Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens protections for whistleblowers reporting securities violations to the SEC. It expands who qualifies as a whistleblower to include groups acting jointly and allows reporting internally to supervisors or designated colleagues who can address misconduct, rather than only to the SEC. It also requires the SEC to process award claims within one year (with limited extensions for complex cases) and prohibits companies from using contracts to waive whistleblower rights or force arbitration. These changes directly affect employees who report suspected violations of securities laws by their employers.

Maddy summaryS 784 requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to produce a report within three years on how special recreation permits affect environmental justice communities. These communities include areas with significant populations of people of color, low-income residents, or Tribal communities facing environmental health risks. The report must examine permit usage by outfitters and event organizers serving these communities, identify barriers to access, and suggest policy improvements. Participation by recreation service providers in sharing data for the report is voluntary and cannot be tied to permit approvals.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the minting of commemorative coins to mark the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Foreign Service. It specifies three coin types: up to 50,000 $5 gold coins (90% gold), 400,000 $1 silver coins (90% silver), and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins, all to be issued in 2025. A surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollars) will be added to each coin's sale price, with all funds going directly to the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training to support its diplomatic history preservation work. The bill ensures no net cost to the government by requiring all design, production, and marketing expenses to be recovered through coin sales.

Maddy summarySRES 104 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinas in the United States. It highlights that nearly 30 million Latinas live in the U.S. (1 in 6 women), emphasizing their roles across diverse fields like business (over 2 million Latina-owned businesses), military service (45,710 active-duty Latinas), arts (Selena, Rita Moreno), and essential work during the pandemic. The resolution notes ongoing challenges, including Latinas earning only 57 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men. It formally celebrates Latinas' achievements while acknowledging the need for further progress toward equality. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends a 1999 appropriations law to prevent U.S. government entities from honoring trademarks tied to confiscated foreign assets. It directly affects businesses or individuals claiming trademark rights over marks previously used in connection with assets seized by foreign governments, unless the original owner or their legal successor consented. The key change requires that anyone asserting trademark rights must have known or had reason to know the mark was linked to confiscated assets. The bill also adds a new requirement that such rights can only be enforced if the claimant had actual knowledge of the confiscation at the time of acquisition.

Maddy summaryThe Data Care Act of 2023 requires online service providers (like social media apps, streaming platforms, and websites) to protect users' personal data. It mandates that companies securely store data, promptly notify users of breaches involving sensitive information, and avoid using data in ways that harm users or cause financial/physical harm. The law also restricts selling or sharing user data without strict contracts ensuring third parties follow the same security and privacy rules. These requirements apply to most major digital services collecting personal data, with enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general. The law does not override existing privacy laws but adds new standards for data handling.

Maddy summaryS 737, the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act, denies tax deductions for employers who spend money to influence employees about union activities or collective bargaining. It amends the tax code to make non-deductible expenses related to swaying union elections, labor disputes, or collective actions - such as anti-union consulting fees, captive audience meetings, or legal settlements over unfair labor practices. Employers must report such spending on tax returns (using new Form 6720D) and face penalties for non-compliance, including fines up to $100,000. The bill directly affects businesses that engage in union-avoidance tactics, aiming to remove tax incentives for undermining workers’ rights under labor laws.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2023 requires the U.S. government to address forced organ harvesting by mandating annual reports on the issue in foreign countries and allowing passport denial or revocation for individuals convicted of organ trafficking. It directs the President to impose sanctions - including asset blocking and visa bans - on individuals or entities involved in forced organ harvesting, with exceptions for humanitarian aid. The bill defines "forced organ harvesting" as organ removal by coercion, deception, or abuse of power, and "trafficking" as recruiting or transporting people for organ removal through similar means. These provisions aim to hold accountable those exploiting vulnerable individuals for organ removal.

Maddy summaryThe Tax Fairness for Workers Act (S 738) allows employees to deduct certain work-related expenses from their taxable income. It creates an above-the-line deduction for union dues and adds a new exception permitting miscellaneous itemized deductions for other employee expenses, such as uniforms or tools, that were previously limited. This directly affects wage-earning workers who pay union dues or have unreimbursed job costs. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, and remove prior restrictions on these deductions.

Maddy summaryS 701, the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023, prohibits states from imposing restrictions on abortion that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures. It protects access to abortion before fetal viability (when a fetus could survive outside the womb) by banning requirements like unnecessary in-person visits, medically inaccurate counseling, or facility restrictions not applied to similar care. Post-viability abortions remain protected when medically necessary to safeguard a patient’s life or health. The bill preempts conflicting state laws and ensures enforcement through federal courts to uphold these access protections for patients and health care providers.