Sen. Thom Tillis

Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act This bill allows, beginning in 2028, for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are used to screen for cancer across many cancer types, if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determines such coverage is appropriate. Coverage is limited to those under a certain age (age 68 in 2028, increased by one year every year thereafter) and to one test every 11 months.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Stafford Act to clarify disaster assistance for specific housing types. It defines "residential common interest communities" (including condos and housing co-ops) and adds rules requiring the President to authorize debris removal in these communities when a state determines it threatens safety or recovery. It also expands repair assistance to cover essential common elements (like roofs, elevators, or electrical systems) if owners can document their share of costs. This directly affects condo and housing cooperative owners in disaster-impacted areas by streamlining access to federal debris removal and repair aid.

Maddy summaryThe American Music Fairness Act (S 326) requires terrestrial radio stations to pay royalties for public performances of music, a change from the current system where they do not pay. It establishes tiered royalty rates for small broadcasters: $10 annually for stations with under $100,000 in revenue, $100 for public broadcasters with $100,000-$1.5 million revenue, and $500 for other stations in that revenue range. The bill explicitly protects songwriters’ existing royalty rights and requires the Copyright Royalty Judges to consider how radio promotion affects music sales when setting rates. These changes amend copyright law to treat terrestrial radio similarly to internet streaming services for royalty purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes tax credits for individuals and corporations who contribute to scholarship granting organizations that provide educational scholarships for eligible students. The individual tax credit is limited to 10% of adjusted gross income or $5,000, while corporate credits are capped at 5% of taxable income. The bill defines "eligible students" as those from households with income not exceeding 300% of the area median gross income, and specifies that scholarships can cover tuition, materials, tutoring, and educational therapies. The bill includes a $10 billion annual cap on tax credits, with a first-come, first-served allocation system, and requires scholarship organizations to meet specific financial and operational standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 313) restricts U.S. funding for United Nations assistance programs in Afghanistan until the Secretary of State certifies specific conditions are met. It prohibits voluntary or assessed U.S. contributions to the UN for Afghanistan aid unless the Secretary certifies no U.S. funds are used in UN cash shipments there, and no designated terrorist groups (either "foreign terrorist organizations" or "specially designated global terrorist organizations") receive funds from those shipments. If certification is later found inaccurate, the Secretary must revoke it and provide a detailed justification to congressional committees. The bill directly affects U.S. foreign aid policy and UN operations in Afghanistan, requiring a formal certification process before funding can proceed.

Laken Riley Act This act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. The act also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. Under this act, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of the above crimes. The act also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody; failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill reimburses North Carolina communities for repairing private roads and bridges damaged by Tropical Storm Helene, specifically for those serving as the sole access to homes or essential services (like clinics or grocery stores). It allows reimbursement without considering pre-existing damage, requiring inspections to verify repair needs and costs. Communities must document expenses, keep roads open during repairs, and comply with federal regulations. Homeowners who previously received aid for the same repairs can use that assistance without it counting toward their aid limits. The bill applies to areas covered under FEMA disaster declaration FEMA-4827-DR-NC.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution expresses Congress's sense that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies - organizations providing life, health, and accident benefits to members - have historically and continue to deliver significant community benefits through charitable programs, volunteer efforts, and mutual aid. It highlights their role in addressing unmet community needs, supporting financial security for members, and contributing an estimated $3.8 billion annually in social value. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code is essential to sustaining these services. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new law but formally recognizes these societies' contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires abortion providers to obtain patient consent for disposal of fetal tissue after an abortion, offering options to take the tissue or have the provider arrange interment or cremation within 7 days. It mandates providers to document consent, report annual abortion statistics and disposal methods to the Health Secretary, and face penalties including up to $50,000 fines or 5 years in prison for violations. The law directly affects abortion providers (clinics and doctors) and patients undergoing abortions, with no change to abortion access itself. Key provisions include standardized consent forms, disposal requirements aligned with state laws for human remains, and annual federal reporting on abortion procedures and tissue disposal.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent Medicare coverage for telehealth-based cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services (including cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehab) provided in patients' homes. It removes geographic restrictions for these services after January 1, 2026, allowing Medicare to cover home-based telehealth visits for eligible patients. The law requires the Health Secretary to establish standards for home-based rehab programs by 2026. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries needing ongoing heart or lung rehabilitation, ensuring they can access these services remotely without location-based limitations. The bill codifies pandemic-era flexibilities into permanent policy for these specific healthcare programs.