Rep. H. Morgan Griffith

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines disaster recovery by temporarily waiving certain federal requirements during declared emergencies. It exempts vessels from the Jones Act (which requires U.S.-built ships for domestic transport) and waives Davis-Bacon labor wage rules for disaster-related repair projects. The bill also creates temporary "Emergency Recovery Boards" with federal, state, local, and congressional members to identify immediate and long-term barriers to recovery after major disasters. Additionally, it allows federal agencies to include pre-planned technological upgrades (like energy-efficient systems) during the repair or replacement of damaged facilities. These changes directly affect federal agencies, state/local governments, and contractors managing disaster response and recovery efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires power companies to give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), grid reliability organizations, and state regulators a 5-year advance notice before retiring any electric generating unit that produces at least 5 megawatts. It directly affects utility companies operating large power plants, ensuring grid operators have sufficient time to plan for potential power shortages. The notice must be made publicly available, with exceptions only for unplanned retirements due to emergencies or disasters. This provision aims to strengthen grid reliability by providing early visibility into planned capacity reductions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends federal law to establish that any willful violation of a federal statute with no prescribed punishment is automatically classified as a Class A misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals who commit such unpenalized federal violations, setting a default penalty (up to one year in jail or a fine) where the original law was silent. The key mechanism adds a new provision to the U.S. Code specifying that "no punishment prescribed" violations must be treated as Class A misdemeanors. This is a procedural clarification to fill a legal gap, not a new policy affecting specific groups or issues.

Maddy summaryHRES 1509 is a symbolic resolution designating the week beginning November 11, 2024, as "National Pregnancy Center Week." It recognizes community-supported pregnancy centers across the U.S. for providing services like pregnancy testing, counseling, ultrasounds, parenting education, and material support to individuals facing pregnancy decisions. The resolution highlights that these centers, which serve approximately 2 million people annually through volunteer and staff efforts, operate as local, nonprofit organizations. It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges their role in offering support to women and men.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies Medicare rules to allow doctors to provide certain critical medications directly in their offices without extra administrative hurdles. It specifically amends a Medicare provision (Section 1877(b)(2) of the Social Security Act) to remove a requirement that drugs furnished in-office must follow specific administrative rules, effective May 11, 2023. The bill also directs the removal of conflicting Medicare guidance published in 2021 and 2023, which had previously restricted this practice. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries (seniors) and doctors' offices that supply covered medications during patient visits. It streamlines access to necessary drugs by eliminating an unnecessary barrier to in-office medication administration under Medicare.

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 summaryHJRES 144 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) on April 19, 2024. The resolution seeks to block the ATF's rule that redefined the term "engaged in the business" for firearm dealers, which would have affected how federal licensing requirements apply to certain sellers. If enacted, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing it from taking effect under procedures in Title 5 of the U.S. Code. The bill directly impacts firearm dealers operating under the current regulatory framework and the ATF's enforcement authority.

Maddy summaryHR 6319 (the 911 SAVES Act of 2023) requires the Office of Management and Budget to reclassify public safety telecommunicators as "Protective Service Occupations" within 30 days of enactment. This change corrects their current misclassification in the federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, which is used for statistical data on jobs. The bill directly affects how these professionals - critical in emergency calls involving missing children, active threats, and officer safety - are officially categorized in government workforce data. It does not create new benefits or funding but aims to better recognize their lifesaving role through accurate federal job classification.

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 summaryH.J. Res. 117 is a joint resolution that would disapprove an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule concerning the reconsideration of National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter. The EPA rule, published on March 6, 2024, was part of the agency’s process to review these standards, which set limits for harmful air pollutants. This resolution invokes a congressional disapproval procedure under federal law to block the rule from taking effect. If enacted, the rule would have no force or effect, preserving the existing air quality standards for particulate matter.