Sen. Maria Cantwell

Maddy summaryThe Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2023 would authorize $50 million annually for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct or support research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention for fiscal years 2024 through 2029. This funding would allow the CDC to study the causes and prevention of gun violence, including evaluating safety measures and effective interventions. The research would be conducted under the Public Health Service Act, with the funding added to existing appropriations. The bill does not change current laws but provides dedicated resources for evidence-based research on gun violence as a public health issue.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the salary threshold for white-collar workers (executives, administrators, professionals) to qualify for overtime pay under federal law. It sets new annual salary minimums: $45,000 starting in 2023, increasing to $55,000 in 2024, $65,000 in 2025, $75,000 in 2026, and then automatically adjusting yearly based on the 55th percentile of full-time salaried workers' earnings. The bill also limits exempt employees to no more than 20 hours per week on duties not directly related to their exempt roles. It directly affects millions of salaried workers currently excluded from overtime pay due to the current $35,568 annual threshold. The changes aim to restore overtime protections to historic levels by updating the threshold to reflect modern wages.

Maddy summaryThe EACH Act of 2023 requires federal health programs - including Medicaid, Medicare, the Indian Health Service, and others - to cover abortion services regardless of income or insurance type. It directly affects millions of low-income individuals, women of color (who are disproportionately enrolled in Medicaid), LGBTQ+ people, and people in states that currently restrict abortion coverage. Key provisions mandate that all federally funded health programs provide abortion coverage (Section 4), repeal a prior law restricting abortion coverage in private insurance (Section 5), and prohibit federal interference with private insurance coverage of abortion services. The bill aims to remove financial barriers to abortion care by ensuring coverage through federal programs and private plans.

This resolution designates March 2023 as National Women's History Month. The resolution also recognizes the celebration of such month as a time to reflect on the contributions that women have made to the United States.

Maddy summaryThe International Human Rights Defense Act of 2023 establishes a permanent Special Envoy for LGBTQI+ human rights at the Department of State to lead U.S. foreign policy efforts addressing discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ people globally. The bill requires the Special Envoy to develop an annual global strategy to prevent and respond to criminalization, discrimination, and violence against LGBTQI+ individuals, with mandatory reporting on countries that criminalize same-sex relationships or discriminate based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. It directs U.S. foreign assistance to support programs that protect LGBTQI+ rights, including health initiatives addressing HIV/AIDS in LGBTQI+ communities, and requires training for U.S. personnel and foreign officials on LGBTQI+ rights issues. The bill also mandates regular congressional briefings on the status of LGBTQI+ rights worldwide and U.S. government efforts to address abuses.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 110) honoring the late James George Abourezk, the first Arab American to serve in the U.S. Senate (1973-1979) from South Dakota. It commemorates his legacy, including his work re-establishing the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and co-authoring key Native American rights legislation like the Indian Child Welfare Act. The resolution directs the Senate to adjourn in his memory and send a copy to his family, acknowledging his service as a representative and advocate for Native American communities. As a procedural resolution, it has no legislative effect beyond commemoration.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the minting of commemorative coins to mark the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Foreign Service. It specifies three coin types: up to 50,000 $5 gold coins (90% gold), 400,000 $1 silver coins (90% silver), and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins, all to be issued in 2025. A surcharge ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollars) will be added to each coin's sale price, with all funds going directly to the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training to support its diplomatic history preservation work. The bill ensures no net cost to the government by requiring all design, production, and marketing expenses to be recovered through coin sales.

Maddy summarySRES 104 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing the heritage, culture, and contributions of Latinas in the United States. It highlights that nearly 30 million Latinas live in the U.S. (1 in 6 women), emphasizing their roles across diverse fields like business (over 2 million Latina-owned businesses), military service (45,710 active-duty Latinas), arts (Selena, Rita Moreno), and essential work during the pandemic. The resolution notes ongoing challenges, including Latinas earning only 57 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men. It formally celebrates Latinas' achievements while acknowledging the need for further progress toward equality. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds.

Maddy summaryThe Tax Fairness for Workers Act (S 738) allows employees to deduct certain work-related expenses from their taxable income. It creates an above-the-line deduction for union dues and adds a new exception permitting miscellaneous itemized deductions for other employee expenses, such as uniforms or tools, that were previously limited. This directly affects wage-earning workers who pay union dues or have unreimbursed job costs. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, and remove prior restrictions on these deductions.

Maddy summaryS 701, the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023, prohibits states from imposing restrictions on abortion that are more burdensome than those for comparable medical procedures. It protects access to abortion before fetal viability (when a fetus could survive outside the womb) by banning requirements like unnecessary in-person visits, medically inaccurate counseling, or facility restrictions not applied to similar care. Post-viability abortions remain protected when medically necessary to safeguard a patient’s life or health. The bill preempts conflicting state laws and ensures enforcement through federal courts to uphold these access protections for patients and health care providers.