Rep. Brad Finstad

Maddy summaryHRES 1170 prohibits U.S. House Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners from bringing or displaying any foreign nation's flag on the House floor during sessions, except for lapel pins or flags shown during speeches under House rules. The resolution applies to all flag sizes and is enforced by the House Sergeant-at-Arms. It directly affects House members' conduct during floor proceedings but allows limited exceptions for personal accessories and official speeches. This is a procedural rule change, not a substantive policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily allows E15 fuel (15% ethanol blend) to be sold year-round in eight Midwest states (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin) during a specific summer period. It requires E15 to meet the same Reid vapor pressure standards currently applied to E10 fuel (10% ethanol blend) from May 1 to September 15, 2024. This adjustment addresses a seasonal restriction that typically limits E15 sales during warmer months to prevent vapor emissions. The bill directly affects fuel retailers and consumers in those states by expanding E15 availability during summer.

Maddy summaryHJRES 130 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rule that would have required minimum train crew sizes for safety. It directly affects railroads and safety regulators by preventing the FRA's April 2024 rule (89 Fed. Reg. 25052) from taking effect. The bill uses a standard disapproval process under federal law to halt the rule without creating new requirements. This resolution does not change existing safety standards but stops the specific FRA proposal from becoming law. The measure targets the "Train Crew Size Safety Requirements" rule published on April 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryHR 8088, the Applicant Medical Reimbursement Act of 2024, requires the Secretary of Defense to reimburse military applicants up to $100 per person for co-pay costs they pay during medical appointments needed for the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) process. This directly affects individuals applying to join the U.S. uniformed military services who incur out-of-pocket costs for required pre-enlistment medical exams. The key provision authorizes federal reimbursement for these specific co-pays, capping the amount at $100 per applicant. The bill does not change eligibility for military service or alter the MEPS requirements themselves.

Maddy summaryHR 8066, the Ammunition Supply Chain Act, requires the Secretary of the Army to submit a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. The report must assess the U.S. supply chain for ammunition components like nitrocellulose and smokeless gunpowder, focusing on improving sourcing, avoiding single points of failure, managing global demand risks, and leveraging private sector capacity. This bill directly affects the Department of Defense and ammunition manufacturers by mandating a review of supply chain vulnerabilities. It is procedural in nature, establishing a reporting requirement without creating new regulations or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 5947 terminates specific U.S. waivers and licenses related to Iran, ending a 2023 waiver that allowed funds transfer from South Korea to Qatar. It prohibits the Treasury Department from reissuing similar waivers or licenses for the same purpose and blocks the President from granting Iran access to certain designated financial accounts established under prior laws. The bill directly affects U.S. foreign policy implementation by restricting how Treasury handles Iran-related financial transactions. It enacts concrete policy changes by ending existing authorizations and preventing future approvals for Iran to access specific accounts.

Maddy summaryHR 5530, the VA Emergency Transportation Access Act, prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from lowering payment rates for specialized transportation used by veterans and eligible individuals (like ambulances or wheelchair vans) without strict requirements. It mandates that any rate change that could reduce access to care must first undergo a detailed review analyzing economic impacts on the VA and transportation industry, and ensure the new rate covers actual costs. The VA must also develop a formal process for rate changes and consult with industry experts, veterans' groups, and healthcare agencies before implementing such changes. This bill directly affects veterans relying on specialized transportation for medical care, particularly those in rural or underserved communities, by safeguarding their access to necessary emergency transport services.

Maddy summaryHRES 1148 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that condemns the Iranian government for supporting terrorism, regional proxy conflicts, and internal suppression of dissent - including its crackdown on protests following Mahsa Amini's death in 2022. It specifically calls for maintaining sanctions against Iran, supporting the Iranian Resistance's Ten-Point Plan (which advocates for a democratic, secular, nonnuclear Iran), and protecting Iranian political refugees in Albania. The resolution also affirms the Iranian people's right to self-determination under international law and urges the U.S. to recognize their struggle for freedom. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally expresses congressional stance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to annually assess U.S. reliance on critical farm inputs - such as fertilizers, seeds, veterinary drugs, and agricultural equipment - that could be disrupted if China exploits supply chains. It mandates identifying domestic production capacity, supply chain vulnerabilities, and recommending ways to reduce dependency through onshore or nearshore production. The assessment must protect private company data, prohibiting disclosure of identifiable information and ensuring only anonymized aggregate data is used or shared. The law focuses on supply chain security for American agriculture without compelling businesses to provide sensitive information.

Maddy summaryHR 8011, the Iranian Terror Prevention Act, requires the U.S. Secretary of State to designate 12 Iranian-affiliated military groups and any entity controlled by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as Foreign Terrorist Organizations within 90 days. It mandates the President to decide within 60 days whether to impose sanctions under existing law (Executive Order 13224) on these groups, which would block their U.S. assets and restrict transactions. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to submit regular reports to Congress on new entities meeting designation criteria and the President to explain any decisions not to impose sanctions. This law directly affects the listed Iranian military groups and any new entities linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps.