Rep. Tim Burchett

Maddy summaryHR 2526, the Bus Parity and Clarity Act, clarifies that over-the-road buses operating in scheduled or charter service must pay the same tolls and access terms as public transit buses at toll roads, bridges, tunnels, and HOV lanes. It updates federal definitions to explicitly include "charter service" under existing equal access rules and requires toll facilities to offer these buses identical rates. The bill mandates the Federal Highway Administration to publish a public database of toll rates and terms within 180 days of enactment. This directly affects commercial bus operators using toll infrastructure, ensuring they receive equitable treatment compared to public transit vehicles.

Maddy summaryHR 1908, the End Congressional Stock Trading Act, prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading stocks, bonds, commodities, or complex investments like hedge funds. Current members must sell existing holdings within 180 days (or 5 years for private funds), while new members have 90 days (5 years for private funds). Exceptions include broadly held diversified mutual funds, government retirement accounts, Alaska Native Claims Settlement stocks, and U.S. Treasury securities. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $100,000 per offense.

Save America's Forgotten Equines Act of 2025 or the SAFE Act of 2025 This bill permanently prohibits the slaughter of equines (e.g., horses and mules) for human consumption. (Current law prohibits the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption. This bill extends the prohibition to equines.) Specifically, this bill prohibits a person from knowingly (1) slaughtering an equine for human consumption; or (2) shipping, transporting, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donating an equine to be slaughtered for human consumption or equine parts for human consumption. The bill subjects a violator to a fine. The bill applies to conduct in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. However, it does not apply to an activity carried out by an Indian for a religious ceremony. As background, in recent years, the appropriations acts have prohibited the Department of Agriculture (USDA) from using federal funds to inspect horses before they are slaughtered for human consumption. Therefore, there are currently no USDA-inspected horse slaughter facilities in the United States.

Maddy summaryThe SHORT Act (HR 2395) redefines federal firearm definitions to exclude antique and collector firearms from being classified as firearms, and removes distinctions between short-barreled rifles and shotguns in federal regulations. It prevents state laws from imposing taxes or registration requirements on short-barreled rifles and shotguns, requiring state rules to align with federal compliance instead. The bill also mandates the federal government to destroy specific records related to these firearms within one year of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act of 2025 would prohibit states and local governments from imposing taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts during interstate or foreign commerce. This bill directly affects state tax policies and manufacturers or dealers selling these items across state lines. It explicitly states that the bill does not change the existing federal tax on firearms and ammunition that funds wildlife conservation programs. The key provision bans state-level taxes for these sales in interstate transactions while preserving current federal funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHR 2443, the NPR and PBS Act, would ban all federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), including funds used indirectly by public broadcast stations. This bill directly affects NPR, PBS, and any future organizations replacing them, as it prohibits government money from supporting them through any channel - like station dues or programming purchases. The key provision blocks all federal funds, both direct and indirect, from flowing to these entities after the bill's enactment. This would require NPR and PBS to find new funding sources, as they currently rely on federal support. The bill does not change how public broadcasting operates but eliminates its primary government funding stream.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Title IX to prohibit individuals assigned male at birth (based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth) from using locker rooms designated for females during active use in school programs. It directly affects transgender girls and schools implementing gender-segregated facilities. The key provision makes it unlawful under federal law to use such facilities when they are actively used by individuals of a different sex. The policy change takes effect 30 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 2314, the FAIR Act, requires hospitals participating in Medicare-funded residency programs to annually report data on applicants and acceptances from both osteopathic (DO) and allopathic (MD) medical schools. Hospitals must publicly affirm they consider applicants from both pathways equally and accept scores from either the COMLEX (for DOs) or USMLE (for MDs) exams. Non-compliant hospitals face a 2% reduction in Medicare payments starting in 2026 for each prior year of non-reporting. The bill directly affects hospitals receiving Medicare residency funding, aiming to increase transparency in admissions without mandating specific acceptance rates or federal oversight of medical education.

Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025 This bill eliminates the Optional Practical Training Program or any successor program, unless Congress expressly authorizes such a program. (The program provides an F-1 student visa holder temporary employment authorization before or after completion of the student's studies, or both.)

Maddy summaryHR 2286, the American Genetic Privacy Act of 2025, prohibits commercial DNA testing services (like ancestry companies) from selling or disclosing genetic data collected from users to the People’s Republic of China or any entity controlled by China. It directly affects individuals who use these services, as their genetic information - defined as data obtained through such testing - cannot be shared with Chinese entities. The bill empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce these restrictions as violations of unfair or deceptive trade practices under existing law. This creates a clear legal barrier to prevent U.S. genetic data from being accessed by Chinese entities through commercial DNA testing platforms.