Maddy summaryHR 10008, the Protect LNG Act of 2024, changes how environmental lawsuits affect approvals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities. It prevents courts from canceling existing permits for covered LNG facilities during environmental reviews under the Natural Gas Act or National Environmental Policy Act; instead, courts must send cases back to the relevant federal agency (like the Energy Department or Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) to fix issues. The bill also gives specific federal appeals courts exclusive authority over these cases, requires expedited handling, and sets a 90-day deadline for filing legal challenges after a permit is finalized. This directly impacts LNG companies seeking approvals and environmental groups challenging those approvals in court.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHRES 1511 is a symbolic resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for designating September 2024 as "National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funds but calls for raising public awareness about prostate cancer screening, encouraging research into prevention and treatment, and promoting access to care. The resolution directly affects all Americans, particularly men at risk of prostate cancer, by urging communities, healthcare providers, and organizations to participate in awareness activities during September. It references existing federal cancer research funding (like the $110 million for the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program) but does not change current policy.
Maddy summaryHJRES 136 is a resolution seeking to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have set new emissions standards for light and medium-duty vehicles sold in 2027 and later model years. The EPA rule, published in April 2024, aimed to require vehicle manufacturers to meet stricter pollution limits for these vehicles. If passed, this resolution would cancel the rule, preventing the EPA from enforcing the new standards. It uses a congressional process that allows Congress to reject agency rules with a simple majority vote.
Maddy summaryThis bill restricts federal funding for jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It defines a "sanctuary jurisdiction" as any state or local government that prohibits sharing immigration status information or complying with federal detainer requests (except for crime victims/witnesses). Starting after enactment, such jurisdictions lose eligibility for federal funds intended to provide food, shelter, healthcare, legal services, or transportation to undocumented immigrants. The law directly affects cities and states with specific immigration policies, not the immigrants themselves.
Maddy summaryThe Royalty Resiliency Act (HR 7377) requires the federal government to make decisions on how oil and gas royalties are allocated among shared production leases within 120 days of a request. Until a decision is issued, companies must pay royalties based on their proposed allocation, and the government will waive interest on underpayments if payments are made on time. This applies to most federal oil and gas leases but excludes agreements involving tribal lands. The law aims to reduce delays and financial uncertainty for oil and gas companies operating on federal land.
Maddy summaryHR 9699, the Pay Our Troops Act, ensures military personnel and key support staff continue receiving pay during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2025. It appropriates funds to cover pay and allowances for active-duty troops, Department of Defense civilians, and qualifying contractors supporting military operations, if regular appropriations aren't enacted. The funding remains in effect until the earliest of: a new appropriations law, a funding resolution without such funding, or January 1, 2026. This bill does not change pay rates or create new policies - it guarantees existing pay continuity during budget transitions.
Maddy summaryThis bill (HJRES 163) is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule finalized on May 9, 2024. The EPA rule established new emissions standards for greenhouse gases from fossil fuel power plants (both new and existing) and repealed a previous rule called the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. The resolution would block this EPA rule from taking effect by invoking the Congressional Review Act (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code). If passed, it would prevent the EPA rule from being enforced, directly affecting fossil fuel power plant operators and the EPA’s regulatory authority over emissions.
Maddy summaryThe JUDGES Act of 2024 authorizes new federal district court judgeships across multiple states to address rising case backlogs in the federal judiciary. It specifies new permanent judgeships for districts including California (multiple districts), Florida, Texas, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, and New York, with implementation phased through 2035, and creates temporary judgeships for Oklahoma districts with specific vacancy rules. The bill authorizes funding for these positions and requires reports on judicial caseloads and detention space needs, while mandating public access to the Judicial Conference's judgeship recommendations. The bill directly affects federal district courts in the specified locations by increasing judicial staffing to handle growing case volumes.
Maddy summaryHR 705, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act, prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from automatically sending veterans' personal information to the national background check system solely because a fiduciary (like a guardian) manages their benefits. It specifically blocks the VA from sharing this data with the Justice Department without a court order finding the veteran a danger to themselves or others. This directly affects veterans who have a fiduciary appointed due to incapacity but are not deemed dangerous, preventing automatic barriers to firearm purchases based only on their fiduciary status. The bill amends 38 U.S.C. § 5501B to require judicial authorization before such data can be transmitted.
Maddy summaryHR 9574, the Stop CARB Act of 2024, repeals federal provisions that allowed California to set stricter vehicle and engine emissions standards than the national baseline. It eliminates the waiver process under the Clean Air Act (specifically Section 209) that enabled California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) to establish its own rules for nonroad engines and vehicles. The bill also repeals Section 177 of the Clean Air Act, which authorized California’s unique new motor vehicle emission standards. As a result, California would no longer be permitted to implement its own vehicle emission requirements separate from federal standards.