Rep. Jeff Duncan

Maddy summaryHR 8985, the Preventing Forced Abortions Act of 2024, prohibits federal courts from enforcing any surrogacy contract clause requiring a surrogate mother to have an abortion at the request of intended parents or their agents. The bill mandates courts to enforce payment to the surrogate for her services, regardless of any contract term tied to abortion, including clauses penalizing refusal (like reduced pay or liquidated damages). It directly affects surrogacy agreements between intended parents and surrogate mothers, ensuring surrogates cannot be forced to undergo abortions against their will while protecting their contractual compensation. The law defines "abortion" as intentionally terminating a pregnancy except in specific medical circumstances, such as after fetal viability or removing a non-viable fetus.

Keep Every Extra Penny Act of 2024 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, overtime compensation required to be paid by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (hours of work in excess of 40 in a week).

Maddy summaryThis bill ends judicial deference to federal agency interpretations of laws (known as "Chevron deference"). It requires agencies to review past interpretations they relied on under Chevron, publish revised positions, and only issue rules when explicitly authorized by Congress. The bill also mandates that courts interpret statutes themselves rather than favoring agency views, requires criminal penalties to include proof of intent ("mens rea"), and ensures agency decisions are based only on publicly accessible materials. These changes directly affect federal agencies, courts, and individuals or businesses subject to agency regulations or penalties.

Maddy summaryThe Conscience Protection Act of 2024 would strengthen protections for health care providers, facilities, and organizations that refuse to participate in or provide coverage for abortions, assisted suicide, or other procedures conflicting with their religious or moral beliefs. It creates a private right of action allowing individuals or entities to sue when their conscience rights are violated, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to enforce existing conscience protections through the Office for Civil Rights. The bill prohibits discrimination against health care entities that decline to provide or facilitate these services, while ensuring these protections don't interfere with emergency care requirements under existing law. It also establishes clearer enforcement mechanisms, including the ability to terminate federal funding for non-compliance with conscience protections.

Maddy summaryHR 8804, the Family Reunification Act of 2024, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to mandate rapid DNA testing for unauthorized immigrants presenting as family units (at ports of entry or after apprehension). If DNA confirms an immediate family relationship (parent/child or legal guardian), the family may be detained together pending lab confirmation; if not, the family must be separated immediately, with any child classified as an "unaccompanied alien child" under existing law. The bill directly affects unauthorized immigrants claiming family relationships during border encounters. It establishes a mandatory DNA testing process to determine family unit status, replacing current practices with a standardized procedure for separation or detention as a unit.

Maddy summaryHR 8803, the Illegal Labor Accountability Act of 2024, increases civil penalties for employers who violate U.S. immigration laws related to hiring, recruiting, or referring unauthorized workers. The bill triples existing fines: for example, penalties for first-time violations jump from $250 to $750 per worker, and repeat violations increase from $5,000 to $15,000 per violation. These changes directly affect employers who hire or refer undocumented workers, raising the financial consequences for such violations. The bill amends Section 274A(e)(4)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to implement these higher penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill rescinds unspent funds from specific federal programs. It targets leftover money from pandemic relief (like the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan) and certain infrastructure initiatives (including education stabilization funds and transportation programs like the Congestion Mitigation Program). The rescission is limited to amounts already allocated for Israel, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific security supplements under recent appropriations. Unspent funds must be returned to the Treasury, with no new spending created.

Maddy summaryHRES 1303 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 14, 2024, that condemns the Biden administration's suspension of pending approvals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to countries without free trade agreements with the U.S. The resolution argues this action is politically motivated, citing studies showing economic benefits of LNG exports and noting that previous administrations conducted similar environmental reviews without halting permits. It calls for lifting the suspension to restore confidence in the energy sector, prioritize U.S. workers and communities, and align with the administration's stated goals of economic growth. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but formally expresses congressional disapproval of the administration's approach.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the International Religious Freedom Act and Foreign Assistance Act to restrict U.S. foreign aid funding for non-theist groups. It requires that U.S. diplomatic missions ensure foreign aid programs do not promote non-theist ideologies or expand non-theist group membership, and mandates proportional funding to religious groups if non-theist groups receive support. The bill also requires annual reports listing all grants to religious, atheist, agnostic, and humanist groups worldwide, including funding details and compliance with constitutional religious freedom principles. These changes directly affect U.S. diplomatic missions and foreign organizations receiving U.S. government aid.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1285) is a symbolic statement by a group of House members condemning the Biden administration's approach to mifepristone (the abortion pill), specifically the 2023 FDA decision allowing mail-order and pharmacy dispensing of the drug without in-person provider visits. It argues this policy eliminates safety safeguards like in-person ultrasounds to detect ectopic pregnancies, gestational age checks, and provider screening for coercion, potentially increasing health risks for patients. The resolution does not change any laws or policies but expresses disapproval of the FDA’s regulatory changes regarding mifepristone distribution. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect on abortion access or drug regulations.