Sen. Thom Tillis

Maddy summaryS 167, the "Protect and Serve Act of 2025," creates new federal criminal penalties for individuals who assault law enforcement officers causing serious injury or attempt to do so under specific circumstances. It directly affects law enforcement officers (including federal, state, and local officers) and those who commit violent acts against them. Key provisions include enhanced penalties (up to life in prison if death or kidnapping occurs) when the crime involves crossing state lines, using interstate commerce, weapons that traveled across state lines, or interfering with the officer's duties. Federal prosecution requires certification from the Attorney General or designee, ensuring states are notified or have declined jurisdiction before federal action. The bill aims to strengthen federal authority to prosecute such offenses when they impact interstate commerce or involve federal officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Homeland Security, Justice, and State departments to assess how transnational criminal organizations use social media and messaging platforms for recruitment and illicit activities (like drug trafficking or human smuggling) within 180 days of enactment. It mandates a national strategy within one year to improve interagency coordination, enhance intelligence analysis, and increase outreach to youth in border communities about cartel recruitment tactics. The strategy must prioritize protecting privacy and civil liberties while focusing on cartel activities, not individuals recruited. The bill does not create new penalties or funding but requires regular reports to Congress on implementation progress and civil rights safeguards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. border officials to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as "Remain in Mexico," for all eligible asylum seekers at the southern border. It changes the law to make MPP mandatory (replacing "may" with "shall" in immigration law), directly affecting migrants seeking asylum and border enforcement personnel. The key provision is a simple legal amendment ensuring MPP is applied without discretion, rather than allowing officials to choose whether to use it. This would require migrants to wait in Mexico while their U.S. asylum cases are processed, rather than being permitted to remain in the U.S. during the review. The bill does not alter asylum eligibility criteria or create new procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the time limit for prosecuting fraud involving pandemic relief funds from 5 years to 10 years. It applies specifically to violations related to major COVID-19 programs like the CARES Act, American Rescue Plan, and Paycheck Protection Program. The key provision allows criminal prosecutions, customs forfeitures, and false claims lawsuits to proceed within 10 years of the fraud occurring, rather than the standard shorter timeframe. This change aims to give prosecutors more time to investigate and pursue cases involving misused pandemic funding. It directly affects federal prosecutors, law enforcement, and individuals or entities accused of fraudulently obtaining pandemic relief money.

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process under which an applicant may submit other evidence to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill allows for a private right of action against an election official who registers an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses, including registering an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.

Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act or the FIND Act This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into contracts with an entity that discriminates against firearm trade associations or businesses that deal in firearms, ammunition, or related products. Specifically, the bill requires a federal agency to include in each contract for the procurement of goods or services awarded by the agency a clause requiring the prime contractor to certify that it (1) has no policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and (2) will not adopt a policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association during the term of the contract. The bill establishes (1) a similar requirement with respect to subcontracts, and (2) penalties for violations. The bill makes such prohibition inapplicable to a contract for the procurement of goods or services that is a sole-source contract.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025, requires lenders using the Uniform Residential Loan Application to add a specific disclaimer below the military service question. The disclaimer states: "If yes, you may qualify for a VA Home Loan. Consult your lender regarding eligibility." It directly affects lenders nationwide who use this standard loan form. The bill mandates this change within six months of enactment and includes a requirement for the GAO to study whether at least 80% of lenders comply within 18 months. The goal is to increase veteran homebuyers' awareness of VA loan programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Section 136 of the Clean Air Act, which established an incentive program for reducing methane emissions and waste in natural gas and petroleum systems. It directly affects natural gas and petroleum companies that previously participated in this program by eliminating their eligibility for related incentives. The bill also rescinds any unobligated funds allocated under that program before its repeal. This is a direct policy change removing a specific federal incentive mechanism, not a tax change.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the President to designate Ansarallah (the Houthi movement in Yemen) as a foreign terrorist organization within 30 days, imposing sanctions on the group and its officials or affiliates. It mandates a 180-day strategy to restore Red Sea navigation and degrade Ansarallah's military capabilities, including targeting their command structure and support networks. The bill also requires a report on humanitarian aid obstacles in Yemen under Ansarallah's control, detailing bureaucratic barriers, interference with aid delivery, and threats to aid workers. The provisions directly affect Ansarallah, its leadership (including key figures like Abdul Malik al-Houthi), and U.S. efforts to support humanitarian access in Yemen.

Maddy summaryThe FAIR PREP Act of 2025 prohibits the IRS Secretary from preparing individual tax returns or refund claims directly, except through existing programs like the IRS Free File Partnership. It specifically exempts returns prepared via the IRS Free File Program (established in 2002) and qualified return preparation programs defined under existing law. The bill defines "tax return preparation" to exclude basic error corrections, fillable forms with automated calculations, and IRS-provided tools like the direct e-file system. This change applies to returns filed 30 days after the bill’s enactment, with no impact on the IRS’s authority to offer electronic filing options for tax years ending before enactment.