Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis

Maddy summaryThe READY Accounts Act creates a new tax-advantaged savings account that allows individuals to deduct up to $4,500 annually (adjusted for inflation) for contributions toward home disaster preparedness and recovery. These accounts can only be used for specific qualifying expenses, including disaster mitigation measures like reinforcing roofs, installing impact-resistant windows, or recovering from disaster damage like fire or storm. Contributions must be in cash, accounts must be administered by banks or approved entities, and distributions not used for qualifying expenses are taxable with a 20% additional tax penalty. The bill applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHR 414, the Student Visa Security Improvement Act, requires enhanced background checks for student visa applicants (F, J, M categories) by directing DHS to implement in-person interviews and stricter reviews within 180 days of enactment, focusing on potential terrorist inadmissibility. It mandates schools and exchange programs to track student attendance (limiting unobserved periods to 30 days per term), report enrollment changes within 10 days, and verify academic progress through updated SEVIS system requirements. The bill also requires institutions to provide trained staff access to SEVIS, update data fields for academic verification, and enables DHS to decertify institutions posing security risks. These provisions directly affect international students, their host institutions, and exchange program sponsors participating in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

Maddy summaryHR 28, the *Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025*, amends Title IX to prohibit federally funded schools from allowing male-identified individuals (based on biological sex at birth) to compete on women’s or girls’ sports teams. It explicitly states that such participation would violate federal civil rights law, with exceptions only for training/practice that doesn’t displace female athletes from roster spots, competitions, scholarships, or other benefits. The bill mandates a Comptroller General study to define "other benefits" lost by girls when males compete in single-sex sports, including impacts on psychological well-being, scholarship access, and safe participation environments. This bill directly affects all athletic programs receiving federal funding, requiring compliance with its biological-sex-based eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHR 378, the Thin Blue Line Act, adds a new aggravating factor for the death penalty in federal cases where a defendant kills or targets a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder. It specifically applies when the victim was killed or targeted while performing official duties, because of those duties, or due to their status as a public official. This amendment to federal death penalty law would make the death penalty a potential sentencing option for such crimes, as the killing would be considered an aggravating factor. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of homicides meeting these specific circumstances involving public safety personnel.

Maddy summaryHR 298 removes legal restrictions on U.S. defense exports and security assistance to the Republic of Cyprus. The bill amends two key laws: it eliminates provisions in the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act that previously prohibited certain defense articles for Cyprus, and it deletes requirements in the Foreign Assistance Act regarding security assistance and sales to Cyprus. These changes directly affect U.S. defense contractors and security agencies by removing barriers to selling defense equipment and providing security aid to Cyprus. The bill does not create new programs but modifies existing legal frameworks to allow greater flexibility in U.S. defense and security engagement with Cyprus.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) as outlined in a 2019 policy memo. It requires migrants seeking asylum at the U.S. border to remain in Mexico while their cases are processed, rather than being allowed to stay in the U.S. pending a hearing. The bill does not create new rules but mandates the reinstatement of a policy that was previously in effect from 2019 to 2021. This would directly affect asylum seekers arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. The policy change would apply to all migrants covered by the existing MPP framework.

Legal Workforce Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after and to replace the E-Verify system, which allows employers and recruiters to verify the immigration status of individuals. The bill also mandates the use of such a system, where currently only some employers, such as those with federal contracts, are required to use E-Verify. The bill specifies documents that can establish an individual's identity and employment authorization. During the period starting when a job offer is made until three business days after hiring, the individual must attest to his or her employment authorization, and the employer or recruiter must attest that it has examined the individual's required documents. Employers shall reverify certain types of employees who were not previously verified using E-Verify. The Social Security Administration shall notify employees if their Social Security number has been used multiple times in an unusual manner. DHS shall establish programs for blocking and suspending misused numbers. Employers that are required to use the verification system shall not be liable for any employment-related action based on a good-faith reliance on the system. The bill establishes a phased-in participation deadline for different sizes and categories of employers, including agricultural employers. The bill increases civil penalties related to hiring individuals without work authorization. It also preempts state laws relating to hiring and employment eligibility verification, but states may use their authority of business licensing to penalize employers for failing to comply with the bill's provisions.

Maddy summaryHRES 17 is a symbolic House resolution condemning Turkey’s continued military occupation of northern Cyprus, which began with the 1974 invasion. It specifically demands Turkey withdraw its 35,000 troops, cease illegal settlements of over 200,000 people in occupied areas, and comply with international rulings on property rights for U.S. citizens. The resolution also calls for Turkey to stop violating Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone and assist in locating four missing U.S. citizens from the 1974 invasion. It urges President Trump (as the resolution was introduced in 2025) to prioritize resolving the Cyprus conflict as a top foreign policy goal, emphasizing a bizonal, bicommunal federation solution. As a non-binding resolution, it does not impose legal requirements but expresses congressional stance.

Maddy summaryHRES 18 is a non-binding resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' view that the United Kingdom should negotiate the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. It specifically calls for the UK government to enter talks with Greece to facilitate the marbles' return, citing their cultural significance as an integral part of the Parthenon and Greece's 200-year effort to reclaim them. The resolution emphasizes that reunifying the marbles would honor their historical context and Greece's care for them, noting Greece's New Acropolis Museum as a suitable home. As a procedural resolution, it does not impose legal obligations but formally states the House's position on this cultural heritage issue.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would limit Members of Congress to serving a maximum of three terms in the House of Representatives or two terms in the Senate. It directly affects current and future members by preventing those who have already served the maximum terms from seeking re-election. Key provisions include counting vacancies filled for more than a year (House) or three years (Senate) as a full term toward the limit, while excluding terms served before ratification from the count. As a constitutional amendment proposal, it requires approval by three-fourths of state legislatures to become law.