Rep. Ralph Norman

Maddy summaryHR 3712, the Digital Dollar Pilot Prevention Act, prohibits the Federal Reserve from testing or implementing a digital dollar without new congressional approval. The bill amends the Federal Reserve Act to explicitly block the Fed and its banks from launching any pilot program for a central bank digital currency (a digital form of U.S. dollars issued directly by the Federal Reserve) or partnering with private entities for such testing. This directly affects the Federal Reserve System, preventing it from moving forward with any digital dollar initiatives until Congress passes a separate law authorizing them. The law aims to halt potential development of a Fed-issued digital currency until lawmakers address its implications through new legislation.

Biden Time Act of 2023 This bill rescinds certain unobligated funds that were provided to address COVID-19 and for activities of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  Specifically, the bill rescinds unobligated funds that were provided by  the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021; the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020; the Families First Coronavirus Response Act; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act); the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act; and Divisions M and N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The bill also rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided for activities of the IRS by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 437 is a procedural resolution formally censuring Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-30) for allegedly making false claims about Trump-Russia collusion and misusing intelligence access. The resolution demands Schiff appear in the House chamber for a public censure reading and imposes a $16 million fine, citing specific incidents including false statements about the Steele dossier and a flawed FISA memo. This resolution does not change laws or policies but addresses Schiff's conduct as a representative, based on the resolution's allegations. It was introduced by Rep. Luna on May 23, 2023, and referred to the Committee on Ethics.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that AM radio receivers be included as standard equipment in all new motor vehicles (such as cars and trucks) sold in the United States, with a rule to be issued by the Department of Transportation within one year. The rule must ensure AM radio is easily accessible on the dashboard and allows manufacturers to use digital AM radio technology instead of traditional AM. During the one-year period between the bill's enactment and the rule's effective date, manufacturers must clearly label vehicles without AM radio. The bill also directs a study to evaluate whether an alternative system could deliver emergency alerts as reliably as AM radio across the country, especially during crises.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has final authority over energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing. It requires any energy standards developed under federal law (like those from the Energy Independence and Security Act) to be formally adopted into HUD's manufactured housing construction standards before becoming enforceable. The bill directly affects manufactured housing manufacturers and HUD, as it ensures HUD - not other agencies - controls which energy standards apply. Key provisions eliminate references to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and establish HUD as the sole authority for adopting these standards into its code. This streamlines the process but does not create new energy requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 3515, the "Stop the Outlay of Payments Act," requires federal agencies to notify the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director within 120 days when suspending or terminating any portion of a federal grant due to non-compliance with grant terms, laws, or information requests. The OMB must then maintain a public list of all suspended entities (like nonprofits, universities, or local governments receiving federal grants) on its website. Agencies cannot award new grants or disburse funds to these suspended entities until the issue causing the suspension is resolved, with two exceptions: if the suspension resulted from a clerical error or if the entity has an agreement with the agency to resolve the issue. This bill changes the process for handling suspended grant recipients but does not create new funding or alter the reasons for suspension.

Maddy summaryHR 3462 requires public schools receiving federal funds to obtain explicit parental consent before accommodating a student's gender identity (e.g., changing names/pronouns or facilitating social transition) or before referring students to medical providers for gender-related care. It prohibits schools from hiding a student's gender identity or transition plans from parents, withholding information about gender-related accommodations, or pressuring parents to support gender-affirming actions. Schools must publicly post written policies ensuring compliance and provide copies to families. The bill allows parents or the Attorney General to file civil lawsuits against schools violating these rules, seeking injunctions, attorney fees, or compensation for harm caused by unauthorized gender transition support.

Maddy summaryHR 3492, the Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act, prohibits federal agencies from funding or supporting state databases that track lawfully owned firearms or their owners. This directly affects states maintaining such databases, requiring them to cover costs themselves if they choose to keep these systems operational. The bill allows federal funding for databases tracking lost or stolen firearms, as specified in the exception. The key policy change is blocking federal financial support for databases compiling information on legal gun ownership, without banning the databases outright.

Maddy summaryThe POLICE Act of 2023 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to make it a grounds for deportation if a non-citizen assaults a law enforcement officer. This provision directly affects non-citizens (aliens) who commit such assaults, requiring mandatory deportation proceedings under immigration law. The bill adds a specific clause to the list of deportable offenses without changing criminal penalties for the assault itself. As a result, non-citizens who physically attack police officers or other law enforcement personnel would automatically face deportation as a consequence of their actions.

Maddy summaryThe Stop TSP ESG Act (HR 3406) requires the Thrift Savings Fund (TSP) to delegate voting rights on securities to a qualified professional asset manager instead of its governing board. This amendment to Section 8438(f) of Title 5, U.S. Code, directly affects the TSP, which manages retirement savings for federal employees. The key mechanism mandates that voting on securities must be handled by an external professional manager, removing direct TSP Board control over investment decisions. The bill's title indicates it aims to prevent the TSP from incorporating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors into its investment strategy.