Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin

Maddy summaryThe Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 strengthens enforcement of the existing Animal Welfare Act by requiring dealers and exhibitors to maintain valid licenses for animal sales or transport. It expands enforcement authority for both the USDA and the Attorney General to pursue civil penalties (up to $10,000 per violation per day), seize animals in violation cases, and use penalty funds to cover temporary care costs for animals during legal proceedings. The bill also clarifies that enforcement applies to rules and regulations under the Act, and mandates a new coordination agreement between the USDA and DOJ to address repeat violators. These changes directly affect animal dealers, exhibitors, and federal enforcement agencies, improving accountability for animal welfare violations.

Maddy summaryThe Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2023 aims to increase employee ownership in S corporations by making it easier for companies to adopt Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Key provisions include extending tax deferral for sales of company stock to ESOPs, creating a Treasury Department office to provide technical assistance for ESOPs, and amending small business laws to ensure ESOP-owned businesses remain eligible for small business programs. The bill also establishes a dedicated Advocate for Employee Ownership within the Department of Labor to promote ESOP adoption, provide education, and help resolve disputes related to ESOPs. This legislation directly affects S corporations considering employee ownership transitions, their employees who would become partial owners, and small businesses that want to maintain eligibility for small business programs after an ESOP transition. The bill seeks to expand a model that studies show provides employees with retirement savings and greater job stability compared to traditional companies.

Maddy summaryThe Global Press Freedom Act establishes a dedicated Office of Press Freedom within the State Department, led by an Ambassador-at-Large for Press Freedom. This official will coordinate efforts to protect journalists abroad, denounce attacks on press freedom, and engage with foreign governments and international organizations on the issue. The bill also mandates training for Foreign Service Officers on press freedom issues and requires a study evaluating the implementation of a previous press freedom law (the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act). The Ambassador must submit annual reports to Congress on the office's activities and effectiveness.

Maddy summaryS 2548 establishes the Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund (ASCT Fund) within the Department of Homeland Security to finance airport security technology improvements. The fund will receive $250 million annually from existing airport security fees (2024-2028) for TSA to procure, test, deploy, and enhance checkpoint technology. TSA must provide quarterly reports to relevant congressional committees for five years on how these funds are used. This bill directly affects TSA operations and airport security technology procurement, redirecting existing fee revenue without creating new taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and updates NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Office to enhance science, education, and ecosystem restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It establishes new programs including a Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training Program for K-12 schools and teacher development, and a Chesapeake Bay Coastal Living Resources Management Program focused on restoring habitats for species like oysters, blue crabs, and fish. The bill requires the Office to coordinate with the Chesapeake Executive Council, ensure scientific peer review for funded projects, and submit biennial reports to Congress. It authorizes $17 million in fiscal year 2024, increasing to $22.6 million by 2027, to fund these activities.

Maddy summarySCONRES 2 is a symbolic congressional resolution commending Iranian protesters who risked their safety to demonstrate against the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, particularly following the death of Mahsa Amini after her arrest by morality police for alleged hijab violations. It specifically highlights protests in over 133 cities where demonstrators, including women removing headscarves, have faced violent crackdowns, with reports of over 500 deaths and 19,000 arrests. The resolution condemns the regime's brutality, supports internet freedom tools to bypass censorship, and urges the administration to impose human rights sanctions on officials responsible for repression. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses congressional support for protesters but does not enact new laws or policies.

This resolution recognizes the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program and its outsized influence in developing and supporting enduring relationships around the world. The resolution also expresses deep gratitude for the service of members of the National Guard to the program.

Maddy summarySRES 20 is a Senate resolution condemning the February 1, 2021, military coup in Burma (Myanmar) and the Burmese military's detention of civilian leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. It calls for the immediate, unconditional release of all detained political prisoners, restoration of the elected parliament, and accountability for military violence that has killed over 2,800 civilians since the coup. The resolution urges the U.S. government to impose targeted sanctions on the military junta, support democratic restoration, and coordinate with international partners to address humanitarian needs. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses the Senate's position but does not enact new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThe Community Advantage Loan Program Act of 2023 establishes a new Small Business Administration program to increase lending to small businesses in underserved and rural markets. It requires participating lenders (nonprofits, community development financial institutions, and similar mission-oriented organizations) to make at least 60% of their loans to small businesses in underserved markets, with maximum loan amounts of $350,000 (or $750,000 for experienced lenders). The bill mandates detailed reporting on loan demographics, loan sizes, and geographic distribution, and establishes loan loss reserve requirements for participating lenders. The program aims to help small business owners in underserved communities access capital they might not otherwise receive through traditional lending channels.

Maddy summaryThe Raise the Wage Act of 2023 would gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $17.00 per hour by 2028, with specific annual steps: $9.50 in year one, $11.00 in year two, $12.50 in year three, $14.00 in year four, $15.50 in year five, and $17.00 starting in year six. It also phases out separate minimum wage rates for tipped workers (raising their base wage to match the standard minimum wage by year six) and for workers under 20 (phasing out their lower rate by year five). The bill requires annual minimum wage adjustments after year six based on increases in the median hourly wage of all employees, as tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, it eliminates special minimum wage certificates for workers with disabilities by 2028, requiring all such workers to receive the standard minimum wage.