Rep. Clay Higgins

Maddy summaryHR 512 creates a new fund using 70% of import duties collected on shrimp and shrimp products (like those listed under specific tariff codes) to improve seafood safety and support domestic producers. The fund provides 50% of its money for FDA inspections to check for antibiotic contamination and verify imports aren't linked to forced labor or illegal sources (specifically referencing Xinjiang imports), and 50% for USDA programs to boost domestic shrimp consumption. This directly affects shrimp importers (who pay the duties), federal agencies (FDA and USDA), and domestic shrimp producers (who benefit from consumption programs). The key change is using import duty revenue to enforce safety standards and support U.S. shrimp sales, rather than general budget funds.

Maddy summaryHR 506, the "Security First Act," allocates $110 million annually (2025-2028) for border security grants to state/local law enforcement through the Operation Stonegarden program, funded by a new trust fund using seized monetary instruments at the border. It requires the State Department to assess whether major Mexican cartels (like Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation) and gangs (like Tren de Aragua) meet criteria for foreign terrorist organization designation. The bill mandates a detailed technology needs analysis by DHS within one year, evaluating border security tech gaps, new surveillance systems, and infrastructure to address threats like drug trafficking and human smuggling. This analysis must be updated biannually and includes assessing privacy impacts, staffing needs, and coordination with Mexican law enforcement.

Maddy summaryHR 404, the "Hearing Protection Act," reclassifies firearm silencers (devices that reduce gunfire noise) as firearms for federal tax and regulatory purposes. It imposes a 10% federal tax on silencers, requires the destruction of all existing federal silencer registration records within one year, and preempts state laws that tax or regulate silencers. The bill clarifies that silencers are treated as firearms under federal law, including for licensing and marking requirements, and defines "firearm silencer" to include specific components. Note: The bill’s title is misleading - it addresses firearm silencer regulation, not hearing protection for people.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands U.S. entry restrictions for immigrants suspected of security-related activities. It denies entry to anyone who engages in, or is suspected of engaging in, activities violating U.S. espionage/sabotage laws (even if done abroad), evading export controls, or seeking to oppose the U.S. government by force. It also bars spouses or children of such individuals if the security-related activity occurred within the last five years. The law applies to all potential immigrants, including those seeking visas or entry, without changing existing waiver processes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to develop staffing models for the U.S. Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations within one year of enactment. The models must account for frontline duties, operating environments, infrastructure, technology, and support needs to ensure proper staffing levels. CBP must also implement a workforce tracking system with training and internal controls for reporting work hours, and submit annual reports to Congress on implementation progress. An Inspector General review is mandated 120 days after model development to assess compliance with prior audit recommendations.

Maddy summaryHR 28, the *Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025*, amends Title IX to prohibit federally funded schools from allowing male-identified individuals (based on biological sex at birth) to compete on women’s or girls’ sports teams. It explicitly states that such participation would violate federal civil rights law, with exceptions only for training/practice that doesn’t displace female athletes from roster spots, competitions, scholarships, or other benefits. The bill mandates a Comptroller General study to define "other benefits" lost by girls when males compete in single-sex sports, including impacts on psychological well-being, scholarship access, and safe participation environments. This bill directly affects all athletic programs receiving federal funding, requiring compliance with its biological-sex-based eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHR 378, the Thin Blue Line Act, adds a new aggravating factor for the death penalty in federal cases where a defendant kills or targets a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder. It specifically applies when the victim was killed or targeted while performing official duties, because of those duties, or due to their status as a public official. This amendment to federal death penalty law would make the death penalty a potential sentencing option for such crimes, as the killing would be considered an aggravating factor. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of homicides meeting these specific circumstances involving public safety personnel.

Maddy summaryHR 401, the "No Taxpayer Funding for the World Health Organization Act," prohibits the U.S. government from providing any assessed or voluntary contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) starting on the day the bill becomes law. This directly affects the WHO, which would lose U.S. funding through these specific channels, and the U.S. government, which would no longer allocate taxpayer money for this purpose. The key mechanism is a statutory ban that overrides existing law, requiring immediate cessation of such payments without needing additional authorization. The bill does not impact other U.S. international health programs or the WHO's broader operations.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 3 is a symbolic congressional resolution expressing support for the Geneva Consensus Declaration, an international agreement signed by 39 countries that affirms women’s health, family protection, and opposes international abortion rights. It urges the U.S. to rejoin the declaration, which emphasizes that no country has an obligation to fund or facilitate abortion and that families are foundational to society. The resolution does not create new laws but reaffirms existing U.S. policies prohibiting federal funding for abortions or coercive family planning abroad. It directly affects U.S. foreign policy direction but has no binding effect on government actions.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution (HRES 26) declares that conduct by Antifa members at affiliated demonstrations is domestic terrorism under existing law (18 U.S.C. §2331) and designates Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. It calls on the Department of Justice to prosecute Antifa-related terrorism and use available resources to combat such activity. The resolution does not create new law but formally characterizes Antifa’s actions as terrorism for congressional purposes. It directly affects Antifa members and affiliates by framing their conduct under federal terrorism definitions.