Rep. W. Gregory Steube

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 400 prohibits U.S. taxpayer funding for the United Nations Human Rights Council. It requires the Secretary of State to withhold from annual U.S. UN budget contributions any amount allocated to the Human Rights Council, and bans voluntary U.S. contributions to the Council. Funds withheld under this law are canceled immediately and do not count as unpaid dues to the UN. The bill specifically targets the Human Rights Council, leaving other UN activities unaffected.

Maddy summaryHR 332, the Travel Trailer and Camper Tax Parity Act, would amend the tax code to allow business owners to claim a tax deduction for financing travel trailers and campers used for recreation. Specifically, it adds these vehicles to the definition of "floor plan financing" by clarifying that trailers/campers designed for temporary living (recreational, camping, or seasonal use) qualify, if towed or attached to a motor vehicle. This change directly affects small businesses and owners who finance such vehicles for commercial use, aligning their tax treatment with other similar vehicles. The provision would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funding under Title X (which supports family planning services) for clinics or organizations that perform or fund abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or when a physician certifies a life-threatening condition. It requires grantees to certify compliance annually and mandates detailed annual reports to Congress on exceptions, including abortion counts by circumstance. The law directly affects Title X-funded providers who currently offer abortion services, potentially forcing them to stop providing abortions or lose federal funding. Key mechanisms include the certification requirement, exception criteria, and the new reporting obligations for the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Maddy summaryHR 355, the "Justice for Jocelyn Act," restricts the use of Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs for immigrants in U.S. immigration proceedings. It requires that detention beds be fully occupied, no detention options remain, and all reasonable efforts to detain have been exhausted before an immigrant can be released under ATD. The bill mandates continuous GPS tracking for all ATD participants throughout immigration proceedings and until removal, plus a nightly curfew (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) requiring them to stay at a designated home address. Violating release conditions triggers automatic removal in absentia without further court hearing. This directly affects immigrants eligible for ATD, altering how they are monitored and held during immigration cases.

Maddy summaryHR 369, the States’ Education Reclamation Act of 2025, would abolish the U.S. Department of Education and transfer its programs - including job training, special education, and federal student loans - to other federal departments like Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury. It would provide annual federal grants to states for K-12 and higher education, requiring states to use the funds to add to, not replace, their existing education budgets. States must conduct annual audits of fund usage, submit reports to the federal government, and face penalties for misuse, while maintaining compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws. The bill shifts federal education oversight to states, ending direct federal management of education programs.

Maddy summaryHR 361, the "Make Greenland Great Again Act," authorizes the President to begin negotiations with Denmark for the U.S. acquisition of Greenland starting January 20, 2025. It requires the President to submit any resulting agreement to specific congressional committees (Foreign Affairs and Foreign Relations) within five days, followed by a 60-day congressional review period. If Congress takes no action during that period, the agreement would automatically take effect. The bill does not change Greenland’s current status as part of Denmark’s Kingdom but proposes a diplomatic process for potential transfer. Note: This appears to be a symbolic or satirical proposal, as Greenland is an autonomous territory within Denmark’s Kingdom and not subject to unilateral acquisition.

Maddy summaryHR 321, the FLY Act, requires the FAA and TSA to create a system within 180 days to expedite gate passes for caregivers. It directly affects parents, guardians, and caregivers of minors or passengers needing assistance who already qualify for TSA Pre-Check. The system will provide up to two gate passes per trip, noting the Pre-Check status on the pass just like a regular ticket. This streamlines access to flights for these individuals without changing existing Pre-Check eligibility. The bill focuses on improving procedural access for specific travelers during airport security screening.

Maddy summaryHR 320, the "Make Marriage Great Again Act of 2025," eliminates the tax "marriage penalty" for married couples filing jointly. The bill modifies the federal income tax code by doubling the income thresholds for married couples' tax brackets (using the brackets that apply to single filers), effectively making the tax rates for married couples more favorable. This change directly affects married couples filing jointly whose combined income would have previously pushed them into a higher tax bracket than if they filed separately. The policy change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and removes specific provisions that previously created the penalty.

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.