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 bill modifies U.S. tax code to boost research and development (R&D) investment by businesses. It allows companies to immediately deduct R&D costs (instead of amortizing them over 5 years) and expands refundable tax credits for small businesses, raising the annual credit cap from $250,000 to $750,000 by 2032. Small businesses with gross receipts under $15 million can now qualify for higher credit rates (up to 20% of R&D costs) and may exclude years with no R&D expenses when calculating credits. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 2022, directly benefiting R&D-focused startups and small businesses.
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.
Save Rural Hospitals Act of 2023 This bill establishes an area wage adjustment floor for Medicare hospital payments in states that are not frontier states and excludes such adjustments from certain budget neutrality rules.
Maddy summaryS 800 imposes a special tax on certain bank executives who received bonuses or sold bank stock within 60 days before their institution was taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). It applies to executives earning over $250,000 in adjusted gross income who worked at banks entering FDIC conservatorship or receivership. The tax rate is 90% on bonus payments and 100% on stock sale profits from that period. All revenue generated will be directed to the Deposit Insurance Fund, not directly to taxpayers.
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 summaryThe ALIGN Act requires publicly traded companies to publicly disclose their authorization to buy back company stock within one business day. It prohibits executive officers from selling or transferring stock awarded as part of their compensation for one year after such a disclosure or for three years from the grant date, with exceptions for company acquisitions, inheritance, tax-related sales, and specific personal expenses like education or medical costs. The bill directly affects executive officers of publicly traded companies and their disclosure practices, applying to companies with securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This law changes how companies report buyback authorizations and restricts when executives can sell their compensation stock.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates approximately 1,000 acres as an addition to the Rough Mountain Wilderness and 4,600 acres as a new wilderness area within the Rich Hole Wilderness in Virginia's George Washington National Forest. It incorporates the Rich Hole Addition into the existing Rich Hole Wilderness Area within five years of the bill's enactment or after completing specific water quality projects. The bill allows limited motorized equipment use for water quality improvement projects until incorporation, requiring the least impact on wilderness character. These designations directly affect the management of these forest lands under the Wilderness Act.
Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFI) through specific annual funding levels for fiscal years 2024-2028. It directs the USDA to use Commodity Credit Corporation funds, setting $25 million for 2024, $30 million for 2025, $35 million for 2026, $40 million for 2027, and $50 million annually starting in 2028. The initiative provides grants and loans to support grocery stores and food retailers in underserved communities, particularly in low-income areas lacking access to healthy food. This reauthorization ensures continued federal funding for programs that expand access to affordable, nutritious food options.
