Rep. Josh Brecheen

Maddy summaryHR 163, the "Finish the Wall Act," mandates the immediate resumption of border wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border within 24 hours of enactment. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to use all existing funds appropriated since 2016 for this purpose, prohibits canceling pre-January 2021 contracts, and sets a deadline of September 30, 2026, to complete the wall system. The bill directly affects the Department of Homeland Security, contractors with prior wall contracts, and border facilities, which must also comply with DNA collection requirements under federal law. It focuses on concrete policy actions - resuming construction, using existing funds, and meeting a specific timeline - without addressing broader policy impacts.

Maddy summaryHR 45 (FIND Act) requires federal government contractors to certify they do not discriminate against firearm businesses (including manufacturers, dealers, and trade associations) in their policies or practices. The bill mandates that contractors and subcontractors (for contracts over 10% of the prime contract value) certify they have no discriminatory policies and will not adopt them during the contract term. Violations could lead to contract termination and potential debarment. This applies to all federal procurement contracts awarded after the bill's enactment, excluding sole-source contracts. The law aims to ensure firearm businesses are treated equally in government contracting without restricting legitimate business criteria like creditworthiness or legal compliance.

Maddy summaryHR 47, the VOICE Restoration Act, would restore the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office (VOICE) within ICE, which was terminated in 2021. The bill requires VOICE to provide direct assistance to victims and witnesses of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, including a toll-free hotline, local contacts, referrals to social services, and updates on the immigration status of the offender. It mandates quarterly reports to Congress and the President analyzing the impact of crimes by undocumented immigrants on victims. This bill directly affects victims of such crimes, their families, and legal representatives seeking support. The legislation focuses on restoring specific victim services previously provided by VOICE, not broader immigration policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 58, titled the "Voter Integrity Protection Act," amends U.S. immigration law to make certain voting violations by undocumented immigrants a basis for deportation. It adds "knowingly committing a violation of 18 U.S.C. §611" (which prohibits voting fraud by non-citizens) to the list of deportable offenses under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Specifically, it targets non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S. who commit voting fraud, making such acts grounds for removal. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrants who commit voting violations, linking immigration enforcement to federal voting fraud statutes. It does not alter voting eligibility or election procedures for citizens.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain high-level federal employees - including Senior Executive Service (SES) members and presidentially appointed policy roles - to publicly disclose their federal student loan balances. Covered employees must report all outstanding principal and interest on loans under the Higher Education Act annually, within 60 days of taking the position, or by February 28 each year. The Office of Government Ethics will compile these reports and submit an annual summary to Congress, including total debt owed and any employees who failed to comply. The bill does not change student loan terms or provide debt relief - it solely mandates transparency about federal employees' student debt.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to review its use of contractor personnel for border security services along the U.S.-Mexico border. Specifically, DHS must assess contracts worth $50 million or more (in 2023 dollars) for "covered services," including whether contractors are necessary, efficient, and cost-effective compared to DHS employees. The review must include an analysis of contractor deployment, recommendations for improving contracting practices, and a 5-year strategy to enhance cost-effectiveness and avoid service gaps. DHS must submit the report to Congress within 180 days and provide periodic updates, but the bill does not authorize new funding for these activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 1097 (Everett Alvarez, Jr. Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023), authorizes the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr., in recognition of his service as a U.S. Navy pilot and Vietnam War prisoner of war. It directly honors Alvarez, who was the first U.S. pilot shot down in the Vietnam War, spent over 8.5 years in captivity, and later served in the Peace Corps and Veterans Administration. The bill’s key mechanism is directing the U.S. Mint to strike a gold medal bearing his name and image, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs. It does not create new policies or affect any group beyond the honoree.

Maddy summaryHR 10549, the Sovereign State Environmental Quality Assurance Act, would abolish the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 270 days after enactment, requiring the EPA Administrator to wind up operations and submit a progress report within 90 days. It redirects $4.4 billion annually (2026-2029) to state environmental departments based on population, plus $880 million yearly for Treasury oversight. The Congressional Budget Office must also conduct annual efficacy studies and reports on the Act during the same funding period. This bill directly affects all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories by shifting federal environmental funding and oversight authority to state-level agencies.

Maddy summaryThe ARTICLE ONE Act would significantly increase congressional oversight of national emergencies by requiring the President to specify which laws they plan to use during an emergency and giving Congress 30 days to approve the declaration before emergency powers can be exercised. The bill would mandate detailed reports from the President about the emergency's circumstances, estimated duration, and planned actions, with additional reports every six months during the emergency. If Congress doesn't approve an emergency declaration within 30 days, the President cannot extend it or use the emergency powers for the same situation. This would limit national emergencies to 30 days unless renewed through congressional approval, fundamentally changing how presidential emergency powers operate.

Maddy summaryThe Quapaw Tribal Settlement Act of 2024 establishes a special trust account to hold $137.5 million in settlement funds for the Quapaw Nation and its individual members, resolving a long-standing legal claim (Bear v. United States). The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer the funds to this account and then distribute them based on a plan agreed upon by the claimants through mediation within 45 days, or via a formal process where the Secretary makes a final distribution decision after a hearing if mediation fails. Key provisions include strict timelines for mediation, confidential dispute resolution, and the Secretary’s authority to finalize distributions if the Quapaw Nation cannot agree on a plan. This act directly affects the Quapaw Nation tribal government and its enrolled members identified in the underlying lawsuit.