Rep. Robert E. Latta

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the reckless disposal of fetal remains (deceased fetal tissue from abortion, excluding cremated remains) in landfills or navigable waters, with penalties of up to three years in prison or fines. It directly affects individuals or entities handling such remains, such as medical facilities or disposal services, but explicitly excludes women from prosecution for disposing of their own fetal remains. Key provisions define "fetal remains," "landfill," and "navigable waters" using existing federal terms, clarifying the scope of prohibited actions. The law aims to establish federal standards for the handling of fetal remains after abortion, focusing on disposal methods rather than abortion access. It does not alter abortion procedures or create new restrictions on abortion services.

Maddy summaryHR 330, the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, prohibits federal funding under the Title X family planning program for clinics that perform or fund abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or when a physician certifies a life-threatening condition. It requires clinics receiving Title X funds to certify they do not provide or fund abortions (with the specified exceptions), and hospitals are exempt if they don't fund non-hospital abortion providers. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress listing all funded clinics, the number of abortions performed under exceptions (including rape/incest cases), and the certification dates for each clinic. This directly affects Title X-funded clinics nationwide that provide abortion services or fund such services, altering their eligibility for federal funding. The law aims to restrict federal support for abortion access within the Title X program while maintaining limited exceptions.

Maddy summaryHR 279, the Pharmacist Conscience Protection Act, protects pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy owners who refuse to dispense medications approved for abortion or that they believe may be used for abortion, based on moral, religious, or medical objections. The bill prohibits federal agencies and entities receiving federal funds (including state/local governments) from discriminating against, penalizing, or retaliating against these providers for such refusals. It does not require pharmacists to dispense these medications and explicitly preserves stronger state conscience protections. This law directly affects pharmacists and pharmacies seeking to align their practice with personal or religious beliefs regarding abortion-related medications.

Maddy summaryThe HALT Fentanyl Act classifies all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances, affecting researchers, medical institutions, and law enforcement. It defines fentanyl-related substances broadly to include any chemical modifications meeting specific structural criteria, such as substitutions on the phenethyl or piperidine rings. The bill establishes expedited registration processes for research on these substances conducted by or funded by HHS or VA, and clarifies that certain research-related manufacturing activities do not require separate manufacturing registrations. It also requires researchers to notify the Attorney General about research involving these substances and outlines procedures for handling substances newly added to Schedule I.

This resolution urges all participants in the Good Friday agreement and subsequent agreements to honor their obligations. The resolution also supports efforts to (1) prevent a hard border within the island of Ireland and (2) promote peace and prosperity for all communities. (The island of Ireland is divided between Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland, a European Union member state.)

Maddy summaryThis bill creates new federal crimes for killing or assaulting law enforcement officers, judges, and certain public safety officers (including firefighters) while they are on duty or for past duties, with penalties including minimum 10-year sentences for killing and varying assault penalties based on severity. It adds a new factor that would make the federal death penalty more likely for killing such officers, limits federal legal challenges for convictions related to these killings, and expands law enforcement officers' rights to carry firearms in certain circumstances. The bill also provides funding for grants to improve community-law enforcement relationships through transparency, accountability, and officer wellness programs. It directly affects law enforcement officers, judges, and public safety personnel across the country, establishing new federal protections and procedures for violence against these personnel.

Permanently Repeal the Estate Tax Act of 2023 This bill repeals the federal estate tax, effective for estates of decedents dying after December 31, 2022.

Maddy summaryHR 265, the "No Vote, No Raise Act," would end automatic annual pay increases for Members of Congress by repealing the current provision that adjusts their salaries based on inflation. Instead, any future pay raise would require a separate vote by Congress, meaning members could not receive a salary increase without explicitly approving it. The bill directly affects all current and future members of the U.S. House and Senate, removing the automatic adjustment mechanism. This change would take effect for the 2025 pay cycle, beginning December 31, 2024. The law focuses solely on altering the process for congressional compensation, not on other legislative matters.

Maddy summaryThe Faithful Execution of the Law Act of 2023 would require federal officials, including the Attorney General and other federal officers, to publicly state the specific reasons for not enforcing a federal law they believe is unconstitutional. The bill amends U.S. Code Section 530D to expand this requirement from the Attorney General alone to all federal officers who establish or implement policies regarding law enforcement. It mandates that officials must document the grounds (e.g., constitutional concerns) for such non-enforcement decisions in writing. This change aims to increase transparency in how federal agencies handle laws they deem unconstitutional. The bill directly affects federal enforcement agencies and their decision-making processes.

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 12 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to balance its budget annually, meaning spending cannot exceed revenue except under specific circumstances. It would directly affect Congress and the President by mandating that annual budgets must not exceed revenue, with exceptions requiring a 3/5 vote in both chambers of Congress or a military conflict waiver approved by a joint resolution. Key provisions include prohibiting increases to the national debt without a 3/5 congressional vote, requiring the President to submit a balanced budget proposal each year, and defining "receipts" to exclude borrowing. The amendment would take effect five years after ratification by 38 states (three-fourths of states) and includes limited waivers for declared wars or imminent national security threats. This is a procedural constitutional change, not a spending bill, and would fundamentally alter federal budgeting processes.