Rep. Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1434) recognizes the Scarboro 85 - a group of 85 African-American students from Oak Ridge, Tennessee - as the first to integrate public schools in the Southeastern United States following the Supreme Court's 1954 *Brown v. Board of Education* decision. It specifically honors their peaceful integration of Oak Ridge High School and Robertsville Junior High on September 6, 1955, and acknowledges their leadership in desegregating schools across the region. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally commemorates their historical role in advancing educational equality. It was introduced by Tennessee congressional representatives and references community support from local churches.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes border states (adjacent to the U.S. northern or southern border) to place movable, temporary structures on federal land near the border for security purposes without needing a special use permit. States must notify the relevant federal agency (e.g., Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service) at least 45 days before placement, and structures can remain for up to one year, with possible 90-day extensions if U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines "operational control" hasn't been achieved. The bill directly affects border states and federal land management agencies by streamlining temporary border security measures on public lands.

Maddy summaryHR 9388, the Modern Firearm Safety Act, prohibits federal, state, and local governments from requiring certain safety features on handguns sold in interstate commerce. The bill specifically bans mandates for: loaded indicators, magazine insertion mechanisms, microstamping (microscopic markings on shell casings), or attachment points for such features. This directly affects handgun manufacturers and state/local governments that might have proposed or implemented such requirements. The law prevents new regulations requiring these features on handguns commonly used by the public, focusing on removing specific technical mandates rather than broader safety measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell, the only civilian members of Andrews' Raiders during the Civil War. The medal commemorates their 1862 daring raid to sabotage Confederate rail lines by stealing a locomotive, which cut Union supply routes. The gold medal will be struck by the U.S. Mint and displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, specifically at the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Museum. Bronze duplicates may be sold to the public to cover costs. This is a purely commemorative act with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHR 9274, the SHAWL Act, establishes two new Smithsonian museums: the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women’s History Museum. It authorizes both museums to be located within the National Mall’s "Reserve" area, overriding prior restrictions, and requires federal agencies managing potential sites to transfer jurisdiction to the Smithsonian after notifying congressional committees. The bill mandates that both museums accurately represent diverse cultures, histories, and viewpoints within Latino and women’s communities through exhibits and programs, requiring input from a broad range of community experts. It also requires the Smithsonian to submit biennial reports to Congress detailing compliance with these representation requirements.

Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act of 2024 This bill prohibits states or localities from imposing a levy or collecting an excise tax on the sale of a firearm, ammunition, or any part or component thereof, by a manufacture or retailer.

Maddy summaryHRES 1394 is a non-binding resolution celebrating the U.S.-India partnership based on shared democratic values, religious pluralism, and human rights, while highlighting the contributions of the Indian diaspora in the United States. It specifically recognizes the 50th anniversary of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha's community work, including its spiritual centers (mandirs) and volunteer efforts across the country. The resolution does not create legal obligations but formally acknowledges these ties and achievements.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a federal crime to steal packages that have been delivered by private carriers (like FedEx or UPS) but not yet received by the recipient. It directly affects package recipients, carriers, and thieves who target unclaimed deliveries left on porches or in mailboxes. The key provision amends federal law to include these delivered-but-unclaimed packages under the same legal protections as mail in transit. This changes the law to treat stolen packages at the delivery stage as a federal offense, similar to theft of postal mail. The bill does not create new penalties but expands existing theft statutes to cover this specific scenario.

Maddy summaryThis bill reauthorizes the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, which provides federal funding to state and local law enforcement agencies to reduce backlogs in processing DNA evidence from crime scenes. It extends the program's funding period from fiscal years 2024 through 2029 (previously ending in 2024). The bill also updates audit requirements to ensure grant funds are used properly through 2029. This directly affects law enforcement agencies that receive these grants to accelerate DNA analysis for criminal investigations.

Maddy summaryThe Respect State Housing Laws Act amends the CARES Act by removing subsection (c) of Section 4024, which governed notice requirements for housing assistance programs. This change eliminates a specific federal notice provision that applied to tenants and landlords receiving CARES Act housing aid. The bill directly affects the administrative process for housing assistance under the CARES Act, streamlining or removing a requirement for notice delivery. It modifies an existing provision without creating new policy or altering broader housing protections.