Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the FDA from approving new abortion drugs and restricts existing approved drugs to in-person administration by certified healthcare providers. It requires providers to be certified in pregnancy assessment, ectopic pregnancy diagnosis, and emergency care capabilities, and mandates that drugs can only be dispensed in clinics, offices, or hospitals. The bill also imposes new reporting requirements for adverse events (like hospitalizations or severe infections) and requires providers to document risks to patients before prescribing. These provisions apply to all drugs defined as "abortion drugs" under the bill, which includes any substance intended to terminate pregnancy (excluding specific medical exceptions).

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. federal funding for gain-of-function research on certain viruses. It directly affects universities and research institutions that conduct such research, banning new federal grants for them. The law defines gain-of-function research as work that could make influenza, MERS, or SARS viruses more dangerous or contagious in any organism. Federal agencies must stop awarding new grants to institutions performing this specific type of research.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. government to prioritize payments for Social Security benefits, military pay, veterans' benefits, Medicare, and debt held by the public if the national debt reaches its legal limit. It mandates that the Treasury automatically increase the debt ceiling by the amount needed to cover these priority payments during any two-week period where revenue would otherwise fall short. The law directly affects Social Security recipients, active-duty military personnel, veterans, Medicare beneficiaries, and holders of U.S. Treasury debt. Key provisions include automatic debt limit adjustments based on revenue projections and holding excess funds for future payment periods. The bill aims to prevent default on these critical obligations without requiring new congressional action during debt limit crises.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funds from covering abortions in most circumstances, including health benefits plans, with exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or when a pregnancy endangers a woman's life. It specifically bars the use of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions for health plans that cover abortion, requiring insurers to disclose abortion coverage details separately in marketing materials. The law applies to all federal health programs and ACA marketplace plans, ensuring taxpayer dollars aren't used for abortion services or coverage. It does not affect private insurance plans purchased with non-federal funds or separate abortion coverage options.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 80) creates an independent Inspector General (IG) position specifically for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It amends the 1978 Inspector General Act to add the NIH Director to the list of federal agencies required to have an IG, directly affecting NIH operations. The bill requires the President to appoint an IG within 180 days of the bill becoming law, following the same process used for other agency IGs. This establishes a dedicated oversight role to audit NIH programs and investigate fraud or waste within the agency.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Congress to approve a budget resolution and pass all regular appropriations bills by October 1 each fiscal year. If Congress fails to meet this deadline, members of Congress (excluding the Vice President) would not receive pay for the period of non-compliance, with no retroactive payment allowed. The Budget and Appropriations Chairs in each chamber would determine compliance on October 1 and certify pay status. The law would take effect on September 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryS 68, the FARM Act, requires the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) to review foreign investments in U.S. agriculture businesses and supply chains. It adds the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS and designates agricultural supply chains as critical infrastructure and critical technologies. The bill mandates a report within one year detailing foreign investments in U.S. agriculture, potential threats to supply chains, and espionage risks targeting agricultural data. This directly affects foreign entities seeking to acquire or invest in U.S. agricultural operations and supply chain systems.

Maddy summaryThe Standing with Moms Act of 2023 requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to create a public website (life.gov) and an interactive portal within one year of enactment. The portal uses a question-based system to connect pregnant individuals with location-specific resources, including mental health support, medical services, financial assistance, childcare, and alternatives to abortion. It prohibits listing resources from organizations that provide or promote abortions and mandates multilingual access. The bill also requires annual reporting on website usage and resource gaps to Congress, focusing on improving support for pregnant and postpartum women.

Maddy summaryS 72, the Debt Cancellation Accountability Act of 2023, requires congressional approval before the federal government can cancel student loans for groups of borrowers (defined as "class-based" forgiveness totaling over $1 million for two or more borrowers). It prohibits the Education Secretary from authorizing such group cancellations without a specific budget appropriation, mandating that the Secretary submit detailed requests to Congress explaining the need, legal basis, and justification for collective cancellation versus individual reviews. The bill specifically excludes existing targeted loan forgiveness programs in place before January 1, 2022, which continue to operate under individual case reviews. This law changes the process for large-scale student loan forgiveness by making it contingent on explicit congressional funding and approval.

Maddy summaryS 45 extends a tax credit for employer social security taxes paid on employee tips to beauty service establishments (like salons, spas, and barbershops), directly affecting businesses where tipping is customary for services such as hair care, nail care, or esthetics. It creates a "safe harbor" that protects businesses from IRS tip audits if they implement employee tip reporting training, monthly tip tracking, and maintain records for four years. The bill also requires businesses renting space to beauty service providers (e.g., salon landlords) to report annual rental income over $600 to the IRS. Finally, it mandates a 5-year GAO study on how the tax credit impacts small business tax compliance and employee benefits.