Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make telehealth services more accessible under health insurance plans. It creates a "safe harbor" so health plans that don't require deductibles for telehealth and remote care services won't lose their status as high-deductible health plans. The change directly affects health insurance plans and their members who use telehealth, ensuring these services remain covered without penalty. The provision takes effect upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThe International Human Rights Defense Act of 2023 establishes a permanent Special Envoy for LGBTQI+ human rights at the Department of State to lead U.S. foreign policy efforts addressing discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ people globally. The bill requires the Special Envoy to develop an annual global strategy to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ individuals, with mandatory reporting on countries that criminalize same-sex relationships or discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. It directs U.S. foreign assistance to support programs that protect LGBTQI+ rights, including health initiatives addressing HIV/AIDS in LGBTQI+ communities, and requires training for U.S. personnel and foreign officials on LGBTQI+ rights issues. The bill also mandates regular congressional briefings on the status of LGBTQI+ rights worldwide and U.S. government efforts to address abuses.

Maddy summaryThe FAST Fix Act of 2023 amends the Small Business Act to prioritize federal technology funding for small businesses in states that historically receive fewer Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I awards. It defines "underperforming States" as the 18 states with the lowest SBIR/STTR Phase I awards and requires the Small Business Administration to prioritize applications from businesses in these states. The bill also sets a $500,000 funding cap per award over two years, waives matching requirements for underperforming states, and mandates biennial reporting on program outcomes and state performance. This directly affects small businesses in 18 specific states and the Small Business Administration’s administration of the FAST program.

Maddy summarySRES 124 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating March 24, 2023, as "National Women of Color in Tech Day." It recognizes the contributions of women of color in technology and highlights their underrepresentation in STEM fields through a preamble citing historical figures and statistics. The resolution urges the public to observe the day, calls for increased diversity in tech through recruitment and retention efforts, and recommends strengthening partnerships with minority-serving educational institutions. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of systemic barriers and a call for greater inclusion in the technology sector.

Maddy summaryThe DATA Act creates a China Economic Data Coordination Center within the Commerce Department to collect and analyze specific financial data about China's economy and its ties to the U.S. It requires the Center to gather detailed information on China's debt, banking risks, U.S. retirement accounts linked to Chinese investments, and Chinese lending activities globally. The Center must provide quarterly reports to Congress, biannual briefings, and monthly public updates on its findings, including how Chinese business activities affect U.S. jobs and industries. This bill directly affects U.S. federal agencies (Commerce, Treasury) and aims to inform policy decisions by centralizing economic risk analysis related to China.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. foreign aid law to remove restrictions preventing federal funds from supporting abortion services as part of comprehensive reproductive health care. It directly affects U.S. international health programs and people in low- and middle-income countries who rely on U.S.-funded reproductive health services. The key provision explicitly allows foreign assistance funds to cover abortion services, training, and equipment for safe abortion care, alongside other reproductive health services. This changes how U.S. aid is allocated globally, aiming to increase access to safe abortion care in countries where it is legal.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the CDC to collect and publicly share information about concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affecting public safety officers, including research on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. It mandates updating the CDC website and developing targeted resources for medical professionals, public safety employers, mental health providers, patients/families, and researchers. The goal is to improve care for officers, reduce injury incidents through better protocols, and enhance awareness of TBI impacts. The bill specifically covers law enforcement, firefighters, and other public safety personnel as defined by federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies U.S. tax code to boost research and development (R&D) investment by businesses. It allows companies to immediately deduct R&D costs (instead of amortizing them over 5 years) and expands refundable tax credits for small businesses, raising the annual credit cap from $250,000 to $750,000 by 2032. Small businesses with gross receipts under $15 million can now qualify for higher credit rates (up to 20% of R&D costs) and may exclude years with no R&D expenses when calculating credits. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 2022, directly benefiting R&D-focused startups and small businesses.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 110) honoring the late James George Abourezk, the first Arab American to serve in the U.S. Senate (1973-1979) from South Dakota. It commemorates his legacy, including his work re-establishing the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and co-authoring key Native American rights legislation like the Indian Child Welfare Act. The resolution directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory and send a copy to his family, acknowledging his service as a representative and advocate for Native American communities. As a procedural resolution, it has no legislative effect beyond commemoration.

Maddy summaryThis bill would make the immigration system more fair by expanding eligibility for legal status and protecting vulnerable individuals. It would eliminate 3-year and 10-year bars for certain immigration violations, reduce the residency requirement for cancellation of removal from 10 to 7 years, and prohibit removal of individuals with pending applications for immigration benefits. The bill also requires review before removing parents of U.S. citizen children, mandates reports on enforcement actions against parents of U.S. citizens and DACA recipients, and creates new protections for victims of crime and civil rights violations. It would directly affect undocumented immigrants, their families, and those seeking to navigate the immigration system.