Maddy summaryThe Build the Wall Now Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to immediately resume construction of physical barriers (such as reinforced fencing and levee walls), tactical infrastructure (including access gates and lighting), and border surveillance technology along the US-Mexico border that was underway or planned before January 20, 2021. It prohibits canceling existing contracts for border barrier projects and mandates using funds appropriated for border construction since October 2016. The bill grants the Secretary of Homeland Security new authority to waive numerous environmental, historic preservation, and land management laws to expedite construction, including exemptions from the Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. It also prohibits using federal funds to implement or enforce Presidential Proclamation 10142 from January 2021.
Rep. W. Gregory Steube
Sponsored bills
Safe Responsible Ethical Scientific Endeavors Assuring Research for Compassionate Healthcare Act or the Safe RESEARCH Act This bill prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from conducting or supporting research on human fetal tissue obtained from an abortion procedure. It also imposes other restrictions on human fetal tissue research. Under the bill, the NIH may conduct or support research on human fetal tissue only if it was obtained from a stillbirth. Current law allows research on tissue from stillbirths or from spontaneous or induced abortions. The bill also applies informed consent and other requirements applicable to research on the transplantation of human fetal tissue for therapeutic purposes to all research with human fetal tissue. This includes research on stem cells and other human fetal tissue alternatives. Additionally, human fetal tissue used for this research must be obtained in accordance with state anatomical gift laws. These laws govern organ and tissue donation for therapeutic, research, and other purposes. Some states already apply anatomical gift laws to human fetal tissue donation. Currently, executive branch officials may not prohibit the NIH from conducting or supporting research on the transplantation of human fetal tissue for therapeutic purposes. The bill repeals this limitation on executive branch officials. It also repeals a requirement that the NIH fund certain proposals for this research.
No Federal Funds for Abortion Travel Expenses Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to support interstate travel to obtain an abortion.
Maddy summaryThe PHIT Act of 2023 allows individuals and families to deduct certain fitness expenses as medical costs on their federal taxes. It covers gym memberships, fitness classes, and specific equipment used exclusively for exercise (like home workout gear), with a yearly limit of $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns). Expenses for activities like golf, hunting, or non-exercise-focused facilities (e.g., private clubs) are excluded, and equipment must be used solely for physical activity. This directly affects taxpayers who pay for qualifying fitness programs, making these costs partially tax-deductible under revised IRS rules.
Protecting American Sovereignty Act This bill prohibits the federal government from implementing any obligations upon the United States that may be contained in a draft report by a World Health Organization (WHO) working group on strengthening the WHO's preparedness and response to health emergencies. This prohibition shall also apply to any related or successor reports and recommendations regarding pandemics.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. State Department to officially designate four specific Mexican drug cartels (Gulf Cartel, Cartel Del Noreste, Cartel de Sinaloa, and Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion) as foreign terrorist organizations under existing law. It mandates a 30-day report explaining why these groups meet the legal criteria for such designation, including justification if they don't. The report must be submitted to specified congressional committees and may lead to additional cartels being designated based on the findings. The bill also clarifies that this designation won't affect asylum eligibility for individuals fleeing these groups.
No taxpayer funding for United Nations Human Rights Council Act This bill requires the Department of State to withhold from the U.S. contribution to the United Nations (U.N.) the amount that would be allocated to the U.N. Human Rights Council. Such withheld funds must be rescinded and must not be considered arrears to be repaid to the United Nations. The bill also prohibits the State Department from making voluntary contributions to the U.N. Human Rights Council.
Maddy summaryThe POWER Act of 2023 prevents the President from blocking or delaying new oil, gas, coal, or mineral leases on federal lands without explicit Congressional approval. It specifically stops executive actions that would delay or cancel permits for energy development on National Forests, public lands, the outer continental shelf, or energy-managed lands. The bill requires Congress to pass new laws if it wants to restrict energy leasing or withdraw land from development under existing federal land laws. This directly affects energy companies seeking to develop resources on federal property by limiting executive authority over lease approvals.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the use of 529 college savings accounts to cover career training and credentialing costs. It allows funds to pay for tuition, fees, books, and testing expenses related to recognized postsecondary credential programs (like vocational certifications) that meet specific standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The change directly affects workers seeking industry-recognized credentials - such as nursing certifications or IT certifications - instead of traditional degrees. It treats these expenses the same as traditional college costs for 529 account withdrawals, making it easier to save for career-focused training. The provision applies to expenses paid after the bill's enactment date.
Maddy summaryHR 1434, the "Stop Our Sexual Assault in the Military Act," requires active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces to receive monthly self-defense training focused on preventing sexual assault as part of their regular physical training. This training replaces one day of existing monthly physical training, without increasing the total required training days. The bill directly affects all active-duty military personnel by integrating this specific self-defense component into their standard monthly training schedule. It mandates this change through a new provision (Section 2018) added to Title 10 of the U.S. Code. The law focuses solely on implementing this training requirement, with no other substantive policy changes described.