Rep. Paul A. Gosar

Maddy summaryThe HOUSE Act of 2024 withdraws a federal rule requiring new housing projects financed by HUD and USDA to meet specific energy efficiency standards. It prohibits federal agencies from using funds to implement or enforce this rule or similar rules, mandating a return to the previous energy efficiency standards for these housing programs. The bill also extends these restrictions to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Additionally, it amends a law to allow states with energy efficiency standards meeting or exceeding the previous federal requirements (if at least 26 states have adopted such standards) to be used instead of federal rules.

Maddy summaryHJRES 165 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a Department of Education rule issued in April 2024 that updated protections against sex discrimination in schools receiving federal funding. The resolution aims to disapprove this specific rule (published as 89 Fed. Reg. 33474), which would have required schools to address sex-based discrimination in educational programs. If passed, the rule would no longer be in effect, meaning schools would not need to comply with its requirements. This resolution directly affects all schools and educational programs receiving federal financial assistance, as it targets the implementation of the new nondiscrimination standard.

Maddy summaryHRES 1377 is a procedural resolution requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide the House of Representatives with all relevant documents, records, and communications about the July 13, 2024, attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump within 7 days of the resolution's adoption. It specifically mandates the transfer of Secret Service protection records, DHS-SS communications, and audio/video recordings related to Trump's Butler, Pennsylvania, campaign rally on that date. The resolution does not change policy but demands transparency by directing the executive branch to disclose existing materials. It directly affects the Department of Homeland Security and its Secretary, who must comply with the 7-day deadline.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees from initiating, participating in, or advocating for the removal of firearms under state risk-based protective orders. It specifically targets state "gun confiscation laws" that allow temporary firearm removal through court orders. The law directly affects veterans who might face state-level gun confiscation proceedings and VA staff handling such cases. Key provisions ban VA involvement in these state proceedings, ensuring veterans' firearms cannot be seized based on state risk orders during VA-related processes. The bill focuses on restricting VA actions, not altering state gun laws or veterans' rights.

Maddy summaryHR 9053, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Restoration Act of 2024, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to notify the Attorney General within 30 days of enactment that it improperly sent certain veterans' personal information to the national background check system. This applies to veterans whose benefits were managed by a fiduciary (under 38 U.S.C. §5502) but who were not legally adjudicated as "mental defectives" under 18 U.S.C. §922(g). The bill corrects a procedural error where the VA transmitted this information to the FBI's background check system without legal basis. It directly affects veterans wrongly flagged due to this data transmission error, aiming to remove them from the system's records.

Maddy summaryThe SAVE Act (HR 8281) requires U.S. citizens to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It defines acceptable proof as documents like passports, REAL ID-compliant IDs, military IDs, or birth certificates, and mandates that states verify citizenship using information from government agencies like DHS and Social Security. States must establish processes for voters without required documentation to provide an attestation under penalty of perjury. The law also requires states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls when verified evidence shows they're not citizens. This bill directly affects all applicants registering to vote in federal elections and state election officials who must implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for veterans to apply for authorization after receiving emergency care at non-VA facilities. It requires the VA to consider such care authorized if veterans (or their representatives) submit an application within a deadline set by the VA - but this deadline cannot be earlier than 72 hours after discharge. The change directly affects veterans needing emergency medical treatment outside VA facilities, simplifying the process for documenting care. The key provision modifies 38 U.S.C. §1703(a)(3)(B) to provide a minimum 72-hour window for submission, reducing administrative barriers. The bill applies to emergency admissions occurring on or after its enactment date.

Maddy summaryHJRES 164 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the Department of Commerce regarding firearms license requirements. It directly targets the rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 34680), which would have revised licensing procedures for firearms dealers. If passed, the resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect by invoking the congressional disapproval process under federal law. The bill does not create new regulations but aims to halt an existing rule affecting gun license applicants and dealers.

Maddy summaryHR 4848, the Censorship Accountability Act, allows individuals to sue federal employees who, while acting in their official capacity, deny others their First Amendment rights (such as free speech or assembly). It directly affects federal employees (excluding the President/Vice President) who may restrict protected expression under federal law. Key provisions create a private right of action for victims to seek legal redress in court, with courts able to award attorney fees to the winning party. The bill explicitly excludes lawsuits against the federal government for employment-related conduct and clarifies that unconstitutional sections won’t invalidate the rest of the law.

Maddy summaryHJRES 182 is a joint resolution that disapproves a rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding placement requirements for LGBTQI+ children in foster care. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2024, would have set specific standards for how foster care agencies must place these children. If enacted, this resolution would make the HHS rule unenforceable, blocking its implementation nationwide. The bill directly targets the HHS rule, preventing it from affecting foster care systems and related policies.