Rep. Ken Buck

Maddy summaryHJRES 27 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a federal rule that redefined which waterways fall under the Clean Water Act's protections. It targets a rule submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 18, 2023, which aimed to revise the "Waters of the United States" definition. The resolution would formally disapprove this rule under a specific federal procedure (Chapter 8 of Title 5), preventing it from taking effect. This would directly affect how federal agencies regulate pollution and development near water bodies, including wetlands and smaller streams.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Dolores River National Conservation Area (approximately 52,872 acres of Bureau of Land Management land) and Dolores River Special Management Area (approximately 15,452 acres of National Forest land) in Colorado to protect natural, recreational, and cultural resources including native fish, whitewater boating, and scenic areas. Management plans must be developed within 3 years for both areas, requiring consultation with local governments, water users, conservation groups, and tribal representatives. The bill protects existing water rights and tribal treaty rights, prohibits new road construction in sensitive areas, and limits motorized vehicle use to designated routes within the conservation areas. It also makes technical modifications to release portions of the Dolores River from potential Wild and Scenic River designation.

Maddy summaryHRES 293 is a symbolic resolution supporting the designation of April 2023 as "National Native Plant Month" in the United States. It does not create new laws or affect any specific group directly; instead, it formally recognizes the environmental and ecological benefits of native plants. The resolution highlights that native plants prevent flooding/erosion, support wildlife (like pollinators and birds), and are vital to resilient ecosystems, while noting that over 200 native species have been lost since the 1800s. This is purely a ceremonial gesture to raise public awareness, with no binding policy changes or funding implications.

Maddy summaryThis bill terminates the national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020, under the National Emergencies Act. It ends the executive branch's authority to use emergency powers related to that specific declaration. The resolution passed both chambers in early 2023 and took effect April 10, 2023, without creating new policies or affecting specific groups.

Maddy summaryHR 1839, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, makes the illicit use and distribution of xylazine a federal crime by adding it to the Controlled Substances Act. The bill broadly defines xylazine to cover numerous chemical variants and prohibits human use or non-licit distribution, while preserving legitimate veterinary and pharmaceutical uses. It requires tracking xylazine in drug supply chains and mandates two reports to Congress within 1 and 4 years on its prevalence, sources, and whether it should be rescheduled. The bill directly affects individuals distributing or using xylazine illicitly, including as an additive to drugs like fentanyl, and aims to address its public health risks. Congress declared illicit xylazine an "emerging drug threat" under existing law.

Maddy summaryHR 2427, the Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes Congress to award a gold medal to honor Hmong veterans who served with U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to strike the medal and present it to the Smithsonian Institution for display, recognizing their combat service, heavy casualties, and displacement after the war. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to cover costs. This procedural bill commemorates the Hmong people's military contributions and their refugee resettlement in the U.S., affecting the Hmong community as a whole.

Maddy summaryHR 1831 would award Billie Jean King a Congressional Gold Medal to honor her lifelong advocacy for equal rights in sports and society. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal and have it presented by congressional leaders, recognizing her pivotal role in advancing women's equality through tennis (including founding the Women’s Tennis Association and securing equal prize money) and her broader impact on society through initiatives like Title IX advocacy.

Maddy summaryHR 314, the FORCE Act, prohibits the President or Secretary of State from removing Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. It requires the President to first make a specific determination under the 1996 LIBERTAD Act before Cuba can be removed. The bill directly affects Cuba (by maintaining its current designation) and the executive branch (by restricting their authority to remove the designation). This is a procedural bill focused on preserving Cuba's current status on the terrorism list until the specified conditions are met.

Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2023 This bill raises the mandatory retirement age for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations from 65 to 67 years of age, unless the operation takes place in (1) the territorial airspace of a foreign county where such operations are prohibited by the foreign country, or (2) international airspace where such operations are not in compliance with the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration must also submit a report to Congress on further increasing the age limitation for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations.

Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2023 This bill allows the use of hemp, cannabidiol (i.e., CBD) derived from hemp, or any other ingredient derived from hemp in a dietary supplement, provided that the supplement meets other applicable requirements. (Currently, the Food and Drug Administration's position is that CBD products may not be sold as dietary supplements.)