Rep. Tim Burchett

Maddy summaryThe CLEAR Act amends federal law to establish new criminal penalties for obstructing Federal law enforcement officers operating in or on their vehicles. This legislation directly affects individuals who forcibly assault, resist, or interfere with officers from the Department of Homeland Security or Department of Justice while they are performing official duties in a law enforcement vehicle. The bill introduces enhanced penalties of up to 20 years in prison or a fine for such obstruction, expanding existing protections for officers engaged in vehicle operations. These provisions apply specifically to interactions involving Federal law enforcement vehicles and do not alter penalties for other types of obstruction.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Clean Water for All Life Act, would amend federal criminal law to prohibit chemical abortions unless a healthcare provider is physically present during the procedure. It directly affects individuals who prescribe, administer, or assist with chemical abortion drugs like mifepristone and misoprostol by making it a federal crime to provide these services without a physical exam and the provider's presence. The law requires that patients receive a catch kit and red bag medical waste container with disposal instructions, and it defines an unborn child as beginning at fertilization. Violations could result in up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine for each occurrence. The bill does not address other forms of abortion or change existing state laws.

Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 This bill imposes sanctions on certain foreign persons (individuals and entities) that are involved in Iran's petroleum sector as well as certain associated persons. The bill also requires or authorizes actions to facilitate the enforcement of sanctions on Iran. Specifically, the bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person that, after the bill's enactment, knowingly engages in any transaction related to the processing, export, or sale of oil, condensates, gas, liquefied natural gas, or other petrochemical products in whole or in part from Iran. The President must also impose sanctions on certain foreign persons associated with a sanctioned individual or entity. For example, the President must sanction the subsidiaries and corporate officers of a sanctioned business. The bill provides certain exceptions to these sanctions, including specifying that sanctions do not apply to the importation of goods or to conducting or facilitating transactions for humanitarian assistance. The Department of State must establish an interagency working group that shall seek to establish a multilateral contact group to coordinate international efforts to enforce sanctions on Iran. The bill expands the State Department rewards program to authorize a reward payment to any individual who furnishes information leading to the identification of a person (1) subject to sanctions under this bill, or (2) that has attempted or is attempting to evade sanctions under this bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the American Families First Assistance Act, would restrict eligibility for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits for most aliens in the United States. It directly affects non-citizen immigrants by removing their ability to receive federal cash assistance for low-income families under the existing welfare program. The key provision amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to disqualify qualified aliens from TANF block grants, with specific exceptions for certain categories of immigrants including nationals of Cuba. This change would limit access to financial support for families with children who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

Maddy summaryHR 7932, the HONOR Gold Star Families Act, increases the death gratuity paid to families of service members who died in the line of duty. It raises the current $100,000 payment to $200,000 for deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2026. The bill also adds an annual cost-of-living adjustment to this amount, increasing it each January 1 based on the previous year’s inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index. This directly affects Gold Star Families - those who have lost a service member in military service - by providing a larger initial payment and ensuring future payments keep pace with inflation.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Mail Ballot Integrity Act, would require states to stop sending unsolicited mail-in ballots to voters for federal elections. Under the law, individuals must actively request a mail-in ballot by submitting a written or electronic request that includes a sworn statement confirming they meet specific eligibility criteria. The bill limits who can receive these ballots to groups such as active-duty military personnel, students living away from home, clergy, people with disabilities, seniors aged 65 and older, and others with temporary mobility or residency issues. States could maintain lists of voters who previously qualified for mail-in voting, but only if those voters continue to meet the established eligibility requirements. The changes would take effect for federal elections occurring on or after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the No Federal Tax Dollars for Illegal Aliens Health Insurance Act of 2026, amends the Affordable Care Act to restrict the use of federal taxpayer funds for health insurance coverage. It directly affects states that receive funding under the ACA and individuals seeking health insurance coverage through federal programs. The key provision prohibits states from using pass-through funding to pay for health insurance or related benefits for individuals who are not U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawfully present aliens. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to rescind any existing waivers that would have allowed such funding for unauthorized individuals had the new restrictions been in place at the time of approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the American Meat Freedom Act, would allow meat and meat products inspected under qualifying state programs to be shipped across state lines, rather than being restricted to local markets. It directly affects small and mid-sized ranchers and meat producers who currently operate under state inspection systems but cannot sell their products interstate. The key provisions require that state inspection programs meet federal standards, producers comply with all applicable state requirements, products bear specific labeling indicating state inspection, and states agree to periodic audits by the USDA. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture create implementing regulations within 90 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Dalilah Law, would restrict commercial driver's licenses to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and holders of specific work visas. It requires states to verify the citizenship or visa status of all CDL applicants and renewals within 180 days of enactment, while also mandating English language proficiency testing for all license holders. States that fail to enforce these requirements or issue licenses to ineligible individuals risk losing federal transportation funding. The law also imposes lifetime disqualifications for operating commercial vehicles without proper immigration status.

Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act This bill removes less-than-lethal projectile devices (e.g., certain TASERs) from regulation under the Gun Control Act. The term less-than-lethal projectile device means a device that (1) is not designed or intended to expel (and may not be readily converted to discharge) commonly used ammunition or projectiles exceeding a velocity of 500 feet per second; (2) is designed and intended to be used in a manner not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; and (3) does not accept (and cannot be readily modified to accept) an ammunition feeding device. The bill also requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine whether a device satisfies the definition of a less-than-lethal projectile device within 90 days of a request.