Rep. Andrew S. Clyde

Maddy summaryHR 5285, the Staff Safety Act, amends federal law to clarify that congressional staff (including Members' employees and committee staff) are exempt from Capitol Grounds firearm regulations under the same constitutional protections as Members of Congress. The bill requires the Capitol Police Board to revise its regulations within 90 days to align with this exemption, removing current restrictions preventing staff from carrying firearms on Capitol grounds. This directly affects congressional staff who are currently barred from carrying firearms under existing Capitol Police regulations. The bill bases its changes on Supreme Court rulings (Heller and Bruen) that affirm the Second Amendment applies to public carry outside the home. It focuses on legal clarification, not new safety measures or policy changes for staff.

Maddy summaryHJRES 83 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a specific immigration rule. It targets a rule issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) on May 16, 2023, which addressed "Circumvention of Lawful Pathways" in immigration processes. If approved, the resolution would nullify this rule, preventing it from taking effect under federal law. This action directly affects how USCIS and immigration courts apply this particular policy to immigration cases. The resolution uses a standard procedural mechanism (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code) to disapprove the rule without altering broader immigration law.

This resolution condemns Iran for the 1988 massacre of political prisoners. It also urges the Biden Administration and U.S. allies to publicly condemn the massacre and to pressure Iran to provide information to the families of the victims.

Maddy summaryHR 4721, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, makes a permanent the 20% tax deduction for eligible small business owners under Section 199A of the tax code. This provision directly affects pass-through business owners (like S-corps, partnerships, and sole proprietorships) who qualify for the deduction. The bill achieves this by removing the temporary expiration language (subsection (i)) from the existing tax code provision. The key change is ending the need for annual congressional extensions of this deduction, providing long-term tax certainty for small businesses.

Maddy summaryHJRES 44 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a 2021 rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The rule classified firearms with stabilizing braces as "short-barreled rifles," which would have required additional licensing and regulation. This resolution uses a specific legal process (under Title 5, U.S. Code) to formally disapprove the ATF rule, meaning the rule would no longer be in effect. It directly affects firearm owners, manufacturers, and dealers who would have been subject to the rule’s requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 544) states that the House believes the U.S. President cannot bypass Congress's constitutional authority to declare war or authorize military force when acting under the North Atlantic Treaty (specifically Article 5, which triggers collective defense). It clarifies that even if military action is taken to protect NATO allies, Congress must still formally approve such hostilities through a declaration of war or specific authorization. The resolution does not change existing law but expresses the House's position on the separation of powers regarding military engagements. It directly addresses the relationship between treaty obligations and Congress's constitutional role in authorizing war.

Maddy summaryHJRES 45 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific Department of Education rule about federal student loans. It seeks to block the rule implementing "One-Time Federal Student Loan Debt Relief" (including modifications to Perkins, FFEL, and Direct Loan programs) by invoking the Congressional Review Act. If passed, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing the Department of Education from using it to modify or waive student loan obligations. The bill directly affects borrowers who might have qualified for debt relief under the targeted rule.

Maddy summaryHR 277 would require Congress to approve major federal regulations before they take effect. Major rules are defined as those with significant economic impact ($100 million+ annually), major cost increases for consumers or industries, or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, or innovation. Agencies must submit detailed information about these rules to Congress, including cost-benefit analyses, before they can take effect. Congress would have 70 session days to approve the rule with a joint resolution; if they don't act within that timeframe, the rule would not take effect. This would increase congressional oversight of federal regulations and require more detailed information about proposed rules before they become law.

Maddy summaryHR 1525, the FAIR Act of 2023, reforms federal civil forfeiture laws to require all property seizures to go through a court process rather than allowing agencies to take property without judicial review. It raises the evidence standard from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence" for the government to prove forfeiture, and mandates courts to review cases within 7 days of seizure. The bill also requires courts to appoint attorneys for low-income individuals unable to afford legal representation and ensures property owners receive timely notice of their rights. These changes directly affect individuals whose property is seized in civil forfeiture cases, particularly those with limited financial means.

Maddy summaryHJRES 42 is a congressional resolution disapproving the District of Columbia Council's approval of the *Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022* (D.C. Act 24-781), which the Council enacted on January 19, 2023. This resolution, introduced by 18 House members on March 9, 2023, formally expresses Congress's objection to the DC law but does not alter the law itself or its implementation in the District. The resolution targets the DC Council’s action under the Home Rule Act, requiring Congress to formally disapprove such local legislation before it takes effect. It affects DC’s local policing policies but does not directly change federal law or impact residents beyond this procedural disapproval.