Rep. Andy Biggs

Maddy summaryHR 4092, the Protect RAIL Act, amends U.S. immigration law to make certain crimes involving stolen goods transported by carriers (like trains, trucks, or ships) grounds for denying entry or deporting non-citizens. It adds new inadmissibility and deportability provisions for anyone convicted of theft from interstate or foreign shipments under Title 18, Section 659 of the U.S. Code. The bill directly affects non-citizens who commit these specific theft offenses, making them ineligible to enter the U.S. or subject to removal. This changes immigration consequences for existing criminal offenses, not the crimes themselves.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 93 would withdraw U.S. congressional approval of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement, which was originally approved under the Uruguay Round Agreements Act of 1994. This action would end the United States' legal obligation to participate in the WTO, removing the country from the global trade organization. The bill specifically targets the approval granted by Congress, not the executive branch's role in trade. As a result, U.S. trade policy would no longer be subject to WTO rules or dispute resolution processes.

Maddy summaryHR 3984, the Expedited Removal Expansion Act of 2025, would expand the circumstances under which immigrants attempting to enter the U.S. can be quickly removed without a full immigration court hearing. The bill removes specific exceptions that previously prevented expedited removal for certain individuals, including those who have been physically present in the U.S. for two continuous years or have certain medical conditions. Key changes include eliminating references to existing exemptions (like the "2-year presence" requirement) and broadening the definition of inadmissibility to simply "under section 212" of immigration law. This policy change directly affects new immigrants at the border who are deemed inadmissible under these expanded criteria.

Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2025 This bill repeals provisions under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law) that limit, for purposes of Medicare participation, self-referrals by newly constructed or expanded physician-owned hospitals.

Maddy summaryThe STOP CSAM Act of 2025 would strengthen protections for child victims and witnesses in federal court by creating a new definition of "covered person" to include minors under 18 who are victims or witnesses of abuse, exploitation, or kidnapping. The bill requires internet service providers to report apparent child sexual exploitation to the CyberTipline within 60 days, with civil penalties of $50,000-$250,000 per violation and criminal fines up to $1 million for non-compliance. It also creates new civil remedies allowing victims to sue platforms that host or promote child sexual exploitation, with minimum $300,000 in damages. Additionally, large platforms would be required to submit annual reports to the Attorney General and FTC detailing their safety measures and child exploitation on their platforms.

Maddy summaryHR 2096, the "Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act," aims to address rising crime in Washington, D.C., by reversing specific District of Columbia police policies. It directly affects Metropolitan Police Department officers and civilian employees by restoring two key provisions: (1) the right for officers to negotiate discipline matters through collective bargaining, and (2) the statute of limitations for claims against police personnel. The bill repeals related sections of the 2022 D.C. Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Act, which had previously limited these rights. These changes are intended to improve police recruitment and retention amid staffing shortages and rising crime rates.

Maddy summaryHR 589, the FACE Act Repeal Act of 2025, would repeal a federal law (Section 248 of Title 18, U.S. Code) that prohibited obstructing access to reproductive health care facilities through physical means, intimidation, or violence. This repeal would eliminate the federal criminal penalty for such conduct, meaning federal prosecutors could no longer charge individuals under this specific law. The bill applies to all pending or future federal prosecutions related to these actions. It does not affect state laws that may still regulate access to reproductive health care facilities.

Maddy summaryHR 98, the "End Endless Criminal Statutes Act," repeals specific outdated federal laws that impose criminal penalties for trivial or obsolete actions. It directly affects individuals who might accidentally violate these archaic statutes, such as writing a check under $1, wearing postal uniforms, or discarding produce without specific documentation. Key provisions include repealing sections like 18 U.S.C. §336 (criminalizing minor check writing), 21 U.S.C. §347 (margarine labeling rules), and 2 U.S.C. §1963 (Capitol grounds sledding rules), while adding an "intent" requirement for uniform violations under 18 U.S.C. §1730. The bill aims to eliminate unnecessary criminal penalties for minor, outdated offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a default rule for federal criminal prosecutions: prosecutors must prove beyond reasonable doubt that defendants knowingly acted unlawfully for most offenses. It applies to all federal crimes punishable by imprisonment or a $2,500+ fine (excluding certain military offenses and jurisdictional elements), requiring proof of awareness of unlawfulness unless the law specifies a different mental state. The rule affects nearly all federal criminal defendants by clarifying that "knowingly" is the default standard for unaddressed elements of a crime. The law applies to cases filed after its enactment, with limited exceptions for retroactive application to prior cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to admit new states, replacing the current simple majority requirement. It would directly affect territories seeking statehood, such as Washington, D.C., or Puerto Rico, by raising the legislative threshold for approval. The key mechanism is the shift from a simple majority to a two-thirds vote in each chamber for new state admissions. This change would require broader bipartisan consensus before new states could join the Union.