Rep. Jack Bergman

Maddy summaryHJRES 144 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) on April 19, 2024. The resolution seeks to block the ATF's rule that redefined the term "engaged in the business" for firearm dealers, which would have affected how federal licensing requirements apply to certain sellers. If enacted, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect under procedures in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. The bill directly impacts firearm dealers operating under the current regulatory framework and the ATF's enforcement authority.

Maddy summaryHR 9699, the Pay Our Troops Act, ensures military personnel and key support staff continue receiving pay during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2025. It appropriates funds to cover pay and allowances for active-duty troops, Department of Defense civilians, and qualifying contractors supporting military operations, if regular appropriations aren't enacted. The funding remains in effect until the earliest of: a new appropriations law, a funding resolution without such funding, or January 1, 2026. This bill does not change pay rates or create new policies - it guarantees existing pay continuity during budget transitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HJRES 163) is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule finalized on May 9, 2024. The EPA rule established new emissions standards for greenhouse gases from fossil fuel power plants (both new and existing) and repealed a previous rule called the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. The resolution would block this EPA rule from taking effect by invoking the Congressional Review Act (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code). If passed, it would prevent the EPA rule from being enforced, directly affecting fossil fuel power plant operators and the EPA’s regulatory authority over emissions.

Maddy summaryThis bill names the Battle Creek, Michigan, United States Postal Service facility at 90 McCamly Street South as the "Sojourner Truth Post Office." It directly affects that specific post office location and all federal documents referencing it. The bill updates official records, maps, and references to use the new name instead of the previous designation.

Maddy summaryThe RELIEVE Act changes eligibility rules for veterans seeking reimbursement for emergency medical treatment. It removes a requirement that veterans must have received prior VA care before the emergency, specifically for the first 60 days after enrolling in VA health care. This means veterans newly enrolled in VA health services will not need to prove prior treatment was received during their initial 60-day enrollment period to qualify for emergency reimbursement. The change applies to emergency care provided one year after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes and updates the VA's Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. It requires grantees to use the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SRRS) for screening and mandates that veterans referred for care receive emergency services within 72 hours if not served promptly. VA medical centers within 100 miles of grant recipients must receive quarterly briefings to improve coordination. The program's deadline is extended to September 30, 2027, and grants may now use up to 5% of funds for food/non-alcoholic beverages. The changes directly affect veterans at risk of suicide, VA medical centers, and grant-funded suicide prevention programs.

Maddy summaryHR 1425, the "No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act," requires the U.S. Senate to approve any World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic preparedness treaty through a two-thirds vote. The bill deems any convention, agreement, or international instrument on pandemic prevention drafted by the WHO’s International Negotiating Body (INB) as a treaty subject to Senate ratification, rather than allowing it to take effect as an executive agreement. This directly affects U.S. foreign policy implementation regarding WHO agreements, ensuring Congress has a formal role in approving such binding international commitments. The bill stems from congressional concerns about WHO’s pandemic response and public skepticism toward the organization, as outlined in its findings.

Maddy summaryHR 705, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from automatically sending veterans' personal information to the national background check system solely because a fiduciary (like a guardian) manages their benefits. It specifically blocks the VA from sharing this data with the Justice Department without a court order finding the veteran a danger to themselves or others. This directly affects veterans who have a fiduciary appointed due to incapacity but are not deemed dangerous, preventing automatic barriers to firearm purchases based only on their fiduciary status. The bill amends 38 U.S.C. § 5501B to require judicial authorization before such data can be transmitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 130 South Patterson Avenue in Santa Barbara, California, as the "Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez Post Office Building." It updates all official U.S. government references to the building to reflect this new name, with no policy changes or funding impacts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of Falls Prevention within the Department of Veterans Affairs, headed by a Chief Officer who will develop standards, monitor care quality, and coordinate prevention efforts for veterans. The office will oversee public education campaigns about fall prevention, coordinate home modification programs, and promote research on effective prevention strategies for veterans. The bill requires VA facilities to implement safe patient handling policies, provide annual falls risk assessments for veterans in nursing homes, and conduct biennial training for providers on safe mobility techniques. It also mandates a report evaluating current falls prevention practices and will assess the feasibility of a pilot program to provide home modifications that prevent falls. The bill directly affects veterans at risk of falls and VA healthcare facilities providing services to veterans.