Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 119 recognizes the 202nd anniversary of Greece's independence (celebrated March 25, 2023) and celebrates the shared democratic values between Greece and the United States. The resolution highlights historical ties, including U.S. support during Greece's 1821 independence struggle, Greece's role in World War II, and its current status as a U.S. NATO ally. It also commends Greece's contributions to global security and its support for Ukraine's sovereignty following Russia's invasion. This procedural resolution serves as a symbolic gesture to strengthen bilateral relations without enacting new laws.

Maddy summarySRES 106 is a 2023 U.S. Senate resolution condemning China's implementation of the Hong Kong national security law and related actions. It specifically criticizes the law's use to suppress dissent, target figures like pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai and Cardinal Zen, and undermine Hong Kong's autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework. The resolution urges governments to hold China accountable, supports Hong Kong residents' fundamental freedoms, and calls for dropping all national security law charges against detainees. It does not create new laws or impose direct consequences but serves as a symbolic expression of congressional concern about Hong Kong's political rights and rule of law.

Maddy summaryS 1447 establishes a federal grant program to fund violence intervention and prevention programs at trauma centers and partnering nonprofits. It provides $250,000-$500,000 per 3-year grant to eligible entities serving communities with at least 100 annual intentional violent trauma incidents (excluding intimate partner violence). Grantees must report on program outcomes, with the Secretary developing public best practices by 2029 based on these reports. The program, funded at $10 million over four years, prioritizes geographic diversity and high-violence communities.

Maddy summaryThe Access Technology Affordability Act of 2023 creates a new federal tax credit for individuals who purchase qualifying access technology for blind family members. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $2,000 per year (adjusted for inflation after 2024) for hardware, software, or IT that converts visual information into formats usable by blind individuals, such as screen readers or braille displays. The credit applies to the taxpayer, their spouse, or dependent blind family members, with a lifetime limit of $2,000 over any three consecutive years. The credit expires after 2028 and cannot be claimed for expenses already covered by other tax benefits.

Athlete Opportunity and Taxpayer Integrity Act This bill denies a tax deduction for contributions (except contributions made directly to certain institutions of higher education) used to compensate one or more secondary or post-secondary school athletes for the use of their names, images, or likenesses by reason of their status as athletes.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $74.8 million annually (2023-2027) for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative to support security and rule of law efforts in 13 Caribbean nations, including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad and Tobago. The initiative combats crime and gangs through maritime security, border control, anti-corruption programs, youth crime prevention, and disaster resilience training, while also addressing foreign interference from authoritarian regimes. It requires the State Department and USAID to submit an implementation plan within 180 days and annual progress reports to Congress, detailing how funds will be used to achieve specific security and resilience goals in each country.

Maddy summaryThe Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2023 requires the U.S. government to produce an annual report for five years detailing connections between Haitian criminal gangs and Haitian political and economic leaders. The report must identify specific gangs, their activities, and leaders linked to them, including how these ties threaten Haitian civilians and U.S. interests in Haiti. It also mandates that the U.S. identify individuals for potential visa restrictions and sanctions under existing laws, impose those sanctions within 30 days of the report, and publish the list publicly. The law expires five years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 191) recognizes global threats to press freedom and reaffirms the importance of a free press in combating authoritarianism, misinformation, and disinformation. It commemorates World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2023, and expresses concern about journalists being imprisoned, harassed, or killed worldwide. The resolution is a non-binding statement of principle, not a policy change, calling for the immediate release of detained journalists and urging the U.S. government to prioritize press freedom in promoting democracy and human rights globally.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates April 2023 as "Financial Literacy Month" to raise public awareness about the importance of personal financial education and the consequences of financial illiteracy. It cites statistics showing widespread challenges, including 4.5% of U.S. households being unbanked, high credit card debt (47% of adults), and limited school-based financial education (only 23 states require personal finance courses). The resolution calls on federal, state, local, schools, nonprofits, and businesses to observe the month with educational programs. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to highlight existing financial literacy gaps affecting all Americans.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to allow charitable organizations to provide grants for college housing improvements without losing their tax-exempt status. Specifically, it clarifies that grants for capital improvements to dormitories or residential facilities (like building, repairing, or maintaining student housing) qualify as charitable under IRS rules, as long as the property is primarily for full-time students. It excludes grants for fitness facilities from this provision. The bill directly affects tax-exempt charities making such grants and the colleges or universities operating student housing properties.