Rep. Guy Reschenthaler

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 summaryHR 5619, the Military Dependents School Meal Eligibility Act of 2023, requires the Secretary of Agriculture to study how to directly certify military children for free or reduced-price school meals without additional applications. The bill directs a report by October 2024 evaluating options like using military housing allowance data and excluding non-service income from household calculations under existing school nutrition laws. This would affect children in households of active-duty military members, potentially streamlining eligibility for meals at schools. The bill itself is procedural, focusing on feasibility study rather than immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryThe Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 amends the Animal Welfare Act to strengthen enforcement of animal welfare standards. It gives the Attorney General authority to bring civil cases for violations, including seeking penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation and injunctions to remove or relocate animals. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture and Attorney General to coordinate through a new Memorandum of Understanding, focusing on repeat violators. These changes directly affect dealers, exhibitors, and enforcement agencies by expanding civil enforcement tools and clarifying jurisdiction over rule violations.

Maddy summaryHR 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, amends the Clean Air Act to restrict states from implementing vehicle emissions rules that limit the sale or use of new gasoline-powered cars. It directly affects states with stricter emissions standards (like California) by adding a new definition that blocks state rules "directly or indirectly" limiting internal combustion engine vehicles as defined in federal regulations as of January 1, 2023. The bill requires the EPA to revoke existing state emissions waivers granted between January 2022 and the bill’s enactment if they don’t comply with this new definition. This creates a concrete federal standard preventing states from advancing policies that could reduce demand for conventional vehicles.

Maddy summaryThe Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023 bans cosmetic animal testing in the United States, prohibiting companies from conducting or contracting such testing after its enactment (effective 1 year later). It also bans selling or transporting cosmetics developed using animal testing conducted after that date within U.S. interstate commerce. The law directly affects cosmetic manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers operating in the U.S. market, requiring them to use non-animal testing methods for safety evaluations. Exceptions exist for foreign regulatory requirements or when no alternative testing methods are available for specific ingredients.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires parties in civil lawsuits to disclose any foreign entities funding their case - including names, addresses, and countries of origin - within 30 days of filing or signing funding agreements. It specifically prohibits foreign governments and sovereign wealth funds from funding litigation where payment depends on the case outcome, banning such agreements entirely. Parties must also certify if foreign money is used and submit annual reports to Congress detailing foreign funders, judicial districts involved, and case types. The law applies to all civil cases filed after enactment, aiming to increase transparency about foreign influence in U.S. courts.

Maddy summaryHR 5507 prohibits the use of federal funds to establish a Disinformation Governance Board within the Department of Homeland Security. The bill directly affects the Secretary of Homeland Security by blocking any funding from being used for this specific board's creation. It is a straightforward funding restriction with no additional policy mechanisms or provisions beyond preventing the board's establishment.

Maddy summaryHR 3152, the "Fight CRIME Act," aims to maintain international restrictions on Iran's missile-related activities by requiring diplomatic efforts to extend these restrictions before they expire in October 2023. The bill mandates annual reports detailing U.S. diplomatic strategies, potential impacts of expiration, and measures to deter missile technology transfers to Iran. It establishes sanctions against foreign individuals or entities that knowingly support Iran's missile or drone programs, including asset freezes and visa restrictions. These sanctions apply regardless of whether UN restrictions remain in effect after their expiration, directly affecting foreign entities involved in these activities.

Maddy summaryHR 5383, the GIVE MILK Act, amends the Child Nutrition Act to allow WIC participants with young children to choose their preferred milk type (whole, low-fat, or nonfat) instead of receiving a default option. This change directly affects WIC participants caring for children aged 12 months to 4 years, aligning with dietary guidelines for that age group. The key provision requires the Secretary of Agriculture to issue the milk type elected by the participant or their guardian, updating WIC program regulations under Section 17(f) of the Child Nutrition Act. The bill focuses on enabling participant choice based on established nutritional recommendations for childhood development.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to develop and implement a strategy for scanning all incoming mail at federal prisons to stop fentanyl and other synthetic drugs from entering facilities. It directs the Bureau to evaluate existing scanning technology within 180 days and submit a detailed plan to Congress within 90 days, including how to provide digital copies of mail to inmates within 24 hours and physical copies within 30 days (if safe). The strategy must achieve 100% mail scanning capacity at all federal prisons, prioritize high-security facilities, and include a budget proposal for fiscal years 2024-2026. This directly affects federal prisons, inmates, and Bureau employees by changing mail processing procedures to enhance safety and reduce staffing burdens from manual mail checks.