of fire on semiautomatic firearms, including "bump stocks" and similar modifications. It directly affects owners of semiautomatic firearms modified to speed up firing or mimic machineguns, requiring them to register such weapons within 120 days of enactment. Key provisions ban devices designed to eliminate the need for separate trigger pulls per shot and define "semiautomatic firearm" to exclude machinegun-like modifications. The bill exempts government entities and pre-existing legal modifications from the ban, provided they are registered.
Maddy summaryThe Judicial Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act of 2023 restricts federal judges and justices from holding certain investments and business interests that could create conflicts of interest, requiring divestment of stocks, commercial real estate, and business ownership. It creates a new Federal Employee Investment Account system allowing judges to maintain investments without conflicts, while establishing civil penalties of up to $50,000 for violations. The bill strengthens gift restrictions, improves transparency by requiring judges to publicly disclose recusal-related interests and make speeches available online, and establishes a Supreme Court Complaints Review Committee to handle misconduct complaints against justices. It also clarifies ethical standards and creates new disclosure requirements for judicial conduct. These provisions directly affect all federal judges, justices, and their financial holdings.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Advisory Council to Support Victims of Gun Violence, which will identify and organize resources for individuals affected by gun violence. It directly impacts victims (including those wounded, threatened, witnessing incidents, or connected to victims) and their families, as defined by the bill to cover suicide, homicide, domestic violence, mass shootings, and other firearm-related incidents. The council will assess victim needs, compile best practices for medical, financial, mental health, and legal support, and publish accessible resources online and to government offices. The council must report to Congress and state agencies within 180 days of enactment, with a follow-up report two years later, but requires no new federal funding and expires after five years.
Maddy summaryLeveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act makes significant changes to U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. It establishes special rules for successive investigations (follow-up investigations on the same merchandise), addresses cross-border subsidies and foreign market distortions that affect pricing, and requires importers to provide certifications to prevent duty evasion. The bill also includes provisions for investigating currency undervaluation as a countervailable subsidy. These changes primarily affect U.S. manufacturers competing with foreign imports and importers of goods from countries with potentially distorted markets. The bill aims to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of trade remedy investigations to better protect U.S. industries.
Maddy summaryThe Debt-Free College Act of 2023 establishes a Federal-State partnership program to provide debt-free college for eligible students attending in-state public institutions of higher education. Participating states would cover students' unmet financial need (the difference between cost of attendance and available aid) by maintaining or increasing state investment in higher education, capping tuition and fees (with limited annual increases), and developing 5-year plans to achieve debt-free college for all eligible students. The program would be funded with $84 billion over 10 years, requiring states to maintain or increase net State operating support for higher education while providing student success programs to support low-income and underserved students. The bill also creates a separate $3 billion grant program for Historically Black Colleges and Minority Serving Institutions to provide similar debt-free college options for eligible students.