Maddy summaryThe Higher Wages for American Workers Act of 2023 would gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $11.00 per hour within four years, with smaller employers having slightly lower starting rates and future increases tied to inflation. The bill would make E-Verify, a system for verifying employment eligibility, permanent and mandatory for all employers, with implementation timelines based on employer size (ranging from 6 months to 18 months after enactment). It also includes enhanced penalties for unauthorized employment, fraud prevention measures for Social Security numbers, and requires states to share driver's license information with E-Verify to improve accuracy. The bill directly affects nearly all employers across the United States and would impact millions of workers through wage increases and verification processes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a comprehensive framework for pandemic and public health emergency preparedness and response across federal, state, and local levels. It authorizes new programs for medical stockpiles, wastewater surveillance for disease detection, and improved coordination of emergency response systems, while reauthorizing existing public health emergency response programs through 2028. The legislation includes provisions to prevent drug shortages through improved notification procedures, strengthen biosecurity measures for research involving biological agents, and support compensation for individuals injured by pandemic countermeasures. It also enhances data collection and sharing capabilities for more effective public health monitoring and response. The bill aims to improve the nation's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies of all types.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2725) authorizes the U.S. Department of State to establish a public-private partnership for a US-ASEAN Center in the U.S. The Center will support economic and cultural engagement between the U.S. and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. Key activities include funding research on U.S.-ASEAN partnerships, facilitating trade and investment, expanding technology cooperation, providing training programs, and developing educational initiatives to strengthen bilateral ties. The bill directly affects U.S. government agencies, private sector partners, and entities seeking to deepen economic and cultural relationships with Southeast Asia.
Maddy summaryThe American Security Drone Act of 2023 prohibits U.S. federal agencies from procuring or operating drones manufactured or assembled by "covered foreign entities," defined as entities from China, under foreign government control, or deemed national security risks. The law includes exemptions for national security research, counterterrorism, safety investigations, wildfire management, and specific agency missions like those of the Department of Homeland Security and Defense. Federal agencies must track existing drones from these entities within one year of enactment and the law requires a study on drone supply chains. The prohibition takes effect two years after enactment and will expire five years after enactment, with specific agencies having additional exemptions.
Maddy summaryS 2559, the *Budgeting for Opioid Addiction Treatment Act*, imposes a 1-cent fee per milligram on opioid pain relievers sold by manufacturers, producers, or importers, while excluding medications used for addiction treatment and non-opioid ingredients. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish rebates or discounts for cancer patients, hospice patients, and others with specific pain needs to prevent them from bearing the fee cost. Revenue from the fee (after rebates) must be directed to states for opioid addiction treatment programs, including building facilities, expanding residential care, supporting mental health providers in underserved areas, and housing for families affected by addiction. The bill mandates a congressional report within two years assessing the fee’s impact on opioid costs, patient access, and how funds improve treatment services.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. President to negotiate a tax agreement with Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT). It would create a formal tax treaty to prevent double taxation and reduce tax evasion for U.S. businesses and taxpayers operating with Taiwan, directly benefiting companies engaged in cross-border trade and investment. The agreement must follow standard U.S. tax convention rules (like the 2016 Model Convention) and requires congressional approval via a specific concurrent resolution before taking effect. The bill does not finalize the treaty but establishes the process for negotiation and U.S. approval.
Maddy summaryS 1260, the University of Utah Research Park Act, transfers full ownership of approximately 593 acres of land in Salt Lake City from the U.S. government to the University of Utah. The bill releases the federal government's future ownership claim (reversionary interest) on this specific land - described by historical patent details and parcel numbers - without requiring payment. This directly affects the University of Utah by granting it complete control over the land for its Research Park development. The legislation is purely procedural, involving a land title transfer with no new programs or funding.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a federal framework for competency-based education (CBE) in higher education, requiring the Department of Education to align its oversight with existing regulations (34 CFR parts 600, 602, and 668) when administering CBE programs or determining federal aid eligibility. It directly affects colleges and universities seeking federal financial aid by defining CBE as learning organized around students demonstrating specific, measurable skills rather than completing fixed course timeframes. The key mechanism mandates that institutions must prove student mastery of discrete skills - like job-specific abilities - to advance, replacing traditional time-based course structures. This policy change shifts federal oversight to prioritize demonstrated student competencies over seat time in higher education programs.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. It specifies four coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, half-dollar clad, and proof silver $1) with set mintage limits, design requirements (including "2028" and "Liberty" inscriptions), and a 1-year issuance window starting January 1, 2028. All coins include surcharges ($5-$50 per coin) that fund the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee for the Games and legacy programs like youth sports promotion. The coins are legal tender but sold at face value plus surcharge and production costs, with no net cost to the federal government.
Maddy summaryThe PREDICT Act creates a federal grant program to fund state, tribal, and local health departments in establishing wastewater surveillance systems for detecting infectious diseases like flu or COVID-19. It requires grantees to plan for public data sharing, community needs assessment, and long-term sustainability of their testing efforts. The law authorizes funding for 2024-2028 to improve wastewater testing capacity - especially in rural areas at high outbreak risk - and mandates the CDC to develop standardized testing protocols and a public online database for the collected data. This system aims to enhance early outbreak detection and inform public health responses.