Maddy summaryHJRES 14 proposes repealing the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which currently authorizes Congress to levy income taxes. If enacted, this would eliminate the federal government's power to collect income taxes from all sources, except during a formally declared war by Congress. The bill includes a two-year implementation period after ratification and requires the Treasury Secretary to submit a report on necessary legislative changes within 180 days of ratification. This proposal directly affects all U.S. taxpayers and the federal tax system, but remains a formal constitutional amendment proposal pending ratification by 38 states.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHR 2691 would abolish the U.S. Department of Education 30 days after enactment, terminating all its programs except the Federal Pell Grant and Direct Loan programs for higher education. It redirects federal funding for elementary and secondary education directly to states through block grants, calculated based on each state's share of national individual income tax payments. States receiving these funds would be required to use them for K-12 education, with no federal restrictions on how they distribute the money. The bill transfers oversight of the remaining higher education programs to the Treasury Secretary. This change would shift control of K-12 education funding from the federal government to state governments.
Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 2102 (Major Richard Star Act), allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both full military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation simultaneously, without the previous offset that reduced retired pay. It directly affects veterans already eligible for both benefits due to combat-related injuries, removing the requirement that their retired pay be reduced by the disability compensation amount. The key provision amends Title 10 and Title 38 to eliminate the offset rule (sections 5304 and 5305 of Title 38) for these veterans. The change applies to payments starting after the bill’s enactment date, effective for all qualifying veterans. This is a policy change to increase financial support for affected veterans, not a new benefit.
Maddy summaryHR 2652 provides tax incentives for manufacturers relocating production from foreign countries to the United States. It allows faster tax deductions (accelerated depreciation) for new U.S. manufacturing facilities and excludes gains from selling foreign manufacturing assets during relocation. The bill also makes permanent full tax deductions for eligible manufacturing equipment placed in service after enactment. These provisions directly affect manufacturers moving production to the U.S., aiming to reduce tax costs associated with relocation.
Maddy summaryHRES 289 is a symbolic resolution supporting the designation of April 2025 as "Second Chance Month" to raise awareness about barriers faced by people with criminal records. It does not create new laws or programs but encourages public awareness of "collateral consequences" like employment restrictions, housing barriers, and educational access issues that hinder reentry. The resolution calls for communities, employers, and organizations to promote second chances for individuals who have completed their sentences. It is a non-binding gesture aimed at fostering public dialogue, not a policy change.
Maddy summaryHRES 285 is a symbolic House resolution condemning multiple recent attacks on Tesla vehicles and facilities across the U.S. It specifically references at least 80 incidents of vandalism or arson involving Tesla cars and 10+ attacks on dealerships or charging stations in 9 states between February and March 2025, including Molotov cocktails, gunfire, and hate speech. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the House’s condemnation of these acts as domestic terrorism. It directly addresses the targeted destruction of Tesla property but has no legal effect on preventing future incidents or altering Tesla’s operations.
Maddy summaryHR 2581, the Iranian Terror Prevention Act, requires the U.S. government to designate 29 specific Iranian-backed militant groups as terrorist organizations within 90 days of the bill’s passage. The President must then decide within 60 days whether to impose sanctions on these groups, blocking their U.S. assets and transactions under existing law. The bill also mandates regular reports to Congress on these designations and sanctions, including for any new groups meeting the criteria. This law directly affects the 29 named groups (such as the Badr Organization and Houthis) and any entities controlled by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Maddy summaryThe Free Speech Fairness Act (HR 2501) would amend tax law to allow 501(c)(3) organizations, such as charities and educational nonprofits, to make political campaign statements as part of their regular activities without risking their tax-exempt status. The bill specifies that these statements must be made in the ordinary course of the organization's exempt purpose and result in only minimal additional costs. This change clarifies that routine political commentary by these groups does not violate their tax-exempt status under current rules. The provision would apply to tax years beginning after the bill's enactment.
Maddy summaryHR 1838, the Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act, requires the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to give equal priority to broadband projects serving rural ports when awarding grants under the Rural Electrification Act. It defines "port" broadly to include harbors, marine terminals, and shore facilities on inland waters, ensuring these areas receive dedicated consideration for broadband funding. The bill mandates verification of unserved communities using FCC data and site testing, and sets aside 1% of funds for oversight. This directly affects rural port operators and communities by prioritizing infrastructure upgrades to improve broadband access for operations like precision agriculture and cargo handling.
Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States Act or the A–PLUS Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to revise its regulations to allow certain packers to hold an ownership interest in, finance, or participate in the management or operation of a market agency selling livestock on a commission basis. The bill applies to packers that have a cumulative slaughter capacity of (1) less than 2,000 animals per day or 700,000 animals per year with respect to cattle or sheep, and (2) less than 10,000 animals per day or 3 million animals per year with respect to hogs. In addition, USDA must revise its regulations to include a disclosure requirement for a market agency that has an ownership interest in, finances, or participates in the management or operation of a packer. Specifically, the market agency must disclose the existence of such ownership interest, financial relationship, or participation.