Rep. Scott Fitzgerald

Maddy summaryHR 7947, the Restoring Court Authority Over Litigation Act of 2024, clarifies that state and federal courts - not federal agencies - have primary authority to regulate attorneys engaged in litigation. The bill prohibits federal agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from regulating attorneys' litigation activities and eliminates private lawsuits against attorneys for their litigation conduct. It amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and Consumer Financial Protection Act to explicitly exclude attorneys engaged in litigation from certain regulatory requirements. This directly affects attorneys, law firms, and federal agencies that currently regulate or sue attorneys over litigation activities. The key provision establishes that courts, not federal agencies, should handle disciplinary matters related to attorneys' legal representation in court.

Accurate Credit Reporting for Homebuyers Act This bill requires lenders at government-sponsored enterprises (i.e., Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) to obtain a borrower’s consumer report and credit score from all three of the national credit reporting agencies when purchasing a residential mortgage loan. Currently, lenders are allowed to use either two or three credit reports.

Maddy summaryHR 7783 would prevent the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from using two specific guidance documents: a 2023 enforcement guidance on workplace harassment and a 2021 fact sheet explaining protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill would make these documents legally ineffective and prohibit the EEOC from issuing similar guidance in the future. This does not change existing anti-discrimination laws but would limit how the EEOC communicates its interpretation of those laws to employers and workers. The bill directly affects the EEOC’s ability to issue policy guidance and could influence how workplace discrimination claims are handled under current law.

Maddy summaryHR 7725 would block federal funding for graduate medical schools that require students or staff to adopt specific statements about race, gender, or identity (like claiming systemic racism or collective guilt), use race-based distinctions in admissions or programs, maintain DEI offices, or mandate "diversity statements" for admission. It directly affects graduate medical schools at colleges/universities receiving federal financial aid, including student loans. The bill exempts medical education about race-related health needs, demographic data collection for reporting, and religious institutions from adhering to policies conflicting with their beliefs. Schools violating these rules would lose eligibility for federal funds, though they could still comply with anti-discrimination laws and provide general academic instruction.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. app stores, hosting services, and distributors from enabling foreign adversary-controlled applications (like TikTok, owned by ByteDance) to operate within U.S. borders. It requires companies to provide users with their data in a machine-readable format before a ban takes effect, and imposes civil penalties of up to $5,000 per affected user for violations. The law directly affects major app platforms, app stores, and internet hosting services, targeting applications owned by entities controlled by designated "foreign adversary" countries (e.g., China). It includes exemptions for companies that divest U.S. operations to non-adversary entities before the ban date.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution expresses Congress's view that state licensing of design professionals (including architecture, engineering, surveying, and mapping) is essential for public health, safety, and welfare. It states that such licensing protects infrastructure integrity and public safety, citing historical state licensing practices and past congressional recognition of this need. The resolution urges states to maintain these licensing requirements, emphasizing their role in ensuring safe construction, infrastructure development, and environmental protection. It does not create new laws but affirms that state licensing of these professions serves the public interest.

Maddy summaryHR 7577, the CHEERS Act, creates a new tax deduction for restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues by expanding eligibility under the energy efficiency tax code (Section 179D). It defines "qualified energy-efficient draft property" as stainless steel or aluminum containers and tap equipment used for alcohol distribution in these businesses, treating them as eligible for the existing energy efficiency tax deduction. This change applies to equipment placed in service after the bill's enactment date, directly benefiting hospitality businesses that own or lease such equipment. The provision modifies existing tax code language without creating new tax rates or altering other regulations.

Maddy summaryThe Secure Payments Act of 2024 requires the Federal Reserve to study the impacts of the proposed "Reg II" rule (which would cap debit card interchange fees) on consumers, merchants, and small banks. Specifically, it mandates a study of how fee changes affect access to low-cost bank accounts, merchant costs, fraud mitigation, and the affordability of banking products in underserved communities. The Fed must also conduct a quantitative analysis of the rule's effects on small banks' capital and earnings. The Federal Reserve cannot finalize the Reg II rule until after it completes this study, issues a report to Congress, and considers the findings - including whether fee caps benefit low- and moderate-income customers. This bill delays the final rule to ensure the impacts are fully assessed before implementation.

Maddy summaryHR 7450, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, prohibits payment card networks and covered entities (like payment processors) from requiring or assigning merchant category codes that specifically identify firearms retailers as different from general stores or sporting goods retailers. This directly affects firearms retailers and payment networks by preventing them from using business classification codes that could flag firearm sales. The bill establishes an enforcement process where the Attorney General investigates complaints, issues remediation notices, and can seek court injunctions for non-compliance, while preempting state or local laws on this issue. It does not create private lawsuits for individuals.

Maddy summaryH.Res. 1019 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning the Nicaraguan government's imprisonment of 11 individuals affiliated with Mountain Gateway Ministry. The resolution states these arrests occurred without due process on baseless charges of money laundering and organized crime, with detainees lacking adequate legal counsel. It specifically calls on Nicaragua to address these violations of religious freedom and human rights, following the government's pattern of targeting religious groups. This symbolic resolution expresses congressional disapproval but does not impose legal requirements on Nicaragua.