Rep. Keith Self

Maddy summaryThis resolution supports designating September 22 as "National Military and Veterans Suicide Awareness Day" to raise public awareness about suicide prevention among active-duty service members and veterans. It does not create new policies or funding but aims to highlight mental health challenges like PTSD and depression that contribute to higher suicide rates in these communities. The resolution emphasizes reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month (September). It directly affects military personnel, veterans, and the public by promoting national attention to this issue through a designated awareness day.

Maddy summaryHR 5382, the HUD Equity Action Plan Elimination Act of 2023, prohibits federal funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Equity Action Plan and blocks a related proposed fair housing rule. The bill stops all federal funds from being used to implement HUD's Equity Action Plan and explicitly disapproves a proposed rule about affirmatively furthering fair housing. This means HUD cannot carry out the Equity Action Plan using federal money, and the specific proposed fair housing rule (published February 2023) cannot become final. The bill directly affects HUD's ability to advance its equity-focused housing initiatives and related regulatory actions.

Maddy summaryHR 5319, the Ban Offshore Abortion Tourism Act, prohibits performing abortions that result in fetal death within U.S. maritime jurisdiction (e.g., international waters under U.S. authority). It targets abortion providers in these zones, with exceptions for life-threatening medical conditions, pregnancies from rape (requiring 48 hours of counseling or treatment first), or pregnancies from rape/incest involving minors (requiring prior reporting to authorities). The bill allows civil lawsuits against providers for violations, awarding triple damages, medical costs, and attorney fees, but explicitly protects women from prosecution or financial liability. It does not restrict abortion access in foreign countries or U.S. territorial waters.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the FDA to establish a standard of identity for honey within one year of enactment, ensuring honey meets specific quality and composition criteria. It mandates that honey labels clearly list country of origin in descending order of predominance (e.g., "Product of USA, Canada"), with U.S. producers allowed up to 5% foreign honey without violating labeling rules. The FDA must also report to Congress within two years on enforcement actions against misbranded or adulterated honey. These provisions directly affect honey producers, importers, and retailers who must comply with the new labeling and quality standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act to clarify that households must meet existing income and asset limits to qualify for food assistance benefits (like SNAP). It directly affects individuals and families applying for or receiving federal food aid by requiring strict adherence to current eligibility criteria under the law. The key provision explicitly states that households failing to meet these income and resource standards - already part of the program - cannot receive benefits. The amendment takes effect one year after enactment, with existing certification periods unaffected. This change enforces current rules without creating new restrictions.

This resolution honors and recognizes the patriotism and contributions made by generations of veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers and commends the members of such organizations for their dedicated service to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, their families, and their communities. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States to promote awareness of the contributions and dedication of members of veterans service, organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. Additionally, the resolution calls on citizens to follow the example of such groups and volunteer support and services to those who have served the country.

Maddy summaryHR 5127, the Visitor Visa Wait Time Reduction Act, requires the State Department to report on consular posts with visitor visa interview wait times exceeding 100 days and to take steps to reduce those waits. If wait times at any post exceed 300 days, the Secretary must temporarily reassign State Department personnel to assist consular staff at that location. The bill directly affects U.S. embassies and consulates handling visitor visa applications and the applicants waiting for interviews. It mandates specific administrative actions to address processing delays but does not change visa eligibility or fees. The focus is on improving internal staffing efficiency at consular posts, not altering immigration policy.

Maddy summaryHR 5130, the "Finish It Act," requires the Department of Defense to use stored border wall construction materials (valued at approximately $300 million) for building permanent barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border within 30 days of the bill's enactment. It mandates that states receiving materials certify they will use them exclusively for border barriers, with penalties for unused materials (requiring repayment of the original cost) and imposes a 1% budget cut for every two days of delay in implementation. The bill also demands a detailed report from the Department of Defense within 90 days, including internal communications about storage costs and contracts with private landowners. This legislation directly affects the Department of Defense and border states, focusing on redirecting existing resources rather than creating new funding or construction.

Maddy summaryHR 5084 designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 1106 Main Street in Bastrop, Texas, as the "Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office." This bill updates all official federal references - including laws, maps, and documents - to use the new name for the location. It directly affects the Bastrop post office and federal records referencing it, without altering postal services or policies. The change is purely ceremonial and procedural, honoring Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh through the facility's name.

Feral Swine Eradication Act This bill reauthorizes the feral swine eradication and control pilot program and removes the pilot program designation. This Department of Agriculture (USDA) program responds to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health. The bill also directs USDA to require the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to continue monitoring an area for reoccurrence of feral swine for one year after USDA determines that feral swine has been eradicated from an eligible area. The current even distribution of the program's funds between APHIS and the NRCS is amended to allocate 60% of the funds to APHIS and 40% of the funds to the NRCS. Further, the bill includes new reporting requirements, which direct APHIS and the NRCS to submit a joint report to Congress on the program. This report must be publicly available on USDA's website.