Rep. Mary E. Miller

Maddy summaryThe Department of Labor Succession Act (HR 4957) clarifies that the Deputy Secretary of Labor automatically assumes the Secretary's duties during a vacancy, ensuring immediate leadership continuity. It amends the Vacancies Act to explicitly authorize the Deputy Secretary to exercise the Secretary's functions and perform other required duties as outlined in federal law. This change directly affects the Department of Labor's operations by removing ambiguity in leadership transitions when the Secretary is unable to serve. The bill is procedural and focuses solely on updating succession protocols without altering broader policy or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 5110, the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act, amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to clarify that federal education funds cannot be used for certain weapons - but this restriction does not apply to archery, hunting, or other shooting sports training programs. The bill directly affects schools and educational programs seeking to use federal funds for these specific activities, such as archery clubs or hunting safety education. It adds an explicit exception to the existing prohibition, allowing funds to support "educational instruction or enrichment activities" in these sports under authorized programs. This change removes ambiguity about funding eligibility for such educational initiatives in K-12 schools.

Maddy summaryHRES 755 is a procedural resolution introduced on October 2, 2023, that proposes expelling Representative Jamaal Bowman from the U.S. House of Representatives. It cites Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 of the Constitution, which grants the House authority to expel members. The resolution, referred to the Committee on Ethics, would remove Bowman from his seat if passed by the full House. This is a formal procedural step seeking to end Bowman's membership, not a law with broader policy effects.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill would criminalize the prescription, dispensing, distribution, or sale of chemical abortion drugs (mifepristone and misoprostol) for abortion purposes under federal law, with penalties up to 25 years in prison. It directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacists, and patients who use these drugs for abortion. Key exceptions include contraceptive use before pregnancy confirmation, treatment of miscarriage, and life-threatening pregnancy conditions certified by a physician. The bill defines "abortion" as intentionally ending a pregnancy with intent other than live birth or treating specific medical conditions, and explicitly prohibits prosecuting women who receive chemical abortions.

Maddy summaryHR 5791, the "Define the Mission Act," requires the President to submit a comprehensive strategy report to Congress within 30 days of the bill's enactment, detailing U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The report must define U.S. national interests in the conflict, set specific objectives with timelines, benchmarks, and resource estimates (including personnel and funding), list expected European NATO security contributions, and assess Russia’s natural gas market impact on resolving the conflict. It mandates the strategy must aim for a Russia-Ukraine cease-fire agreement and explicitly cannot depend on U.S. funding for Ukrainian reconstruction. The report must be unclassified but may include a classified annex for full transparency. This bill establishes a formal process for Congress to review and oversee U.S. policy toward Ukraine.

Maddy summaryHR 5641, the Pay Our Troops Act, ensures military personnel and their support staff continue receiving pay during fiscal year 2024 if Congress fails to pass regular budget appropriations. It appropriates existing Treasury funds to cover pay and allowances for active-duty troops, reserve components, and civilian employees or contractors supporting military operations. The bill automatically terminates on January 1, 2025, or earlier if Congress enacts a regular budget or continuing resolution. This provision directly affects service members, Department of Defense staff, and Coast Guard personnel (when not under the Navy) during budget implementation gaps.

Maddy summaryThis bill blocks federal funding for states or local governments that suspend open or concealed firearm carry licenses. It directly affects state and local authorities by denying them access to federal financial assistance (such as for infrastructure or public programs) if they implement such license suspensions. The key mechanism is a funding penalty: any state or local government suspending gun permits forfeits eligibility for federal grants defined under 31 U.S.C. § 7501(a)(5). The policy change is a direct condition on federal aid, not a new regulation on gun ownership.

Maddy summaryHR 5722 requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to update flood protection design standards for Upper Mississippi River levees and floodwalls every 20 years using the latest flood risk data, safety factors, and FEMA guidelines. It mandates public input during each update stage, including for base elevation and hydrological assumptions. The bill allows local sponsors (like cities or counties managing levees) to maintain existing flood protection levels without changing risk transfer to the federal government, and specifies that repairs must align with updated standards. This applies to federally authorized projects between Hamburg, Illinois, and Guttenberg, Iowa, covering rural, urban, and industrial areas protected to specific flood risk levels (2%, 1%, or 0.2% probability).

Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act This bill provides FY2024 appropriations for the salaries and expenses of certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees who are required to work during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown) in FY2024. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to CBP for the salaries and expenses of agents of the U.S. Border Patrol and officers of the Office of Field Operations who are excepted from furlough (i.e., required to work) during a lapse in discretionary appropriations in FY2024.