Rep. Eric Burlison

Maddy summaryThis bill cancels a 2016 rule requiring new truck drivers to complete specific training programs. It removes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's mandate for minimum training standards for entry-level commercial drivers. The repeal directly affects trucking companies and new drivers who would no longer need to follow these training requirements. The change eliminates a specific regulatory obligation without creating new policies or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 4707 prohibits the use of federal funds for the Special Counsel's Office of John L. Smith. It directly affects this specific office by blocking all funding from federal appropriations or trust funds. The bill's key provision is a straightforward funding ban, stating no authorized or appropriated federal funds may be used for this office's operations. This is a procedural measure targeting one named office, with no additional mechanisms or policy changes described.

Stopping Teachers Unions from Damaging Education Needs Today Act or the STUDENT Act This bill revises the federal charter for the National Education Association. The bill specifies that the corporation and its state and local affiliates may only accept payment of membership dues or fees from a state or local government employee if the employee (1) has been notified of the employee's right under the First Amendment to refrain from membership and payment of associated dues or fees, (2) has clearly and affirmatively consented to membership and payment of associated dues or fees, and (3) has authorized the transmittal of membership dues or fees without the use of payroll deduction. Further, the corporation and its state or local affiliates must process and honor cancellation requests for membership or payment of dues as soon as practicable following receipt of the request. The bill also outlines requirements for the corporation, such as  prohibiting the corporation or its directors or officers from contributing to, supporting, or participating in political activities; requiring each officer of the corporation to be a U.S. citizen;  requiring the corporation to submit annual reports to Congress; prohibiting the corporation and its affiliates from requiring staff, officers, affiliates, or members to affirm, adopt, or adhere to certain principles related to race or sex; and prohibiting the corporation and its affiliates from calling or participating in a strike, work stoppage, or slowdown affecting a state or local government. The bill repeals the corporation's exemption from District of Columbia property taxes.

Maddy summaryHR 4721, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, makes a permanent the 20% tax deduction for eligible small business owners under Section 199A of the tax code. This provision directly affects pass-through business owners (like S-corps, partnerships, and sole proprietorships) who qualify for the deduction. The bill achieves this by removing the temporary expiration language (subsection (i)) from the existing tax code provision. The key change is ending the need for annual congressional extensions of this deduction, providing long-term tax certainty for small businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the General Services Administration (GSA) from considering the legality or availability of abortion when acquiring, constructing, leasing, or entering into agreements for federal buildings or properties. It directly affects GSA's decisions regarding federal real estate, ensuring that such actions are not influenced by state abortion laws. The law amends specific sections of Title 40 (including building acquisition, construction, and leasing rules) to explicitly ban this consideration. It does not change abortion laws or apply to non-federal properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits entities controlled by Iran, North Korea, China, or Russia from purchasing or leasing agricultural land in the United States, including both public land managed by federal agencies and private land. It also bars such entities from participating in most U.S. Department of Agriculture programs (with exceptions for food safety, health, and labor safety initiatives). The bill expands reporting requirements to include leases and security interests in foreign land ownership, mandates public online disclosure of foreign ownership data with specific details, and imposes penalties like liens on land for violations. Additionally, it requires annual reports to Congress on risks of foreign ownership, enforcement effectiveness, and foreign investment motives.

Maddy summaryHR 4595, the National Education Association Charter Repeal Act, repeals the federal charter granted to the National Education Association (NEA) under Title 36 of the U.S. Code. This bill directly affects the NEA as an organization, removing its status as a federally chartered entity. The key mechanism is a specific repeal of the charter provision (Chapter 1511, Title 36), with no new programs or funding. The bill does not alter the NEA's activities or operations, only its legal status under federal law.

Maddy summaryHR 4398, the "Patriotism Not Pride Act," prohibits federal agencies from using taxpayer funds to support or promote Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQ+) Pride Month activities, including events, communications, or educational programs. It also bans the display of any flag representing sexual orientation or gender identity on federal property or grounds. The bill applies to all federal agencies as defined in U.S. law and directly affects how agencies manage public communications and property. This is a procedural measure restricting specific federal activities, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHJRES 44 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a 2021 rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The rule classified firearms with stabilizing braces as "short-barreled rifles," which would have required additional licensing and regulation. This resolution uses a specific legal process (under Title 5, U.S. Code) to formally disapprove the ATF rule, meaning the rule would no longer be in effect. It directly affects firearm owners, manufacturers, and dealers who would have been subject to the rule’s requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 4299, the "There are Two Sexes Act of 2023," prohibits the use of federal funds for creating or distributing any required federal form that offers gender options beyond "Male" or "Female." It directly affects federal agencies and programs that require individuals to provide gender information on official forms, such as benefit applications or enrollment documents. The bill bans federal funding for any such form starting October 1, 2024, ensuring only binary gender options are used on federally mandated paperwork. This policy change restricts how federal entities collect gender data but does not alter personal identification or state-level policies.