Rep. Charles J. "Chuck" Fleischmann

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes sanctions on individuals and entities within the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) that administer or support a system paying terrorists and their families. It targets PA/PLO officials, specific entities like the Commission of Prisoners, and financial institutions processing these payments, requiring property blocking, visa bans, and restrictions on U.S. financial transactions. The sanctions apply if the PA/PLO continues payments described in the Taylor Force Act (2018), which previously mandated ending such payments. The bill terminates if the Secretary of State certifies the PA/PLO has ceased these payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study on designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a national scenic trail. The study, to be completed within one year of the bill's enactment, will assess whether the 287-mile trail - which traverses Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina through federal lands, wilderness areas, and national forests - should receive this designation. The study must be developed in consultation with the Benton MacKaye Trail Association and other interested organizations. It does not change current trail management or funding but evaluates the potential for formal national scenic trail status.

Maddy summaryHJRES 165 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a Department of Education rule issued in April 2024 that updated protections against sex discrimination in schools receiving federal funding. The resolution aims to disapprove this specific rule (published as 89 Fed. Reg. 33474), which would have required schools to address sex-based discrimination in educational programs. If passed, the rule would no longer be in effect, meaning schools would not need to comply with its requirements. This resolution directly affects all schools and educational programs receiving federal financial assistance, as it targets the implementation of the new nondiscrimination standard.

Maddy summaryThe Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 (HR 8997) allocates approximately $3.01 billion for Corps of Engineers construction projects, $5.71 billion for operations and maintenance of water infrastructure, and $1.77 billion for Bureau of Reclamation water management activities. The bill specifies funding for flood control, river and harbor maintenance, nuclear energy research, renewable energy programs, and water conservation efforts across federal agencies. Key provisions include restrictions on fund reprogramming, prohibitions on using funds for certain environmental regulations, and requirements for transparency in fund allocation. This legislation directly affects federal agencies managing water infrastructure, energy programs, and environmental initiatives, as well as states and local communities that receive federal funding for water and energy projects.

Maddy summaryThe SAVE Act (HR 8281) requires U.S. citizens to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It defines acceptable proof as documents like passports, REAL ID-compliant IDs, military IDs, or birth certificates, and mandates that states verify citizenship using information from government agencies like DHS and Social Security. States must establish processes for voters without required documentation to provide an attestation under penalty of perjury. The law also requires states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls when verified evidence shows they're not citizens. This bill directly affects all applicants registering to vote in federal elections and state election officials who must implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryHJRES 164 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a rule issued by the Department of Commerce regarding firearms license requirements. It directly targets the rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 34680), which would have revised licensing procedures for firearms dealers. If passed, the resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect by invoking the congressional disapproval process under federal law. The bill does not create new regulations but aims to halt an existing rule affecting gun license applicants and dealers.

Maddy summaryHRES 1340 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating the University of Tennessee, Knoxville baseball team for winning the 2024 College World Series - their first national championship in program history. The resolution honors the team's achievements, including being the first Southeastern Conference team to win 60 games in a season, and directs the House Clerk to send copies to the head coach, university chancellor, and athletic director. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the team's victory and support from fans and Tennessee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HR 2365, Public Law 118-66) directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Parkinson’s Project. It requires HHS to create and update a coordinated national plan for preventing, diagnosing, treating, and researching Parkinson’s disease and related disorders (including multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy), while coordinating federal research and care efforts across agencies like the NIH, CDC, and VA. The law mandates annual progress assessments, an advisory council with patient advocates and diverse experts, and annual reports to Congress on federal Parkinson’s programs and recommendations for improvement. It affects federal agencies managing Parkinson’s-related programs and aims to improve care coordination and research efficiency for patients and caregivers, with the law sunsetting in 2035.

Maddy summaryHRES 1335 is a non-binding resolution designating July 21, 2024, as "Guam Liberation Day" to commemorate the U.S. military's liberation of Guam from Japanese occupation on July 21, 1944. It directly affects Guam's community by honoring the island's historical resilience, the CHamoru people's suffering during the 1941-1944 occupation, and the U.S. military's role in the Pacific campaign. The resolution's key mechanism is a formal House endorsement of this commemorative date, urging the President to issue a proclamation encouraging public observance. This is a symbolic gesture with no legal or financial impact, focusing solely on historical recognition.

Maddy summaryHR 8847, the "Confronting CCP Human Rights Abusers Act," requires the U.S. Commerce Department to add China's Ministry of Public Security's Institute of Forensic Science (including its aliases) to the Commerce Department's sanctions list within 60 days of the bill's enactment. The law directly affects this Chinese entity by restricting its access to U.S. technology and exports through sanctions. A waiver is permitted if the President certifies the institute is not involved in human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang, submitting this certification to Congress within 60 days. The bill's key mechanism is the mandatory inclusion on the sanctions list, with the waiver option tied to human rights certification.