Rep. W. Gregory Steube

Safe Storage Lockers for House Office Buildings Act This bill permits employees of the House of Representatives to bring certain weapons into House office buildings provided that the employees store the weapons in storage lockers operated by the U.S. Capitol Police. An employee who is authorized by the District of Columbia (DC) to carry self-defense spray, a stun gun, or a firearm may bring the weapon into a House office building if the employee (1) carries the weapon in a manner that complies with DC laws prior to entering the building, (2) enters the building through an external pedestrian entrance, (3) leaves the weapon in a storage locker while in the building, and (4) immediately exits the building after retrieving the weapon. The U.S. Capitol Police must install and operate storage lockers at the external pedestrian entrances of each House office building.

Maddy summaryHR 5319, the Ban Offshore Abortion Tourism Act, prohibits performing abortions that result in fetal death within U.S. maritime jurisdiction (e.g., international waters under U.S. authority). It targets abortion providers in these zones, with exceptions for life-threatening medical conditions, pregnancies from rape (requiring 48 hours of counseling or treatment first), or pregnancies from rape/incest involving minors (requiring prior reporting to authorities). The bill allows civil lawsuits against providers for violations, awarding triple damages, medical costs, and attorney fees, but explicitly protects women from prosecution or financial liability. It does not restrict abortion access in foreign countries or U.S. territorial waters.

This bill increases from 20% to 25% the value of the total assets represented by securities of one or more taxable Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) subsidiaries (thus restoring the REIT subsidiary asset test).

Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program within the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the bill, USDA must establish and maintain (directly or by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement) a program to help eligible hospital facilities in rural areas with a population of 50,000 inhabitants or less.  The program must provide tailored technical assistance and training to hospital facilities to identify development needs for maintaining essential health care services and support action plans for financial, operational, and quality improvement projects to meet these needs. Development needs include (1) constructing, expanding, and modernizing health care facilities; (2) increasing telehealth capabilities; and (3) acquiring or upgrading health care information systems (e.g., electronic health records). The program must also provide technical assistance and training to help hospital facilities to better manage their financial and business strategies and identify, and apply for assistance from, USDA loan and grant programs. In selecting eligible hospital facilities to participate in the program, USDA must give priority to borrowers and grantees of certain USDA rural assistance programs.   USDA must also submit an annual report to Congress on the progress and results of the program.

Maddy summaryHR 5239, the Gulf of Mexico Commerce Protection Act, prohibits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from creating a vessel slowdown zone in the Gulf of Mexico until the Commerce Secretary completes and reports on a study. The study must prove that any proposed whale protection measures (specifically for Rice’s whales) would not harm supply chains or maritime commerce. The bill requires the Commerce Secretary to develop and report findings within 60 days to specific congressional committees, and explicitly bans nighttime transit bans or fixed slowdown zones in the required mitigation protocols. This bill directly affects NOAA’s regulatory authority and the Commerce Department’s study process, delaying potential environmental rules pending congressional review.

Maddy summaryHRES 652 is a resolution introduced by Rep. Steube on August 11, 2023, proposing to impeach President Joe Biden for "high crimes and misdemeanors." It outlines four articles of impeachment: (1) abuse of power related to his sons' business dealings with foreign entities, (2) obstruction of justice regarding investigations into Hunter Biden's affairs, (3) fraud through false business promises leveraging Biden's name, and (4) financial involvement in drug and prostitution activities via intertwined family finances. The resolution describes these as alleged violations of federal law but does not represent a passed law or verified findings. This procedural resolution was referred to the Judiciary Committee and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHR 5200, the HUNTER Act, requires the Secret Service Director to submit a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. The report must detail steps taken to prevent controlled substances from entering the White House, identify security vulnerabilities allowing drugs inside, provide a full account of the 2023 cocaine investigation at the White House, and offer recommendations for oversight or resources. This bill directly affects the Secret Service’s reporting obligations and informs Congress on preventing illicit drug use in the Executive Branch. It does not create new laws but mandates a specific review of existing protocols.

Substance and Possession Abuse Restrictions for Entrance Act of 2023 or the SPARE Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remove from the United States non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who knowingly provided false statements related to drug abuse, drug addiction, or crimes related to controlled substances in an application for admission into the United States. Upon receiving credible information of such a false statement, DHS must investigate whether the individual should have been barred from admission under specified provisions related to drug abuse and controlled substances. If the individual should have been barred, DHS must initiate removal proceedings within 60 days of receiving the information. The bill provides that an individual removed under these provisions is permanently barred from reentering the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill approves and implements a new trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan, negotiated by the American Institute in Taiwan and Taiwan's Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office. The agreement aims to strengthen economic ties by addressing areas like supply chain security, investment screening, health, science, technology, and the digital economy. The bill establishes requirements for the President to consult with Congress before implementation, submit reports on how the agreement benefits US workers and businesses, and provide transparency about future trade negotiations. It also clarifies that the agreement doesn't override US or state laws and requires any future agreements to follow a similar approval process with congressional review.

Passport Notification Act of 2023 This bill requires the Bureau of Consular Affairs to notify U.S. citizens at least 180 days prior to the date on which their passport is scheduled to expire. The notification must include information on the process for renewal and identify locations where renewal applications may be submitted. The notification may be in electronic or paper form.