Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Maddy summaryHR 8653 authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Major Thomas D. Howie, a U.S. Army officer who died during the Battle of Normandy in WWII. The bill specifies the medal will be presented to his nephew, Tom Howie, or his next of kin, and then permanently displayed at The Citadel Museum. It also permits the U.S. Mint to produce and sell bronze duplicates to cover costs. This is a commemorative measure honoring Major Howie's military service and sacrifice, with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 5403, the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing or facilitating central bank digital currency (CBDC) directly or indirectly to individuals through financial institutions. It specifically bans Federal Reserve banks from offering digital products to individuals, maintaining individual accounts, or using CBDC for monetary policy implementation. The bill also clarifies that its restrictions do not apply to existing physical cash or private, permissionless digital payment systems. This bill directly affects the Federal Reserve's ability to develop or deploy a government-run digital dollar. The law aims to prevent the Federal Reserve from creating a digital currency that could enable transaction tracking or government oversight of personal financial activity.

Maddy summaryHRES 1255 is a non-binding House resolution introduced on May 23, 2024, that calls on all Americans to observe Memorial Day 2024 as a day of remembrance for military personnel who died in service. The resolution specifically honors "the men and women of the Armed Forces who have died in the pursuit of freedom and peace" and urges the public to demonstrate appreciation for their sacrifices. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a symbolic expression of national gratitude, emphasizing respect for those who died while defending democratic values. The resolution was co-sponsored by multiple House members and aligns with the traditional observance of Memorial Day.

Maddy summaryHR 895, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023, expands federal law to better prosecute organized retail theft by amending sections 2314 and 2315 of Title 18. It clarifies that crimes involving stolen goods valued at $5,000 or more over 12 months - including retail theft - can be prosecuted under existing federal statutes, and broadens definitions to include goods taken via "any facility of interstate or foreign commerce." The bill also creates a new Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security, requiring it to coordinate federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts, share threat information with retailers, and produce annual public reports on trends. This directly affects law enforcement agencies, retailers, and criminal justice systems by standardizing prosecution thresholds and enhancing interagency collaboration.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 106 is a symbolic concurrent resolution expressing congressional support for local law enforcement officers and condemning efforts to defund police agencies. It does not create new law or policy but formally recognizes officers' dedication to public safety, extends gratitude to them and their families, and specifically condemns calls to "defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish" police. The resolution directly addresses local law enforcement officers and their communities, emphasizing their role in protecting public safety and upholding the rule of law. Introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on May 6, 2024, it was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. As a non-binding statement, it reflects congressional sentiment but does not alter funding or operational authority for law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThe AUDIT EPA Act of 2024 requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct annual audits of its air pollution programs for six years. Each audit must be performed by an independent external auditor following specific professional standards and include a representative sample of programs funded by EPA grants, loans, and cooperative agreements. The EPA must submit detailed reports to Congress within 180 days of each audit, breaking down results by activity type (such as regulations, enforcement, and program management) and listing all grant recipients during the audit period. This bill directly affects the EPA’s operational transparency and the entities receiving EPA funding for air pollution initiatives.

Maddy summaryThe "Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act" (HR 1042) prohibits the import of unirradiated low-enriched uranium produced in Russia or by Russian entities into the United States, effective 90 days after enactment. The bill allows limited waivers for national security reasons or if no alternative uranium source is available, with specific annual import limits decreasing from 476,536 kilograms in 2024 to 459,083 kilograms by 2027. This law affects U.S. nuclear power plants and energy companies that currently import Russian uranium for nuclear fuel. Exceptions apply for Department of Energy national security needs and certain non-uranium isotopes. The restrictions would terminate on December 31, 2040.

Maddy summaryHJRES 98 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule that defined how businesses are considered "joint employers" for labor law purposes. The bill targets the NLRB's October 2023 rule (88 Fed. Reg. 73946), which would have changed how companies like franchisors or staffing agencies are held responsible for workers' rights. If passed, this resolution would cancel the rule, directly affecting businesses managing multiple employer relationships and labor organizations enforcing workplace standards. The measure uses a standard process under federal law to disapprove an agency rule, not creating new policy but reversing an existing regulation.

Maddy summaryHRES 1175 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House's view that hydropower is essential to U.S. energy security and grid resilience. It states hydropower should be a key part of an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy, noting its role in providing reliable electricity, supporting water management, and reducing reliance on foreign energy sources. The resolution calls on the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan for expanding domestic hydropower to strengthen national security and economic competitiveness. It specifically highlights hydropower's current contribution (6.2% of U.S. electricity generation) and its importance for grid stability during emergencies. The resolution does not create new laws or regulations but aims to influence future energy policy discussions.

Maddy summaryHR 8231, the James Earl Jones Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded to actor James Earl Jones in recognition of his distinguished career in theater and film, and his role in advancing inclusion and equal opportunities for people of all backgrounds in the entertainment industry. The Treasury will strike the medal with an image and inscription of Jones, and may produce and sell bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint's public enterprise fund. This bill serves as a ceremonial honor with no new legal requirements or policy changes.