Maddy summaryThis bill redefines "equity" within the Department of Defense as the opportunity for qualified individuals to participate in programs, prohibits mandatory adoption of beliefs about racial or ethnic superiority, and bans race-based distinctions in military personnel decisions. It directly affects active-duty service members, military dependents, and DoD civilian employees by requiring all promotions, assignments, and training to be based solely on individual merit and performance. Key provisions ban DoD directives compelling adherence to certain beliefs, prohibit training suggesting racial superiority, and mandate that demographic data collection for reporting remains the only exception to race-based distinctions. The bill focuses on ensuring military decisions prioritize merit over identity, aligning with the bill's stated findings about military readiness and equal opportunity.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySRES 236 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating June 2, 2023, as "National Rough Rider Day" to honor the 125th anniversary of the Rough Riders' arrival in Tampa, Florida, ahead of the Spanish-American War. It has no binding policy impact and does not affect any individuals or groups through legislative action. The resolution simply encourages the American public to observe this date with appropriate ceremonies, commemorating the historical service of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment during the 1898 conflict. As a procedural resolution, it focuses solely on historical recognition without implementing new laws or regulations.
Maddy summaryS 1768, the Taliban Sanctions Act of 2023, imposes U.S. sanctions on individuals and entities (including Taliban members) who support terrorism, commit serious human rights abuses, or facilitate narcotics trafficking in Afghanistan. It requires the President to block assets and deny visas to those meeting these criteria, effective 90 days after enactment. The bill also directs U.S. diplomacy to maintain UN sanctions against the Taliban and mandates regular congressional briefings on sanctions implementation and humanitarian impacts. It includes limited waivers for national security interests and specific exceptions for intelligence activities or humanitarian access.
Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (SJRES 18) disapproves a Department of Homeland Security rule that would have expanded the "public charge" standard for immigration. The rule, published in the Federal Register on September 9, 2022, aimed to deny visas or green cards to immigrants who might rely on public benefits like housing or food assistance. By passing this resolution, Congress blocks the rule from taking effect, meaning immigrants applying for visas or permanent residency would not face this specific eligibility barrier. The resolution directly affects non-citizens seeking to enter or remain in the U.S. under immigration processes.
Maddy summaryThe Main Street Tax Certainty Act permanently extends the 20% tax deduction for qualified business income (QBI), which currently applies to owners of pass-through businesses like sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations. The bill achieves this by amending the tax code to remove an expiration date (via striking subsection (i) of Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code). This change directly affects small business owners who rely on the QBI deduction to reduce their taxable income. The key provision eliminates uncertainty about the deduction’s future, ensuring continued eligibility without requiring future legislative action.
Maddy summaryThe "No START Treaty Act" declares that the New START Treaty with Russia is no longer in U.S. national security interests due to Russia's non-compliance (including refusing inspections) and China's rapid nuclear expansion, directing the U.S. to withdraw from the treaty. It mandates a 90-day report from the Secretary of Defense assessing U.S. nuclear deterrence capabilities and proposing specific improvements, such as increasing bomber alert status and restoring submarine missile capacity. The bill sets strict conditions for future arms control agreements, requiring limits on China's nuclear arsenal, robust verification for both China and Russia, and coverage of non-strategic weapons and emerging systems like hypersonic weapons. Additionally, it prohibits unilateral U.S. nuclear reductions without a treaty meeting these conditions and blocks funding for the New START Treaty or successor agreements that fail to satisfy these requirements.
Maddy summaryS 1712, the *Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments Act of 2023*, would allow the FDA to quickly approve drugs, biological products, and medical devices already approved in certain countries (like those listed under section 802(b)(1) of the law or the UK) for use in the U.S., bypassing full new reviews. It directly affects drug and device manufacturers seeking to market products already approved abroad, requiring them to submit a request to the FDA for "reciprocal marketing approval." The FDA must decide within 30 days, but can deny approval if safety concerns exist or if there’s no unmet medical need in the U.S., and must report denials monthly to Congress. This streamlines access to foreign-approved treatments while maintaining FDA safety oversight and allowing Congress to block approvals via joint resolution.
Maddy summaryThis bill abolishes the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) within the Treasury Department and eliminates the position of its Director. It removes all references to the FIO from key laws like the Dodd-Frank Act and the Economic Growth Act, replacing them with references to the Treasury Secretary or other entities. The bill explicitly states this does not limit the Treasury Secretary's existing authority over insurance matters. The primary direct effect is on the Treasury Department and the FIO's staff, as the office is eliminated.
Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of May 14-20, 2023, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. It recognizes 444 officers killed in 2022 (including specific names listed in the resolution) and acknowledges 32 officers killed in 2023, while expressing support for law enforcement personnel. The resolution encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement officers and promoting awareness of their essential service. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new policy or alter existing laws.
Maddy summaryThe Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2023 requires federal agencies to publicly share proposed regulatory settlements and consent decrees 60 days before court filing, including the legal basis and key terms like attorney fee awards. Agencies must accept and respond to public comments during this period and submit comment summaries to courts when seeking approval. The bill also mandates annual congressional reports on such settlements and sets new court review standards to ensure agencies can follow proper rulemaking procedures. This affects how agencies handle disputes with private parties and government entities, increasing transparency in regulatory agreements.