Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Maddy summaryThis bill increases base pay for Federal correctional officers by 35% above their current General Schedule or law enforcement officer rates, replacing their existing base pay for all compensation purposes. It directly affects Bureau of Prisons correctional officers whose duties involve inmate custody, control, or routine direct contact in custodial settings, including certain supervisory roles. The pay increase is capped at the rate for Executive Schedule Level V (for officers) or Level IV (for Federal Wage System employees), and expires after five years unless the Department of Justice Inspector General certifies progress in reducing non-custodial staff "augmentation" and excessive overtime. The law requires a review 180 days before expiration to assess staffing changes and impacts on recruitment, retention, and safety.

Maddy summarySRES 576 is a Senate resolution commending the U.S. military operation in Venezuela (codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve) that captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife on January 3, 2026. The resolution states the operation removed Maduro from power without U.S. casualties, transported him to face federal charges (including narco-terrorism), and provided a path to democratic transition in Venezuela led by opposition figures. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect and does not impose new policies or change existing laws. The resolution was introduced by multiple Senators and referred to the Foreign Relations Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes U.S. immigration law to make certain fraud convictions deportable without requiring a minimum fraud loss amount. It targets immigrants (aliens) convicted of fraud against any private individual, fund, corporation, or government entity, removing the previous threshold for deportation. It also adds provisions to revoke citizenship for naturalized citizens convicted of such fraud crimes, requiring courts to cancel their naturalization certificates. The changes apply to fraud committed on or after September 30, 1996, if not previously charged before the bill's enactment.

Maddy summarySRES 288 is a Senate resolution condemning recent ideologically motivated attacks on Jewish individuals, including a violent assault in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1, 2025, and other incidents like the attack on Israeli Embassy staff in Washington, D.C., and fires at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence. The resolution formally expresses the Senate’s condemnation of these acts as part of a growing pattern of antisemitism and politically motivated violence. It reaffirms the Senate’s commitment to protecting peaceful assembly and religious practice, while urging federal, state, and local law enforcement to thoroughly investigate such incidents and calling on community leaders to publicly oppose antisemitism. This resolution has no legal effect but serves as a formal statement of the Senate’s position.

Maddy summaryS 3587, the No Tax on Wrongful Delay Act of 2026, exempts certain interest payments from being counted as taxable income. Specifically, it removes from gross income any interest paid to taxpayers under Section 6611 of the Internal Revenue Code following an IRS audit (per Section 7602), a taxpayer's lawsuit for a tax refund, or a government civil action for tax collection. This change directly affects taxpayers who receive interest payments due to delays in resolving tax disputes with the IRS. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution recognizes community care - treatment outside VA facilities - as essential for meeting veterans' health needs. It affirms that community care complements, rather than replaces, VA health services, as established by the 2018 VA MISSION Act. The resolution urges the VA to fully implement the MISSION Act to ensure veterans receive timely care through community providers when VA facilities cannot meet their needs. It does not create new programs or funding but formally supports existing community care access as a key part of veteran healthcare.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, which currently shields online platforms from most liability for user-generated content. It would remove this legal protection, potentially making platforms more liable for content posted by users. The bill also updates references to Section 230 in other federal laws (like the Trademark Act and criminal codes) to instead reference Section 223 of the Communications Act. The changes would take effect two years after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 10% federal tax credit for businesses that install qualified combined heat and power (CHP) systems - systems generating both electricity and useful thermal energy (like steam or heating) with at least 60% overall efficiency. It directly affects commercial entities, industrial facilities, and organizations building new CHP systems that meet specific efficiency standards (producing at least 20% thermal energy and 20% electrical power). The credit includes a 10% bonus for systems using domestically manufactured components or located in designated energy communities, and excludes systems exceeding 50 megawatts in capacity. The credit applies to systems placed in service after December 31, 2024, with detailed definitions for qualifying systems in the tax code.

Maddy summaryS 3517 (VACRA) simplifies copyright registration for visual artists by exempting pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works from standard deposit requirements. It creates certified third-party registries for photographs that must maintain searchable databases with author/owner details, creation dates, and contact information. The bill allows group registration of up to 3,000 photographs under one application and introduces "deferred registration" for visual works, with reduced fees for individual artists and subscription options for ongoing registration. These changes directly affect photographers, visual artists, and copyright registrars by streamlining the process and reducing costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state veterans homes certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to be automatically deemed compliant with Medicare’s nursing home standards, eliminating redundant inspections. It requires the VA to provide documentation of inspections, undergo biennial joint reviews with Medicare officials to confirm alignment, and maintain the same care and safety standards as Medicare requires. The bill also mandates that VA inspection data for these homes be publicly reported on the Nursing Home Care Compare website. This applies to all state veterans homes meeting the defined standards, effective 90 days after enactment.