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.
Rep. Robert J. Wittman
Sponsored bills
Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 This bill expands the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Grant Program to include separate grants to rescue sea turtles for the next seven years. The grants must be used for the recovery, care, or treatment of sick, injured, or entangled sea turtles; responses to rescue stranded sea turtles; the collection of data and samples from living or dead stranded sea turtles for scientific research or health assessments; facility operating costs that are directly related to activities to assist sea turtles; or development of stranding network capacity where facilities do not exist or are sparse. In addition, the bill establishes the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund.
Maddy summaryHR 330, the Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act, mandates a study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on using electronic automated referral systems to improve organ donation processes. The study will examine how systems that automatically identify potential deceased donors through hospital electronic health records and refer them to organ procurement organizations could save staff time, improve eligibility determination speed, and increase donation volumes. It will also assess benefits of using standardized clinical criteria, secure data transmission, and best practices for implementation. The study, due within one year of enactment, will produce recommendations for nationwide adoption and be reported to relevant congressional committees. This bill directly affects hospitals and organ procurement organizations by studying a potential process change for organ donor referrals.
Maddy summaryHR 215, the Adoption Information Act, requires family planning services funded under Title V of the Social Security Act to provide pamphlets containing regional adoption center contact information to patients inquiring about medical or abortion services. Specifically, medical professionals must offer a pamphlet listing all adoption centers in the region with their addresses and phone numbers at the time of inquiry, and ensure patients have the opportunity to read it. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must annually update and distribute these pamphlets to all qualifying family planning programs. This provision uses existing Title V funding, with no new funds required for implementation.
Maddy summaryHR 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, repeals two provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for certain government workers. It eliminates the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which cuts spousal or survivor benefits for people with pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security (like federal or state government roles), and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which lowers retirement benefits for those with similar pensions. The law takes effect for benefits paid after December 2023, requiring the Social Security Administration to adjust benefit calculations to remove these reductions. This change directly affects public-sector employees who previously had their Social Security benefits reduced due to their government pensions.
Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific United States Postal Service facility at 1285 Emancipation Highway in Fredericksburg, Virginia, as the "Gladys P. Todd Post Office." It directly affects the postal service location and all official references to it. The bill changes the facility's official name in all federal records and documents, with no policy changes or funding impacts. This is a ceremonial naming designation with no substantive legislative effect.
Maddy summaryThis bill renames the U.S. Postal Service facility at 29 Franklin Street in Petersburg, Virginia, as the "John Mercer Langston Post Office Building." It updates all official federal references (including laws, maps, and documents) to use this new name. The designation is ceremonial and affects only the building's official identification, with no changes to postal operations or services. This is a standard naming resolution with no substantive policy impact.
Maddy summary# Summary of the EXPLORE Act Legislative Text This is a comprehensive legislative text (likely the "EXPLORE Act" - Enhancing Recreation Opportunities for People of All Abilities, and Veterans) that establishes several key initiatives to improve outdoor recreation access across Federal lands. ## Key Focus Areas: ### 1. Accessibility for People with Disabilities (Title II - Access America) - Requires comprehensive assessments of outdoor recreation facilities on Federal lands within 5 years - Mandates development of 3 new accessible trails per region for each agency (Forest Service, National Park Service, BLM, USFWS) within 1 year - Requires development of 2 new accessible recreation opportunities per region within 1 year - Requires making accessibility information available on public websites within 7 years - Requires development of accessible features including trail bridges, parking, and restrooms ### 2. Military and Veterans Programs - Requires educational materials for military members/veterans on accessing Federal lands free of charge within 2 years - Establishes Military Veterans Outdoor Recreation Liaisons within relevant agencies within 1 year - Requires a National Strategy for Military and Veteran Recreation within 1 year - Creates a pilot program for veteran employment in conservation positions - Promotes partnerships with organizations providing outdoor recreation for veterans ### 3. Youth Access - Requires a strategy to increase youth recreation visits to Federal lands within 2 years - Extends the "Every Kid Outdoors" program until September 30, 2031 - Focuses on increasing opportunities for underserved youth ### 4. Recreation Permitting Modernization (Title III) - Defines special recreation permits and establishes fee structures - Creates categories for different types of recreation permits - Establishes a process for application and review of permits - Includes provisions for multijurisdictional trips across different Federal lands The legislation aims to improve access to outdoor recreation for people with disabilities, veterans, and youth while modernizing the permitting process for recreational activities on Federal lands. It requires specific timelines for implementation and includes detailed definitions and requirements for each component of the bill.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends funding for the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through 2028, replacing the previous 2014-2023 authorization. It directs NIH to administer pediatric research funds through its Division of Program Coordination (instead of the "Common Fund") and requires NIH to coordinate pediatric cancer and disease research while prioritizing projects that avoid duplicating existing NIH work. The bill also mandates a report to Congress within five years detailing funded pediatric research projects and their advancements. This directly affects NIH's pediatric research funding structure and oversight, focusing on cancer and other childhood diseases.
Maddy summary# Summary of Proposed Legislation This comprehensive legislative proposal contains multiple sections addressing election integrity, campaign finance reform, cybersecurity, census operations, and related government functions. Key provisions include: 1. **Campaign Finance Reforms**: - Increased thresholds for political committee reporting requirements - Repeal of requirements for political committees to report donor identification - Exemption of uncompensated internet communications from contribution/expenditure treatment - Protection of donor privacy for tax-exempt organizations through the "Speech Privacy Act of 2023" 2. **Election Security**: - Establishment of a process for testing and monitoring cybersecurity vulnerabilities in election equipment - Requirements for the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify state officials about election cybersecurity incidents - Exclusive authority for the Election Assistance Commission regarding guidelines for voting system certification 3. **Census and Redistricting**: - Establishment of a permanent Census Monitoring Board with bipartisan composition to review census operations - Clarification of state authority over congressional redistricting maps - Provisions regarding the Speaker of the House's authority to join civil actions related to apportionment 4. **Other Key Provisions**: - Termination of the Disinformation Governance Board and prohibition on funding similar entities - Amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act to increase reporting thresholds and exempt certain communications - Various technical corrections to existing campaign finance law The legislation appears to focus on enhancing election security, reducing regulatory burdens on political organizations, protecting donor privacy, and strengthening oversight of census operations while maintaining constitutional boundaries between federal and state authority.