Rep. Mary E. Miller

Maddy summaryHR 1700, the ATF Transparency Act, requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to provide firearm transfer applicants with background check details and appeal options if their application is denied. It sets a 90-day deadline for the ATF to process transfer or manufacturing applications, automatically approving them if no decision is made by then. The bill also mandates that applicants denied based on background checks can appeal and seek reimbursement for attorney fees if successful. Additionally, it requires reports on unresolved background checks from 2010-2021 and a new agreement between the ATF and FBI to improve background check processing.

Maddy summaryHR 1067, the American Energy Act, aims to expedite oil and gas drilling by limiting court interventions in permit and lease processes. It requires federal agencies to process drilling permit applications even if environmental lawsuits are pending, and prevents courts from vacating lease sales or delaying development unless imminent environmental harm is proven with no other legal remedy. Permits would now be valid for four years or until the underlying lease expires, whichever comes first. This primarily affects oil and gas companies seeking drilling rights, federal agencies managing leases (like the Department of the Interior), and environmental groups challenging projects in court.

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.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses congressional support for designating March 21, 2023, as "National Agriculture Day." It symbolically recognizes agriculture's economic importance as a major U.S. industry, celebrating its impact on jobs and communities. The bill does not create new laws, funding, or regulations - it is a non-binding statement of support. It directly affects the agricultural sector by highlighting its contributions through a formal congressional acknowledgment.

Protecting Legal Firearms Ownership Act of 2023 This bill states that any firearm or firearm attachment that was lawfully manufactured before the effective date of a new rule or regulation shall be grandfathered and shall be permitted to be sold, transferred, and possessed in accordance with the previous rule regime. The bill specifies that the manufacturing date of a firearm or firearm attachment shall be determined by the serial number recorded on the firearm or firearm attachment, or any other legal method of recording the date of manufacturing, including packaging.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 26 is a congressional disapproval resolution blocking the District of Columbia Council's approval of its Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-789). It directly affects the District of Columbia by preventing the new criminal code from taking effect, as Congress disapproved the Council's action under the Home Rule Act. The resolution formally rejects the Council's enactment of the code, which was transmitted to Congress on January 27, 2023. This procedural action stops the District from implementing the revised criminal code without further congressional action.

Maddy summaryHR 1551, the "Jobs and Opportunities for Medicaid Act," requires most Medicaid recipients aged 18-65 who are deemed "able-bodied adults" to work or volunteer at least 20 hours per week to maintain coverage, effective January 2024. It directly affects adults not excluded by specific categories (e.g., parents of young children, pregnant individuals, those with medical limitations, or in treatment programs). The bill amends Medicaid law to deny coverage for months when these individuals fail to meet the 20-hour weekly work or volunteer requirement. Key provisions define "able-bodied adult" and establish the specific work/volunteer threshold. This creates a new eligibility condition for Medicaid, not a funding or program expansion.

Maddy summaryHR 1484, the Pipeline Sabotage and Accident Prevention Act, adds criminal penalties for intentionally damaging or disrupting pipeline infrastructure. It makes it a federal offense to knowingly cause defects in pipes, pumps, or valves (or disrupt operations) in pipelines regulated under existing law, punishable by fines, up to 10 years in prison, or both. The bill specifically protects First Amendment rights, stating its provisions don’t limit lawful protests or free speech. It directly affects individuals who intentionally target pipeline infrastructure, such as vandals or terrorists, by creating clear criminal consequences for such acts. The law focuses on preventing physical harm to critical energy infrastructure through deterrence.

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.