Rep. Clay Higgins

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations Marine Unit at 101 Km 18.5 in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, as the "Michel O. Maceda Marine Unit" to honor Marine Interdiction Agent Michel O. Maceda, who was mortally wounded during a 2022 drug interdiction operation. The bill ensures all future government documents, maps, and references will use this new name for the unit. It does not change policies, funding, or operations - only commemorates Agent Maceda's service and sacrifice.

Maddy summaryThe FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act requires FEMA to reimburse local governments and electric cooperatives for interest paid on qualifying disaster recovery loans. A qualifying loan must be used for FEMA-covered activities with at least 90% of proceeds dedicated to those purposes. Reimbursement covers the lesser of actual interest paid or what would have been paid at the prime interest rate, as defined by the Federal Reserve. This relief applies to interest accrued in the seven years preceding the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 10299, the Medicaid Funds Integrity Act of 2024, amends federal Medicaid law to prohibit using federal funds for gun violence prevention or intervention programs. Specifically, it adds a new provision (paragraph 28) to Section 1903(i) of the Social Security Act, blocking federal financial participation for such programs under Medicaid. This directly affects state Medicaid programs that might have sought federal funding for initiatives addressing gun violence. The bill creates a concrete funding restriction, ensuring Medicaid dollars cannot be spent on these specific types of programs.

Maddy summaryHR 9151 establishes a new Department of Justice task force within 120 days to investigate and prosecute international trade crimes like tariff evasion, smuggling, and trade-based money laundering. The task force will hire specialized prosecutors, coordinate with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security, and focus on violations under specific U.S. Code sections including smuggling (18 U.S.C. 545) and fraud (18 U.S.C. 1001). It authorizes $20 million for fiscal year 2025, with 80% dedicated to criminal prosecutions, and requires annual congressional reports detailing case statistics, funding use, and future needs. The bill directly affects importers/exporters engaging in trade violations and DOJ agencies handling cross-border enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the process for individuals with prior convictions who have received pardons, expungements, or restored rights when purchasing firearms. It requires the ATF to revise Form 4473 (used for firearm background checks) within 90 days to clearly explain these exceptions and how to answer related questions correctly. Additionally, it mandates a 6-month review by the Comptroller General, Attorney General, and ATF Director to examine cases where people were unjustly charged for false statements on this form since the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act took effect. The bill directly affects gun buyers with restored rights who faced incorrect legal challenges.

Maddy summaryThe Securing the Cities Improvement Act revises the criteria for selecting cities and counties to receive funding under the Securing the Cities (STC) program. Instead of prioritizing "high-risk urban areas," it requires selections based on a jurisdiction's preparedness capabilities, threat level, vulnerability, and potential consequences of nuclear or radiological terrorist attacks. The bill also mandates the program to establish clear performance metrics, monitor spending, and submit a detailed report to Congress within two years on program results and future adjustments. These changes aim to make the program more targeted and accountable for enhancing local security against high-consequence threats.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 103 Benedette Street in Rayville, Louisiana, as the "Luke Letlow Post Office Building" to honor Luke Letlow, a former Louisiana congressman. It changes all official references to this specific post office location to reflect the new name. The bill has no policy impact on postal operations, services, or funding - it is solely a ceremonial naming designation. The change applies to all federal documents, maps, and records referencing the facility.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the transfer of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine from enactment until January 20, 2025, during the ongoing conflict with Russia. It also prohibits U.S. military and intelligence agencies from providing specific support - such as targeting intelligence, mission planning, or other assistance - to Ukrainian forces using ATACMS-equipped rocket systems to strike targets outside Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. The restrictions apply only while a state of conflict exists between Ukraine and Russia. The bill directly affects Ukraine’s access to these weapons and U.S. support for their use in cross-border operations.

Maddy summaryHR 8706, the "Dismantle DEI Act of 2024," would prohibit federal agencies from maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, programs, or training by requiring the closure of existing DEI offices within 90 days and banning federal funding for DEI-related activities. The bill defines "prohibited diversity, equity, and inclusion practices" as those that discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, biological sex, or national origin, or require training that asserts a particular group is inherently superior or inferior. It would rescind several executive orders related to racial equity and gender inclusion, and prohibit the use of federal funds for DEI-related activities across all federal agencies, contractors, and grant recipients. The bill contains limited exceptions for Equal Employment Opportunity offices and disability rights enforcement offices as historically organized and operated.

Maddy summaryThe Natural Disaster Resilience and Recovery Accountability Act establishes a 15-member Commission within the Office of Management and Budget to review and recommend improvements for federal natural disaster resilience and recovery programs. The Commission, composed of experts from government, emergency services, health, infrastructure, and community organizations, will examine program effectiveness, collect data across agencies, and propose specific reforms to enhance efficiency and accessibility. It must submit interim reports every six months and a final report within two years to congressional committees, including actionable legislative and administrative recommendations based on a comprehensive review of federal programs. The bill requires federal agencies to provide information and consult with the Commission but does not authorize new funding, directing the Commission to use existing agency resources. This bill directly affects federal agencies managing disaster programs by mandating their collaboration with the Commission to improve disaster response and recovery efforts.