Sen. Katie Boyd Britt

Maddy summaryS 566, the "Charitable Act," modifies tax deductions for charitable contributions for individuals who do not itemize their deductions on federal income taxes. It allows these taxpayers to deduct up to one-third of their standard deduction amount for 2023 and 2024 tax years, instead of the usual itemized deduction. The bill also removes references to a repealed penalty provision (Section 6662(b)(10)) and adjusts related penalty language in the tax code. This directly affects non-itemizing taxpayers who make charitable contributions, providing a new deduction option for those years only. The changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2022.

Maddy summaryThe National Right-to-Work Act would amend federal labor law to prohibit requiring employees to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. It removes existing provisions in the National Labor Relations Act that allowed for "union security agreements" (such as agency shops) and similarly amends the Railway Labor Act for railroad workers. This change would mean private sector and railroad workers nationwide would not face mandatory union fees to retain their jobs, applying to all new or renewed employment agreements after enactment. The bill directly affects all covered employees in the private workforce and railroad industry by eliminating forced financial contributions to labor unions.

Maddy summaryThe PASS Act of 2023 expands CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment) review to specifically cover foreign investments in U.S. agriculture businesses and agricultural real estate. It prohibits transactions involving "covered foreign persons" (defined as entities linked to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea) that would result in foreign control of U.S. agricultural operations or farmland. The President must block such transactions unless a national security waiver is granted after 30 days. The Secretary of Agriculture must also submit biannual reports to Congress on risks posed by foreign ownership in U.S. agriculture.

Maddy summaryThe FOCA Act (S 537) requires federal agencies and recipients of federal construction funds to prohibit bid specifications or project agreements from mandating or banning contractor agreements with labor organizations (like unions), or discriminating against contractors based on such affiliations. It applies to all federal construction contracts and subcontracts awarded after the law's enactment, aiming to ensure open competition, reduce costs, and expand opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses. Federal agencies must update their regulations within 60 days to implement these rules, with limited exemptions only for urgent public health, safety, or national security threats - not labor disputes. This law directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and federal construction projects funded by the government.

Maddy summarySRES 66 is a Senate resolution condemning China's use of a high-altitude surveillance balloon over U.S. territory as a violation of U.S. sovereignty. It specifically denounces China's false claims that the balloon was a weather device that drifted off course. The resolution requires the President to provide Congress with detailed briefings on the incident, including the balloon's timeline, intelligence gathered, and plans to prevent future violations of U.S. airspace. It calls for decisive U.S. action to deter foreign surveillance activities and holds the Chinese government accountable for such actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires any U.S. agreement with Iran regarding its nuclear program to be treated as a treaty, mandating Senate approval by a two-thirds vote before it can take effect. It directly affects the President, who cannot bypass this requirement to waive or reduce sanctions related to Iran's nuclear activities. The key provision blocks the President from granting sanctions relief or taking related actions under any Iran nuclear deal - including joint plans, side agreements, or future documents - without first securing Senate treaty approval. This applies to all forms of agreements, whether legally binding or not, and covers all related materials like annexes or technical understandings.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the executive branch's authority to pause or cancel federal student loan payments during national emergencies. It prohibits the President or Secretary of Education from suspending payments or canceling balances for borrowers with household incomes above 400% of the poverty line during emergencies, and bans executive actions to cancel loans related to the COVID-19 pandemic or other emergencies. Any such pause or cancellation would be treated as a "major rule" requiring congressional review under the Congressional Review Act. The bill primarily affects higher-income borrowers during emergencies by limiting executive relief options, while maintaining existing loan programs for lower-income borrowers. It does not change standard loan repayment terms but restricts emergency executive actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. immigration law to create specific, limited pathways for temporary parole into the United States. It directly affects military families (spouses/children of active-duty service members), Cuban nationals with approved petitions meeting strict criteria, and individuals facing urgent medical needs, family emergencies, or law enforcement-related public benefits. Key provisions require case-by-case decisions (not class-based eligibility), limit parole to 1 year (with possible 1-year extensions), and mandate annual congressional reporting on parole usage. Parole does not count as admission, so recipients cannot adjust to permanent residency through this status.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals charged with or convicted of human trafficking or drug trafficking offenses that occurred near the U.S. border (including territorial waters) from receiving federal benefits. It directly affects people facing such charges or convictions, barring them from benefits like Social Security, housing assistance, health programs, or professional licenses funded by the federal government. The prohibition applies automatically upon indictment, charge, or conviction for a border-related offense, but ends if charges are dismissed or the person is found not guilty, with retroactive payment of withheld benefits. The bill defines "border-related" offenses broadly, covering specific trafficking crimes under federal law where any part of the conduct happened at the border.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 70) is a symbolic gesture by the U.S. Senate to support designating February 1, 2023, as "George Washington Carver Day." It recognizes George Washington Carver’s life and work, highlighting his origins as an enslaved person born around 1864, his pioneering role as Iowa State University’s first Black student and faculty member, and his decades of agricultural research and outreach at Tuskegee University. The resolution commemorates his contributions to developing hundreds of agricultural products and improving the lives of farmers, particularly those in poverty. It does not create new laws or policies, but formally honors his legacy.