Rep. Eric Burlison

Maddy summaryHR 7694, the "No AI Audits Act," restricts the IRS from using artificial intelligence to select or initiate tax audits or investigations without meeting specific requirements. The bill requires any AI system used for audits to comply with NIST's explainability standards and mandates that IRS audits must be initiated by a human investigator whose name and contact information are documented. It also directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to audit the IRS's use of AI and assess its impact on taxpayer rights. This bill directly affects the IRS's audit procedures and taxpayers whose cases might be selected through AI systems.

Maddy summaryThe Pony Up Act requires the United States Postal Service (USPS) to reimburse individuals who were charged late fees or penalties due to delayed delivery of their bills or payment notices. If USPS delivers a bill notice less than 6 days before the payment due date (or payment after the due date), it must pay the exact amount of fees incurred. Individuals can apply for reimbursement via USPS website, mail, or in-person, with appeals available to a Judicial Officer within 30 days. The bill also mandates annual USPS reports on mail delivery delays by mail class and an audit to assess if certain mail types receive priority treatment.

Maddy summaryThe AUSTIN Act of 2024 requires cabinet-level officials, such as department heads, to notify the President and congressional leaders within 24 hours if they cannot perform their duties due to illness or absence, and to publish this notice on their agency’s website. The notice must include the reason for the inability and a timeline for when they will be unable to work and when they expect to return. The President may temporarily waive the public posting requirement for national security reasons but must explain the waiver to Congress, and congressional leaders can override such a waiver if they disagree. Failure to comply could result in the official losing federal funding for their salary and facing termination.

Maddy summaryHRES 1057 is a non-binding House resolution introduced on March 5, 2024, that formally denounces public calls for a cease-fire in Gaza. It specifically demands an end to U.S. funding for Hamas through the UNRWA aid agency, condemns efforts to establish an independent State of Palestine, and calls for halting all U.S. assistance to Palestinian entities until investigations into alleged terrorism funding are completed. The resolution does not change laws or policies but serves as a symbolic statement expressing congressional opposition to cease-fire advocacy and certain aid programs. It directly addresses public discourse and policy debates, not specific individuals or organizations.

Let Injured Americans Be Legally Empowered Act or the LIABLE Act This bill prohibits COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers from being immune under federal law from lawsuits relating to their vaccines. Specifically, the bill prohibits any federal law from providing immunity for COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers from civil suits or liability, or limiting liability, with respect to the administration or use of their vaccines. Additionally, individuals may not be precluded from bringing a civil suit against a COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer because the individual sought or received compensation through specified federal vaccine injury compensation programs, nor does the bill preclude individuals from seeking compensation through these programs. The bill applies to vaccine administrations that occur before, on, or after the bill's date of enactment.

Maddy summaryHRES 1031 is a non-binding House resolution declaring the U.S. southern border situation an "invasion," citing three specific claims: over 8 million migrant crossings since 2021, a 1,000% rise in watchlist entries, and drug-related deaths. It does not create new laws or affect individuals, as resolutions like this only express legislative sentiment. The bill formally states the House's viewpoint through these cited statistics without proposing policy changes. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal force or impact on border policy.

Maddy summaryHR 7450, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, prohibits payment card networks and covered entities (like payment processors) from requiring or assigning merchant category codes that specifically identify firearms retailers as different from general stores or sporting goods retailers. This directly affects firearms retailers and payment networks by preventing them from using business classification codes that could flag firearm sales. The bill establishes an enforcement process where the Attorney General investigates complaints, issues remediation notices, and can seek court injunctions for non-compliance, while preempting state or local laws on this issue. It does not create private lawsuits for individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 7049 repeals a Veterans Affairs directive requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health care personnel. This bill directly affects VA medical staff by removing a specific policy implemented in 2022. The key provision mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to formally cancel the directive (VHA Directive 1193.01) and prohibits issuing any substantially similar future rule. The bill focuses solely on reversing an existing administrative requirement, with no new benefits or obligations added.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Labor from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a specific proposed rule (published September 8, 2023) that would have raised the salary threshold for overtime eligibility for certain white-collar workers. It directly affects the Department of Labor's ability to move forward with that rule change. The bill does not create new overtime rules or alter current requirements; it simply blocks this particular proposed rule from taking effect. As a procedural measure, it prevents the rule from becoming final policy.

Maddy summaryHR 7273 cancels unspent funds from two federal programs supporting electric vehicle charging infrastructure. It rescinds unused balances from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) and another highway grant program, redirecting them to the U.S. Treasury for deficit reduction. This bill does not affect current grants or future funding for EV projects; it only redirects unobligated money already allocated but not yet spent. The policy change is purely financial, with no new requirements or impacts on states, businesses, or consumers.