Sen. John Fetterman

Maddy summaryS 805, the Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2023, increases penalties for importers who commit customs fraud or gross negligence. It triples civil penalties for fraudulent violations (to three times the domestic value) and raises gross negligence penalties (up to ten times the domestic value), while adding a five-year import ban for fraudulent violators and a two-year ban for gross negligence. The bill also creates a new private lawsuit mechanism, allowing U.S. manufacturers, workers, or trade groups harmed by customs violations to sue violators for triple damages plus attorney fees. Additionally, it excludes individuals or related businesses found guilty of such violations from participating in the U.S. importer of record program. This directly affects importers who violate customs laws, U.S. businesses competing with fraudulent imports, and customs enforcement processes.

Maddy summaryThe MORE Savings Act (S 818) eliminates copays, deductibles, and coinsurance for opioid treatment services under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health plans. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries and Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorders by removing cost barriers to evidence-based treatments. Key provisions include: requiring Medicare to cover opioid medications and recovery support services (like peer counseling) without cost-sharing, mandating private health plans to cover similar treatments starting in 2025, and increasing federal Medicaid funding for medication-assisted treatment. The bill also establishes a 15-state pilot program for Medicare to test expanded access in areas with high opioid overdose rates and rural populations.

Maddy summaryS 817, the SVB Act, repeals Title IV of the 2018 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (Public Law 115-174). This bill restores the banking regulations that existed before Title IV was enacted, effectively undoing the 2018 changes to financial oversight. It directly affects banking regulations governing financial institutions by reverting to the prior regulatory framework. The key mechanism is the explicit repeal of Title IV and the restoration of pre-2018 provisions as if the 2018 law had never applied.

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 Pay Teachers Act requires states to ensure public elementary and secondary school teachers earn a starting annual base salary of at least $60,000 that increases throughout their career. The bill mandates federal funding increases for education programs, including Title I funding, rural education, and Bureau of Indian Education programs, with annual adjustments for inflation. States must submit detailed plans showing how they'll meet salary requirements and address resource inequities, with a special pathway for states needing extended timelines to comply. The legislation directly affects teachers, school staff, and students across all 50 states, aiming to improve teacher retention and address shortages in underserved schools.

Maddy summaryS 737, the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act, denies tax deductions for employers who spend money to influence employees about union activities or collective bargaining. It amends the tax code to make non-deductible expenses related to swaying union elections, labor disputes, or collective actions - such as anti-union consulting fees, captive audience meetings, or legal settlements over unfair labor practices. Employers must report such spending on tax returns (using new Form 6720D) and face penalties for non-compliance, including fines up to $100,000. The bill directly affects businesses that engage in union-avoidance tactics, aiming to remove tax incentives for undermining workers’ rights under labor laws.

Maddy summaryThe MINDS Act establishes a dedicated Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Coordinator at USAID to oversee the integration of mental health services across all U.S. international development and humanitarian assistance programs. It mandates that all such programs must be evidence-based, culturally competent, trauma-informed, and prioritize vulnerable groups like conflict-affected children, displaced populations, and those impacted by diseases like Ebola or COVID-19. The bill requires annual reports to Congress detailing funding, program integration progress, and barriers to implementation, with a 5-year sunset provision. This legislation directly affects USAID and State Department programming worldwide, aiming to systematically address mental health needs in global aid efforts.

Maddy summaryThe HCBS Access Act (S 762) requires states to provide Medicaid coverage for home and community-based services (HCBS) to eligible individuals with disabilities and older adults, aiming to eliminate waiting lists and ensure access to community-based care. The bill establishes a comprehensive definition of HCBS that includes personal assistance, transportation, respite care, housing support, and other services necessary for community living. It mandates states to develop implementation plans to expand access, improve compensation and working conditions for direct care workers, and report on quality measures and demographic data related to HCBS access. The bill also creates a national technical assistance center to support workforce development and ensures services are provided in settings meeting specific quality standards.

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.

Maddy summaryThe Tax Fairness for Workers Act (S 738) allows employees to deduct certain work-related expenses from their taxable income. It creates an above-the-line deduction for union dues and adds a new exception permitting miscellaneous itemized deductions for other employee expenses, such as uniforms or tools, that were previously limited. This directly affects wage-earning workers who pay union dues or have unreimbursed job costs. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, and remove prior restrictions on these deductions.