Rep. Michelle Fischbach

Maddy summaryHR 502, the Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act, modifies the rural surface transportation grant program under Title 23, U.S. Code. It redefines "small community" as areas outside urbanized zones with populations of 5,000 or less (down from 200,000), and requires that 5% of annual program funds support projects in these communities. The bill increases the federal share for eligible projects in small communities to 90% and mandates that projects must benefit economic development or quality of life in the community. These changes directly affect rural areas and small towns by prioritizing infrastructure funding for the smallest communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent the increased standard deduction amounts for individual income tax filers. It raises the single filer standard deduction from $4,400 to $18,000 and the married filing jointly amount from $3,000 to $12,000 under the Internal Revenue Code. The bill also requires annual inflation adjustments to these amounts, using a specific formula based on the cost-of-living adjustment. These changes directly affect millions of American households that use the standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions on their federal tax returns.

This bill increases the annual limit on the tax credit for qualified railroad track maintenance expenses (also referred to as the short line railroad tax credit) and expands eligibility for claiming the credit. Under current law, the tax credit is limited each tax year to $3,500 multiplied by the sum of the number of miles of railroad track owned or leased by the taxpayer (miles owned or leased) and the number of railroad track miles assigned to the taxpayer by a Class II or III railroad (miles assigned). This bill increases the annual limit to $6,100 multiplied by the sum of miles owned or leased and miles assigned. The $6,100 amount used in the calculation of the tax credit limit is adjusted for inflation for tax years beginning after 2025. The bill also expands eligibility for the tax credit to include gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2024. Under current law, the tax credit is limited to gross expenses for maintaining railroad tracks owned or leased as of January 1, 2015.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Antiquities Act to require Congress, not the president, to authorize the creation or expansion of national monuments. It directly affects presidents and federal agencies by ending the current practice of presidentially designating monuments under the Antiquities Act. The key provision replaces the existing authority with a requirement for explicit congressional approval for any new monument or extension. This would change the legal process for establishing protected public lands, shifting decision-making power from the executive branch to Congress.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates special tax rules for certain Taiwanese residents with income from U.S. sources, primarily addressing double taxation concerns. It reduces withholding tax rates on interest, dividends, and royalties from 30% to 10% (or 15% for certain dividends) for qualified Taiwanese residents, and eliminates tax on certain wages paid to Taiwanese workers in the U.S. It also sets a $30,000 annual limit on tax-free income from entertainment or athletic activities. To qualify, individuals must meet specific residency and ownership criteria, and the bill requires reciprocal tax benefits from Taiwan before taking effect. This legislation is designed to facilitate economic activity between the U.S. and Taiwan without requiring a formal tax treaty.

Maddy summaryHR 404, the "Hearing Protection Act," reclassifies firearm silencers (devices that reduce gunfire noise) as firearms for federal tax and regulatory purposes. It imposes a 10% federal tax on silencers, requires the destruction of all existing federal silencer registration records within one year, and preempts state laws that tax or regulate silencers. The bill clarifies that silencers are treated as firearms under federal law, including for licensing and marking requirements, and defines "firearm silencer" to include specific components. Note: The bill’s title is misleading - it addresses firearm silencer regulation, not hearing protection for people.

Maddy summaryHR 272, the Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2025, prohibits federal funding (directly or indirectly) to any organization that performs or funds abortions, requiring certification from all recipients. This applies to entities receiving federal funds, including contractors and subsidiaries, with limited exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, or when a physician certifies a life-threatening condition. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, clinics, and organizations that rely on federal grants or contracts. It changes existing funding rules by banning federal money from supporting abortion services, except in the specified medical or criminal exceptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) as outlined in a 2019 policy memo. It requires migrants seeking asylum at the U.S. border to remain in Mexico while their cases are processed, rather than being allowed to stay in the U.S. pending a hearing. The bill does not create new rules but mandates the reinstatement of a policy that was previously in effect from 2019 to 2021. This would directly affect asylum seekers arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. The policy change would apply to all migrants covered by the existing MPP framework.

Maddy summaryThis bill blocks federal funding for Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its clinics for one year unless they certify they won't perform abortions. Exceptions apply for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, or when a woman's life is in danger due to a medical condition. The bill redirects the redirected funds to community health centers and other providers serving women's health needs, authorizing $235 million for this purpose. It explicitly states this will not reduce overall federal funding for women's health services. The policy change directly affects Planned Parenthood clinics receiving federal funds, requiring them to certify abortion restrictions or lose funding.

Maddy summaryHR 274, the Sunset Chevron Act, requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to compile a list of federal court decisions that upheld agency rules using Chevron deference (a judicial practice deferring to agency interpretations of laws) and are still in effect. The bill mandates that the GAO publish this list within 180 days of enactment, organizing it by agency and assigning each rule a sunset date. The most recent rule from each agency expires 30 days after the list's publication, with earlier rules expiring 30 days after the prior rule’s sunset date. This creates an automatic expiration process for specific agency rules upheld under Chevron deference, directly affecting federal agencies whose rules are included in the GAO's list.