Rep. George Santos

Maddy summaryHR 5838, the SAFER Act, changes how asylum claims are assessed for migrants apprehended at the U.S. border during large-scale migration events. It revises the "credible fear" interview standard to require officers to determine if an asylum seeker is "more likely than not" eligible for asylum and if their claims are "more likely than not" true. The bill also mandates prioritizing removal cases for these migrants, requires scheduling hearings to allow fair access to legal counsel, and directs the hiring of at least 150 additional immigration judges to speed up court processing. It includes reporting requirements on processing times, legal representation rates, and in-absentia removal orders for migrants in these prioritized cases.

Maddy summaryHJRES 11 proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit Members of Congress to serving a maximum of three terms in the House of Representatives and two terms in the Senate. If passed and ratified, it would prevent any member who has already served the maximum terms from running for re-election, including time spent filling vacancies (for more than one year in the House or three years in the Senate). This amendment directly affects current and future members of Congress by changing eligibility rules for re-election. The proposal is currently a joint resolution in the House, requiring ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures to become part of the Constitution.

Maddy summaryHR 5791, the "Define the Mission Act," requires the President to submit a comprehensive strategy report to Congress within 30 days of the bill's enactment, detailing U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The report must define U.S. national interests in the conflict, set specific objectives with timelines, benchmarks, and resource estimates (including personnel and funding), list expected European NATO security contributions, and assess Russia’s natural gas market impact on resolving the conflict. It mandates the strategy must aim for a Russia-Ukraine cease-fire agreement and explicitly cannot depend on U.S. funding for Ukrainian reconstruction. The report must be unclassified but may include a classified annex for full transparency. This bill establishes a formal process for Congress to review and oversee U.S. policy toward Ukraine.

Employee Business Expense Deduction Reinstatement Act of 2023 This bill reinstates the tax deduction for the itemized miscellaneous expenses of employees performing services in a trade or busines (the deduction is currently suspended for the period beginning in 2018 through 2025). The amount the an employee may take into account in computing the deduction is 85% of unreimbursed food, lodging, travel, or transportation expenses. The bill also lowers the threshold for the deduction to the extent its aggregate amount exceeds 1% (2% under current law).

Maddy summaryHR 5641, the Pay Our Troops Act, ensures military personnel and their support staff continue receiving pay during fiscal year 2024 if Congress fails to pass regular budget appropriations. It appropriates existing Treasury funds to cover pay and allowances for active-duty troops, reserve components, and civilian employees or contractors supporting military operations. The bill automatically terminates on January 1, 2025, or earlier if Congress enacts a regular budget or continuing resolution. This provision directly affects service members, Department of Defense staff, and Coast Guard personnel (when not under the Navy) during budget implementation gaps.

Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act This bill provides FY2024 appropriations for the salaries and expenses of certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees who are required to work during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown) in FY2024. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to CBP for the salaries and expenses of agents of the U.S. Border Patrol and officers of the Office of Field Operations who are excepted from furlough (i.e., required to work) during a lapse in discretionary appropriations in FY2024.

This bill requires that meat and poultry labels include the slaughter date, package date, freeze date (for frozen products), and country of origin or U.S. state of origin.  Specifically, a meat or poultry product that fails to include this information on the label shall be deemed misbranded. (A misbranded food does not meet certain Department of Agriculture labeling requirements and may not be sold.)

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes special pay rates for wildland firefighters employed by the Forest Service or Department of the Interior. It creates a percentage increase over standard General Schedule base rates (ranging from 1.5% for GS-15 to 42% for GS-1), provides 450% premium pay for days deployed to qualifying wildfire incidents, and requires rest and recuperation leave following incident deployment. These changes apply specifically to firefighters whose duties primarily relate to wildland fires, not structural fires. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2023, and replaces standard pay rates for affected firefighters. Premium pay is not considered part of basic pay for various compensation calculations.

Maddy summaryHRES 719 is a symbolic resolution designating the week beginning September 24, 2023, as "National Source Water Protection Week." It does not create new laws or directly affect individuals or entities, but expresses congressional support for raising public awareness about protecting drinking water sources. The resolution highlights the importance of safeguarding water quality and quantity for public health, the environment, and community resilience. It encourages collaboration among local, state, and federal entities to promote water conservation and protection efforts.

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.