Rep. Dusty Johnson

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 summaryThis bill provides federal retirement benefits to educators at tribal schools. It makes employees of tribally controlled schools eligible for the same federal retirement pension (FERS) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) as other federal employees. The Bureau of Indian Affairs will pay the government's share of these contributions. This directly affects educators working at tribal schools operating under specific federal contracts or grants, such as those under the Indian Self-Determination Act or Tribally Controlled Schools Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates approximately 40 acres at the Wounded Knee Massacre site in South Dakota as a memorial and sacred site, held by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in "restricted fee status." Within 365 days of enactment, the Secretary of the Interior must finalize legal documentation to ensure the land remains tribal-owned, part of the Pine Ridge Reservation, and protected from state taxation or sale without tribal and congressional consent. The land must be used per a 2022 tribal covenant, cannot be used for gaming under federal law, and retains existing utility agreements. It directly affects the two tribes managing this historically significant site.

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 summaryThis bill extends existing programs that provide payments to counties and states with federal land, primarily to support local schools and communities. It updates key deadlines, extending secure payments through 2026, special project authorities through 2029, and county fund expenditure authority through 2028. A new pilot program allows regional foresters to appoint resource advisory committee members directly, with this authority ending October 1, 2028. These changes directly affect rural counties and states managing federal lands, maintaining current funding mechanisms without altering eligibility or payment amounts.

Maddy summaryHR 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, amends the Clean Air Act to restrict states from implementing vehicle emissions rules that limit the sale or use of new gasoline-powered cars. It directly affects states with stricter emissions standards (like California) by adding a new definition that blocks state rules "directly or indirectly" limiting internal combustion engine vehicles as defined in federal regulations as of January 1, 2023. The bill requires the EPA to revoke existing state emissions waivers granted between January 2022 and the bill’s enactment if they don’t comply with this new definition. This creates a concrete federal standard preventing states from advancing policies that could reduce demand for conventional vehicles.

Maddy summaryThe Life.Gov Act (HR 5406) requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to create a federal website called life.gov within one year of enactment. The website will provide pregnant and postpartum women with locally tailored resources - such as health services, financial assistance, and mental health support - via zip code searches, multilingual access, and user feedback tools. States must submit resource recommendations meeting strict criteria (e.g., no abortion providers, 3+ years of service), and the website cannot list "prohibited entities" (defined as abortion providers or supporters). The Secretary must report to Congress within 180 days on website usage, user feedback, and gaps in resources, using existing HHS funding.

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 summaryThis bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to adjust child labor exemptions for teenagers. It allows employers to schedule teen workers (ages 14-17) for up to 24 hours per week during school sessions, provided they start no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and finish no later than 9:00 p.m. local time. The change directly affects teenage employees in school terms and their employers who comply with these specific hour and time limits. It modifies an existing exemption by adding these concrete work-hour parameters to prevent what the bill terms "oppressive child labor" related to excessive hours. The policy change is limited to these specific scheduling conditions within the current labor framework.

Maddy summaryHRES 604 is a non-binding House resolution expressing congressional support for blockchain technology and digital assets. It states the House believes the U.S. should prioritize understanding blockchain's potential, foster innovation to improve financial systems, and develop a tailored regulatory framework to prevent digital asset development from shifting to less regulated countries. The resolution emphasizes that blockchain can enhance transparency, reduce costs, and provide consumer benefits while advocating for a framework consistent with existing investor protections. It directly addresses the digital asset industry and U.S. competitiveness but does not create new laws or alter existing regulations.