IRS Accountability and Taxpayer Protection Act This bill modifies procedural rules for the imposition of tax penalties by requiring, among other things, the approval of such penalties to be given in the pre-assessment process when a supervisor or higher level official has the discretion to give or withhold such approval.
Maddy summaryThe Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act amends federal criminal statutes to clarify legal standards and increase penalties for specific violent crimes. It clarifies that assaults on federal officers are general intent crimes (removing the need to prove defendants specifically intended to harm officers), increases carjacking penalties to 20 years for first offenses (up from 15) and up to 40 years when weapons are used, and creates a new offense for distributing candy-flavored controlled substances to minors with penalties of up to 20 years for repeat violations. The bill also updates sentencing guidelines to require a 2-level enhancement for the new candy-flavored drug offense. These changes apply to existing federal criminal codes without creating new crime categories beyond the specified provisions.
Maddy summaryThis bill (SJRES 10) seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding reproductive health services for veterans. It requests Congress disapprove the rule (published September 2022) under a process in federal law that allows Congress to halt agency regulations. If approved, the VA rule would be nullified and could not take effect, meaning the VA could not enforce its provisions on reproductive health services for veterans. The bill directly affects the implementation of this VA policy for veterans receiving care at VA facilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends key labor laws to strengthen worker protections and clarify union election processes. It requires employers to provide voter lists for union elections with only one employee-chosen contact detail (like email or phone), mandates secret ballot elections for union representation, and restricts union dues from funding non-representational activities without written employee consent for at least 35 days. The bill also clarifies joint employment standards, making it harder for companies to avoid responsibility for workers' pay and conditions, and adds tribal sovereignty protections to labor law definitions. These changes directly affect employers, unions, and employees in collective bargaining contexts.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Public Health Service Act to give the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to temporarily restrict people and property entering the U.S. from specific foreign countries. It directly affects border crossings from nations identified as sources of significant fentanyl smuggling that poses a serious public health danger. The key provision allows the Secretary to prohibit or limit these entries for a set period, based on their determination that such restrictions are necessary to avert the risk of fentanyl introduction. The measure focuses on public health protection related to fentanyl trafficking, not broader immigration policy.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal agencies from banning lead ammunition or tackle for hunting and fishing on federal lands and waters managed by the Interior Department or Agriculture Department. It directly affects hunters and anglers using these public areas by preventing federal restrictions on lead products, except in limited cases. The exception allows restrictions only on specific federal sites where state wildlife data shows lead use is harming wildlife, and only if approved by the state's fish and wildlife agency. The bill requires federal agencies to explain in public notices how any exception meets these state approval and wildlife harm criteria.
Maddy summarySRES 145 is a non-binding Senate resolution calling for the immediate release of Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was detained in April 2022 for criticizing Russia's invasion of Ukraine and advocating for democracy. The resolution condemns his unjust detention, expresses solidarity with him and other imprisoned Russian dissidents, and urges the U.S. government to work with allies to secure his release and increase support for democracy advocates in Russia. It does not impose new legal requirements but serves as a formal statement of the Senate's position to influence diplomatic efforts. The resolution directly affects U.S. foreign policy actions toward Russia and the welfare of Kara-Murza, who faces potential imprisonment for his public opposition to the war.
Maddy summarySRES 120 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating March 23, 2023, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the significant contributions of women in U.S. agriculture, citing that they represent over one-third of agricultural producers and generated $148 billion in sales in 2017. The resolution encourages citizens to acknowledge women in the field and supports their roles as producers, educators, mentors, and leaders. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or funding but aims to highlight their impact on the agricultural workforce and food systems.
Maddy summaryThe ALIGN Act (S 1117) permanently allows businesses to immediately deduct the full cost of qualified property (like equipment or machinery) purchased and placed in service after September 27, 2017, instead of depreciating it over time. This tax provision directly affects businesses that invest in qualifying assets, reducing their taxable income in the year of purchase. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to set a 100% "applicable percentage" for these deductions, making the change permanent. Conforming updates to related tax code sections ensure the provision works with existing rules, effective as if included in prior legislation.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1159) extends compliance timelines for small lenders under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. It requires the Bureau to grant a 3-year period for lenders to meet new data reporting rules, followed by a 2-year safe harbor where lenders aren't penalized for non-compliance during that time. The bill defines "small business" as entities with under $1 million in annual revenue and "financial institution" as lenders originating at least 500 small business loans annually over the prior two years. It directly affects small lenders (those meeting the 500-loan threshold) and small businesses (under $1M revenue), reducing immediate regulatory pressure through phased implementation.
