Rep. Barry Moore

Maddy summaryHR 780, the "Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act," blocks federal funding for state and local governments that refuse to share immigration information with federal authorities under existing law (8 U.S.C. 1373). It requires the Attorney General to annually identify non-compliant jurisdictions and report them to Congress, with affected areas losing all federal funding for at least one year until compliance is certified. The bill directly impacts local governments that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, such as those with policies limiting information sharing. This policy change creates a direct financial penalty for non-compliance, replacing discretionary federal funding with a mandatory cutoff.

FTO Passport Revocation Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of State to revoke or refuse to issue a passport for an individual who has aided an organization that the State Department has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The individual may request a hearing with the State Department upon being notified of a revocation or refusal.

Visa Overstay Enforcement Act of 2023 This bill imposes various penalties on non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who overstay a visa or lawful immigration status. An individual who overstays shall be fined or imprisoned for up to six months, or both. Such an individual may not be admitted into the United States for 5 years, and may not be granted a visa for 10 years. For subsequent offenses, the individual shall be fined or imprisoned for up to two years, or both, and may not be admitted into the United States or granted a visa. The Department of Homeland Security shall make case-by-case exceptions for individuals who overstay due to medical necessity, public safety, or national security reasons.

Build up Illegal Line Defenses with Assets Lawfully Lifted Act of 2023 This bill directs certain amounts from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Assets Forfeiture Fund to the deployment of additional border security measures. Specifically, DOJ must report annually on the amount of total deposits into the fund that are derived from Mexican cartels. The bill makes available 50% of that amount for the construction of additional physical barriers and roads near the border to deter illegal crossings into the United States. Additionally, the bill prohibits the release of seized currency or contraband that likely belongs to or supports a foreign illegal trafficking organization while a civil forfeiture action is pending.

Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People's Republic of China Act This bill requires the President to prohibit nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and agents associated with China's government from (1) purchasing agricultural (including ranching) real estate located in the United States, or (2) participating in Department of Agriculture programs that are unrelated to food and safety regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 720, the Davis-Bacon Repeal Act, would eliminate the Davis-Bacon wage requirements for federal construction projects. It directly affects federal contractors working on projects funded by the government, removing a longstanding rule that required them to pay prevailing wages. The bill repeals Subchapter IV of Chapter 31 in Title 40 of the U.S. Code, which established these wage standards. The repeal would take effect 30 days after enactment but would not impact existing contracts or bids outstanding on that date.

Maddy summaryHR 646, the SHORT Act, clarifies firearm definitions under federal law to exclude antique firearms and certain collector items from the "firearm" category. It removes restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns used lawfully by eliminating specific prohibitions in federal law and preempts state laws imposing taxes or registration requirements on these weapons. The bill also mandates the destruction of federal records related to short-barreled rifles, shotguns, and other weapons defined under the National Firearms Act within 365 days of enactment. This directly affects owners of these specific firearms, particularly collectors and individuals possessing short-barreled weapons legally under federal law. The key mechanisms include revised definitions, federal preemption of state regulations, and record destruction requirements.

Maddy summaryThe SHIP IT Act (HR 471) aims to improve commercial trucking safety and efficiency through several key provisions. It allows states to temporarily permit overweight trucks during emergencies, provides tax credits for truck drivers (up to $10,000), and allocates $175-$200 million annually for grants to build commercial truck parking facilities. The bill also simplifies driver licensing processes, removes seasonal restrictions on agricultural transportation, and creates a pilot program for 6-axle vehicles with safety data collection requirements. These changes directly affect truck drivers, trucking companies, and state transportation agencies, with the goal of enhancing highway safety, reducing congestion, and supporting the trucking workforce.

Ceasing Age-Based Trucking Restrictions Act This bill exempts drivers who transport goods from a port of entry and another place within the same state from age restrictions and other requirements that apply to federal commercial driver's licenses.

Maddy summaryHR 683 (PASS Act of 2023) expands the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review process to cover foreign investments in U.S. agriculture businesses, agricultural biotechnology, and private farmland. It mandates that the President block transactions involving foreign entities from China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea that would give them control over U.S. agricultural operations or land used for farming. The bill allows limited presidential waivers for national security reasons but requires a 30-day review period before any waiver. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit biannual reports to Congress on risks posed by foreign ownership in U.S. agriculture.