Rep. Michael C. Burgess

Maddy summaryHR 829 streamlines the federal permitting process for natural gas pipelines by designating the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the sole lead agency for environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It requires all other federal and state agencies involved in pipeline approvals to coordinate with FERC early in the process, submit comments by set deadlines, and complete their reviews concurrently with FERC’s environmental review within a 90-day timeline. Pipeline companies applying for permits and the agencies issuing authorizations (like state environmental departments) are directly affected, as the bill prevents duplicate environmental reviews and mandates public tracking of application status on FERC’s website. Key provisions include requiring agencies to defer to FERC’s environmental review scope, setting strict deadlines for decisions, and creating standardized public reporting on permit progress. This bill focuses on accelerating approvals without altering environmental standards.

Maddy summaryHR 1040, the Flat Tax Act, establishes a simplified tax system where individuals and businesses can choose to replace the current progressive income tax with a flat rate. For individuals, it imposes a 19% tax on taxable income (first two years) or 17% thereafter, calculated as cash wages, retirement distributions, and unemployment benefits minus a standard deduction (e.g., $32,496 for joint filers). Businesses face a similar 19%/17% tax on "business taxable income" (gross receipts minus specific deductions like wages and business inputs), while repealing estate and gift taxes. The bill requires a two-thirds supermajority in Congress to pass future tax increases or cuts to deductions. It applies to taxpayers who elect into this system, not the general population.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor all U.S. Army Dustoff crews who served during the Vietnam War (1962-1973). It recognizes their critical role in evacuating nearly 900,000 wounded personnel, including U.S., South Vietnamese, and allied forces, under extreme combat conditions. The medal, designed with input from the Secretary of Defense, will be presented to the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum for permanent display. Duplicate bronze medals may be sold to cover costs, but the primary action is the commemorative recognition of these crews' service.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to audit unspent funds from major pandemic relief packages - including the CARES Act, American Rescue Plan, and related bills - within 30 days of enactment. It mandates a report listing all unobligated funds remaining under these laws. The unspent amounts would then be automatically returned to the Treasury’s general fund for deficit reduction, with no further congressional action needed. The bill directly affects how the federal government handles leftover pandemic relief funds, focusing on accounting and fiscal responsibility rather than new program benefits.

Maddy summaryHR 987 authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins honoring Golda Meir, Israel's first female Prime Minister, and the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Israel relations. It specifies three coin types: $5 gold coins (max 50,000), $1 silver coins (max 400,000), and half-dollar clad coins (max 750,000), with detailed weight and composition requirements. All coins will include Golda Meir's image, her name, and commemorative inscriptions, and will be sold during 2026. A surcharge ($35 for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins, $5 for half-dollars) will be paid to the American Friends of Kiryat Sanz Laniado Hospital Inc. to support its hospital operations.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) for purposes of federal law, a person's sex means the person's biological sex at birth; and (2) distinctions between the sexes are justified in certain settings, laws, and policies.

This resolution recognizes that current retirees and those nearing retirement expect certain Social Security commitments to be made. It further expresses the policy of the House of Representatives to exclude cuts to Social Security from debt ceiling negotiations.

Maddy summaryHR 899 would end the U.S. Department of Education by requiring its termination on December 31, 2023. This bill directly affects the Department of Education itself, eliminating its federal structure and operations. The key provision is a specific termination date, ending the agency's existence as a standalone cabinet-level department. No other mechanisms or affected groups are specified in the bill text.

This resolution condemns Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor to Nagorno-Karabakh (also known as Artsakh). The resolution calls on the U.S. government to work with international partners to deploy observers to explore opportunities for security and peaceful development. The resolution also calls on the President to (1) suspend military and security assistance from the United States to Azerbaijan, and (2) fully enforce a U.S. law prohibiting certain bilateral assistance to Azerbaijan until Azerbaijan takes demonstrable steps to cease all offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Reimbursing Border Communities Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to make grants to certain border communities for expenses related to security measures along the southern border. Specifically, the local government of a community is eligible for a grant if it is located within 200 miles of the border and is not a sanctuary jurisdiction as defined by the bill. Additionally, no grant may be used to reimburse nonprofit organizations, fund legal representation, or provide educational, housing, food, or health care resources to a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law).