Rep. Clay Higgins

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to obtain fingerprints from noncitizen children under 14 years old if officers suspect they are trafficking victims upon entering the U.S. It also creates a new federal crime for adults (18+) who knowingly use a minor for entry without being a relative or guardian, punishable by fines or up to 10 years in prison. The bill mandates sharing fingerprints collected under this provision with the Department of Health and Human Services for unaccompanied minors and requires CBP to report monthly data on trafficking-related apprehensions and annual data on fingerprinting to Congress. These provisions directly affect CBP officers, unaccompanied children, and individuals suspected of exploiting minors for entry.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program providing up to $4,000 annually (capped at $16,000 total) to students pursuing associate or bachelor's degrees in law enforcement or criminal justice at approved colleges. To receive funds, students must agree to work full-time as law enforcement officers for four years after graduation. Failure to fulfill this service requirement converts the grants into repayable loans with interest. The program is funded separately from Pell Grants and other federal student aid, with grants subject to cost-of-attendance limits.

Maddy summaryHR 6504, the Protect American Gun Exporters Act, blocks the Department of Commerce from implementing a pause on new export licenses for specific firearm exports (items under Commerce Control List numbers 0A501, 0A502, 0A504, and 0A505). The bill directly affects U.S. gun exporters by preventing the Commerce Secretary from enforcing the October 2023 pause or similar restrictions on these exports. Key provisions prohibit the Secretary from taking any action to carry out the pause unless it follows standard regulatory processes, including a required impact analysis and compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act and Congressional Review Act. This bill does not create new export rules but stops the existing pause on certain firearm exports.

Maddy summaryHR 6300, the Veterans Education is Timeless Act of 2023, removes expiration dates for all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits. It directly affects veterans and their dependents who use programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Survivors' Benefits, and others, allowing them to access education benefits at any time without a deadline. The bill amends multiple sections of Title 38 to state that benefits "shall be afforded... at any time and are not subject to any delimiting date." It also requires the VA to refund veterans for contributions if they apply for a refund, and applies retroactively to all eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 6432, the Safeguarding Honest Speech Act, prohibits federal agencies from using funds to require employees or contractors to use preferred pronouns or names that conflict with a person’s biological sex at birth (defined as "sex" based on reproductive biology and genetics). It directly affects federal workers and contractors by banning mandatory language use tied to gender identity. The bill mandates agencies issue a formal response within 30 days of a complaint about such policies and allows affected employees to sue for damages, including up to $100,000 in punitive damages, with a one-year statute of limitations. Key provisions focus on preventing compelled speech in federal workplaces through funding restrictions and enforceable legal remedies.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funding for two specific initiatives: the Justice40 Initiative (focused on delivering 40% of climate benefits to disadvantaged communities) and the American Climate Corps (a program announced in a September 2023 White House fact sheet to create climate jobs for young people). It blocks all federal budget allocations for these programs, directly affecting their implementation. The bill does not create new programs or alter existing laws, but prevents the use of taxpayer funds to support these two named initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands grounds for denying entry to foreign nationals under U.S. immigration law. It makes individuals inadmissible if they engage in activities related to espionage/sabotage (even if such activity would violate U.S. law if done domestically), violate export laws for sensitive goods/technology, or seek entry to oppose the U.S. government by force. It also bars spouses or children of inadmissible individuals if the qualifying activity occurred within the last five years. The changes apply directly to foreign nationals seeking visas or entry into the United States.

Maddy summaryHJRES 97 is a resolution seeking to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Justice. It targets a rule published in April 2023 that changed how home confinement is applied for federal prisoners under the CARES Act. The resolution would stop this rule from taking effect by invoking Congress's authority to disapprove federal agency rules under a standard process. This directly affects federal prisoners who might otherwise be eligible for home confinement under the CARES Act provisions.

Maddy summaryThe SHIP Act imposes sanctions on foreign entities that knowingly handle Iranian petroleum, targeting those involved in port operations, transportation, refining, or ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil. Starting 90 days after enactment, the President must block assets, deny visas, and impose penalties on individuals or companies engaging in these activities, including family members or owners of sanctioned entities. It requires annual reports tracking Iran's oil exports, revenues, and key players like shipping companies and ports. The sanctions terminate if the President certifies Iran has stopped supporting terrorism and dismantled weapons programs.

Maddy summaryHR 6089, the Energy Choice Act, prevents state and local governments from banning or restricting the connection of energy services based on the type of energy used. It prohibits regulations that block connections for natural gas, renewable gas, hydrogen, electricity, or other specified fuels like renewable diesel or petroleum products. The bill directly affects energy providers and end-users by ensuring local rules cannot prevent them from using or connecting to different energy sources. This creates a uniform standard for energy service connections across jurisdictions, without mandating specific energy types.