Rep. W. Gregory Steube

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 433) is a symbolic congressional statement condemning former FBI Director James Comey for a social media post described in the bill as inciting violence against President Trump. It claims Comey's post - featuring the phrase "86-47" with "cool shell formation" - seemed to call for eliminating the president, jeopardizing his security during a foreign trip. The resolution formally condemns this as "indefensible," urges barring Comey from future federal employment, and requests a DOJ investigation into his post. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but reflects the sponsors' position on the matter. The bill focuses on the stated claims within its text, not on verified facts about the post or Comey's intent.

Maddy summaryHR 3463 (COUNTER Act) expands the U.S. military's authority to counter drone threats by allowing the Department of Defense and Coast Guard to neutralize unmanned aircraft systems without being restricted by certain federal laws. It exempts related technology, procedures, and protocols from public disclosure requirements under federal and state laws, and permits military commanders to delegate these actions. The bill applies to both domestic and overseas operations, clarifying that other federal laws do not apply to U.S. military or Coast Guard activities mitigating drone threats abroad. Key changes include broadening legal authority beyond previous restrictions and extending reporting deadlines for related activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores a tax deduction for personal losses caused by disasters, crimes, or scams (like stolen property or damage from hurricanes). It directly affects taxpayers who filed returns before 2025 but couldn’t claim this deduction due to a prior suspension. The bill reinstates the deduction and extends the deadline to file refund claims for these losses until the tax filing deadline for the year the bill becomes law. This allows eligible individuals to claim refunds they were previously barred from receiving.

Maddy summaryHR 3388, the PELOSI Act, prohibits members of Congress and their spouses from holding, purchasing, or selling most financial investments (like stocks, bonds, or derivatives) during their term in office. It requires them to divest existing holdings within 180 days of taking office or enacting the law, with exceptions for diversified mutual funds, ETFs, and U.S. Treasury securities. Members must annually certify compliance to ethics committees, which can enforce penalties including disgorgement of profits, fines up to 10% of the investment value, and public disclosure of violations. The law aims to prevent conflicts of interest by restricting financial holdings that could create insider trading concerns.

Maddy summaryHR 276, the Gulf of America Act, would rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in all U.S. federal documents and maps. It requires all federal agencies to update their records, maps, and publications within 180 days of enactment to reflect this new name. The bill directly affects federal agencies responsible for geographic naming and documentation, such as the Department of the Interior and the Board on Geographic Names. This is a procedural change with no impact on policy, environmental regulations, or affected communities.

Maddy summaryHR 3311, the ELECT Act of 2025, ends taxpayer funding for presidential campaigns by terminating two key provisions. It stops using income tax payments to finance presidential elections after December 31, 2024, and dissolves the existing Presidential election campaign fund. Any remaining funds in that account will be transferred to the Treasury’s general fund to reduce the deficit. The bill directly affects presidential candidates and campaigns by eliminating automatic taxpayer support for these elections starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 3228, the Constitutional Hearing Protection Act, reclassifies firearm silencers as firearms under federal tax law and eliminates their separate registration under the National Firearms Act. It requires the Attorney General to destroy all existing federal silencer registration records within one year and preempts state laws that impose taxes, registration, or recordkeeping requirements on silencers. The bill defines "firearm silencer" and specifies that manufacturers must mark silencers on a "keystone part" with a serial number. This directly affects silencer owners, manufacturers, and state governments by standardizing federal regulation and removing state-level restrictions.

Maddy summaryHR 3246, "Violet’s Law," amends the Animal Welfare Act to require federal research facilities to create plans for placing eligible animals (dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, guinea pigs, hamsters, or rabbits) no longer needed for research. It directs federal departments and agencies operating such facilities to develop standards within one year of enactment to facilitate adoption or placement with qualified organizations like animal rescue groups, sanctuaries, or shelters. Animals must be certified by a licensed veterinarian as free of infectious disease or physical issues endangering health before release. This applies directly to all U.S. federal agencies conducting animal research, mandating concrete steps to transition animals out of research settings into permanent care.

Maddy summaryHR 3207, the DEFENSE Act, authorizes state and local law enforcement officers to use drone detection and countermeasures at specific protected venues. It directly affects officers deputized by federal agencies to secure locations like stadiums during large public gatherings, events under flight restrictions, or sites covered by existing federal flight rules. Key provisions require officers to complete mandatory training, establish federal oversight through the Department of Homeland Security and FAA, and limit authorized equipment to a pre-approved list maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. The bill focuses on enhancing security at designated events without creating new federal regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies liability for payroll tax errors when third-party payroll services (like professional employer organizations) rely on employer certifications. It allows these services to depend on employer-provided information unless they knew or should have known of an error. If an error is discovered, the employer bears full liability unless the third party had "constructive knowledge" of the error, in which case liability is shared based on the portion of the error the third party knew about. The bill also prevents the IRS from delaying payroll tax credits or auditing employers solely because a third party relied on an erroneous certification from that employer. It directly affects third-party payroll services and the businesses that use their services for tax filings.