Rep. Randy Feenstra

Maddy summaryHR 661, "Sarah’s Law," requires U.S. immigration authorities to detain certain immigrants charged with crimes causing death or serious injury. It applies to immigrants who entered without proper inspection, held revoked temporary visas, or fall under specific deportation categories, and who face charges for violent crimes. The bill mandates that immigration officials notify victims or their families (like parents or spouses) about the immigrant’s identity, immigration status, custody details, and removal efforts. This law does not change existing victim rights but adds specific notification requirements for these cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new eligibility rules for women's and girls' amateur sports by defining "female" and "male" based on biological sex at birth. It prohibits individuals designated as male under these definitions from participating in athletic competitions designated for females, women, or girls. The law amends existing U.S. Code provisions to add this requirement, directly affecting athletes and organizations managing female-designated teams. The key change is a clear ban on male-identified participants in female sports, replacing previous eligibility standards with biological sex criteria.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1086) is a symbolic gesture expressing the House's support for designating March 19, 2024, as "National Agriculture Day." It does not create new laws or policies, but instead formally recognizes agriculture as a vital industry in the U.S. economy. The resolution celebrates agriculture's broad economic impact without imposing any requirements or changes on farmers, consumers, or government programs. It is a commemorative statement, not a substantive legislative action.

Maddy summaryHR 7656, the Balanced Budget and Accounting Act, would require the President's annual federal budget to balance spending and revenue each fiscal year. It amends Section 1105(a) of Title 31, U.S. Code, to mandate that total government spending (outlays) cannot exceed total revenue (receipts) in any given year. This would directly affect how the executive branch prepares and submits federal budgets, imposing a binding constraint on annual budget planning. The bill creates a concrete rule for budget preparation, requiring the President to submit a balanced budget proposal without exception.

Maddy summaryThe Laken Riley Act (HR 7511) would require federal authorities to detain non-citizens charged with or convicted of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting offenses. It also creates new legal standing for state attorneys general to sue federal immigration officials in federal court if they believe immigration enforcement decisions (like releasing aliens or granting parole) cause financial harm exceeding $100 to the state or its residents. The bill amends immigration laws to expand detention requirements for certain property crimes and allows states to seek court orders to enforce immigration policies. It does not create new criminal penalties but modifies existing immigration enforcement procedures. The bill’s findings and political language about the Laken Riley case are not part of its policy provisions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1058) is a symbolic House of Representatives gesture congratulating Iowa native Caitlin Clark on becoming the NCAA Division I women's basketball all-time leading scorer. It directly recognizes Clark's achievement and requests that copies be sent to her, University of Iowa Athletic Director Beth Goetz, and Hawkeyes women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder. The resolution does not create new laws, policies, or funding; it solely serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of Clark's athletic milestone. It highlights her role in elevating women's sports visibility but contains no binding provisions or concrete policy changes.

Future Funding for Agricultural Research, Mentorship, and Education Reauthorization Act or the Future FARMER Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 National Institute of Food and Agriculture grants and fellowships for food and agriculture science education. This includes programs such as the (1) Higher Education Challenge Grants Program, (2) Agriculture in the Classroom Program, and (3) National Awards Program for Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Maddy summaryThe Farm to Fly Act of 2023 amends USDA programs to include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a qualifying product for financial assistance, directly affecting farmers, biorefineries, and agricultural producers. It defines SAF as liquid fuel meeting strict environmental standards - requiring at least a 50% reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to jet fuel and excluding sources like palm oil or petroleum. The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to lead a cross-agency initiative focused on advancing SAF development, leveraging agricultural resources, and fostering public-private partnerships to expand the domestic SAF market. This aims to support rural economic growth, strengthen U.S. energy security, and align with national clean energy goals in aviation.

Maddy summaryThe CHILD Act of 2024 increases the maximum annual tax benefit for dependent care expenses from $5,000 to $10,000 (and doubles the spousal limit from $2,500 to $5,000) under Section 129 of the Internal Revenue Code. It also adds automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments to these limits, calculated using the standard inflation formula, rounded to the nearest $50. This directly affects working parents who claim dependent care expenses on their federal taxes, expanding their tax savings for childcare costs. The changes apply to calendar years beginning after December 31, 2023, and remove an outdated provision (subparagraph D) from the existing tax code.

Maddy summaryHRES 1031 is a non-binding House resolution declaring the U.S. southern border situation an "invasion," citing three specific claims: over 8 million migrant crossings since 2021, a 1,000% rise in watchlist entries, and drug-related deaths. It does not create new laws or affect individuals, as resolutions like this only express legislative sentiment. The bill formally states the House's viewpoint through these cited statistics without proposing policy changes. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal force or impact on border policy.