Rep. Doug LaMalfa

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 4-year pilot program (HR 5865) to protect Native American burial sites, village sites, and cultural resources during federally funded civil works projects in California's Sacramento River watershed (including the American, Bear, Yuba, and Feather Rivers). It requires the Army Corps of Engineers to work directly with affected tribes to identify reburial areas, recover human remains and funerary objects within 45 days (or negotiate alternative timelines), and reimburse tribes for costs up to 1% of project expenses. The program mandates strict confidentiality for site locations and tribal cultural practices, prohibits using eminent domain for reburial sites, and allows tribes to manage recovery operations under federal reimbursement. The bill applies only to projects owned or operated by the Army Corps of Engineers within the specified watershed.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates October 2023 as Filipino American History Month, honoring the contributions and cultural heritage of Filipino Americans to the United States. It directly recognizes the Filipino American community - now the third-largest Asian American and Pacific Islander group - with a population of approximately 4.5 million - and highlights their historical roles, including WWII service and community leadership. The resolution has no legal effect or funding provisions; it is purely ceremonial, urging the public to observe the month through educational programs and activities. It follows prior congressional recognitions of Filipino American History Month since 2009.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week of September 25-29, 2023, as "National Clean Energy Week" to recognize the growing role of clean energy in the U.S. economy. It expresses support for clean energy jobs and innovation, noting the sector employed about 8.1 million people in 2022. The resolution encourages federal, state, and local investment in affordable clean energy technologies and promotes "commonsense solutions" for energy needs. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal force or funding implications - it simply urges recognition of clean energy's economic and environmental contributions.

Maddy summaryHRES 739 is a House resolution disapproving of a September 11, 2023, sanctions waiver that would release $6 billion in Iranian assets held in South Korea. The resolution states this waiver weakens U.S. policy by allowing Iran access to funds that could support its nuclear program and terrorism, and criticizes the delayed notification to Congress. It specifically condemns the administration's nonenforcement of mandatory sanctions and the release of assets without proper congressional review. The resolution demands the administration submit any Iran nuclear agreement to Congress before further sanctions relief. This is a procedural disapproval, not a law altering sanctions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would criminalize the prescription, dispensing, distribution, or sale of chemical abortion drugs (mifepristone and misoprostol) for abortion purposes under federal law, with penalties up to 25 years in prison. It directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients who use these drugs for abortion. Key exceptions include contraceptive use before pregnancy confirmation, treatment of miscarriage, and life-threatening pregnancy conditions certified by a physician. The bill defines "abortion" as intentionally ending a pregnancy with intent other than live birth or treating specific medical conditions, and explicitly prohibits prosecuting women who receive chemical abortions.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends existing aviation programs and tax authorities through December 2023. It modifies deadlines for airport improvement grants (extending $842 million in funding for Q4 2023), unmanned aircraft regulations, FAA operations, and key tax collections like fuel and ticket taxes. These changes maintain current funding levels for airports, airlines, and FAA programs relying on the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. The bill does not create new programs but ensures continuity of existing authorizations. It directly affects airports receiving federal grants, airlines paying aviation taxes, and FAA operational activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $75 million federal grant program to boost domestic sales of U.S.-grown specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, and nuts. It provides funding to eligible organizations (such as agricultural trade groups, cooperatives, or nonprofits) that develop marketing strategies to expand U.S. consumer demand for these products, requiring recipients to contribute at least 25% of the grant amount from their own funds. Grants cannot support foreign products or large for-profit corporations (except cooperatives or specific associations), and recipients must submit detailed marketing plans with measurable goals. The program requires annual reviews and audits to ensure funds are used effectively for domestic market development.

Maddy summaryHR 5686 authorizes $30 million in U.S. humanitarian aid for Armenians in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh affected by recent conflicts and blockades, and $12 million in foreign military financing to support Armenia's sovereignty and security cooperation. The bill requires the State Department to develop a strategy protecting Nagorno-Karabakh residents' rights, including cultural heritage and security, and mandates a 90-day report on Azerbaijani military actions during 2022-2023 attacks. It also directs the U.S. to push for International Criminal Court investigations into alleged atrocities and imposes sanctions on Azerbaijani officials involved in blockades or attacks. The legislation focuses on concrete U.S. policy actions - aid, accountability measures, and diplomatic efforts - without prescribing specific outcomes.

Maddy summaryThe Supporting Armenians Against Azerbaijani Aggression Act of 2023 authorizes $30 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance for Armenians in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh affected by Azerbaijani military actions and blockade. It repeals a longstanding restriction on aid to Azerbaijan, allocates $10 million for military assistance to Armenia, and requires the U.S. government to develop a strategy protecting Armenians' rights in Nagorno-Karabakh. The bill also mandates a report on alleged Azerbaijani atrocities, authorizes $650 million for energy sector development in Armenia, and requires sanctions on Azerbaijani officials responsible for attacks and the blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Maddy summaryHR 5654, the "Hot Showers Act," directs the Secretary of Energy to withdraw a specific proposed rule on water heater energy efficiency standards. The bill mandates the withdrawal of the "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Water Heaters" rule (88 Fed. Reg. 49058, July 28, 2023), and prohibits the Department of Energy from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing that rule or any substantially similar rule. This action directly affects the Department of Energy and manufacturers of consumer water heaters by halting the proposed efficiency standards. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on withdrawing the rule without creating new policy.