Rep. Pete Sessions

American Safety And Fairness through Expedited Removal Act of 2023 or the American SAFER Act of 202 3 This bill expands the classes of non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who are subject to expedited removal (i.e., removal from the United States without further hearing or review). Specifically, the bill nullifies a 2004 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule  that generally limits expedited removal to certain situations, such as for non-U.S. nationals encountered within 14 days of entry into the United States without inspection and within 100 miles of a U.S. international land border. The bill also (1) prohibits DHS from implementing a rule that limits expedited removal based on how far a non-U.S. national was from the border when encountered or apprehended, and (2) modifies the relevant statute to state that expedited removal authority applies regardless of where the non-U.S. national was encountered or apprehended.

Maddy summaryHR 1388 authorizes the minting of commemorative coins to honor the 1865 Sultana steamboat disaster, the deadliest maritime tragedy in U.S. history. It specifies three coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar) with defined weights and compositions, to be sold at face value plus surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin, respectively). All surcharges collected will fund the Sultana Historical Preservation Society for museum development, including exhibits, artifact preservation, and facility construction. The coins are legal tender but intended for collectors, with sales limited to a one-year period starting January 2023.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to assess the inflation impact of major executive orders before issuing them. For any executive order projected to cost at least $1 billion annually in budget effects (excluding emergency relief, national security actions, or treaty implementation), the President must prepare a statement estimating its effect on inflation - whether it has no impact, quantifiable impact, or significant but undeterminable impact. Federal agencies must provide necessary data to support this assessment, and the President must submit an annual report to Congress detailing all such assessments. The bill does not change inflation policy but mandates a new procedural review for major executive actions.

Feral Swine Act This bill extends through FY2028 the feral swine eradication and control pilot program to respond to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health.

Maddy summaryHR 1313, the Transparency in CFPB Cost-Benefit Analysis Act, requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to include detailed cost-benefit analyses in all proposed financial regulations. The bill mandates that the CFPB explain the need for a regulation, assess costs and benefits for small businesses and the economy, evaluate alternatives, and justify decisions where benefits don't outweigh costs. It also requires consultation with the Small Business Administration if a rule increases costs for small businesses and a distribution analysis of burdens. This bill directly affects the CFPB's rulemaking process by increasing transparency in how financial regulations are developed.

No Retaining Every Gun In a System That Restricts Your Rights Act This bill modifies the retention requirements for firearm transaction records of federal firearms licensees (FFLs) that go out of business. Current law generally requires FFLs that go out of business to deliver their firearm transaction records to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This bill removes the requirement for FFLs that go out of business to deliver their firearm transaction records to the ATF. Further, the bill requires the ATF to destroy all out-of-business records it has collected from FFLs.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Department of Defense from using funds to pay for or reimburse abortion services, except when the pregnancy endangers the mother's life, results from rape, or results from incest. It directly affects military personnel, civilian DOD employees, and contractors receiving medical care at military facilities by restricting funding for abortion-related expenses. Key provisions include amending federal law to ban reimbursement for travel or licensing costs related to abortion services and repealing a 2022 DOD memo that expanded access to such care. The bill explicitly blocks all funding for abortion services beyond the existing exceptions, with no new exceptions added. It does not change abortion access for civilians outside the military healthcare system.

Maddy summaryHR 1263, the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, aims to end the use of special certificates that allow employers to pay people with disabilities below minimum wage or customary rates for similar work. The bill requires employers currently using these certificates to transition to competitive integrated employment where individuals with disabilities receive at least minimum wage or the customary rate for similar work. It creates grant programs for states and specific employers to support this transition, with a timeline to phase out special certificates over four years. The act also establishes reporting requirements and technical assistance to help individuals with disabilities find and retain integrated employment.

Maddy summaryHR 1162, the Accountability for Government Censorship Act, requires federal agencies to report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) any communications with social media platforms (like Facebook or Twitter) about content moderation during the prior five years. Specifically, agencies must detail instances where they sought to remove or suppress lawful speech, add disclaimers, or restrict user access, including the agency office involved, legal justification, platform names, and outcomes. OMB then compiles these reports into an unclassified summary for Congress within 210 days. The bill directly affects all federal agencies and the platforms they contacted, with Inspector Generals mandated to review agency compliance. It focuses solely on mandating transparency around government-platform communications regarding content moderation.

Maddy summaryHRES 165 is a non-binding resolution commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Texas Ranger Division, established in 1823 and recognized as North America's oldest state law enforcement agency. It honors all past and present Texas Rangers, including the 149 who died in service, and acknowledges their historical roles from frontier protection to modern law enforcement. The resolution highlights the Rangers' cultural impact, noting their presence in over 225 movies and 7 TV series, and their partnerships with federal agencies like the FBI. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the Rangers' legacy.