Rep. Nancy Mace

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to implement a public blockchain platform within 18 months to modernize border security operations. It mandates using blockchain for real-time verification of travel documents, tracking goods through customs, managing personnel deployment, and enabling secure data sharing between federal agencies like CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The system aims to enhance security through tamper-proof records, improve efficiency by reducing manual processes, and increase transparency in border control. CBP must report to Congress on implementation progress and annual operations, with the platform designed to integrate existing systems like biometric data and visa information.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates legal definitions in customs law to replace the outdated "four leagues" standard with current international law boundaries. It clarifies that U.S. customs enforcement applies to waters within the U.S. territorial sea (up to 12 nautical miles, as defined in Presidential Proclamation 5928) and contiguous zone (up to 24 nautical miles, as defined in Proclamation 7219). The change directly affects U.S. Customs and Border Protection's maritime enforcement operations but does not alter the actual geographic scope of enforcement areas. The bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Anti-Smuggling Act to align their language with existing international law standards.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1183) formally commends the University of South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team for winning the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship. It recognizes their undefeated 38-0 season, record-breaking championship game TV ratings, and their second national title in three years. The resolution directs the House Clerk to send a copy to the university president, head coach Dawn Staley, and athletics director. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to strengthen legal protections for victims of nonconsensual pornography. It updates definitions to explicitly include "an identifiable individual engaging in sexually explicit conduct" when defining prohibited disclosure of intimate images, and raises the maximum civil damages from $150,000 to $500,000 for violations. The changes clarify legal standards for victims to pursue civil claims against perpetrators who share intimate images without consent. This directly affects individuals whose private sexual images are shared without permission, providing clearer legal pathways and higher potential compensation. The bill does not create new offenses but enhances existing remedies under the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Maddy summaryThe Captive Primate Safety Act prohibits the import, export, sale, transport, breeding, or possession of certain nonhuman primates - including chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, and their hybrids - in interstate or foreign commerce. It directly affects private owners, breeders, and commercial traders of these animals, with limited exceptions for pre-enactment animals (requiring registration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and restrictions on breeding/sale) and registered research facilities. The law amends the Lacey Act to add these primates to prohibited species lists, effective upon enactment, with regulations to be issued within 180 days. Enforcement remains active even if regulations are delayed, ensuring immediate prohibitions on commercial trade and possession.

Maddy summaryHR 8147 repeals the Corporate Transparency Act, which required certain businesses (typically those with more than 20 employees) to report beneficial ownership details to the Treasury Department. This bill eliminates the requirement for companies to disclose who ultimately owns or controls them, directly affecting business owners and financial institutions that previously submitted this information. The bill also makes minor technical changes to Title 31 of the U.S. Code to remove references to the repealed provisions. The repeal would end the existing financial transparency reporting obligation for covered entities.

Maddy summaryHRES 1170 prohibits U.S. House Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners from bringing or displaying any foreign nation's flag on the House floor during sessions, except for lapel pins or flags shown during speeches under House rules. The resolution applies to all flag sizes and is enforced by the House Sergeant-at-Arms. It directly affects House members' conduct during floor proceedings but allows limited exceptions for personal accessories and official speeches. This is a procedural rule change, not a substantive policy.

Maddy summaryHR 8061, the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2024, ensures stable funding for the Crime Victims Fund by directing certain False Claims Act collections into it from 2024 through 2029. Specifically, it adds a provision requiring that amounts collected under the False Claims Act (excluding whistleblower rewards and government reimbursement for damages) be deposited into the fund during this period. This directly affects crime victims who rely on the fund for services like counseling and emergency aid, as it prevents potential shortfalls in funding. The bill makes a concrete policy change by redirecting specific federal civil penalties into the fund, rather than altering the fund's existing purposes or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill ties U.S. economic aid to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to the reestablishment of specific asylum cooperation agreements. It blocks funds for bilateral economic assistance to these countries until the Secretary of State certifies that new agreements with substantially similar terms to the 2019-2021 agreements (terminated in 2021) are in force. The Secretary must recertify these agreements every 180 days, and failure to do so maintains the aid restriction. The bill also requires implementation of an existing interim rule on asylum agreements and prohibits U.S. officials from granting asylum or allowing individuals to stay in the U.S. based on conditions in these countries (like gang violence or climate disasters). It directly affects U.S. foreign aid disbursement and the governments of the three Northern Triangle nations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. government to monitor and report on $6 billion in Iranian funds held in Qatar, ensuring they aren't used for non-humanitarian purposes like military spending. It mandates annual reviews of all U.S. nationals held hostage by Iran over the past decade, with the President identifying individuals or entities responsible for hostage-taking and determining if sanctions should apply. The bill also directs the President to restrict travel for Iranian diplomats at the U.N. if they face sanctions related to terrorism or hostage-taking, and requires the State Department to assess whether U.S. passports should be invalidated for travel to Iran due to security risks. These provisions directly affect the Iranian government, its officials, and entities involved in detaining U.S. citizens, focusing on accountability and financial oversight.