Rep. Thomas P. Tiffany

Maddy summaryThis bill requires large credit card issuers (with over $100 billion in assets) to allow merchants to choose which payment networks process credit card transactions, ending restrictions that previously forced merchants to use only one network. It prohibits issuers from blocking merchants from routing transactions through competing networks or penalizing them for choosing non-exclusive processing options. The Federal Reserve must create rules within one year to implement these changes, ensuring merchants have more choice in payment processing. The law does not apply to credit cards issued in a "3-party payment system" model.

Maddy summaryHR 3919, the Asylum Claims Improvement Act of 2023, prohibits immigration officials from considering an applicant's mental health when reviewing asylum claims or requests for withholding of removal. It amends Sections 208(b) (asylum) and 241(b)(3) (withholding of removal) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to explicitly state that mental health status cannot be a factor in these determinations. This change directly affects immigrants seeking protection in the U.S. who apply for asylum or withholding of removal. The bill makes a specific policy change by removing mental health as a consideration in these immigration decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the National School Lunch Act to require schools participating in the program to offer flavored milk to students. It directly affects public schools receiving federal funding for lunches, changing the existing provision to mandate flavored milk availability. The key mechanism is adding a new clause (iii) stating schools "shall offer students flavored milk," replacing previous language that allowed discretion. This is a procedural change to program requirements, not a substantive policy shift in nutrition standards.

Maddy summaryHJRES 46 is a congressional resolution rejecting a specific rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under federal environmental regulations. The resolution seeks to block the NMFS rule (published June 2022) that updated procedures for listing endangered/threatened species and designating critical habitats. If passed, this resolution would make the NMFS rule legally ineffective under federal law. The bill directly affects how the NMFS manages species protection programs but does not change the underlying environmental laws. This is a procedural disapproval resolution, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryHJRES 49 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific rule by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that would have listed the northern long-eared bat as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. The rule, published in the Federal Register in November 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 73488), would have imposed federal protections and restrictions on activities affecting the bat's habitat. This resolution, if passed, would nullify that rule, preventing the bat from receiving federal endangered species status and associated legal safeguards. It directly affects the regulatory status of the northern long-eared bat and activities regulated under the Endangered Species Act.

Maddy summaryHR 3792 extends U.S. security funding for Israel through 2028 (Section 3) and expands energy cooperation to include advanced nuclear technologies and carbon capture (Section 5). It requires annual reports on regional security partnerships involving Israel (Section 6) and ensures countries in the Abraham Accords can access U.S. development programs (Section 8). The bill also mandates reports on diplomatic efforts against ICC investigations targeting the U.S. and Israel (Section 10) and encourages people-to-people programs to strengthen the Abraham Accords (Sections 7, 9). These provisions directly affect Israel’s diplomatic engagement, security partnerships, and economic cooperation in the Middle East.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to restrict the FTC's ability to act when all remaining commissioners belong to the same political party. Specifically, it modifies Section 1 of the FTC Act to state that if all commissioners are from the same party (as determined at their appointment), they cannot exercise the commission's powers. The bill directly affects the FTC's operational capacity, preventing it from functioning when partisan alignment exists among commissioners. This change aims to ensure bipartisan representation is maintained for the FTC to make decisions.

Maddy summaryHR 3176, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, creates a 3-year pilot program allowing eligible veterans (enrolled in VA care) to choose any provider within the VA healthcare system or approved non-VA facilities, removing prior location restrictions for VA care. Veterans can select primary and specialty care providers freely, with VA coordinating care through a designated primary provider. After the pilot, these expanded choices become permanent policy, requiring the VA to offer full provider selection without geographic or administrative barriers. The bill implements these changes using existing VA funding without new appropriations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. government agencies to develop strategies to combat "transnational repression" - actions by foreign governments or their agents to intimidate, coerce, or harm diaspora and exile communities outside their home countries. It mandates the State Department to create an interagency strategy, amend annual country reports to include information on transnational repression tactics, and provide training for diplomatic and law enforcement personnel. The bill also establishes sanctions against foreign governments or individuals responsible for transnational repression, including blocking property and denying visas. These provisions directly affect diaspora communities facing foreign government harassment and U.S. agencies tasked with protecting them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all non-profit organizations receiving federal funds to certify they comply with anti-human trafficking, anti-smuggling, and fraud laws, and have no convictions under immigration law (8 U.S.C. 1324). Nonprofits must submit this certification within 60-120 days of the law's enactment; failure to certify or violation of the law results in repayment of funds and potential loss of tax-exempt status. The Department of Homeland Security must create compliance guides and publish violation data, while the GAO will report annually on non-compliance. The law applies to all nonprofits with federal contracts, grants, or agreements, aiming to prevent federal funds from supporting entities involved in trafficking or smuggling.