Rep. Byron Donalds

Maddy summaryHRES 1333 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. It affirms the significant contributions of Caribbean Americans to U.S. history, culture, and society, and encourages the public to observe the month through ceremonies and activities. The resolution does not create new laws, programs, or impose requirements on any group; it is a non-binding expression of support for the established observance. This follows annual presidential proclamations since 2006, as noted in the resolution's historical context.

Maddy summaryThis bill would limit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) annual funding to exactly $1, effectively defunding the agency. It amends the 2010 law governing the CFPB by replacing the standard funding mechanism - where the Director sets a budget based on operational needs - with a fixed $1 amount. This change directly affects the CFPB's ability to operate, as $1 is insufficient for any meaningful regulatory or enforcement activities. The bill does not create new regulations but would halt the agency's current operations by removing its primary funding source.

Maddy summaryHR 8206 prohibits Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida from being designated as wilderness or added to the National Wilderness Preservation System. This means the preserve will not receive wilderness protections, which typically restrict activities like off-road vehicle use and logging. The bill directly affects future management decisions for the preserve by legally blocking federal wilderness designations. It is a specific policy change preventing new restrictions on land use within the preserve.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to standardize and publish geospatial data about public ocean and waterway access rules on a public website within 4 years. It mandates detailed information on where fishing is restricted, waterway closures, speed limits, allowed vessel types (like motorboats or kayaks), and fishing method rules. The data will include geographic boundaries of protected areas, seasonal closures, and navigation details like depth charts. This directly affects recreational users (boaters, anglers) and commercial operators who need clear, up-to-date access information for Federal waterways and fishing areas. The bill does not change existing fishing regulations but makes compliance information more accessible.

Maddy summaryHR 8838, the Free Speech Defense Act, prohibits federal agencies from directing or influencing social media companies to remove content, label posts as "misinformation," share user data, or engage in content moderation. It bans federal funding for entities that classify content, restricts agencies from accepting free social media advertising (except for immediate public safety threats), and terminates existing public-private partnerships for content monitoring. The bill applies to all federal agencies and social media companies as defined by the legislation, aiming to prevent government interference in online content decisions. Key provisions include banning agency directives to suspend accounts, suppress content, or share user demographics with platforms, with penalties for violations.

This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to develop and implement a method to allow for payment of certain excise taxes with bitcoin. It also authorizes Treasury to enter into contracts to obtain services with payment by bitcoin.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 114 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should allow Taiwan to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics using its own national name, flag, and anthem instead of the current "Chinese Taipei" designation. It argues that requiring Taiwan to use this term contradicts the Olympic Charter’s principles of non-discrimination and the right of athletes to represent their country. The resolution cites the IOC’s own charter stating that sport access must be free from discrimination based on "national or social origin," and notes that Taiwan athletes have won 36 Olympic medals under the current system. This resolution directly addresses the IOC’s policy toward Taiwan, not U.S. law or Taiwan’s status.

Maddy summaryHRES 1305 is a procedural resolution that formally rescinds subpoenas issued by the January 6th Select Committee to four individuals (Stephen Bannon, Mark Meadows, Daniel Scavino Jr., and Peter Navarro) and withdraws the committee’s recommendations finding them in contempt of Congress. The bill specifically cancels subpoenas from September 2021, October 2021, and February 2022, along with related contempt resolutions adopted in 2021-2022. It does not alter legal proceedings but withdraws the committee’s authority to enforce these actions. The resolution is supported by House members who argue the committee was partisan and illegitimate, though the bill itself only addresses the committee’s procedural actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 to establish a federal program converting harmful algal blooms (HABs) into renewable biofuel. It requires the Secretary to implement specific projects in Florida’s Caloosahatchee River watershed, St. Lucie River and estuary basin, and Lake Okeechobee watershed using previously proven technologies to harvest algae and convert it into biofuel. The program mandates consultation with state/local agencies, private organizations, and federal partners like the EPA and Energy Department, and allocates $25 million for implementation. A report on feasibility, water quality impacts, and renewable energy potential must be submitted to Congress within two years.

Maddy summaryThis bill rescinds unspent funds from specific federal programs. It targets leftover money from pandemic relief (like the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan) and certain infrastructure initiatives (including education stabilization funds and transportation programs like the Congestion Mitigation Program). The rescission is limited to amounts already allocated for Israel, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific security supplements under recent appropriations. Unspent funds must be returned to the Treasury, with no new spending created.