Rep. Brad Finstad

Maddy summaryHR 8800 designates the bald eagle as the national bird of the United States, amending Title 36 of the U.S. Code to formally state this. The bill directly affects official federal designations but does not change existing policies or government actions. It includes findings about the bald eagle's historical, cultural, and symbolic significance, including its role in Indigenous traditions and government imagery. The bill explicitly states that this designation cannot be used to alter any current government plans or regulations.

Maddy summaryHRES 1303 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 14, 2024, that condemns the Biden administration's suspension of pending approvals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to countries without free trade agreements with the U.S. The resolution argues this action is politically motivated, citing studies showing economic benefits of LNG exports and noting that previous administrations conducted similar environmental reviews without halting permits. It calls for lifting the suspension to restore confidence in the energy sector, prioritize U.S. workers and communities, and align with the administration's stated goals of economic growth. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but formally expresses congressional disapproval of the administration's approach.

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.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1285) is a symbolic statement by a group of House members condemning the Biden administration's approach to mifepristone (the abortion pill), specifically the 2023 FDA decision allowing mail-order and pharmacy dispensing of the drug without in-person provider visits. It argues this policy eliminates safety safeguards like in-person ultrasounds to detect ectopic pregnancies, gestational age checks, and provider screening for coercion, potentially increasing health risks for patients. The resolution does not change any laws or policies but expresses disapproval of the FDA’s regulatory changes regarding mifepristone distribution. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect on abortion access or drug regulations.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1281) commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, established by Congress in 1924. It recognizes the refuge's role in protecting over 250,000 acres of habitat for wildlife - including birds, fish, and mammals - and supporting annual recreational visits (4 million visitors) and regional economic activity ($125 million). The resolution honors the refuge's contributions to conservation, scientific research, and the Mississippi Flyway migratory corridor. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or funding requirements but formally celebrates the refuge's century-long conservation mission.

Maddy summaryHRES 1265 is a symbolic resolution designating May 2024 as "Renewable Fuels Month" to recognize renewable fuels' role in reducing carbon emissions, lowering consumer fuel prices, supporting rural economies, and decreasing reliance on foreign energy sources. It highlights that renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel contribute to U.S. energy independence (displacing 525 million barrels of crude oil in 2023), support over 72,000 direct jobs in ethanol production, and reduce emissions by 44-52% compared to gasoline. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges these benefits through congressional recognition. It is non-binding and focuses solely on raising awareness of the renewable fuels industry's economic and environmental contributions.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1272) calls on the Biden Administration to seek symbolic censure of Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for violating nuclear nonproliferation agreements and to refer Iran's case to the United Nations Security Council. It urges diplomatic action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, citing Iran's enrichment of uranium to 60% purity, obstruction of IAEA inspections, and development of advanced centrifuges. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests specific international diplomatic steps from the U.S. government.

Maddy summaryHR 5403, the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing or facilitating central bank digital currency (CBDC) directly or indirectly to individuals through financial institutions. It specifically bans Federal Reserve banks from offering digital products to individuals, maintaining individual accounts, or using CBDC for monetary policy implementation. The bill also clarifies that its restrictions do not apply to existing physical cash or private, permissionless digital payment systems. This bill directly affects the Federal Reserve's ability to develop or deploy a government-run digital dollar. The law aims to prevent the Federal Reserve from creating a digital currency that could enable transaction tracking or government oversight of personal financial activity.

Maddy summaryHJRES 145 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a specific FDA rule regarding medical tests developed in laboratories (LDTs). It targets the FDA's May 2024 rule (89 Fed. Reg. 37286) that would have regulated these tests as medical devices. The resolution uses the Congressional Review Act (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code) to block the rule from taking effect, stating it "shall have no force or effect." This resolution directly affects the FDA's regulatory authority over laboratory-developed medical tests but does not change existing medical device laws.