Maddy summaryHR 404, the "Hearing Protection Act," reclassifies firearm silencers (devices that reduce gunfire noise) as firearms for federal tax and regulatory purposes. It imposes a 10% federal tax on silencers, requires the destruction of all existing federal silencer registration records within one year, and preempts state laws that tax or regulate silencers. The bill clarifies that silencers are treated as firearms under federal law, including for licensing and marking requirements, and defines "firearm silencer" to include specific components. Note: The bill’s title is misleading - it addresses firearm silencer regulation, not hearing protection for people.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHR 450, the FORCE Act, prevents the U.S. government from removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. It requires the President to make a specific determination under the 1996 LIBERTAD Act before Cuba can be removed. The bill directly affects Cuba's international designation status and U.S. foreign policy actions toward the country. It does not change existing law but blocks any removal until the specified determination is made. The provision applies to both the President and the Secretary of State.
Maddy summaryHR 253, the Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act, prohibits members of Congress, their spouses, and dependents from owning or trading most stocks, bonds, commodities, and derivatives. Covered individuals must divest such investments within 90 days of the bill’s enactment or when becoming covered, with exceptions for U.S. Treasury securities, state/local government bonds, and Thrift Savings Plan investments. The law requires divestment through sale or placement in a qualified blind trust (approved by the ethics office), mandates annual compliance certificates, and imposes civil penalties up to $50,000 for violations. It directly affects congressional staff and family members with financial holdings, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest in legislative decision-making.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) as outlined in a 2019 policy memo. It requires migrants seeking asylum at the U.S. border to remain in Mexico while their cases are processed, rather than being allowed to stay in the U.S. pending a hearing. The bill does not create new rules but mandates the reinstatement of a policy that was previously in effect from 2019 to 2021. This would directly affect asylum seekers arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. The policy change would apply to all migrants covered by the existing MPP framework.
Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would limit Members of Congress to serving a maximum of three terms in the House of Representatives or two terms in the Senate. It directly affects current and future members by preventing those who have already served the maximum terms from seeking re-election. Key provisions include counting vacancies filled for more than a year (House) or three years (Senate) as a full term toward the limit, while excluding terms served before ratification from the count. As a constitutional amendment proposal, it requires approval by three-fourths of state legislatures to become law.
Maddy summaryThe Jackie Robinson Ballpark National Commemorative Site Act designates Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Florida, as a National Commemorative Site, making it part of the African American Civil Rights Network. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study within two years to evaluate the site's national significance and preservation options, without designating it as a unit of the National Park System. This designation does not affect private property rights, local zoning, or current site management by its owners.
Maddy summaryHR 7365, the VETS Safe Travel Act, provides free TSA PreCheck access to veterans with specific service-connected disabilities. It applies to veterans enrolled in VA healthcare who have lost or lost use of an extremity, experience paralysis, or have permanent blindness, requiring mobility aids like wheelchairs or prosthetics. The bill requires TSA and the VA to coordinate implementation within one year, including outreach to veterans about this benefit and reporting to Congress on progress.
Maddy summary# Summary of Proposed Legislation This comprehensive legislative proposal contains multiple sections addressing election integrity, campaign finance reform, cybersecurity, census operations, and related government functions. Key provisions include: 1. **Campaign Finance Reforms**: - Increased thresholds for political committee reporting requirements - Repeal of requirements for political committees to report donor identification - Exemption of uncompensated internet communications from contribution/expenditure treatment - Protection of donor privacy for tax-exempt organizations through the "Speech Privacy Act of 2023" 2. **Election Security**: - Establishment of a process for testing and monitoring cybersecurity vulnerabilities in election equipment - Requirements for the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify state officials about election cybersecurity incidents - Exclusive authority for the Election Assistance Commission regarding guidelines for voting system certification 3. **Census and Redistricting**: - Establishment of a permanent Census Monitoring Board with bipartisan composition to review census operations - Clarification of state authority over congressional redistricting maps - Provisions regarding the Speaker of the House's authority to join civil actions related to apportionment 4. **Other Key Provisions**: - Termination of the Disinformation Governance Board and prohibition on funding similar entities - Amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act to increase reporting thresholds and exempt certain communications - Various technical corrections to existing campaign finance law The legislation appears to focus on enhancing election security, reducing regulatory burdens on political organizations, protecting donor privacy, and strengthening oversight of census operations while maintaining constitutional boundaries between federal and state authority.
Maddy summaryHR 54, the WHO Withdrawal Act, directs the U.S. President to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) Constitution upon enactment and prohibits all federal funding for U.S. participation in the WHO or any successor organization. The bill repeals the 1948 law that established U.S. membership and funding for WHO participation. This legislation directly affects all federal departments and agencies that handle international health funding and diplomatic engagement, ending U.S. financial and legal ties to the WHO.
Maddy summaryHR 137, the TCJA Permanency Act, makes permanent many tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It permanently increases the standard deduction for individual taxpayers, modifies income tax brackets, and makes permanent the child tax credit increase. The bill also permanently limits deductions for state and local taxes, mortgage interest, and miscellaneous itemized deductions. These changes affect most individual taxpayers who file federal income tax returns.