Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy

Maddy summaryHR 5094, the SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2023, allows state agencies administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to hire private contractors for eligibility processing during emergencies like pandemics, natural disasters, or temporary staffing shortages. The bill permits states to contract with outside firms under specific safeguards: contractors cannot delay applications or deny eligible individuals benefits, and they must have no financial ties to grocery stores. States must notify the USDA before using this authority and report annually on how they address processing backlogs. This change aims to prevent delays for SNAP recipients during crises while ensuring existing state workers are not replaced and all federal rules are followed.

Maddy summaryHR 5250, the Flooding Prevention, Assessment, and Restoration Act of 2023, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a national study on flood risks to agricultural lands within two years, analyzing economic losses, downstream effects, and existing flood data. It amends the Emergency Watershed Program to allow federal restoration projects that exceed immediate needs for long-term watershed health and adjusts funding for watershed rehabilitation projects, providing up to 65% federal cost coverage (up to 90% for "limited resource areas") for structural repairs near or past their lifespan. The bill directly affects farmers, agricultural producers, and local watershed management groups by mandating a comprehensive flood risk assessment and modifying federal support for flood prevention infrastructure. Key provisions include requiring detailed reports on flood impacts to crops/livestock and establishing new funding tiers for rehabilitation projects.

Maddy summaryHRES 684 is a symbolic congressional resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 14, 2023, condemning New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's emergency order that temporarily suspended open and concealed carry firearm rights for 30 days. The resolution asserts the order violated the Second Amendment, citing Supreme Court precedents (Heller, McDonald, Bruen) and noting a federal judge had already blocked the order's firearm restrictions. It does not change any laws or impose legal consequences - it is solely a formal expression of disapproval from Congress. The resolution directly addresses the Governor's actions but has no effect on New Mexico's laws or citizens' rights.

Maddy summaryHR 5577, the FACE Act Repeal Act of 2023, would repeal a federal law (Section 248 of Title 18, U.S. Code) that made it a crime to block access to abortion clinics or threaten clinic staff. This repeal would remove criminal penalties for obstructing access to clinics, affecting abortion providers, clinic staff, and individuals attempting to access or block clinic entrances. The bill specifically targets the repeal of this prohibition, applying to prosecutions pending or initiated after the law's enactment. It does not change other abortion-related laws or create new policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new program to incentivize SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients to purchase "naturally nutrient-rich dairy" like fluid milk, yogurt, and cheese at checkout. It allocates $10 million annually to fund competitive grants for state/local governments and nonprofits to implement projects that provide point-of-sale incentives for qualifying dairy products. Projects must use electronic systems to apply incentives only toward eligible dairy purchases and undergo independent evaluations using rigorous methods to measure impact on consumption. The program replaces an existing dairy incentive initiative under the 2018 farm bill, with a transition period ensuring no disruption to current projects.

Maddy summaryHR 5465, the Congressional Access to Bureaucratic Offices Act (CABO Act), requires federal agency heads to allow Members of Congress and their staff access to agency headquarters buildings during regular business hours. It mandates that access be granted upon presentation of valid congressional identification (for Members) or a staff badge while accompanied by the employing Member (for staff), with exceptions for areas requiring secret-level security clearance. The bill also ensures this access applies during declared emergencies (like national emergencies under the National Emergencies Act or public health emergencies), without imposing additional costs by using existing agency funds. This directly affects how federal agencies manage physical access for congressional personnel.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for the diesel emissions reduction program from 2024 to 2029 under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. It does not change program requirements or funding, only prolonging the existing authorization period. The bill directly affects the ongoing operation of the federal program that supports reducing emissions from older diesel engines. As a procedural extension, it requires no new policy implementation.

Maddy summaryHR 3152, the "Fight CRIME Act," aims to maintain international restrictions on Iran's missile-related activities by requiring diplomatic efforts to extend these restrictions before they expire in October 2023. The bill mandates annual reports detailing U.S. diplomatic strategies, potential impacts of expiration, and measures to deter missile technology transfers to Iran. It establishes sanctions against foreign individuals or entities that knowingly support Iran's missile or drone programs, including asset freezes and visa restrictions. These sanctions apply regardless of whether UN restrictions remain in effect after their expiration, directly affecting foreign entities involved in these activities.

Maddy summaryHR 5419, the Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act, amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to exclude direct sellers (like door-to-door sales representatives) and qualified real estate agents from the federal definition of "employee." This change means these workers would no longer be automatically covered by federal minimum wage and overtime protections under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The bill directly affects individuals working in these specific roles by altering their legal classification under labor law. The key provision is a new definition inserted into existing law, aligning labor classification with existing tax code definitions for these professions.

Equality in the Halls of Congress Act This bill authorizes the President to invite each U.S. territory to provide and furnish no more than two statues for placement in National Statuary Hall.