Rep. Claudia Tenney

Maddy summaryHR 5425 amends the Small Business Act to strengthen the Office of Rural Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). It requires the Office to be led by an Assistant Administrator with specific experience in rural small business issues and development assistance. The bill mandates the Office to host regional webinars and outreach events for rural small business owners, inviting SBA offices, resource partners, and government agencies to participate. It also requires the SBA to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the Office’s operations, activities, outreach events, and an analysis of gaps in lending programs serving rural small businesses. These changes directly affect rural small business owners by improving access to SBA resources and accountability for the Office’s work.

Maddy summaryThe Main Street Competes Act requires the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to annually report on how their antitrust enforcement actions address harms to small businesses from anticompetitive conduct. These reports must detail complaints from small businesses, investigations, and enforcement actions, broken down by violation type and industry. The Small Business Administration’s Chief Counsel then analyzes the data and submits a congressional report with evaluations and recommendations to promote competition and support small business growth. This bill focuses on increasing transparency and accountability in antitrust enforcement as it relates to small business concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the funding period for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program from 2023 to 2028. It directly affects rural communities by ensuring continued access to telehealth services and educational programs through this existing federal initiative. The key provision is a simple amendment to the program's authorization date in existing law, without creating new requirements or altering the program's scope. The change ensures uninterrupted support for rural healthcare and education providers relying on this funding.

Maddy summaryHR 5654, the "Hot Showers Act," directs the Secretary of Energy to withdraw a specific proposed rule on water heater energy efficiency standards. The bill mandates the withdrawal of the "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Water Heaters" rule (88 Fed. Reg. 49058, July 28, 2023), and prohibits the Department of Energy from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing that rule or any substantially similar rule. This action directly affects the Department of Energy and manufacturers of consumer water heaters by halting the proposed efficiency standards. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on withdrawing the rule without creating new policy.

Maddy summaryHR 5561, the Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2023, prevents federal agencies from using emergency declarations to implement gun control measures. It specifically prohibits the President from declaring a national emergency under the National Emergencies Act or the Robert T. Stafford Act for gun control purposes, and stops the Health and Human Services Secretary from declaring a public health emergency under the Public Health Service Act for the same reason. The bill also amends the Stafford Act to explicitly prohibit any emergency-related restrictions on possessing, manufacturing, selling, or transferring firearms, ammunition, ammunition feeding devices, or firearm accessories. This directly affects how federal agencies can respond during emergencies without violating the Second Amendment. The law aims to limit executive actions during emergencies that could restrict gun rights.

Maddy summaryHRES 720 designates the week of September 24-30, 2023 (and annually thereafter) as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week" to honor families who have lost loved ones in military service. It specifically recognizes the sacrifices of families of fallen service members and veterans, and encourages Americans to observe the week through community service and celebrating the lives of those who died protecting the nation. This resolution is procedural and symbolic, with no new funding, regulations, or policy changes - only a formal designation to honor these families. It directly affects Gold Star families (those with members who died in military service) and the broader public through its call for observance.

Maddy summaryHRES 684 is a symbolic congressional resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 14, 2023, condemning New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's emergency order that temporarily suspended open and concealed carry firearm rights for 30 days. The resolution asserts the order violated the Second Amendment, citing Supreme Court precedents (Heller, McDonald, Bruen) and noting a federal judge had already blocked the order's firearm restrictions. It does not change any laws or impose legal consequences - it is solely a formal expression of disapproval from Congress. The resolution directly addresses the Governor's actions but has no effect on New Mexico's laws or citizens' rights.

Maddy summaryHR 5636, the "Protect Children’s Innocence Act," prohibits federal criminal penalties for performing gender-affirming medical care on minors under specific circumstances. It defines prohibited care as surgeries (like hysterectomy or mastectomy), puberty blockers, and hormone therapies at supraphysiologic doses, with exceptions for medical emergencies, intersex conditions, or life-threatening illnesses. The law only applies when the care involves interstate commerce (e.g., payments, communications, or travel across state lines). Minors receiving such care cannot be prosecuted, but they may sue providers for civil damages. The bill directly affects minors under 18, healthcare providers, and families seeking gender-affirming medical treatment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funding for colleges and universities that require students or staff to get a COVID-19 vaccine to enroll, work, or access services. It directly affects institutions of higher education receiving federal funds, such as those participating in student aid programs. The key provision blocks all federal financial support if an institution enforces such vaccine requirements as a condition of enrollment, employment, or benefits. The law does not ban vaccine mandates outright but ties federal funding to compliance with this prohibition.

Maddy summaryHR 5264, the Local Law Enforcement Protection Act, requires states and local governments to certify they do not have laws providing less legal protection ("qualified immunity") to police officers than established in the *Saucier v. Katz* Supreme Court case (2001) in order to receive certain federal grants. It directly affects states and local governments applying for Community Development Block Grants (under the 1974 Housing Act) or specific rural development loans. The key provision mandates this certification be submitted with each grant application, linking eligibility to adherence with the federal standard on officer immunity.