Rep. Stephanie I. Bice

Maddy summaryHJRES 8 proposes a constitutional amendment to permanently set the Supreme Court's size at nine justices. The bill would require any future changes to the Court's composition to follow this specific number, locking in the current structure. It does not alter the existing Court size (which has been nine since 1869) but aims to prevent future adjustments through legislative action. The amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years to take effect. This is a procedural proposal focused on constitutional structure, not a direct policy affecting citizens or programs.

Maddy summaryHRES 8 is a formal resolution introduced by the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2023 to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The resolution alleges three specific violations: (1) failing to maintain border security, citing record migrant encounters and fentanyl seizures under his leadership; (2) providing false testimony to Congress about border security; and (3) spreading false claims about Border Patrol agents whipping migrants during a 2021 incident. It claims these actions violated his constitutional duties and federal law. As an impeachment resolution, it does not enact policy but seeks to refer the case to the Senate for trial.

Maddy summaryThe National Digital Reserve Corps Act would create a federal program within the General Services Administration to recruit and manage digital and cybersecurity professionals who would serve as reservists. Reservists would commit to a three-year service period with at least 30 days of active service annually, receiving up to $10,000 per year in compensation. The program would assign reservists to address digital and cybersecurity needs across federal agencies, including cybersecurity services, digital training, data management, and technical solutions development. The GSA Administrator would manage the program, provide continuing education support for reservists, and submit annual reports to Congress, with $30 million authorized for implementation through fiscal year 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 59, the SAVE Act, prohibits the sale of petroleum products drawn from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to entities headquartered in specific countries listed in federal regulations or to any entity based in Russia. This policy change directly affects energy companies and organizations operating in those designated countries or Russia, restricting their access to the government's emergency oil stockpile. The bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act by adding a new section (170) that mandates this sales prohibition, with minor updates to existing law to reflect the change. The key mechanism is a direct ban on SPR petroleum sales to the specified entities, effective upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes nationwide recognition for valid concealed carry permits. It allows permit holders from any state to carry concealed handguns in states that either issue such permits or don't ban concealed carry, provided they carry a photo ID and their valid permit. Key provisions include making presentation of a valid permit and ID prima facie evidence of compliance, shifting the burden of proof to prosecutors if challenged, and requiring courts to award attorney fees to successful defendants. It does not override state laws prohibiting concealed carry on private property or government lands, nor does it affect restrictions on federal lands like national parks.

Maddy summaryHR 53 (FIND Act) requires federal contractors to certify they do not refuse to work with firearm manufacturers, dealers, ammunition sellers, or related safety device companies based on bias. It prohibits main contractors from awarding subcontracts exceeding 10% of a contract’s value to entities that fail to make this certification, and bans efforts to circumvent the rule through complex subcontract tiers. The law applies to all federal procurement contracts, directly affecting businesses bidding on government work. Violations risk contract termination and suspension from future government contracts.

Maddy summaryHR 49, the REVIEW Act of 2023, requires federal agencies to delay implementing new rules that cost the economy over $1 billion annually. Specifically, agencies must submit such "high-impact rules" to the Office of Management and Budget for review before publication. The rule cannot take effect until after all judicial review challenges are resolved, unless no one challenges it within 60 days of publication. This directly affects federal agencies creating major economic regulations and delays their implementation to allow for legal scrutiny. The bill does not change existing judicial review timelines but adds a mandatory delay period for high-cost rules.

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service titled Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segmen t and published on November 25, 2022. The rule adds the Northern Distinct Population Segment of lesser prairie-chicken to the list of threatened species and the Southern District Population Segment of lesser prairie-chicken to the list of endangered species.

This act directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, four Americans killed in the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. (Stevens was the U.S. Ambassador to Libya at the time, Smith was an officer in the Foreign Service, and Doherty and Woods were both government contractors and former Navy SEALs.) After the medal has been awarded, it shall be given to the Central Intelligence Agency Museum.

Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy Act This act addresses research, education, and awareness concerning valvular heart disease and its treatment. This disease is caused by damage to or disease affecting any valve that controls blood flow in the heart. The National Institutes of Health may conduct or support research on the disease in consultation with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The NHLBI must also conduct a workshop on mitral valve prolapse, which occurs when the valve between the chambers of the left side of the heart seals improperly. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must develop best practices to treat valvular heart disease. HHS may also carry out other projects to increase education and awareness of the disease.