Maddy summaryHR 355, the "Justice for Jocelyn Act," restricts the use of Alternatives to Detention (ATD) programs for immigrants in U.S. immigration proceedings. It requires that detention beds be fully occupied, no detention options remain, and all reasonable efforts to detain have been exhausted before an immigrant can be released under ATD. The bill mandates continuous GPS tracking for all ATD participants throughout immigration proceedings and until removal, plus a nightly curfew (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) requiring them to stay at a designated home address. Violating release conditions triggers automatic removal in absentia without further court hearing. This directly affects immigrants eligible for ATD, altering how they are monitored and held during immigration cases.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis House resolution (HRES 26) declares that conduct by Antifa members at affiliated demonstrations is domestic terrorism under existing law (18 U.S.C. §2331) and designates Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. It calls on the Department of Justice to prosecute Antifa-related terrorism and use available resources to combat such activity. The resolution does not create new law but formally characterizes Antifa’s actions as terrorism for congressional purposes. It directly affects Antifa members and affiliates by framing their conduct under federal terrorism definitions.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals multiple tax credits for renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and clean transportation fuels, which currently provide financial incentives to businesses. It directly affects companies that claim these credits, such as renewable energy developers and manufacturers, by eliminating their eligibility for these tax benefits starting in 2025. Key provisions remove specific sections of the tax code (like Sections 45, 45Q, and 48) and adjust related references to reflect the repeal. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, with no new provisions added - only the removal of existing credits.
Maddy summaryHR 326, the Border Wall Waste Accountability Act, requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the cost of unused construction materials purchased for the U.S.-Mexico border wall between January 20, 2021, and January 20, 2025. The GAO must report these costs to Congress within 90 days of the bill's enactment. This procedural bill focuses solely on documenting financial details of unused materials, without making policy changes or affecting specific groups directly.
Maddy summaryThis bill grants the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to temporarily suspend entry of certain individuals at U.S. borders to achieve "operational control" (defined as effective border management). It specifically applies to people seeking entry without proper documentation who would be denied entry under current law (e.g., lacking visas or asylum eligibility). The Secretary must block entry if they cannot detain or process these individuals as required by existing immigration law. States may also sue the government if they believe border security rules are violated.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) as outlined in a 2019 policy memo. It requires migrants seeking asylum at the U.S. border to remain in Mexico while their cases are processed, rather than being allowed to stay in the U.S. pending a hearing. The bill does not create new rules but mandates the reinstatement of a policy that was previously in effect from 2019 to 2021. This would directly affect asylum seekers arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. The policy change would apply to all migrants covered by the existing MPP framework.
Maddy summaryThe Healthcare Freedom Act of 2025 would rename health savings accounts as "health freedom accounts" and make them available to all individuals, removing the previous requirement of having a high-deductible health plan. It increases the annual contribution limit to $12,000 (or $24,000 for joint returns) and expands eligible expenses to include direct primary care and health care sharing ministries. Employers could contribute to these accounts for new hires starting five years after enactment, with a transition rule for existing accounts. The bill would directly affect individuals using these accounts and employers who choose to participate in the new system.
Maddy summaryHR 259 prohibits using federal funds to advertise the Immigration Detention Ombudsman's office or functions through billboards or other public advertising. The bill amends the Homeland Security Act to prevent the Secretary from obligating or spending money on such advertisements. This directly affects the Ombudsman's ability to publicly promote their office using federal resources. The provision is strictly procedural, restricting how existing funds may be spent, not changing the Ombudsman's role or responsibilities.
Maddy summaryHR 274, the Sunset Chevron Act, requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to compile a list of federal court decisions that upheld agency rules using Chevron deference (a judicial practice deferring to agency interpretations of laws) and are still in effect. The bill mandates that the GAO publish this list within 180 days of enactment, organizing it by agency and assigning each rule a sunset date. The most recent rule from each agency expires 30 days after the list's publication, with earlier rules expiring 30 days after the prior rule’s sunset date. This creates an automatic expiration process for specific agency rules upheld under Chevron deference, directly affecting federal agencies whose rules are included in the GAO's list.
Legal Workforce Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after and to replace the E-Verify system, which allows employers and recruiters to verify the immigration status of individuals. The bill also mandates the use of such a system, where currently only some employers, such as those with federal contracts, are required to use E-Verify. The bill specifies documents that can establish an individual's identity and employment authorization. During the period starting when a job offer is made until three business days after hiring, the individual must attest to his or her employment authorization, and the employer or recruiter must attest that it has examined the individual's required documents. Employers shall reverify certain types of employees who were not previously verified using E-Verify. The Social Security Administration shall notify employees if their Social Security number has been used multiple times in an unusual manner. DHS shall establish programs for blocking and suspending misused numbers. Employers that are required to use the verification system shall not be liable for any employment-related action based on a good-faith reliance on the system. The bill establishes a phased-in participation deadline for different sizes and categories of employers, including agricultural employers. The bill increases civil penalties related to hiring individuals without work authorization. It also preempts state laws relating to hiring and employment eligibility verification, but states may use their authority of business licensing to penalize employers for failing to comply with the bill's provisions.