Rep. Keith Self

Maddy summaryHR 5116, the "Empower Parents to Protect their Kids Act," requires all K-12 schools receiving federal funds to obtain parental consent before accommodating a student's gender identity that differs from their sex assigned at birth. The bill prohibits schools from changing student names/pronouns, facilitating gender transition, hiding such information from parents, or encouraging gender transition without parental involvement. Schools must publicly post policies ensuring compliance and provide written policies to families. Parents or the Attorney General can sue schools for violations, seeking injunctions, fees, or compensation for harm caused by unconsented gender transition efforts.

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 118 is a symbolic resolution proposing that September 12, 2025, be designated as "The Day of the Bible" in the U.S. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups. The resolution asks Congress to express support for the designation and encourages schools, civic groups, and communities to hold educational activities about the Bible's historical role. It also requires the President to issue an annual proclamation for this day, recognizing the 1782 approval of the Aitken Bible as a milestone in American history. The bill is purely ceremonial with no legal obligations.

Maddy summaryHRES 670 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) expressing congressional support for designating September 22 as "National Military and Veterans Suicide Awareness Day." It aims to raise public awareness about mental health challenges and suicide prevention within military service members and veterans, acknowledging their sacrifices and the need to reduce stigma around seeking help. The resolution does not create new programs, allocate funding, or change existing policies - it simply encourages national attention during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September. This designation directly affects the military and veteran communities by promoting dialogue about their mental health needs.

Maddy summaryHR 5075, the GRACE Act, requires schools receiving federal education funds to allow religious exemptions from vaccination requirements without requiring documentation. It directly affects K-12 public schools and school agencies that receive federal funding, as they must permit students (or their parents/guardians for minors under 18) to skip vaccinations based on religious belief. The key provision mandates that schools cannot demand proof of a religious belief to grant such exemptions. This changes how schools handle vaccination policies for enrollment, attendance, and school activities when receiving federal education dollars.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 and makes technical amendments to Title 18 of the U.S. Code, specifically removing references to school zones in firearm offense provisions. It revises sections governing firearm restrictions (Section 922), definitions (Section 921), and penalties (Section 924) by renumbering and deleting specific paragraphs related to the repealed law. The bill directly affects federal firearm law enforcement and legal interpretations concerning school zones, but does not create new restrictions or protections. As a procedural repeal, it removes outdated language without altering current firearm regulations.

Maddy summaryHJRES 116 is a ceremonial resolution honoring 13 U.S. service members who died in the August 26, 2021, Abbey Gate bombing at Kabul's airport. It designates a National Day of Remembrance for those who perished during the Afghanistan withdrawal, expresses condolences to their families, and commemorates their service. The resolution does not create new policies or funding but formally recognizes their sacrifice and the role they played in saving lives during the evacuation. It directly affects the Gold Star families of the named service members and the broader public through this national acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Title IX to clarify that "female," "male," and "sex" refer to biological characteristics (egg-producing or sperm-producing reproductive systems). It explicitly states that schools receiving federal funding cannot be forced to eliminate sex-segregated spaces (like bathrooms or locker rooms) or sex-segregated athletic/academic programs. The bill directly affects all schools and colleges that accept federal education funding, ensuring they may maintain such programs without losing that funding. Key mechanisms include adding specific definitions to Title IX and prohibiting the Secretary of Education from making funding contingent on ending sex-segregated facilities or programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a federal database identifying state or local governments that conflict with immigration enforcement laws. It prohibits federal funding for any jurisdiction listed in this database, which includes entities that block cooperation with immigration detainers, restrict arrests of certain immigrants, or prevent officials from interviewing incarcerated individuals about immigration status. The database must be updated quarterly and made public within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This directly affects local governments that have policies limiting collaboration with federal immigration authorities.

Maddy summaryHR 4964, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, requires physicians performing abortions on minors traveling across state lines to provide 24 hours of actual or constructive notice to the minor's parent before the procedure. It directly affects minors (under 18) seeking abortions in a state different from their residence, their parents, and healthcare providers. Key provisions mandate parental notification unless exceptions apply - such as medical emergencies, court waivers, verified abuse disclosures, or the minor being accompanied by a documented parent. The law aims to ensure compliance with parental involvement requirements in the minor’s home state, with penalties for noncompliance including fines or imprisonment for physicians.

Maddy summaryThe SNAP Study Act of 2025 requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to submit annual reports to Congress analyzing food security and diet quality related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Each report must compare SNAP participants and non-participants, summarize recent SNAP policy changes intended to improve food security, assess those changes' impacts, and provide recommendations. The bill directly affects USDA (as the reporting entity) and Congress (as the recipient of the reports), with the first report due one year after the law's effective date. This legislation mandates data collection and analysis to inform future SNAP policy decisions, without altering current program benefits or eligibility.