Rep. Brad R. Wenstrup

Maddy summaryHR 23, the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, rescinds unobligated funds previously allocated to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Specifically, it cancels unused balances from certain IRS funding provisions (sections 10301(1)(A)(ii), (iii), (B), (2), (3), (4), and (5)) of the Inflation Reduction Act. This bill does not change tax laws or directly affect taxpayers; it only redirects unspent IRS budget authority. The provision applies solely to funds that were not obligated by the IRS as of the bill’s enactment date.

Maddy summaryHR 461, the "Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act," prohibits abortions performed specifically because an unborn child has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. The bill amends Title 18 to make it a federal offense for medical providers to perform or facilitate such abortions, with criminal penalties of up to 5 years in prison or fines. It also establishes civil remedies allowing women, fathers, or maternal grandparents to sue providers for damages, including punitive damages, while protecting women from prosecution for seeking these abortions. The law requires medical professionals to report suspected violations and includes strict privacy protections for women in court proceedings. This bill directly affects abortion providers and medical professionals who perform or facilitate abortions based on Down syndrome diagnosis, without altering broader abortion laws.

Maddy summaryHR 484, the Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act, repeals Section 136 of the Clean Air Act, which established a methane emissions and waste reduction incentive program for natural gas systems. This directly affects natural gas operators who previously participated in the program by ending their eligibility for associated incentives. The bill also rescinds any unobligated funds allocated under that program before its repeal. The change removes a federal requirement for the industry to reduce methane emissions through this specific incentive mechanism.

Maddy summaryHR 175, the Heartbeat Protection Act of 2023, prohibits physicians from performing abortions without first checking for a detectable fetal heartbeat using standard medical practice and informing the patient of the results. It allows exceptions only for abortions necessary to save a mother’s life due to physical conditions (not psychological ones), or for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest against an adult or minor, which require specific documentation like counseling records or police reports. Physicians violating the law face up to five years in prison, while patients cannot be prosecuted. The bill defines "unborn child" as beginning at fertilization and mandates detailed medical documentation for all exceptions. It explicitly excludes psychological conditions from life-threatening exceptions and requires physicians to retain records per federal health privacy rules.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 3 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing support for pro-life facilities, groups, and churches targeted by vandalism and threats following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision. It condemns specific incidents like graffiti, window-smashing, and arson at pregnancy centers and churches (e.g., in Frederick, MD, and Portland, OR), while recognizing the role of these organizations in supporting pregnant women. The resolution calls on the Biden Administration to use law enforcement to protect these facilities but does not create new laws or policies. As a symbolic measure, it has no legal effect on the incidents described.

Maddy summaryHRES 51 is a non-binding House resolution expressing support for designating the week of January 22-28, 2023, as "National School Choice Week." It encourages parents to learn about K-12 education options (including public, charter, private, and homeschooling) and urges public awareness events during that week. The resolution does not create new policies, funding, or legal requirements - it solely serves as a symbolic expression of support for parental choice in education. It directly affects no individuals or entities, as it is a procedural resolution with no legislative force.

Maddy summaryHR 330, the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, prohibits federal funding under the Title X family planning program for clinics that perform or fund abortions, except in cases of rape, incest, or when a physician certifies a life-threatening condition. It requires clinics receiving Title X funds to certify they do not provide or fund abortions (with the specified exceptions), and hospitals are exempt if they don't fund non-hospital abortion providers. The bill mandates annual reports to Congress listing all funded clinics, the number of abortions performed under exceptions (including rape/incest cases), and the certification dates for each clinic. This directly affects Title X-funded clinics nationwide that provide abortion services or fund such services, altering their eligibility for federal funding. The law aims to restrict federal support for abortion access within the Title X program while maintaining limited exceptions.

Maddy summaryHR 279, the Pharmacist Conscience Protection Act, protects pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy owners who refuse to dispense medications approved for abortion or that they believe may be used for abortion, based on moral, religious, or medical objections. The bill prohibits federal agencies and entities receiving federal funds (including state/local governments) from discriminating against, penalizing, or retaliating against these providers for such refusals. It does not require pharmacists to dispense these medications and explicitly preserves stronger state conscience protections. This law directly affects pharmacists and pharmacies seeking to align their practice with personal or religious beliefs regarding abortion-related medications.

This resolution maintains that North Korea's seizure of the USS Pueblo and its crew is a violation of international law and declares that the ship should be returned to the United States.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 2 is a symbolic congressional resolution expressing support for U.S. law enforcement agencies and rejecting calls to defund or dismantle them. It formally condemns efforts to reduce law enforcement funding, citing concerns that such actions would harm officer safety and community protection. The resolution does not create new laws or alter funding but serves as a non-binding statement of congressional support, referencing law enforcement sacrifices and statistics on officer fatalities. It directly addresses policymakers and public discourse, not specific affected individuals or communities.