Rep. Brian Babin

Maddy summaryHR 529, the RACE Act, sets new deadlines for states to count ballots and certify results in federal elections. It requires states to finish counting ballots by 10 p.m. on election day and certify results within 48 hours. Exceptions apply for bona fide emergencies (like natural disasters) or technical issues with election equipment. This bill directly affects all states conducting federal elections, imposing specific timelines for election administration. The law applies to elections held after its enactment date.

This joint resolution recognizes the sacrifice of veterans of the Vietnam War and commends them for their sacrifice to the United States. The joint resolution also urges the President to formally acknowledge the widespread mistreatment of such veterans as part of the ongoing Vietnam War Commemoration and issue a formal apology to the veterans and their families. Additionally, the joint resolution expresses urgent support for increased education to better reflect the sacrifice and treatment of Vietnam veterans.

Maddy summaryHR 404, the "Hearing Protection Act," reclassifies firearm silencers (devices that reduce gunfire noise) as firearms for federal tax and regulatory purposes. It imposes a 10% federal tax on silencers, requires the destruction of all existing federal silencer registration records within one year, and preempts state laws that tax or regulate silencers. The bill clarifies that silencers are treated as firearms under federal law, including for licensing and marking requirements, and defines "firearm silencer" to include specific components. Note: The bill’s title is misleading - it addresses firearm silencer regulation, not hearing protection for people.

Maddy summaryHR 450, the FORCE Act, prevents the U.S. government from removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. It requires the President to make a specific determination under the 1996 LIBERTAD Act before Cuba can be removed. The bill directly affects Cuba's international designation status and U.S. foreign policy actions toward the country. It does not change existing law but blocks any removal until the specified determination is made. The provision applies to both the President and the Secretary of State.

Maddy summaryHR 445, the Border Security Investment Act, creates two new trust funds to fund border security by imposing a 37% fee on money transfers sent to the top 5 countries with the most unlawful border entries in the previous year. Money transfer companies pay this fee, with half the collected funds going to a Reimbursement Fund to reimburse border states for their security costs and the other half to a Security Fund for federal border technology, barriers, and Border Patrol staffing. The bill requires the Treasury to transfer these funds annually, sets a $50 billion cap on total fund balances (with excess funds directed to deficit reduction), and takes effect 30 days after enactment. It directly affects money transfer providers, border states, and federal border security operations.

Maddy summaryHR 424, the State Border Security Reimbursement Act of 2025, requires the federal government to reimburse states that spent over $2.5 billion on border security since 2014. It directly affects states like Texas, which has allocated over $3.2 billion for border security since 2008-2009 due to federal inaction. States meeting the spending threshold must submit expense reports within 180 days of the bill's enactment, and the federal government must reimburse these costs within one year of submission. The bill aims to address the financial burden on states that have funded border security efforts primarily the federal government's responsibility.

Maddy summaryHR 28, the *Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025*, amends Title IX to prohibit federally funded schools from allowing male-identified individuals (based on biological sex at birth) to compete on women’s or girls’ sports teams. It explicitly states that such participation would violate federal civil rights law, with exceptions only for training/practice that doesn’t displace female athletes from roster spots, competitions, scholarships, or other benefits. The bill mandates a Comptroller General study to define "other benefits" lost by girls when males compete in single-sex sports, including impacts on psychological well-being, scholarship access, and safe participation environments. This bill directly affects all athletic programs receiving federal funding, requiring compliance with its biological-sex-based eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHR 342, the Honor Inauguration Day Act, requires the U.S. flag to be flown at its highest peak on every presidential Inauguration Day, overriding any conflicting laws. This procedural bill directly affects all federal buildings and properties where the flag is displayed on that specific day. It mandates a ceremonial flag display to "commemorate and celebrate" the presidential election process, as stated in the congressional findings. The bill makes no substantive policy changes but establishes a specific flag protocol for Inauguration Day.

Maddy summaryHR 374, the DIRECT Act, redirects unused funds originally allocated to the IRS for enforcement under the Inflation Reduction Act toward border security. It rescinds unobligated IRS enforcement funds and appropriates the exact same amount to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for hiring new border agents. This bill directly affects the IRS by reducing its enforcement budget and CBP by increasing its funding for border personnel. The key mechanism is a simple transfer of existing, unspent funds without creating new spending. The bill makes no changes to tax law or policy, only reallocating previously authorized resources.

Maddy summaryHR 361, the "Make Greenland Great Again Act," authorizes the President to begin negotiations with Denmark for the U.S. acquisition of Greenland starting January 20, 2025. It requires the President to submit any resulting agreement to specific congressional committees (Foreign Affairs and Foreign Relations) within five days, followed by a 60-day congressional review period. If Congress takes no action during that period, the agreement would automatically take effect. The bill does not change Greenland’s current status as part of Denmark’s Kingdom but proposes a diplomatic process for potential transfer. Note: This appears to be a symbolic or satirical proposal, as Greenland is an autonomous territory within Denmark’s Kingdom and not subject to unilateral acquisition.