Rep. Randy K. Weber, Sr.

Cartel And Radical Terrorist Enforcement Log Act of 2025 or the CARTEL Act of 2025 This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to publish each month statistics related to encounters and arrests. The report must include, for example, the total number of individuals affiliated with transnational criminal organizations who have repeatedly attempted to cross unlawfully into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security must report annually on foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations attempting to move their members or affiliates into the United States through the southern, northern, or maritime border.

Maddy summaryHR 1076, the WARN Act, requires the Comptroller General to study how well local, state, and federal emergency alert systems share timely weather emergency information during events like storms or power outages. The study will examine alert methods (including social media), the clarity of public messages, and outdoor siren systems, using feedback from emergency managers and community groups. It mandates a report to Congress within 18 months of enactment, focusing on identifying improvements to alert systems for public safety. The bill itself does not change existing policies but directs a review to inform future emergency communication strategies.

Maddy summaryThe CARGO Act of 2025 prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from funding any research involving live animals conducted outside the United States. It directly affects foreign organizations and researchers who previously received NIH grants for animal research abroad, including projects funded under the $2.2 billion in grants from 2011-2021. The key provision amends the Public Health Service Act to ban NIH support for such overseas research, requiring all animal research funded by the NIH to occur within the U.S. (including territories and the District of Columbia). This change aims to address concerns about inadequate oversight of animal welfare in foreign labs where self-reported data may be inaccurate.

Maddy summaryHR 1046, the Marc Fischer Memorial Act, requires the Bureau of Prisons to implement digital mail scanning technology at all federal prisons to detect fentanyl and other synthetic drugs in inmate mail. It mandates a strategy within 90 days of an evaluation, including 100% scanning of all mail, digital copies of mail to inmates within 24 hours, and physical mail delivery within 30 days for non-contaminated items. The bill directly affects federal prison staff, inmates, and the Bureau of Prisons by aiming to reduce drug-related overdoses and alleviate staff workload tied to mail processing. Implementation must be completed within three years, with annual reports tracking detected drugs and strategy efficiency. The legislation focuses on concrete technological and procedural changes to enhance safety, referencing a successful pilot program at two facilities.

Maddy summaryHR 1057, the Safe Passage on Interstates Act of 2025, creates a new federal criminal offense for intentionally obstructing interstate highways. It makes it illegal to deliberately delay traffic, stand near vehicles, or endanger movement on interstates with the intent to block normal use. The bill directly affects individuals who engage in such obstruction, with penalties including fines up to $15,000 or imprisonment up to 20 years (or life if death results). Exceptions cover lawful activities authorized by federal, state, or local governments. This bill amends Title 18 of the U.S. Code to establish specific penalties for highway obstruction.

Maddy summaryThis bill would make it easier to remove non-citizens who are members of or associated with criminal gangs from the United States. It defines a "criminal gang" as a group of five or more people whose primary purpose is committing serious crimes including drug offenses, violent crimes, human trafficking, and other specified offenses. The Secretary of Homeland Security, with Attorney General consultation, would have authority to designate groups as criminal gangs, with procedures for review and potential revocation. The bill would block asylum eligibility, temporary protected status, special immigrant juvenile visas, and parole for those designated as gang members, with limited exceptions for those assisting law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHR 1040, the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act, would stop taxing Social Security benefits for seniors by repealing the current tax rule that includes some benefits in gross income. It directly affects senior citizens who currently pay federal income tax on portions of their Social Security payments. The bill adds a provision stating Section 86 of the tax code (which taxes Social Security benefits) no longer applies after enactment. To offset the lost tax revenue, the bill requires the government to appropriate funds to the Social Security and Railroad Retirement trust funds, ensuring they remain fully funded without requiring tax increases.

Maddy summaryHR 1094, the Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act, prevents private restrictions (such as those in homeowners associations) from blocking amateur radio operators from installing and maintaining antennas for emergency communications. The bill directly affects over 770,000 licensed amateur radio operators in the U.S. who face such restrictions on their residential property. Key provisions include overriding unreasonable restrictions, requiring reasonable safety and building code compliance for allowed rules, setting a 45-day approval period for antenna installations (with deemed approval if not acted on), and exempting small antennas (under 1 meter, flagpoles ≤43 feet, or minimal wire antennas) from prior approval. This ensures amateur radio operators can quickly establish emergency communication systems without unnecessary delays or costs during crises.

Maddy summaryHRES 110 prohibits the distribution of Chinese Communist Party-controlled publications, such as *China Daily*, within House facilities like the Capitol building and House office buildings. It requires the Chief Administrative Officer to immediately stop accepting, distributing, or using internal mail systems for these materials, which are defined as publications registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and controlled by the CCP. The resolution does not restrict private receipt of such publications by Members or staff, access through public libraries, or the Library of Congress’s collection. This policy change applies immediately to all House-owned or operated facilities.

Maddy summaryHR 991, the Cost Estimates Improvement Act, requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) to include debt servicing costs (interest payments on the national debt) in their budget estimates "to the extent practicable." This change directly affects how Congress evaluates the fiscal impact of proposed legislation, as these estimates determine whether bills qualify for budget reconciliation and influence funding decisions. The key mechanism amends the 1974 Congressional Budget Act to mandate this inclusion within existing cost estimation processes. The bill does not alter spending or tax policy but aims to make budget scoring more comprehensive by accounting for ongoing interest costs.