Rep. Troy E. Nehls

Maddy summaryHR 5857, the "No IDs for Illegals Act," prohibits federal funding for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Secure Docket Card Program and similar Department of Homeland Security initiatives. This bill directly affects ICE and DHS by blocking all federal financial support for these specific immigration enforcement programs. The key provision is a funding ban, preventing the use of taxpayer dollars to establish, implement, or support the Secure Docket Card Program. It does not change immigration laws or requirements for individuals, only restricting federal financial backing for this particular program.

Maddy summaryHJRES 11 proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit Members of Congress to serving a maximum of three terms in the House of Representatives and two terms in the Senate. If passed and ratified, it would prevent any member who has already served the maximum terms from running for re-election, including time spent filling vacancies (for more than one year in the House or three years in the Senate). This amendment directly affects current and future members of Congress by changing eligibility rules for re-election. The proposal is currently a joint resolution in the House, requiring ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures to become part of the Constitution.

Maddy summaryHR 5791, the "Define the Mission Act," requires the President to submit a comprehensive strategy report to Congress within 30 days of the bill's enactment, detailing U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The report must define U.S. national interests in the conflict, set specific objectives with timelines, benchmarks, and resource estimates (including personnel and funding), list expected European NATO security contributions, and assess Russia’s natural gas market impact on resolving the conflict. It mandates the strategy must aim for a Russia-Ukraine cease-fire agreement and explicitly cannot depend on U.S. funding for Ukrainian reconstruction. The report must be unclassified but may include a classified annex for full transparency. This bill establishes a formal process for Congress to review and oversee U.S. policy toward Ukraine.

Maddy summaryHR 5561, the Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2023, prevents federal agencies from using emergency declarations to implement gun control measures. It specifically prohibits the President from declaring a national emergency under the National Emergencies Act or the Robert T. Stafford Act for gun control purposes, and stops the Health and Human Services Secretary from declaring a public health emergency under the Public Health Service Act for the same reason. The bill also amends the Stafford Act to explicitly prohibit any emergency-related restrictions on possessing, manufacturing, selling, or transferring firearms, ammunition, ammunition feeding devices, or firearm accessories. This directly affects how federal agencies can respond during emergencies without violating the Second Amendment. The law aims to limit executive actions during emergencies that could restrict gun rights.

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 summaryHR 5636, the "Protect Children’s Innocence Act," prohibits federal criminal penalties for performing gender-affirming medical care on minors under specific circumstances. It defines prohibited care as surgeries (like hysterectomy or mastectomy), puberty blockers, and hormone therapies at supraphysiologic doses, with exceptions for medical emergencies, intersex conditions, or life-threatening illnesses. The law only applies when the care involves interstate commerce (e.g., payments, communications, or travel across state lines). Minors receiving such care cannot be prosecuted, but they may sue providers for civil damages. The bill directly affects minors under 18, healthcare providers, and families seeking gender-affirming medical treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. immigration law to deny asylum to individuals who were members of a Communist or totalitarian party (like the Chinese Communist Party). It specifically targets asylum seekers with such party ties, barring them from asylum unless they meet strict exceptions. The key exceptions require applicants to publicly renounce their party membership and prove their affiliation was involuntary (e.g., forced as a minor or for basic survival), or to provide significant national security information in exchange for a waiver. The policy directly affects asylum applicants with documented ties to Communist or totalitarian parties.

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 summaryHR 5455, the Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2023, allows automakers to install pulsating light systems as rear-end collision avoidance technology on new vehicles. The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to issue new regulations within 180 days updating Federal Safety Standard 108 to include performance-based rules for these systems. Specifically, it defines a "pulsating light system" as a high-mounted brake light that flashes rapidly (up to 4 times for no more than 1.2 seconds) before switching to steady light, with a 5-second lockout period after braking stops. This directly affects vehicle manufacturers who must comply with the updated safety standards for brake lights.

Maddy summaryThe Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023 bans cosmetic animal testing in the United States, prohibiting companies from conducting or contracting such testing after its enactment (effective 1 year later). It also bans selling or transporting cosmetics developed using animal testing conducted after that date within U.S. interstate commerce. The law directly affects cosmetic manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers operating in the U.S. market, requiring them to use non-animal testing methods for safety evaluations. Exceptions exist for foreign regulatory requirements or when no alternative testing methods are available for specific ingredients.