Maddy summaryS 3702, the Credit for Caring Act of 2024, creates a tax credit for working family caregivers who provide care for a certified family member needing long-term assistance. Eligible caregivers (with over $7,500 in earned income) can claim a credit equal to 30% of qualified care expenses exceeding $2,000 annually, capped at $5,000 per year. Qualified expenses include human assistance, home modifications, respite care, counseling, lost wages for unpaid care time, and transportation - provided the care recipient (e.g., a parent or spouse) is certified by a healthcare provider as requiring long-term care for at least 180 days. The credit phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income above $75,000 (single) or $150,000 (joint returns).
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Health and Human Services and Labor Secretaries to review all federal grant programs supporting the nursing workforce and submit a report to Congress within one year. The report must include recommendations to improve three specific goals: increasing nursing faculty (especially in underserved areas), creating pathways for experienced nurses (with 10+ years clinical experience) to become faculty, and expanding opportunities for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to become Registered Nurses (RNs). It does not provide new funding but aims to optimize existing federal programs. The direct effect is on federal grant programs and nursing education pathways, targeting the nursing workforce pipeline.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and improves the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which provides federal funds to states and localities to develop affordable housing. It increases annual funding from $5 billion in 2024 to $6.08 billion in 2028 (with annual inflation adjustments), raises administration resource limits from 10% to 15% of funds, and establishes a new home loan guarantee program with up to $2 billion in initial funding. The bill modifies eligibility rules for affordable housing, eliminates a commitment deadline, reforms homeownership resale restrictions, and adds protections for tenants in small-scale housing projects. These changes directly affect states and localities administering the program, community housing development organizations, and low-income households living in affordable housing.
Maddy summarySRES 523 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin. The resolution expresses the Senate's sorrow at his death, directs the Secretary of the Senate to communicate it to the House of Representatives and send a copy to his family, and instructs the Senate to adjourn as a mark of respect. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect policy, but formally commemorates Kohl's service and legacy. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of Senators and passed unanimously on January 11, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to ensure military offenses under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) are treated equally with civilian offenses in child exploitation cases. It updates references throughout Title 18 to replace outdated phrasing (like "section 920 of title 10") with "the Uniform Code of Military Justice" in key provisions. The changes directly affect military personnel facing federal prosecution for child exploitation, ensuring their cases align with civilian legal standards. The bill makes no new penalties but clarifies that UCMJ offenses are considered equivalent to state offenses under federal sentencing guidelines.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal right for patients to access fertility treatments without unreasonable restrictions, protects health care providers who offer these services, and requires insurance coverage for such treatments. It guarantees patients the right to continue ongoing treatments under written agreements and retain control over reproductive materials. States cannot impose requirements that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures or that don’t significantly advance safety. Violations can be challenged in federal court by the government, patients, or providers, while states may still enforce health/safety regulations that are necessary and least restrictive.
Maddy summaryThe Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act allocates $6.3 billion in federal funding for border security operations focused on intercepting fentanyl and related drug trafficking. It directs $3.4 billion to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for hiring additional personnel (including border agents and processing coordinators), mental health support, and infrastructure upgrades. An additional $1.09 billion funds advanced scanning technology at ports of entry to detect drugs, while $285 million enhances outbound inspections for firearms and currency. The bill also allocates $511 million to ICE, DEA, and DOJ to expand fentanyl interdiction efforts and disrupt transnational criminal networks along the border. These provisions directly affect CBP, ICE, DEA, and DOJ personnel responsible for border enforcement and drug interdiction operations.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 521) expresses the U.S. Senate's support for Taiwan's democratic institutions and its history of free elections. It commends Taiwan for holding 7 presidential and 9 legislative elections since transitioning to democracy in the late 1980s, including peaceful transfers of power between political parties. The resolution specifically highlights Taiwan's upcoming 2024 elections and reaffirms U.S. commitment to existing policy frameworks like the Taiwan Relations Act. As a symbolic resolution, it has no binding effect but formally recognizes Taiwan's democratic achievements and expresses concern over potential interference in its elections.
Maddy summaryThe Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2024 requires colleges and universities receiving federal funds to prominently display links to the Department of Education’s civil rights complaint portal on their websites and annually post awareness materials about Title VI rights (prohibiting race, color, or national origin discrimination) in high-traffic campus locations like student centers and digital hubs. It mandates annual reports from institutions detailing discrimination complaints received, with the Education Department’s Inspector General auditing the top 5% of institutions by complaint rate and studying why some complaints stay at the college level versus being reported to federal authorities. The bill also requires monthly congressional briefings on complaint data, broken down by discrimination type, and prevents the federal Office for Civil Rights from dismissing complaints resolved internally by schools. These provisions aim to increase transparency, accessibility of civil rights protections, and accountability for handling discrimination complaints on campuses.
Maddy summaryS 993, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, makes the illicit distribution and use of xylazine illegal under federal drug laws. The bill defines xylazine broadly (including multiple chemical variants) and prohibits all human use or non-lici distribution, while allowing only veterinary and pharmaceutical uses approved under existing regulations. It requires the DEA and FDA to report to Congress within a year on xylazine's spread and impacts, with a follow-up report four years later. This directly affects drug traffickers and distributors adding xylazine to illicit drugs like fentanyl, aiming to address a public health threat linked to severe health consequences including necrosis.