Rep. Ken Buck

Maddy summaryHR 6577, the "Protecting Americans from Unauthorized Surveillance Act," requires the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) to appoint a neutral advisor (amicus curiae) for every application seeking surveillance orders under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This procedural change directly affects the FISC, which reviews government requests for surveillance warrants targeting national security threats. The bill amends FISA to mandate that the court appoint this independent advisor to assist in evaluating each application, replacing outdated references to the process. The key mechanism is ensuring the court has an additional, objective perspective during its review of surveillance requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to block transactions involving "covered Iranian funds" processed by foreign or international financial institutions. These funds refer specifically to money transferred from South Korea to Qatar under certain Iran sanctions waivers. The law imposes sanctions under existing U.S. authorities to block all U.S.-related transactions with institutions handling these funds. Sanctions can be lifted if Iran stops supporting terrorism and dismantles its weapons programs, as certified by the President. The bill directly affects global financial institutions processing these specific Iranian-linked transfers.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 849) is a symbolic House of Representatives statement affirming Israel's right to exist and condemning antisemitism. It specifically rejects false comparisons between Israel and terrorist groups like Hamas, condemns Hamas's October 7 attacks and hostage-taking, and dismisses claims that U.S. military aid to Israel contributed to those attacks. The resolution also rejects the phrase "from the river to the sea" as supporting genocide and disputes narratives about Israeli military actions at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses congressional position without creating new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill would authorize the U.S. government to confiscate Russian sovereign assets held in U.S. jurisdiction and use those funds to support Ukraine's reconstruction and humanitarian needs following Russia's invasion. It prohibits releasing these blocked assets until Russia fully compensates Ukraine or agrees to an international compensation mechanism. The bill establishes a "Ukraine Support Fund" to hold confiscated assets and requires regular congressional reporting on how these funds are allocated for Ukraine's recovery. It also includes provisions for international coordination with allies on sanctions and asset management related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Maddy summaryThe SHIP Act imposes sanctions on foreign entities that knowingly handle Iranian petroleum, targeting those involved in port operations, transportation, refining, or ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil. Starting 90 days after enactment, the President must block assets, deny visas, and impose penalties on individuals or companies engaging in these activities, including family members or owners of sanctioned entities. It requires annual reports tracking Iran's oil exports, revenues, and key players like shipping companies and ports. The sanctions terminate if the President certifies Iran has stopped supporting terrorism and dismantled weapons programs.

Maddy summaryHR 5404, the Countering Chinese Espionage Reporting Act, requires the U.S. Attorney General to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the Department of Justice's efforts to counter Chinese espionage threats. The reports must describe DOJ activities related to trade-secret theft, intellectual property protection, and threats from researchers at universities and defense facilities, along with accounting for resources dedicated to these programs and their effectiveness. This procedural bill directly affects the Department of Justice, mandating transparency about its current counter-espionage initiatives without creating new legal penalties or policies.

Maddy summaryHRES 771 is a non-binding resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack. It condemns Hamas' actions, affirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls for the immediate release of hostages. The resolution also urges enforcement of existing laws restricting aid to terrorists and sanctions against Iran for supporting Hamas. It does not create new policies or allocate funds, as it is a symbolic statement of congressional support.

Maddy summaryHRES 768 is a symbolic House Resolution expressing congressional support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks. It condemns Hamas' actions, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls for the immediate release of hostages. The resolution references the U.S. commitment to Israel's security through existing military aid programs, including the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, and emphasizes enforcement of laws like the Taylor Force Act to prevent U.S. aid from reaching terrorist groups. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new policy but serves as a statement of congressional support for Israel.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the personal details federal agencies can collect and store about gun transactions. It requires agencies to destroy existing gun transaction records (except those needed for ongoing criminal investigations) and prohibits storing new records without such a need. The bill also bans including personal information like names or contact details on forms for multiple firearm sales or in transaction records. This directly affects legal gun owners by reducing government collection of their personal data. The law applies to federal agencies handling gun sales, such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Maddy summaryHJRES 11 proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit Members of Congress to serving a maximum of three terms in the House of Representatives and two terms in the Senate. If passed and ratified, it would prevent any member who has already served the maximum terms from running for re-election, including time spent filling vacancies (for more than one year in the House or three years in the Senate). This amendment directly affects current and future members of Congress by changing eligibility rules for re-election. The proposal is currently a joint resolution in the House, requiring ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures to become part of the Constitution.