Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Maddy summaryS 303, the "Defund the CFPB Act," would eliminate all federal funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by amending the 2010 law that created it. The bill specifically changes the funding provision to state the CFPB's budget must be "not more than $0," effectively cutting all financial support. This would directly prevent the CFPB from operating its consumer protection programs, which regulate financial products like mortgages, credit cards, and loans. As a result, consumers relying on the CFPB's enforcement and education efforts would no longer have this federal oversight mechanism.

Maddy summaryS 304, the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025, would amend U.S. immigration law to redefine who qualifies for automatic U.S. citizenship at birth under the 14th Amendment. It specifies that a child born in the U.S. gains citizenship only if one parent is a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident living in the U.S., or a military service member in active duty. This change would exclude children born to undocumented immigrants from automatic birthright citizenship under this definition. The bill explicitly states it would not affect citizenship status for anyone born before its enactment date. The legislation focuses on clarifying the "subject to the jurisdiction" requirement in existing law, not creating new citizenship categories.

Maddy summaryThe A PLUS Act (S 309) allows states to consolidate federal education funds for eligible programs into a single, flexible funding stream, reducing administrative complexity and enabling states to manage resources more efficiently to improve student achievement. States must submit a "declaration of intent" detailing which programs they will consolidate (excluding special education funds), commit to public accountability through annual reports on student progress, and ensure federal funds supplement - rather than replace - state education funding. The bill limits administrative costs to 1% of consolidated federal funds (3% if excluding Title I funds) and requires states to report how funds address achievement gaps for disadvantaged students. This directly affects states and local school districts that adopt the declaration, shifting how they administer and report on federal education dollars.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 313) restricts U.S. funding for United Nations assistance programs in Afghanistan until the Secretary of State certifies specific conditions are met. It prohibits voluntary or assessed U.S. contributions to the UN for Afghanistan aid unless the Secretary certifies no U.S. funds are used in UN cash shipments there, and no designated terrorist groups (either "foreign terrorist organizations" or "specially designated global terrorist organizations") receive funds from those shipments. If certification is later found inaccurate, the Secretary must revoke it and provide a detailed justification to congressional committees. The bill directly affects U.S. foreign aid policy and UN operations in Afghanistan, requiring a formal certification process before funding can proceed.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 317 (Charitable Act), creates a new federal income tax deduction for charitable contributions for individuals who do not itemize deductions (the majority of taxpayers). It allows these taxpayers to deduct up to one-third of their standard deduction amount for charitable gifts in 2026 and 2027. The bill also eliminates penalties related to charitable deduction errors under tax code sections 6662 and 6664. The changes apply to tax returns filed for 2026 and 2027 tax years.

Laken Riley Act This act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person. The act also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. Under this act, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of the above crimes. The act also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody; failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds, a U.S. Army soldier who saved approximately 200 Jewish-American prisoners during World War II by refusing Nazi orders to identify them. It directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike the medal, with the posthumous presentation made to Edmonds' next of kin (specifically his grandson, Pastor Christopher Waring Edmonds). The medal serves as a ceremonial recognition of Edmonds' heroic actions at Stalag IX-A prisoner camp during the Battle of the Bulge, where he declared "We are all Jews here" to protect Jewish soldiers. The bill does not create new policy or affect any ongoing programs, as it solely provides for this commemorative honor.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare to create separate billing codes for ultralightweight manual wheelchairs based on their frame material (e.g., titanium/carbon fiber vs. other materials) starting in 2026. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries who use these wheelchairs, particularly those purchasing or renting models with titanium or carbon fiber frames. The bill mandates that Medicare pays suppliers the standard rate for such wheelchairs regardless of material, but allows suppliers to charge beneficiaries the difference between that payment and their actual cost. It also requires suppliers to provide clear financial notices to patients before sale or rental to inform them of potential additional costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent Medicare coverage for telehealth-based cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services (including cardiac, intensive cardiac, and pulmonary rehab) provided in patients' homes. It removes geographic restrictions for these services after January 1, 2026, allowing Medicare to cover home-based telehealth visits for eligible patients. The law requires the Health Secretary to establish standards for home-based rehab programs by 2026. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries needing ongoing heart or lung rehabilitation, ensuring they can access these services remotely without location-based limitations. The bill codifies pandemic-era flexibilities into permanent policy for these specific healthcare programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicare to establish national payment rates for qualifying pediatric medical devices when manufacturers request it. It directly affects device manufacturers and Medicare by creating a formal process to set these rates, which are used to reimburse doctors for using these devices. Key provisions include a timeline for requests (by May 1 annually), requiring manufacturers to submit data like pricing and claims information, and defining qualifying devices as those approved for pediatric use in procedures predominantly for children or specifically designed for them. The bill does not change Medicare coverage requirements but streamlines payment rate establishment for existing approved devices.