Rep. Matt Gaetz

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 9 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Congress to pass a law with a three-fourths majority in both the House and Senate to authorize any new federal debt, except for a specific purpose defined in that law. This would significantly raise the threshold for increasing the national debt, changing the current process that typically allows debt limits to be raised with a simple majority. The amendment would take effect ten years after ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures. It directly affects Congress, as it would require supermajority votes to approve new borrowing for any purpose.

Maddy summaryHJRES 8 proposes a constitutional amendment to permanently set the Supreme Court's size at nine justices. The bill would require any future changes to the Court's composition to follow this specific number, locking in the current structure. It does not alter the existing Court size (which has been nine since 1869) but aims to prevent future adjustments through legislative action. The amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years to take effect. This is a procedural proposal focused on constitutional structure, not a direct policy affecting citizens or programs.

Maddy summaryHRES 8 is a formal resolution introduced by the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2023 to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The resolution alleges three specific violations: (1) failing to maintain border security, citing record migrant encounters and fentanyl seizures under his leadership; (2) providing false testimony to Congress about border security; and (3) spreading false claims about Border Patrol agents whipping migrants during a 2021 incident. It claims these actions violated his constitutional duties and federal law. As an impeachment resolution, it does not enact policy but seeks to refer the case to the Senate for trial.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to prevent abortion expenses from being counted as deductible medical costs. It directly affects taxpayers who pay for abortions, as they can no longer include these expenses when calculating their medical deduction on federal tax returns. The key provision adds a new rule to the Internal Revenue Code stating that "amounts paid for abortion shall not be taken into account" under medical expense deductions. This change applies to tax years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryHR 117 prohibits any organization receiving federal funds from pandemic relief packages from requiring employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine. It specifically applies to entities funded by the CARES Act, Families First Act, Paycheck Protection Program, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, or American Rescue Plan Act. Entities violating this rule must return all received funds to the federal government. The bill directly affects employers receiving these specific relief funds, not all employers or the general public.

Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act of 2023 This bill establishes requirements for physicians who perform abortions and abortion clinics. Specifically, the bill requires a physician who performs an abortion (1) to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital; and (2) at the time of the abortion, to notify the patient of the hospital location where the patient can receive follow-up care if complications arise. A physician who fails to comply is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to two years, or both. A woman who undergoes an abortion may not be prosecuted. The bill also requires an abortion clinic, in order to receive federal funds or assistance, to (1) be licensed by the state in which it is located, and (2) be in compliance with federal standards for ambulatory surgical centers.

Maddy summaryHR 24, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2023, requires a comprehensive audit of the Federal Reserve System's Board of Governors and Federal Reserve banks within 12 months of the bill's enactment. The Congressional auditor (Comptroller General) must then submit a detailed report to Congress within 90 days, including findings, conclusions, and recommendations for improving transparency. This bill directly affects the Federal Reserve System by mandating greater oversight of its operations and financial activities. The key provision repeals a prior limitation that prevented audits of certain Fed programs, aiming to clarify which activities are subject to audit under existing law.

Maddy summaryHR 214, the Veterans’ True Choice Act of 2023, allows veterans with service-connected disabilities to choose TRICARE Select over VA health care. It creates a new category of "covered veteran beneficiaries" who can enroll in TRICARE Select during the annual open enrollment period, with cost-sharing based on their disability status - not their military service date. The bill requires the VA and Defense Departments to establish a reimbursement agreement for these enrollments and mandates quarterly reports to Congress on implementation. This change directly affects veterans who qualify for TRICARE only through this new provision, giving them a formal choice between VA care and TRICARE Select.

FairTax Act of 2023 This bill imposes a national sales tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services in lieu of the current income taxes, payroll taxes, and estate and gift taxes. The rate of the sales tax will be 23% in 2025, with adjustments to the rate in subsequent years. There are exemptions from the tax for used and intangible property; for property or services purchased for business, export, or investment purposes; and for state government functions. Under the bill, family members who are lawful U.S. residents receive a monthly sales tax rebate (Family Consumption Allowance) based upon criteria related to family size and poverty guidelines. The states have the responsibility for administering, collecting, and remitting the sales tax to the Treasury. Tax revenues are to be allocated among (1) the general revenue, (2) the old-age and survivors insurance trust fund, (3) the disability insurance trust fund, (4) the hospital insurance trust fund, and (5) the federal supplementary medical insurance trust fund. No funding is authorized for the operations of the Internal Revenue Service after FY2027. Finally, the bill terminates the national sales tax if the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution (authorizing an income tax) is not repealed within seven years after the enactment of this bill.

No Frivolous Application for Short-Barreled Shotguns Act or the NFA SBS Act This bill removes certain short-barreled shotguns from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also eliminates the prohibition on the sale or transportation of such shotguns in interstate commerce and treats persons who acquire or possess a short-barreled shotgun as meeting the registration or licensing requirements for such shotguns where such requirements are determined by reference to the National Firearms Act. The bill preempts state or local laws that impose a tax or recordkeeping requirements on short-barreled shotguns. The Department of Justice must destroy records relating to the registration of shotguns described by this bill within one year after the enactment of this bill.