Rep. Dusty Johnson

Maddy summaryHR 7450, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, prohibits payment card networks and covered entities (like payment processors) from requiring or assigning merchant category codes that specifically identify firearms retailers as different from general stores or sporting goods retailers. This directly affects firearms retailers and payment networks by preventing them from using business classification codes that could flag firearm sales. The bill establishes an enforcement process where the Attorney General investigates complaints, issues remediation notices, and can seek court injunctions for non-compliance, while preempting state or local laws on this issue. It does not create private lawsuits for individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 7049 repeals a Veterans Affairs directive requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health care personnel. This bill directly affects VA medical staff by removing a specific policy implemented in 2022. The key provision mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to formally cancel the directive (VHA Directive 1193.01) and prohibits issuing any substantially similar future rule. The bill focuses solely on reversing an existing administrative requirement, with no new benefits or obligations added.

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) titled Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay and published on November 14, 2023. The final rule allows for the importation of fresh (chilled or frozen) beef from Paraguay into the United States under certain conditions. The United States prohibits or restricts the importation of certain animals and animal products to prevent the introduction of various animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). In response to a request from Paraguay to allow the importation of fresh beef from Paraguay into the United States, APHIS conducted a risk analysis. APHIS concluded that fresh beef could be safely imported from Paraguay, provided that certain conditions are met. These conditions include that (1) FMD has not been diagnosed in the exporting region within the previous 12 months; (2) the meat originated from premises where FMD has not been present during the lifetime of any bovines slaughtered for U.S. meat export; and (3) APHIS may periodically conduct on-site evaluations and subsequent inspections of the slaughter facilities, records, and operations.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 90 is a non-binding congressional resolution condemning the Biden administration's January 26, 2024, decision to indefinitely pause LNG export permit approvals under the Natural Gas Act. It claims this pause harms U.S. economic interests (including jobs and exports to European allies, which accounted for over 50% of U.S. LNG shipments), weakens security partnerships in Europe, and undermines climate goals by reducing a lower-emission energy alternative to Russian gas. The resolution urges the administration to reverse the pause but has no legal effect, as it does not change any laws or permit processes. It is a symbolic statement of disapproval, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHJRES 114 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rule that would have required tracking greenhouse gas emissions as part of assessing performance for the National Highway System. The rule, published in the Federal Register in December 2023, aimed to establish specific metrics for evaluating highway system performance, including emissions data. If approved, this resolution would nullify the rule, preventing the FHWA from implementing the emissions tracking requirement. This action directly affects how the FHWA measures highway system performance, specifically regarding environmental metrics.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how credit reporting companies share homebuyers' credit reports during mortgage applications. It prevents companies from sending these reports to third parties (like marketers) just because a lender requested them for a mortgage. Only specific entities can receive the reports: the mortgage lender who originated the loan, the company servicing the loan, or the bank holding the homebuyer's account. This directly protects homebuyers' privacy by limiting unauthorized sharing of their financial data.

Maddy summaryHR 7234, the NACIE Improvement Act, requires the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) to include at least one Tribal College or University president in its membership within 180 days of enactment. The bill mandates that NACIE submit its annual report to the Education and Interior Secretaries by June 30 each year, ensuring these departments consider the report when preparing federal budget proposals. This directly affects Tribal Colleges by guaranteeing their representation on NACIE and influences how federal education and tribal funding decisions are shaped through formal budget review processes. The bill does not change funding levels but establishes a procedural requirement for tribal input into federal education budget planning.

Maddy summaryHR 7171, the Distribution Transformer Efficiency and Supply Chain Reliability Act of 2024, prevents the Department of Energy from finalizing rules requiring liquid-immersed or dry-type distribution transformers to meet efficiency standards stricter than "trial standard level 2" (as outlined in a 2023 proposed rule). The bill also mandates that any finalized rule implementing "trial standard level 1" or "level 2" efficiency standards cannot take effect for at least 10 years after the rule's finalization date. This directly affects transformer manufacturers and utilities by delaying stricter efficiency requirements and providing extended compliance timelines. The bill aims to stabilize the supply chain for these critical grid components by limiting near-term regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends SNAP (food stamp) program rules to prevent misuse. It requires states to suspend SNAP benefits for households making exclusively out-of-state purchases via EBT cards for over 60 days unless they prove they still reside in the state. It also prohibits households with members who own approved retail food stores or wholesale food businesses from using SNAP benefits at those locations (except for publicly owned stores or government entities). The changes take effect one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 5970, the SNAP Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2023, allows federally recognized tribes to manage their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits locally through contracts or compacts with the USDA. Tribes must request this option via a tribal resolution, replacing the current federal administration of SNAP for tribal members. The agreements would follow the same rules as existing tribal self-determination contracts under the Indian Self-Determination Act. This change aims to support tribal self-governance over nutrition assistance programs.