Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal pay rules to clarify how premium pay (extra pay for hazardous work) counts toward annual pay limits for wildland firefighters. It specifically affects federal employees with the Forest Service, Department of the Interior, or National Weather Service who perform wildfire suppression work, including incident meteorologists and incident management team members. The key provision disregards certain premium pay from calculations when applying the annual pay cap for federal employees, preventing firefighters from exceeding the Executive Schedule Level II pay limit through hazard pay. The bill also requires agencies to report on hiring needs for these roles by March 2024 to ensure sufficient staffing without triggering pay cap limitations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023 establishes the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund, initially funded with $150 million, to cover expenses related to seizures and forfeitures of property connected to sanctions violations by Iran or its designated proxies like Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The fund will pay for law enforcement costs including investigations, detention, equipment, and rewards for informants, with priority given to seizing oil and petroleum products that fund terrorist activities. The bill also creates an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security to better coordinate federal agencies' efforts on sanctions enforcement. Annual reports to Congress will detail fund usage, seizures, and financial status, with the fund required to repay the Treasury $150 million by 2034 unless waived for national security reasons.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah (the Houthi group in Yemen) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization within 90 days of enactment, reversing a 2021 Biden administration decision that removed the designation. It mandates the President to impose existing sanctions under two executive orders: blocking assets of designated terrorists (E.O. 13224) and restricting travel for Yemeni nationals linked to terrorism (E.O. 13780). The sanctions directly target Ansarallah, its members, agents, affiliates, and any foreign entities owned or controlled by the group. This would restrict U.S. financial transactions with the Houthis and their networks, while also affecting Yemeni nationals subject to travel bans under the applicable sanctions.
Maddy summaryThe REPAIR Act of 2023 streamlines federal project authorization reviews by establishing a 30-day deadline for judicial challenges, limiting review to cases with "direct and tangible harm" (physical injury or uncompensated economic loss), and requiring a mediation process overseen by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council to resolve court decisions that vacate or remand authorizations. It mandates agencies to reauthorize projects within 15 days after mediation concludes, creates a public database tracking cases exceeding 90 days of judicial review, and amends the National Environmental Policy Act to limit standing for environmental review challenges. This legislation primarily affects project sponsors seeking federal project approvals, agencies issuing authorizations, and those challenging authorizations in court. The bill aims to reduce delays in project development by streamlining the legal review process for federal authorizations. It does not create new rights of action but establishes clearer timelines and procedures for existing judicial review processes.
Maddy summarySJRES 47 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Department of Justice rule about home confinement for federal prisoners under the CARES Act. The rule, published in April 2023, would have established guidelines allowing the Justice Department to use home confinement as an alternative to prison for certain inmates during the pandemic. If passed, this resolution would cancel the rule, preventing it from taking effect. It follows the standard process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, for Congress to reject agency regulations.
Maddy summarySJRES 42 is a resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) rule that updated how discrimination complaints are processed in federal food assistance programs (like SNAP). The rule applied the Supreme Court's Bostock v. Clayton County decision - which prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity - to the handling of program discrimination complaints. If passed, this resolution would block the FNS rule from taking effect, preventing it from changing existing complaint procedures. The measure uses the Congressional Review Act process to overturn the rule without altering program benefits or eligibility.
Maddy summarySRES 435 is a Senate resolution designating October 30 through November 4, 2023, as "National Veterans Small Business Week." It formally recognizes the contributions of veterans who own small businesses, highlighting their role in the economy (over 1.7 million veteran-owned businesses employing 2.9 million people). The resolution expresses support for veterans' entrepreneurship, encourages policies reducing regulatory burdens for small businesses, and thanks veterans for their service through business ownership. This is a symbolic recognition with no new legal requirements or funding.
Maddy summaryS 3141, the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023, requires the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating discrimination claims under federal civil rights law (Title VI) in schools receiving federal funding. It specifically directs the Department to consider this definition when assessing whether discrimination against Jewish students or employees based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics violates anti-discrimination protections. The bill does not create new rights or alter existing legal standards but clarifies that antisemitism rooted in Jewish ancestry or ethnicity may fall under Title VI enforcement. It directly affects how the Department of Education handles discrimination complaints in K-12 schools and colleges, aligning enforcement with the IHRA definition already used by the Department since 2018. The bill explicitly states it does not expand the Department’s authority or impact First Amendment rights.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new 15% Medicare bonus payment for mental health and substance use disorder services provided in designated shortage areas. It directly affects licensed mental health professionals like clinical psychologists, social workers, nurse practitioners, and counselors who treat these conditions. The bonus applies to services furnished on or after January 1, 2024, in areas identified as having mental health provider shortages by the Secretary. This expands existing Medicare incentives to specifically target mental health and substance use disorder care.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue guidance to states within 12 months of enactment. The guidance will help states use Medicaid and CHIP programs to boost mental health and substance use disorder care provider education, training, recruitment, and retention - especially in rural and underserved areas. It specifically directs states to leverage existing Medicaid tools like section 1115 waivers and authorities under Titles XIX/XXI of the Social Security Act. The bill directly affects states administering Medicaid and CHIP, aiming to strengthen their behavioral health workforce capacity through concrete program strategies.