Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits displaying any flag other than the U.S. flag on the exterior of public buildings or in their hallways. It directly affects all federal, state, and local government buildings, including courthouses, libraries, and military installations. Exceptions allow specific flags, such as POW/MIA flags, visiting diplomats' national flags, state flags for congressional offices, military unit flags, tribal flags, and local jurisdiction flags. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on flag display rules without altering other policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires colleges to provide student borrowers with clearer financial information before they accept federal loans. It mandates that students manually enter their desired loan amount each year (instead of automatically accepting full eligibility) and receive specific disclosures, including sample repayment costs based on median debt and earnings data from the College Scorecard. Institutions must also explain that borrowers aren't required to take the full loan amount offered and provide details on completion rates, repayment statistics, and the loan's annual percentage rate. These changes apply to all undergraduate and graduate students receiving Federal Direct Loans, as well as parent borrowers for PLUS Loans.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Medicare rules to improve access to home infusion therapy for patients requiring medications administered at home. It adds pharmacy services to covered benefits and allows Medicare to pay for infusion therapy even when the supplier isn't physically present (at 50% of the full payment rate). It also permits nurse practitioners and physician assistants to establish and review home infusion care plans, expanding who can manage these treatments. These changes directly affect Medicare beneficiaries needing home infusion therapy, home infusion suppliers, and healthcare providers like NPs/PAs. The policy changes take effect January 1, 2024.

Patients Before Middlemen Act or the PBM Act  This bill prohibits pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) under the Medicare prescription drug benefit or Medicare Advantage from receiving any income for their services other than bona fide service fees. Specifically, PBMs may not receive any income other than flat, bona fide service fees that are specified in their contracts with prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsors. Such fees may not be based on drug prices, discounts, rebates, or any other remuneration. PBMs must turn over any excess amounts they receive to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. PDP sponsors and PBMs must annually certify their compliance with these requirements.

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).

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 requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to prioritize classical or traditional architectural styles for new or renovated federal buildings costing over $50 million, including courthouses, agency headquarters, and District of Columbia buildings. It defines "preferred architecture" as classical styles (like Neoclassical or Georgian) that "uplift public spaces" and "command respect," while limiting approvals of modern styles like Brutalism or Deconstructivism. The GSA must notify Congress and justify any deviation from preferred designs, including cost comparisons and public input, and submit annual reports on building styles. The bill creates a 5-year advisory council to recommend design policy updates and ensure compliance with these standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill ends a specific tax rate used to fund hazardous waste cleanup under the Superfund program, effective January 1, 2023. It directly affects businesses and entities that paid this tax, as the rate will no longer apply after December 31, 2022. The bill also changes repayment rules for government advances from the Superfund, requiring quarterly repayments from unused funds until fully repaid. The title "Pay Less at the Pump" is misleading, as the bill does not address fuel costs or gas prices.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows airports reclassified from "small hub" to "medium hub" status (starting in 2021 or later) to temporarily continue operating under "small hub" regulatory rules for up to five consecutive fiscal years. It directly affects airport owners/operators whose designation changes under federal airport classification rules. The key provision gives these airports a 5-year option to maintain their previous regulatory treatment, avoiding immediate application of medium hub requirements. The change modifies Title 49 U.S. Code to add this transition period for affected airports.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes school lunch rules to allow schools to serve whole milk as part of the National School Lunch Program. It amends the law to explicitly include "whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free" milks as acceptable options. Crucially, it clarifies that milk fat in fluid milk provided under this rule will not count toward the meal's saturated fat limit for compliance purposes. This directly affects school nutrition programs nationwide by expanding milk choices and simplifying meal planning around fat content.