Rep. Brian Babin

Paying America's Inflationary Debts Act or the PAID Act This bill rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was enacted to address the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses. Specifically, the bill rescinds specified funds that were provided for state, territorial, local, and tribal governments; emergency rental assistance; the State Small Business Credit Initiative; Federal Transit Administration grants; the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund; and global health activities and programs. The bill also requires the rescinded funds to be used for deficit reduction.

Benjamin Berell Ferencz Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Benjamin Berell Ferencz in recognition of his service to the United States and the international community during the post-World War II Nuremberg trials and his lifelong advocacy for international criminal justice and the rule of law.

Maddy summaryHRES 1091 is a non-binding House resolution calling for Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to resign immediately. It criticizes the Biden administration's border management policies, citing unapprehended migrants, opioid-related deaths, and opposition to border enforcement measures like Title 42. The resolution lists specific grievances, including halting border wall construction and rescinding the "Remain in Mexico" program, but does not create new laws or policies. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect and does not directly affect any individuals or communities beyond expressing the House's disapproval.

Maddy summaryHRES 1092 is a symbolic resolution supporting National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 1-7, 2022). It encourages federal agencies like the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center to continue public education on hurricane safety, including developing family disaster plans and understanding evacuation procedures. The resolution urges all Americans to use this week to learn about hurricane risks, such as storm surge vulnerabilities and flood safety, based on guidance from NOAA and the National Weather Service. As a non-binding statement, it does not create new laws or requirements.

No Tax Breaks for Radical Corporate Activism Act This bill disallows a business expense tax deduction for any reimbursement paid by an employer to an employee for travel expenses to obtain an abortion, or for the costs of any gender transition procedure for the employee's minor child.

No Timber From Tyrants Act This bill prohibits the importation of wood and related articles from Russia and Belarus. It also directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to replace these prohibited imports with timber production on certain lands. Specifically, the bill directs the President to prohibit the importation of all wood and related articles from Russia and Belarus. The President may terminate this prohibition upon certification to Congress that certain conditions have been met, including that Russia or Belarus (or both, as applicable) reached an agreement to withdraw forces in Ukraine. Additionally, the bill directs Interior and USDA to authorize timber harvest in an amount sufficient to equal the volume, with respect to calendar year 2021, of imports of wood and related articles from Russia and Belarus. Interior may authorize timber harvest only on public lands and USDA may authorize timber harvest only on National Forest System lands. The bill generally prohibits Interior and USDA from approving a plan that reduces the allowable sale quantity of timber.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of federal funds to establish or operate a Disinformation Governance Board under the Department of Homeland Security. It directly affects the Department of Homeland Security by blocking funding for this specific board, preventing its creation or activities. The measure restricts how existing federal appropriations can be applied, without altering other funding mechanisms.

Stop Reckless Student Loan Actions Act of 2022 This bill limits executive authority to (1) suspend or defer federal student loan payments or interest accrual on such loans, and (2) cancel federal student loans. Specifically, the bill prohibits the President or the Department of Education (ED) from suspending or deferring federal student loan payments or the accrual of interest on such loans for borrowers with annual household incomes over 400% of the federal poverty line. Further, ED may only suspend or defer federal student loan payments or the accrual of interest for such loans for a total of 90 days after the declaration of a national emergency by the President. ED must submit recommendations to Congress on relief necessary for recipients of student financial-aid assistance. Additionally, the bill prohibits the President or ED from cancelling the outstanding balances or portions of balances on student loans due to the COVID-19 national emergency or any other national emergency. Executive or regulatory action to suspend or defer federal student loan payments or to cancel federal student loans shall be subject to congressional review. The bill also revises the definition of affected individual for purposes of the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003 to exclude from relief under the act (1) an individual who resides or is employed in an area that is declared a disaster area in connection with a national emergency; or (2) an individual who suffered direct economic hardship as a direct result of a war, military operation, or national emergency.

My Child, My Choice Act of 2022 This bill prohibits an elementary school from receiving federal education funds unless a teacher requests written parental consent prior to teaching a lesson specifically related to gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender studies. In particular, the bill requires a teacher to request written consent from the parent of each student enrolled in the class prior to teaching the lesson. If a parent does not submit written consent to the lesson, then the school must provide the student with an alternative period of learning or study hall. Further, the teacher may not teach the lesson if the principal does not receive written consent from the parents of at least 50% of the students enrolled in the class.

Protecting Free Speech Act This bill terminates the Disinformation Governance Board of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and prohibits using DHS funding for the activities of any other entity that is substantially similar to the board.