Rep. Tom Cole

Promoting Local Management of the Lesser Prairie Chicken Act This bill prohibits any population of the lesser prairie-chicken ( Tympanuchus pallidicinctus ) in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, or New Mexico from being listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). The lesser prairie-chicken is a type of grouse. Currently, two distinct population segments (DPS) of the lesser prairie-chicken are listed under the ESA. The Southern DPS of the lesser prairie-chicken is listed as endangered and the Northern DPS is listed as threatened. The bill removes both populations from the list. In addition, the bill bans Interior from listing any population of the lesser prairie-chicken as endangered or threatened in the future.

Maddy summaryHR 1088, the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to honor Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968) and the first Black candidate for a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image, which will be presented by Congress and then permanently displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to the public to cover production costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint fund. This bill commemorates Chisholm's legacy and achievements without creating new laws or affecting any current policies.

Ordering Authentication in The House's Swearing-in Act or the OATHS Act This bill modifies procedures related to the oath of office that is taken by Members of the House of Representatives. First, the bill eliminates the statutory requirement that the oath of office be administered at the first session of Congress after every general election of Representatives. Second, the bill requires that the Clerk of the House of Representatives provide Members with two printed copies of the oath of office to sign before the first session of Congress rather than on the first day of that session. Generally, a Member shall be deemed to have taken the oath of office when they return the signed oath to the clerk for filing in official records. However, if a Member returns the signed oath before noon on the first day of the first session, the signed oath is effective at noon on the first day of that session.

Protect Farmers from the SEC Act This bill prohibits the Securities and Exchange Commission from requiring the disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions related to agricultural products.

Maddy summaryThe Retain Skilled Veterans Act (HR 939) amends federal law to restrict appointments of retired military members to specific high-level positions within the Department of Defense (DoD). It limits such appointments to roles classified at or above GS-14 (a high pay grade) in the DoD’s excepted or competitive service, removing a prior exception that allowed broader "management" appointments. This change directly affects retired veterans seeking senior DoD roles, requiring them to qualify for the highest-level positions under this rule. The bill ensures these appointments apply only to defined senior roles, not routine or lower-level positions.

Maddy summaryHR 932 repeals two key congressional authorizations for military force in Iraq: the 1991 resolution (Public Law 102-1) and the 2002 resolution (Public Law 107-243). This bill removes the legal foundation that has permitted U.S. military operations in Iraq for over two decades. It directly affects the executive branch’s authority to conduct military actions under these specific resolutions, requiring future operations to seek new congressional approval. The repeal is a procedural change that would end the statutory basis for ongoing military engagement in Iraq without altering other laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThe Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2023 amends the National Labor Relations Act to explicitly include Indian tribes and tribal enterprises operating on Indian lands as covered "employers" under federal labor law. This means tribal governments and tribal-owned businesses on tribal lands would now be subject to the same labor protections and rules as other employers under the NLRA, such as those governing union organizing and collective bargaining. The bill achieves this by adding specific definitions for "Indian tribe," "Indian," and "Indian lands" to the NLRA, clarifying which entities fall under the law's jurisdiction. This change directly affects tribal governments and tribal enterprises operating on designated tribal lands.

Maddy summaryHRES 107 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and proposing the week beginning February 5, 2023, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." It highlights that TCUs - 35 accredited institutions serving over 230 federally recognized tribes - provide culturally grounded education, access to higher learning in underserved communities, and workforce preparation for American Indian, Alaska Native, and other students. The resolution calls on the House to support the designation and urges the public to observe the week with activities demonstrating support for TCUs. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but aims to raise awareness of TCUs' national importance.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 13 is a concurrent resolution expressing Congress's support for maintaining the current policy that prohibits imposing new fees on local radio stations for playing music. It states that Congress should not impose any performance fee, tax, royalty, or charge on local radio stations for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on businesses like bars and restaurants that play music publicly. The resolution argues that such fees would harm local radio stations - critical sources for emergency information and community programming - and jeopardize the economic model that has supported both radio and the music industry for decades. This resolution does not create new law but formally opposes potential legislative changes to the existing fee structure.

Strengthen the Pediatric Research Initiative Act This bill terminates (1) the taxpayer election to designate $3 of income tax liability for financing of presidential election campaigns, (2) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, and (3) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account. The Department of the Treasury must transfer the funds remaining in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to the Pediatric Research Initiative Fund.