Rep. Roger Williams

Maddy summaryHR 6813 blocks the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a specific proposed rule about air emissions reporting. The bill directly targets the EPA Administrator, preventing action on the "Revisions to the Air Emissions Reporting Requirements" rule published in the Federal Register on August 9, 2023. This bill does not change current reporting rules but stops the EPA from moving forward with this particular revision. The key mechanism is a direct prohibition on the EPA's regulatory actions regarding this specific rule.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) authority to enforce rules against "unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices" (UDAAP) affecting consumers. It defines "abusive" acts as those intentionally interfering with consumer understanding or taking unreasonable advantage of consumer vulnerabilities, requiring the CFPB to provide a clear definition within 180 days. Financial institutions must now receive written notice and 180 days to correct potential violations before penalties are imposed, and the CFPB must conduct cost-benefit analyses for new rules. The bill also prohibits the CFPB from treating discrimination as part of UDAAP enforcement and limits penalties for past conduct to the most recent compliance rating period.

Maddy summaryHR 6838, the CTE Awareness Act, requires the U.S. Department of Education to publish detailed information about career and technical education (CTE) programs on its website within 60 days of enactment. This includes program costs, average completion times, and post-graduation employment rates, as well as state-specific opportunities and funding under the Perkins Act. The bill also mandates adding a one-page summary of this CTE information to the FAFSA application, alongside an acknowledgment box for applicants. These changes directly affect students applying for federal financial aid by ensuring they receive clear, upfront information about CTE pathways as a viable alternative to traditional four-year degrees. The law aims to improve transparency about CTE options without altering existing program structures or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 6734 prohibits the use of federal funds to finalize, implement, or enforce the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives' (ATF) proposed rule (2022R-17) defining "engaged in the business as a dealer in firearms." This bill directly affects the ATF by blocking funding for this specific regulatory rule, which was proposed in August 2023. The legislation does not create new requirements but prevents federal resources from being used to advance this particular ATF regulation.

Maddy summaryHJRES 88 is a resolution seeking to block a Department of Education rule that would have improved income-driven repayment options for federal student loan borrowers. The rule, published in the Federal Register on July 10, 2023, targeted the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. This resolution uses the Congressional Review Act process to disapprove the rule, preventing it from taking effect and preserving the current repayment structure. If enacted, it would stop the proposed changes to repayment terms without altering existing loan policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Bank Service Company Act to improve coordination between federal and state banking regulators. It requires federal examiners to notify and coordinate with state banking agencies when examining bank service companies where a state bank is a shareholder or member, aiming to avoid duplicate work and streamline oversight. The law specifies that state agencies can only access information they already have authority to obtain under state law, and it updates definitions to consistently include "State banking agency" throughout the law. This directly affects federal banking agencies (like the OCC), state banking regulators, and the bank service companies they oversee. The changes focus on procedural coordination without altering the core examination requirements for these service providers.

Maddy summaryHR 6504, the Protect American Gun Exporters Act, blocks the Department of Commerce from implementing a pause on new export licenses for specific firearm exports (items under Commerce Control List numbers 0A501, 0A502, 0A504, and 0A505). The bill directly affects U.S. gun exporters by preventing the Commerce Secretary from enforcing the October 2023 pause or similar restrictions on these exports. Key provisions prohibit the Secretary from taking any action to carry out the pause unless it follows standard regulatory processes, including a required impact analysis and compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act and Congressional Review Act. This bill does not create new export rules but stops the existing pause on certain firearm exports.

Maddy summaryHR 5427 prohibits individuals convicted of fraud against the government from receiving most Small Business Administration (SBA) financial assistance. Specifically, it blocks eligibility for any SBA aid (except standard Section 7(b) loans) if a small business has an "associate" (such as an officer, director, owner over 20%, or key employee) who was finally convicted of fraud involving SBA-covered loans or grants. Covered programs include pandemic-era loans like the PPP and grants under the American Rescue Plan Act. The rule applies only to new assistance after the bill's enactment, not existing contracts.

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 66 disapproves a specific rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding small business lending under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B). The resolution, if passed, would prevent this CFPB rule from taking effect by declaring it "have no force or effect." The rule in question (88 Fed. Reg. 35150) aimed to clarify how lenders must evaluate small business loan applications under existing equal credit laws. This disapproval directly affects the CFPB's regulatory authority and would block the rule's implementation for small business lenders and financial institutions.

Maddy summaryHRES 793 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives calling on Hamas to immediately release all 199 hostages taken during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution condemns Hamas for the attack, the taking of hostages, and threats against hostages, while stating that holding hostages violates international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions. It demands the immediate release of all hostages and expresses sympathy for victims and their families. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create legal obligations but formally expresses the House's position.