Sen. Rand Paul

Maddy summaryS 328, the "Read the Bills Act," requires Congress to follow specific transparency procedures for all bills and resolutions. It mandates that every bill must cite the exact constitutional authority for its enactment, display the current law it amends in full, and be published online for at least 7 days before voting. Before final passage, the full text must be read verbatim to the chamber, and members must sign a sworn statement confirming they reviewed the text or listened to the reading. These rules apply to all bills (except private ones) and allow citizens or lawmakers to challenge laws that skip these steps in court.

Maddy summaryS 329, the "Write the Laws Act," requires Congress to write all federal laws directly instead of delegating legislative authority to agencies. It prohibits Congress from authorizing any executive agency, court, or other entity to create or clarify criminal, civil, or regulatory rules - mandating that all such rules must be explicitly defined in standalone congressional statutes. The bill declares that any law, rule, or regulation violating this prohibition would have "no force or effect," and allows individuals to sue the government to block enforcement of non-compliant rules. It applies only to laws enacted 90 days after the bill's passage, not existing regulations.

Maddy summaryThe Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2023 would automatically fund most federal programs at 99% of the previous fiscal year's level if Congress fails to pass a regular appropriations bill by the start of the new fiscal year. For the first 90 days, funding would remain at 99% of the prior year's level, then decrease by 1 percentage point every subsequent 90 days (e.g., 98% for the next 90 days) until a new appropriations bill is enacted. This automatic funding would apply to government agencies and programs, preventing shutdowns by maintaining basic operations with gradually reduced resources. The bill does not apply to programs already covered by other laws that specify continuation or termination.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 73822), which addressed "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights." If enacted, it would block the rule from taking effect, directly affecting retirement plan fiduciaries (such as those managing 401(k) plans) who must follow these standards. The resolution uses a specific disapproval process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, to nullify the rule without altering its content. This is a procedural action targeting the rule's implementation, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryS 287, the "One Subject at a Time Act," requires each legislative bill or joint resolution to address only one main topic, with that topic clearly stated in the bill's title. It voids any provisions in a bill that cover topics not described in the title, and specifically prohibits appropriations bills from containing unrelated general legislation. This applies to all federal bills, with violations allowing affected individuals or members of Congress to sue to block enforcement of non-compliant bills. The law directly affects lawmakers drafting bills and courts reviewing legislative proposals for procedural compliance.

Maddy summaryS 260, the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act, amends Medicare rules to allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to certify coverage for specialized diabetic shoes for beneficiaries with diabetes. This change directly affects Medicare patients requiring diabetic footwear by expanding the healthcare providers authorized to meet documentation requirements. The key provision updates Section 1861(s)(12) of the Social Security Act to include these providers where "physician" is currently listed. This simplifies access to covered footwear without altering Medicare benefits or costs.

Maddy summaryThe Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2023 would require Congress to approve most major federal regulations before they take effect. Major rules, defined as those with significant economic impact (estimated at $100 million or more annually), would need a joint resolution of approval from both chambers within 70 days. Agencies would be required to submit detailed reports to Congress before rules take effect, including cost-benefit analyses, economic effects, and other relevant information. This would increase congressional oversight of the regulatory process, though it includes exceptions for national security, emergencies, and monetary policy rules.

Maddy summaryThe SHORT Act revises federal firearm regulations to eliminate separate restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns. It redefines shotguns used for sporting purposes to avoid being classified as destructive devices and removes language that previously treated these weapons differently from other firearms. The bill also requires states to recognize federal compliance as meeting state registration requirements for these weapons and preempts state taxes or registration rules on them in interstate commerce. Finally, it mandates the federal government to destroy related ownership records within 365 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Educational Choice for Children Act creates tax credits for individuals and corporations that contribute to scholarship organizations providing educational scholarships. Individuals can claim a credit up to 10% of their adjusted gross income or $5,000, while corporations can claim up to 5% of taxable income. Scholarships are available to students in households earning no more than 300% of the area median income and can be used for public or private school expenses, including religious schools. The bill establishes a $10 billion annual cap on total contributions with funds allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and requires scholarship organizations to verify student income and distribute scholarships to multiple students. It also prohibits government control over scholarship organizations and schools, ensuring maximum freedom for these organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. federal funding for gain-of-function research on certain viruses. It directly affects universities and research institutions that conduct such research, banning new federal grants for them. The law defines gain-of-function research as work that could make influenza, MERS, or SARS viruses more dangerous or contagious in any organism. Federal agencies must stop awarding new grants to institutions performing this specific type of research.