Rep. Randy K. Weber, Sr.

This resolution recognizes Israel as a close ally and condemns Hamas' attacks against Israel, as well as any countries or groups facilitating those attacks. The resolution also recognizes the protection of the Israeli people against Hamas rocket attacks as a matter of importance and calls upon the House of Representatives to account for Israel's need for interceptor missiles when authorizing or appropriating funds to respond to Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks against Israel.

Maddy summaryHR 6170, the Border Security and Terrorism Prevention Act, requires the immediate halt to all immigration processing at the southern border for both legal entries and unlawful crossings. It mandates that migrants apprehended there be detained and removed without delay, with border operations resuming only after the Secretary of Homeland Security certifies no terrorists can enter via the southern border (within 15 days). The bill also requires a detailed report to Congress on border security gaps, counter-terrorism efforts, and a plan to screen all apprehended individuals against terrorist databases before release. This legislation directly affects migrants seeking entry at the southern border and shifts enforcement priorities toward immediate detention and database verification.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to evaluate its current biometric entry and exit system within 180 days of enactment. DHS must submit detailed reports to Congress on system costs, staffing, travel wait times, privacy impacts, and how the system affects legitimate travel, trade, and counterterrorism efforts - while excluding U.S. citizen data. The evaluation must assess existing infrastructure, training needs, private-sector partnerships, and compliance with procurement rules. This is an oversight measure focused on reviewing DHS’s current implementation, not creating new policy.

Maddy summaryThe Stand with Israel Act prohibits U.S. federal funds from supporting the United Nations Human Rights Council until the UN Security Council and General Assembly adopt a resolution condemning Hamas for its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. This bill directly affects U.S. government funding for the UN Human Rights Council, blocking all assessed and voluntary contributions until the UN takes specific action. The key provision freezes U.S. financial support for the council based on Congress's finding that Hamas, with Iranian backing, launched a deadly attack resulting in civilian deaths and abductions. The law does not impact other UN funding or programs, focusing solely on the Human Rights Council's financial support.

Maddy summaryThe Bring Americans Home Act prohibits the U.S. Department of State from requiring American citizens to pay for government-assisted evacuations or departures from crisis situations abroad. It directly affects U.S. citizens evacuated by the State Department or receiving government-arranged departure assistance during emergencies overseas. The bill's key provision explicitly bans the Secretary of State from charging these costs, overriding any existing laws that might impose such fees. This ensures citizens face no financial burden when the government arranges their safe return from dangerous locations.

Maddy summaryHR 6096, the Allied Burden Sharing Report Act of 2023, requires the Secretary of Defense to submit an annual report by March 1st to Congress detailing allied contributions to common defense. The report must include each country's annual defense spending (as a percentage of GDP), their participation in U.S.-led military operations, any restrictions on how their contributions are used, and U.S. or allied efforts to address such restrictions. This applies specifically to NATO members, Gulf Cooperation Council states, Rio Treaty signatories, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The bill mandates these reports be submitted in unclassified form, with a potential classified annex, to the relevant congressional committees.

Maddy summaryHR 6074, the State Border Defense Act, authorizes state and local law enforcement officers in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to enforce federal immigration laws prohibiting unlawful entry into the U.S., directly affecting these states' officers and prosecutors. The bill allows state prosecutors to initiate federal immigration prosecutions in U.S. District Court and directly overturns the Supreme Court's 2012 Arizona v. United States ruling. It also permits these states to construct barriers on federal lands or waters to prevent unlawful border crossings, provided the barriers do not hinder border patrol operations or impede lawful travel. The bill explicitly states such barriers cannot be used as a defense against claims of unlawful conduct beyond their stated border security purpose.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 74 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing support for the Geneva Consensus Declaration, a 2020 agreement signed by 36 countries affirming that no international right to abortion exists, protecting life at all stages, and prioritizing the family as society's foundation. It urges the U.S. to rejoin this declaration, which the Biden administration temporarily withdrew from, while noting existing U.S. laws already prohibit federal funding for abortions or coercive family planning abroad. The resolution does not create new laws but calls on the President to restore U.S. participation and directs oversight to ensure U.S. foreign aid aligns with current abortion funding restrictions. It directly addresses U.S. foreign policy engagement with international health initiatives but does not affect domestic laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 71 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing support for Taiwan's full participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. It urges the U.S. President to formally invite Taiwan's leader to attend all future APEC leaders' events held in the U.S. on equal footing with other member states, including the November 2023 APEC summit in San Francisco. The resolution cites Taiwan as a major U.S. trading partner and a democratic ally, emphasizing that respectful engagement aligns with U.S. economic and security interests. As a sense-of-Congress resolution, it does not create new law but reflects congressional preference for U.S. policy toward APEC participation.

Maddy summaryHRES 812 is a formal House resolution censuring Representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) for pulling a fire alarm during a House vote on September 30, 2023, which disrupted legislative proceedings. The resolution states Bowman violated District of Columbia law (prohibiting false fire alarms) and federal law (prohibiting obstruction of congressional proceedings). As a result, Bowman must publicly appear in the House chamber for the censure reading and is immediately removed from all committee assignments, with no committee service permitted without a majority House vote. This resolution serves as a formal rebuke by the House, not a legal penalty.