Rep. Diana Harshbarger

Maddy summaryHR 828, the TROOP Act, allows service members involuntarily separated from the military solely for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine to request reinstatement to their previous rank and grade. It requires the military to provide back pay for the period between separation and reinstatement upon such a request. The bill specifically applies to individuals separated "solely" due to vaccine refusal, as defined in the legislation. It does not create new requirements for vaccination but addresses past separations by restoring pay and status.

Terrorist Deportation Act of 2023 This bill establishes that non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) identified in the terrorist screening database, except for lawful permanent residents, shall be deportable and inadmissible into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may temporarily waive the inadmissibility of such an individual if it is in the national security interests of the United States. DHS shall grant such a waiver only with the unanimous concurrence of the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of State. An individual identified in the terrorist screening database shall be ineligible for various immigration benefits, including asylum, withholding or cancellation of removal, voluntary departure, or adjustment of status. DHS shall determine on an expedited basis whether to remove an individual identified in the terrorist screening database, if the individual has not received a waiver and does not have lawful permanent residence status. The individual shall be entitled to various protections, including the right to be represented by counsel (at no cost to the government) and judicial review.

Maddy summaryHR 780, the "Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act," blocks federal funding for state and local governments that refuse to share immigration information with federal authorities under existing law (8 U.S.C. 1373). It requires the Attorney General to annually identify non-compliant jurisdictions and report them to Congress, with affected areas losing all federal funding for at least one year until compliance is certified. The bill directly impacts local governments that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, such as those with policies limiting information sharing. This policy change creates a direct financial penalty for non-compliance, replacing discretionary federal funding with a mandatory cutoff.

FTO Passport Revocation Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of State to revoke or refuse to issue a passport for an individual who has aided an organization that the State Department has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The individual may request a hearing with the State Department upon being notified of a revocation or refusal.

Visa Overstay Enforcement Act of 2023 This bill imposes various penalties on non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who overstay a visa or lawful immigration status. An individual who overstays shall be fined or imprisoned for up to six months, or both. Such an individual may not be admitted into the United States for 5 years, and may not be granted a visa for 10 years. For subsequent offenses, the individual shall be fined or imprisoned for up to two years, or both, and may not be admitted into the United States or granted a visa. The Department of Homeland Security shall make case-by-case exceptions for individuals who overstay due to medical necessity, public safety, or national security reasons.

Build up Illegal Line Defenses with Assets Lawfully Lifted Act of 2023 This bill directs certain amounts from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Assets Forfeiture Fund to the deployment of additional border security measures. Specifically, DOJ must report annually on the amount of total deposits into the fund that are derived from Mexican cartels. The bill makes available 50% of that amount for the construction of additional physical barriers and roads near the border to deter illegal crossings into the United States. Additionally, the bill prohibits the release of seized currency or contraband that likely belongs to or supports a foreign illegal trafficking organization while a civil forfeiture action is pending.

Maddy summaryThis bill helps new car dealers affected by pandemic-era supply chain disruptions by changing tax rules for inventory sales. It allows dealers using LIFO accounting to treat certain sales of unsold vehicles (liquidations) between March 2020 and December 2021 as "qualified" for tax purposes. Dealers can defer recognizing income from these sales and have until 2026 to replace the sold vehicles before potential tax adjustments apply. The provision specifically targets dealers who couldn't replenish inventory during the supply chain crisis.

Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2023 This bill revises the duties of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors to include holding public meetings. The board must provide public notice at least six days before such a meeting, unless the meeting is designated as an emergency. The TVA provides low-cost electricity in seven southeastern states. It also provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic House resolution (HRES 72) recognizes independent workers, contractors, and freelancers for their economic contributions to the U.S. It highlights their role in the growing flexible work economy and acknowledges the benefits of flexible work arrangements, such as freedom in hours and locations. The resolution does not create new laws or alter existing policies - it solely serves as a formal acknowledgment of these workers' significance to the economy. It references their $1.35 trillion economic contribution in 2022 and their growing share of the workforce (39% of U.S. workers).

This resolution recognizes and appreciates the dedication and devotion demonstrated by the men and women of law enforcement. It also condemns calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police.