Rep. Mike Ezell

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funding, support, or approval for research using human fetal tissue obtained from induced abortions. It allows research on tissue from miscarriages (under 20 weeks) or stillbirths (20+ weeks) under existing Public Health Service Act rules, and permits development of new cell lines for vaccines or genetic vectors if not derived from abortion tissue. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to restrict federal research to tissue from miscarriages or stillbirths and clarifies definitions for terms like "miscarriage" and "stillbirth." It directly affects federal agencies like the NIH and researchers relying on federal grants for biomedical studies.

Maddy summaryThis bill ensures military personnel, civilian Defense workers, and supporting contractors continue receiving pay during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2025. It provides temporary funding from existing Treasury reserves to cover salaries for active-duty troops, reservists, Defense civilians, and contractors supporting military operations until Congress passes a full budget or by January 1, 2026. The measure directly affects all active-duty service members, reserve components, and their civilian/contractor support staff across the military. It does not create new policies but guarantees uninterrupted pay during budget implementation delays.

Maddy summaryHR 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, establishes a new system for identifying and managing high-risk wildfire areas called "firesheds" and creates a centralized Fireshed Center to coordinate wildfire risk management across federal agencies. The bill streamlines environmental reviews for wildfire risk reduction projects, allowing for faster implementation of hazardous fuels management activities in designated areas. It includes provisions for community wildfire risk reduction programs, water source protection, and specific initiatives for restoring white oak forests. The legislation also includes litigation reforms to expedite forest management projects and reduce delays from legal challenges. These provisions aim to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health through more coordinated, data-driven management approaches.

Maddy summaryHR 1818, the Aviation Workforce Development Act, expands tax-advantaged 529 college savings plans to cover costs for aviation maintenance and commercial pilot training. It allows families to use 529 funds for tuition, fees, books, and equipment at qualifying schools - specifically aviation maintenance technician programs under FAA Part 147 rules or commercial pilot courses at FAA-certified flight schools (Part 61 or Part 141). The bill directly affects students pursuing these aviation careers by making their training more affordable through existing tax-advantaged savings accounts. The change applies to distributions made after the law's enactment date.

Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025 This bill modifies criminal penalties for an offense involving the theft of a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer, or from their business premises. Specifically, the bill does the following: increases from 10 to 20 years the maximum prison term, and creates a 3- or 5-year mandatory minimum prison term for an offense that occurs during the commission of a burglary or robbery. An attempt to commit an offense is subject to the same penalties as a substantive offense.

Maddy summaryHR 1659, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, creates a federal grant program to address commercial truck parking shortages on highways. It authorizes $151 million annually (2025-2029) for states, local governments, tribes, and other eligible entities to build or improve public parking facilities for commercial motor vehicles. Projects must be on or near highways, include safety features, and provide free, publicly accessible parking - prohibiting fees for drivers. The bill also requires annual reports to Congress evaluating parking availability and project effectiveness.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 62 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a rule issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) concerning the protection of marine archaeological resources. If passed, it would nullify the rule (published in the Federal Register on September 3, 2024) and prevent it from taking effect, halting its implementation. This resolution directly affects the enforcement of BOEM’s protections for underwater archaeological sites, such as shipwrecks or ancient artifacts, by removing the regulatory framework governing activities in those areas. The mechanism relies on Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, which allows Congress to block federal agency rules through formal disapproval.

Maddy summaryHRES 166 is a non-binding House resolution expressing U.S. support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear republic. It condemns the Iranian regime's terrorism, regional proxy wars, internal suppression of ethnic and religious minorities, and human rights abuses - including executions and repression of women-led protests. The resolution calls for holding the regime accountable through sanctions, supports the Ten-Point Plan for Iran’s democratic transition, and urges protection for Iranian political refugees in Albania. It does not create new laws but affirms U.S. policy alignment with Iranian protesters' demands.

Maddy summaryThis bill awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the 761st Tank Battalion (known as the "Black Panthers"), the first predominantly Black armored unit in World War II's European Theater. It recognizes their combat service from 1944-1946, including key roles in the Battle of the Bulge and breaking the Siegfried Line, despite facing racial prejudice during and after the war. The medal will be displayed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs. The bill commemorates the battalion's 130,000 enemy casualties inflicted, 50% casualty rate, and their 1978 Presidential Unit Citation. It does not create new laws or affect current policies.

Maddy summaryHR 1551, the Protect and Serve Act of 2025, creates a new federal criminal offense for intentionally harming law enforcement officers under specific circumstances. It imposes harsher penalties, including up to 10 years in prison for serious injury or life imprisonment if death occurs, kidnapping is involved, or a firearm is used. The law applies when the crime crosses state lines, involves interstate weapons, occurs on federal property, or targets federal officers. Prosecutions require the Attorney General’s written certification, considering factors like prior state convictions and public safety impact. The bill directly affects law enforcement officers and federal prosecutors by expanding federal jurisdiction for certain violent crimes against them.