Maddy summaryThe Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2023 expands tax benefits for low-to-moderate income workers and families with children. It lowers the minimum age for the Earned Income Credit from 25 to 19 (with exceptions for students, former foster youth, and homeless youth), removes the age 65 maximum, and increases credit amounts and income thresholds. The bill also establishes a permanent system for monthly advance payments of the Child Tax Credit, with higher payments ($300 monthly) for children under age 6 compared to $250 for older children. It includes inflation adjustments to maintain the value of these credits over time and creates mechanisms for determining eligibility and recapturing payments in certain circumstances. The provisions apply to all states and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and American Samoa.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThe Right to Contraception Act (S 1999) establishes a federal statutory right for individuals to access contraceptives and related information without government interference, directly affecting all people seeking reproductive care and health care providers who offer these services. Key provisions prohibit state or federal laws that restrict contraceptive access, single out contraceptive services, or allow provider refusals based on personal beliefs, while requiring any restrictions to be narrowly tailored to advance access. The bill preempts conflicting state laws, allows enforcement through lawsuits by affected individuals or the Attorney General, and explicitly protects access for historically marginalized groups facing barriers. It does not alter existing insurance coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act but ensures contraceptive access remains protected from restrictive state policies.
Maddy summaryS 305 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce and sell commemorative coins (gold, silver, and half-dollar denominations) to mark the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary in 2025. Each coin sale includes a surcharge ($5 to $35 per coin) that will fund the Marine Corps Heritage Center's educational programs, with proceeds paid directly to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. The coins will be sold from January 1 to December 31, 2025, and the surcharge structure ensures no net cost to taxpayers by covering production expenses through sales. This bill directly affects the U.S. Mint (in coin production), the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (as recipient of funds), and the public (as potential buyers).
This resolution designates June 2023 as Great Outdoors Month. The resolution encourages all individuals in the United States to responsibly participate in recreation activities in the great outdoors.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution condemns Russia's deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied territories, calling these actions violations of the Genocide Convention and Fourth Geneva Convention. It specifically references Russia's breaches of international law, including the unlawful transfer of children to Russia and efforts to erase Ukrainian identity through forced adoptions. The resolution declares these acts constitute genocide, targeting Ukrainian children to undermine Ukraine's future cultural and national identity. It directly addresses the Russian government's actions, which have affected thousands of children separated from their families since Russia's 2022 invasion.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal jury selection law (28 U.S.C. § 1862) to explicitly prohibit excluding potential jurors based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It directly affects individuals selected for federal jury service by ensuring these characteristics cannot be used as grounds for exclusion. The key mechanism adds "sexual orientation, gender identity" after "sex" in the existing exclusion criteria, making federal jury selection more inclusive. This change updates the law to align with broader protections against discrimination in civic participation.
Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain grants provided to transportation service providers from federal taxation under the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act. It specifically states that grant amounts received by eligible providers won't count as taxable income, and it prevents related tax deductions or basis adjustments from being denied. The provision also clarifies tax treatment for partnerships and S corporations receiving these grants, treating the excluded grant amounts as tax-exempt income for partnership tax calculations. The bill directly affects transportation businesses that receive federal relief grants under the referenced act.
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 summaryThis bill (S 1922) would expand Medicare coverage to include wigs as "durable medical equipment" for beneficiaries experiencing hair loss due to medical conditions like cancer treatment. It directly affects Medicare recipients who require cranial prostheses (wigs) as part of medically necessary rehabilitation, as certified in writing by a dermatologist, oncologist, or attending physician. The key mechanism adds a specific provision to the Social Security Act defining "durable medical equipment" to include such prostheses when a doctor confirms their medical necessity. This change would allow Medicare to cover these wigs under existing program rules, reducing out-of-pocket costs for qualifying beneficiaries.
Maddy summaryThe GLOBE Act of 2023 is a comprehensive legislative proposal focused on advancing the human rights of LGBTQI people worldwide. It requires the Department of State to document and respond to bias-motivated violence against LGBTQI individuals in country reports, establishes a Special Envoy for LGBTQI rights, and creates targeted sanctions for individuals responsible for human rights violations against LGBTQI people. The bill also includes provisions for immigration reform to better protect LGBTQI asylum seekers, mandates training for U.S. diplomatic personnel on LGBTQI rights, and establishes a Global Equality Fund to support civil society organizations working to protect LGBTQI rights internationally.