Sen. David McCormick

Maddy summaryThe Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility Act modifies how businesses calculate interest expense limits for tax purposes. It removes a specific exception related to adjusted taxable income calculations that was added in previous legislation. This change applies to tax years starting after December 31, 2025, affecting businesses that deduct interest expenses on their federal income tax returns. The bill aims to alter the rules governing Section 163(j) of the Internal Revenue Code without changing the overall cap on deductible interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Safer Roads for Those Who Serve Act of 2026, aims to improve safety for highway workers such as construction crews, utility personnel, and emergency responders by updating federal regulations and funding programs. It requires the Federal Highway Administration to better track and separate crash data for highway workers from other road users, and mandates that states with rising injury or fatality rates include specific strategies in their safety plans. The legislation also directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to update public awareness materials and run public service announcements about Move Over laws, covering various types of workers and vehicles. Additionally, the bill requires that federal transportation grant applications include plans for protecting highway workers during and after construction, and authorizes funding for research and outreach to enhance roadside worker safety.

Maddy summaryThe ACE Nuclear Energy Act of 2026 makes two changes to the Export-Import Bank of the United States. First, it allows the bank to exclude certain financing for civil nuclear facilities, materials, or technology from its default rate calculations, which could affect how the bank assesses its lending performance. Second, it gives the bank's Board of Directors authority to compensate up to 100 employees without being limited by standard federal pay rules. These provisions directly impact the Export-Import Bank's operations and its ability to support nuclear energy export transactions.

Maddy summaryThe STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act expands the scope of Medicaid fraud investigations by directing state Medicaid fraud control units to examine not just providers but also individuals who apply for or receive benefits. This change requires states to investigate and prosecute fraudulent activities involving both healthcare providers and beneficiaries seeking or receiving Medicaid coverage. The bill amends existing federal law to explicitly include individuals in the definition of entities subject to fraud control unit oversight. These provisions take effect 180 days after the law is enacted, giving states time to adjust their investigation procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to propose spending cuts equal to or greater than any requested debt limit increase over the next 10 years, and it prevents Congress from voting on debt limit increases or suspensions unless they include matching spending reductions. The legislation also mandates that the Treasury Secretary issue warnings when the government is approaching its debt limit within 60 days, even if temporary measures could extend funding. Additionally, the bill establishes procedural rules requiring a three-fifths Senate vote to waive these spending requirements and ensures that cost estimates are publicly available before Congress can vote on debt limit measures. These provisions directly affect the executive branch's ability to request debt limit increases and the legislative process for approving such requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to create new provisions specifically for sea turtles. It establishes a dedicated $5 million annual grant program (2025-2030) for sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation, funded through a new "Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund" with $500,000 yearly. Eligible applicants include coastal organizations with Endangered Species Act authorizations or cooperative agreements, required to follow specific care standards and data reporting. The law directly affects wildlife rehabilitation groups and coastal communities handling stranded sea turtles by providing targeted federal funding and clear grant eligibility criteria.

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that (1) Congress should adopt a fiscal target to reduce the federal budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product or less as soon as possible and no later than the end of FY2030; and (2) after the target is achieved, Congress should continue to pursue further deficit reduction with the goal of achieving a balanced federal budget.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Local Data for Better Conservation Act, would require the federal government to use data collected by states when deciding whether to list or remove species from the endangered or threatened lists. The key provision adds a new requirement to the Endangered Species Act mandating that the Secretary of the Interior must accept and integrate state-collected information into listing determinations. This change directly affects state agencies that gather biological and environmental data, as well as federal wildlife officials who make conservation decisions. The bill aims to incorporate local knowledge and regional expertise into federal conservation assessments without altering the overall framework of the Endangered Species Act.

Maddy summaryS 2287, the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, establishes federal funding to expand training for health professionals in palliative and hospice care. The bill creates multiple programs including grants for education programs, fellowships for faculty to gain specialized training, and career incentive awards for students pursuing palliative care specialties. It prioritizes training in rural and underserved areas, for pediatric populations, and for racial and ethnic minorities. The bill authorizes $15 million annually through 2030 to build a more skilled palliative care workforce for patients with serious or life-threatening illnesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the Conscience Protection Act of 2025, strengthens protections for healthcare providers and organizations that refuse to participate in certain medical procedures (including abortion, assisted suicide, and sterilization) based on religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. It creates a private right of action allowing affected entities to seek legal remedies when their conscience rights are violated, addressing a gap in current law where victims could not defend their rights in court. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit discrimination against such healthcare entities and establishes clearer enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Health and Human Services, including administrative investigations and civil actions. It directly affects healthcare providers, hospitals, insurers, and other health-related organizations operating under federal funding. The bill aims to address inconsistent enforcement of existing conscience protections like the Weldon Amendment, which has been challenged in cases such as California's abortion coverage mandate.