Rep. Mike Collins

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. State Department to officially designate four specific Mexican drug cartels (Gulf Cartel, Cartel Del Noreste, Cartel de Sinaloa, and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion) as foreign terrorist organizations under existing law. It mandates a 30-day report explaining why these groups meet the legal criteria for such designation, including justification if they don't. The report must be submitted to specified congressional committees and may lead to additional cartels being designated based on the findings. The bill also clarifies that this designation won't affect asylum eligibility for individuals fleeing these groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the use of 529 college savings accounts to cover career training and credentialing costs. It allows funds to pay for tuition, fees, books, and testing expenses related to recognized postsecondary credential programs (like vocational certifications) that meet specific standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The change directly affects workers seeking industry-recognized credentials - such as nursing certifications or IT certifications - instead of traditional degrees. It treats these expenses the same as traditional college costs for 529 account withdrawals, making it easier to save for career-focused training. The provision applies to expenses paid after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThe Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2023 would remove a 12-percent federal excise tax on new heavy trucks, tractors, and trailers. This tax, in place since 1917, adds $12,000 to $22,000 to the cost of a new truck and is argued to discourage replacing older, less efficient vehicles. The bill aims to lower costs for buyers - especially for electric and alternative-fueled trucks, which face higher upfront prices - by eliminating the tax, thereby encouraging adoption of newer, cleaner models. The repeal would apply to sales occurring on or after the bill's introduction date.

This resolution expresses that Secretary Pete Buttigieg (1) has failed to keep the American people safe in his duties as Secretary of Transportation, (2) has failed to ensure goods flow efficiently through the U.S. economy, (3) has lost the confidence of the American people, and (4) should resign.

No Retaining Every Gun In a System That Restricts Your Rights Act This bill modifies the retention requirements for firearm transaction records of federal firearms licensees (FFLs) that go out of business. Current law generally requires FFLs that go out of business to deliver their firearm transaction records to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This bill removes the requirement for FFLs that go out of business to deliver their firearm transaction records to the ATF. Further, the bill requires the ATF to destroy all out-of-business records it has collected from FFLs.

Maddy summaryHR 1200, the National Right-to-Work Act, prohibits requiring workers to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment in both private-sector workplaces (covered by the National Labor Relations Act) and railroad industries (covered by the Railway Labor Act). The bill amends key sections of these laws to eliminate provisions that allowed union security agreements, meaning workers in unionized settings would no longer be forced to pay dues to retain their jobs. This directly affects employees in unionized workplaces across the U.S., particularly those in industries with existing union contracts that included mandatory dues. The law changes the legal framework to ensure union membership and dues payment remain voluntary for all workers.

Maddy summaryHR 985, the "Productivity Over Pronouns Act," prohibits federal agencies from using appropriated funds to develop or implement gender-neutral or inclusive communication principles. Specifically, it blocks funding for resources, training, or suggestions aimed at avoiding gender stereotypes, using preferred terms for identity groups, applying an equity lens to communications, or addressing people inclusively through language. This directly affects all federal agencies (as defined by law) when carrying out any program, project, or activity funded by the government. The bill restricts how agencies can communicate with the public or structure their materials, banning the use of federal money for these inclusive communication approaches.

Maddy summaryHR 899 would end the U.S. Department of Education by requiring its termination on December 31, 2023. This bill directly affects the Department of Education itself, eliminating its federal structure and operations. The key provision is a specific termination date, ending the agency's existence as a standalone cabinet-level department. No other mechanisms or affected groups are specified in the bill text.

Maddy summaryHR 29, the Border Safety and Security Act of 2023, grants the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to restrict entry at U.S. land or maritime borders for certain immigrants deemed "covered aliens" (those inadmissible under immigration law due to lack of proper documentation). The bill requires the Secretary to suspend entry if they cannot detain or process these individuals as required by existing immigration law. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the Secretary in federal court if they believe border policies harm their state's residents. The law defines "operational control" using terms from the Secure Fence Act of 2006. This bill directly affects immigrants seeking entry who fall under the specified inadmissibility category.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 13 is a concurrent resolution expressing Congress's support for maintaining the current policy that prohibits imposing new fees on local radio stations for playing music. It states that Congress should not impose any performance fee, tax, royalty, or charge on local radio stations for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on businesses like bars and restaurants that play music publicly. The resolution argues that such fees would harm local radio stations - critical sources for emergency information and community programming - and jeopardize the economic model that has supported both radio and the music industry for decades. This resolution does not create new law but formally opposes potential legislative changes to the existing fee structure.