Rep. Mike Collins

Maddy summaryHR 7182, the Defend Our Borders From Armed Invaders Act, would authorize the National Guard to stop individuals attempting to cross the U.S. border from Mexico by land if they are clearly carrying weapons. This bill amends federal law to explicitly allow the National Guard to take necessary actions against such individuals without requiring special federal approval. It directly affects National Guard operations along the U.S.-Mexico border and targets only those crossing with weapons, not all border crossers. The law overrides existing restrictions on National Guard use for domestic border security under 18 U.S.C. § 1385.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a law (18 U.S.C. § 1715) that previously prohibited mailing firearms without a license. It directly affects the U.S. Postal Service, firearm sellers, and individuals mailing firearms by preventing the Postal Service from creating rules that would block firearm mailings or require disclosure of sensitive records like sales receipts or firearm serial numbers. Key provisions include removing the existing ban on mailing firearms and prohibiting the Postal Service from imposing new restrictions on firearm mailings or demanding customer transaction data. The bill ensures that firearm mailings can proceed without these specific federal restrictions, while applying to ongoing legal cases under the repealed law.

Maddy summaryHR 7083, the RAZOR Act, prohibits federal agencies from removing or altering barriers (like fences or fences) built by states along the U.S. border to prevent unlawful crossings. It directly affects federal departments and agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, by restricting their ability to modify state-constructed border infrastructure. The key provision is a clear ban on any federal action that would change or remove these state-built barriers. This bill makes a specific policy change regarding federal-state border infrastructure authority without altering broader immigration law.

Maddy summaryThe Death Tax Repeal Act would eliminate the federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax for estates of people who die on or after the bill's enactment date, and for generation-skipping transfers made after that date. It would also establish a new $10 million lifetime gift tax exemption (adjusted annually for inflation) and replace the existing gift tax rate schedule with a revised structure. These changes would primarily affect high-net-worth individuals and their heirs, as the estate tax and gift tax typically apply to large estates or gifts exceeding the new exemption threshold. The bill's provisions would take effect on the date of enactment, with transitional rules for the year the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThe RIFLE Act of 2024 changes how the federal government handles violations by firearms licensees, affecting gun dealers and manufacturers who hold federal licenses. It creates a graduated penalty system where non-willful violations require the Attorney General to work with licensees to fix issues before taking action, while willful violations may lead to license suspension or revocation only after proper notice, hearing, and evidence of continued noncompliance. The bill establishes new procedures for administrative hearings, defines "willful" violations more clearly, and gives licensees 90 days to liquidate inventory after license expiration or revocation, with extensions possible for reasonable cause. These changes aim to create a more transparent process for addressing violations while maintaining public safety standards.

Maddy summaryHR 6940, the Mass Immigration Reduction Act of 2024, establishes a 5-year moratorium on most immigration by setting strict annual limits. It directly affects immigrants seeking family reunification (capping family-sponsored visas at zero), employment-based visas (capping at 5,000 annually), and refugees (limiting admissions to 25,000 per year). Key provisions include banning diversity visas, requiring citizenship renunciation for naturalization, and restricting birthright citizenship to children of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The bill requires the President to submit a report to Congress after 5 years confirming reduced illegal immigration and no negative impacts on wages or public services before ending the moratorium.

Maddy summaryThe REMAIN in Mexico Act of 2024 would require the U.S. government to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), a policy that forces certain asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their U.S. immigration cases are processed. It directly affects asylum seekers from Mexico and Central America who are seeking entry to the United States and would be subject to the MPP under this law. The bill mandates implementation of the MPP as described in a 2019 policy memo by former Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen. This would reverse the current administration's decision to end the program, requiring asylum seekers to remain in Mexico during their immigration proceedings.

Maddy summaryHR 6941, the Criminalize Fleeing from Immigration Enforcement Act of 2024, would make it a federal crime for individuals to flee or evade law enforcement officers enforcing specific immigration laws, including unauthorized entry (INA §275), re-entry after deportation (INA §276), or document fraud (INA §274). It directly affects people who flee officers identified as enforcing these immigration provisions or flee immigration checkpoints. The bill would impose penalties of up to five years in prison or fines for fleeing, with up to eight years for fleeing in a vehicle exceeding the speed limit. This amendment to Title 18, U.S. Code, creates a new criminal offense without changing existing immigration enforcement procedures.

Maddy summaryThe Count Only Citizens Act requires the U.S. Census Bureau to include a citizenship or lawful presence question on the 2030 and future decennial census forms. It mandates that the Secretary of Commerce adjust population counts for congressional apportionment to exclude non-citizens and individuals not lawfully present in the U.S. This change directly affects how congressional seats are allocated among states, potentially reducing representation for states with large non-citizen populations. The bill does not alter census counts used for other purposes, such as federal funding distribution.

Maddy summaryThe TRANQ Research Act of 2023 requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate research on illicit drugs containing xylazine, novel synthetic opioids, and other concerning substances. The bill mandates NIST to develop faster detection methods, create data tools for identifying these substances, and consult with agencies like the DEA, CDC, and National Institute on Drug Abuse to establish safe handling practices. NIST must also form partnerships with universities, federal labs, and the private sector to improve detection capabilities. Within one year, NIST must report to Congress on its implementation, and the Comptroller General must conduct a study on federal capabilities to respond to new psychoactive substances, reporting within two years.