Rep. John R. Moolenaar

Maddy summaryHJRES 164 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the Department of Commerce regarding firearms license requirements. It directly targets the rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 34680), which would have revised licensing procedures for firearms dealers. If passed, the resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect by invoking the congressional disapproval process under federal law. The bill does not create new regulations but aims to halt an existing rule affecting gun license applicants and dealers.

Maddy summaryThe PAID Act of 2024 requires the U.S. government to publicly list foreign entities from designated adversary countries (including China, Russia, Iran, and others) that are using American patents or trade secrets related to critical technologies without authorization. U.S. owners of such intellectual property can petition the government to investigate and identify an entity, with a 90-day deadline for a decision. The government must publish the list in the Federal Register, and entities can be removed if they secure a license or agreement with the IP owner. This law increases transparency about foreign use of U.S. technology without permission, focusing on critical and emerging fields.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 2365, Public Law 118-66) directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Parkinson’s Project. It requires HHS to create and update a coordinated national plan for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and researching Parkinson’s disease and related disorders (including multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy), while coordinating federal research and care efforts across agencies like the NIH, CDC, and VA. The law mandates annual progress assessments, an advisory council with patient advocates and diverse experts, and annual reports to Congress on federal Parkinson’s programs and recommendations for improvement. It affects federal agencies managing Parkinson’s-related programs and aims to improve care coordination and research efficiency for patients and caregivers, with the law sunsetting in 2035.

Maddy summaryHJRES 170 is a resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a federal rule that would have required new housing projects financed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to meet specific energy efficiency standards. The rule, published in April 2024, aimed to set these standards for new construction in federally subsidized housing. If passed, this resolution would block the rule under the Congressional Review Act, making it legally void. It directly affects developers and builders of HUD- and USDA-financed housing by removing the requirement to comply with these energy standards.

Maddy summaryThe Conscience Protection Act of 2024 would strengthen protections for health care providers, facilities, and organizations that refuse to participate in or provide coverage for abortions, assisted suicide, or other procedures conflicting with their religious or moral beliefs. It creates a private right of action allowing individuals or entities to sue when their conscience rights are violated, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to enforce existing conscience protections through the Office for Civil Rights. The bill prohibits discrimination against health care entities that decline to provide or facilitate these services, while ensuring these protections don't interfere with emergency care requirements under existing law. It also establishes clearer enforcement mechanisms, including the ability to terminate federal funding for non-compliance with conscience protections.

Maddy summaryHR 8847, the "Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act," requires the U.S. Commerce Department to add China's Ministry of Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science (including its aliases) to the Commerce Department's sanctions list within 60 days of the bill's enactment. The law directly affects this Chinese entity by restricting its access to U.S. technology and exports through sanctions. A waiver is permitted if the President certifies the institute is not involved in human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, submitting this certification to Congress within 60 days. The bill's key mechanism is the mandatory inclusion on the sanctions list, with the waiver option tied to human rights certification.

Maddy summaryHRES 901 is a U.S. House resolution expressing support for democracy and human rights in Pakistan. It calls on the U.S. President and Secretary of State to collaborate with Pakistan to uphold democratic processes, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution urges Pakistan to protect freedoms of speech, assembly, and press, and to avoid arbitrary detention or suppression of political participation. It also condemns efforts to undermine Pakistan's electoral or judicial systems, including harassment of citizens during protests or interference with elections.

Maddy summaryThis bill rescinds unspent funds from specific federal programs. It targets leftover money from pandemic relief (like the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan) and certain infrastructure initiatives (including education stabilization funds and transportation programs like the Congestion Mitigation Program). The rescission is limited to amounts already allocated for Israel, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific security supplements under recent appropriations. Unspent funds must be returned to the Treasury, with no new spending created.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Northern Border Security Review Act to establish a new annual deadline for threat analysis (September 2, 2025, and each year after) and requires the Department of Homeland Security to update its northern border strategy within 90 days of each analysis. It mandates that the Secretary provide a classified briefing to congressional committees within 30 days of each threat analysis and develop performance measures for U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations to secure the northern border in air and maritime areas within six months of enactment. The bill directly affects the Department of Homeland Security and congressional committees by imposing specific reporting deadlines and review requirements. These changes focus on improving the frequency and structure of security assessments without altering existing border security operations.

Maddy summaryHR 5012 (SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023) authorizes federal funding to improve stillbirth research and data collection. It provides $5 million annually for states to collect standardized stillbirth data (including risk factors) while protecting privacy, $1 million annually for developing public educational materials and data collection guidelines, and $3 million annually for medical fellowships training pathologists in perinatal autopsy and stillbirth research. The bill directly affects state health departments, medical professionals (like obstetricians and pathologists), and families who experience stillbirth by improving data quality for future research. It requires federal reports on guidelines and program effectiveness within five years but does not provide direct medical care or financial assistance to families.