Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Denying Expenditures for False Accusations with Malicious Effect (DEFAME) Act This bill denies certain large corporations (i.e., corporations with gross income exceeding $10 billion in the preceding taxable year) a tax deduction for certain payments relating to defamation law suits, including the applicable defamation suit payment, attorneys' fees, and insurance premiums. The bill defines applicable defamation suit payment as any payment that (1) is made in connection with a defamation suit for which proof of actual malice is required to succeed on the merits, (2) is paid pursuant to a settlement or court order, and (3) exceeds $500 million in the aggregate.

Maddy summaryThe Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2023 aims to increase employee ownership in S corporations by making it easier for companies to adopt Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). Key provisions include extending tax deferral for sales of company stock to ESOPs, creating a Treasury Department office to provide technical assistance for ESOPs, and amending small business laws to ensure ESOP-owned businesses remain eligible for small business programs. The bill also establishes a dedicated Advocate for Employee Ownership within the Department of Labor to promote ESOP adoption, provide education, and help resolve disputes related to ESOPs. This legislation directly affects S corporations considering employee ownership transitions, their employees who would become partial owners, and small businesses that want to maintain eligibility for small business programs after an ESOP transition. The bill seeks to expand a model that studies show provides employees with retirement savings and greater job stability compared to traditional companies.

Maddy summaryThe Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act (S 2544) creates federal programs to improve reproductive health care access for people with disabilities by establishing training for health care professionals, expanding educational opportunities for people with disabilities pursuing reproductive health careers, and funding accessible reproductive health education. The bill authorizes $10-15 million annually through 2028 to support workforce development programs, a National Technical Assistance Center, and research on effective reproductive health care models for people with disabilities. Key provisions require culturally competent care training, accessibility improvements for medical equipment, and coordination of services including mental health, social services, and transportation. These programs directly affect people with disabilities seeking reproductive health care, health care providers, and educational institutions training health care professionals. The bill supplements existing funding rather than replacing it, with reports to Congress required annually on program implementation and outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires employers to prevent heat-related illness and injury by implementing specific protections for workers exposed to heat stress. It mandates employer actions including providing cool water, scheduled rest breaks, access to shade, acclimatization policies, and training on heat illness symptoms and responses. The law also requires employers to cover costs for personal cooling equipment, develop written heat illness prevention plans with worker input, and ensure training is accessible in workers' preferred languages. These provisions directly affect outdoor workers, agricultural laborers, construction crews, and others in high-heat occupational settings.

Maddy summaryThe Raise the Wage Act of 2023 would gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $17.00 per hour by 2028, with specific annual steps: $9.50 in year one, $11.00 in year two, $12.50 in year three, $14.00 in year four, $15.50 in year five, and $17.00 starting in year six. It also phases out separate minimum wage rates for tipped workers (raising their base wage to match the standard minimum wage by year six) and for workers under 20 (phasing out their lower rate by year five). The bill requires annual minimum wage adjustments after year six based on increases in the median hourly wage of all employees, as tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, it eliminates special minimum wage certificates for workers with disabilities by 2028, requiring all such workers to receive the standard minimum wage.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 2484, requires all states to allow the possession, distribution, and use of fentanyl and xylazine test strips - devices that detect dangerous drugs in user substances - without criminal penalties. It directly affects people who use drugs by removing legal barriers to accessing these life-saving tools, which help prevent overdoses by revealing adulterants like fentanyl. The law overrides current state laws that still classify these strips as "drug paraphernalia" in some states, particularly for xylazine detection. It mandates state compliance with federal authorization for these products, which are already legal in 36 states but restricted in others. The bill aims to expand nationwide access to these strips, which studies show reduce overdose risks when used before drug consumption.

Maddy summaryS 2496, the VALID Act of 2023, amends disclosure requirements for FHA-insured loans. It requires lenders to include specific information about VA loans - specifically the loan-to-value ratio and VA loan details assuming prevailing interest rates - when discussing FHA loans. This change directly affects borrowers applying for FHA-insured mortgages by providing clearer comparative information about VA loan options. The bill does not alter VA loan eligibility or require lenders to verify borrower eligibility for VA loans. The key provision is a mandatory update to existing disclosure language under the National Housing Act.

Maddy summaryThe CHARGE Act of 2023 requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish new rules for planning and cost allocation of electricity transmission infrastructure. It mandates transmission providers to engage in interregional planning, consider multiple benefits of transmission investments (including reliability, renewable energy integration, and cost savings), and use grid-enhancing technologies like dynamic line ratings and power flow control. The bill also requires transparency by making hourly grid data, including emissions data and congestion costs, publicly accessible through a centralized database. This legislation directly affects transmission providers, utilities, and consumers who rely on the electricity grid, with implementation requiring FERC to promulgate final rules within 18 months of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most health insurance plans to cover diagnostic and supplemental breast exams with no out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles or copays) for enrolled individuals. It directly affects people needing these exams, including those with abnormalities found in screenings or those at higher risk due to personal/family history. The law allows plans to still require prior authorization for these exams and does not override stricter state laws protecting coverage. The requirement applies to all group and individual health plans, including grandfathered plans and high-deductible plans with health savings accounts, starting January 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryS 2494, the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2023, requires closed captioning and audio description for all video programming delivered via internet protocol (streaming services), with implementation deadlines up to 6 years depending on programming type (live, near-live, or prerecorded). The bill mandates that video playback devices include accessible controls for captioning and audio description, and establishes advisory committees to develop technical standards for these requirements. It directly affects streaming platforms, content providers, and device manufacturers, aiming to improve accessibility for people with hearing, visual, and speech disabilities.