Rep. Josh Brecheen

Maddy summaryHR 1228 prohibits the U.S. military and Department of Defense-operated academic institutions from promoting specific anti-American or racist theories in training. It bans military programs that teach ideas such as "the U.S. is fundamentally racist," "the Constitution is fundamentally racist," or that "an individual’s worth is determined by race." The bill explicitly states it does not restrict protected speech, research access, or educational contexts that clearly disavow military endorsement of such theories. This directly affects military training curricula, workshops, and educational materials within the armed forces.

Maddy summaryThe Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act of 2023 would establish a 13-member commission to review all federal agencies every 12 years (or less) to determine if they should be abolished, reorganized, or continued. The commission would evaluate agencies based on specific criteria including efficiency, cost-effectiveness, duplication with other agencies, and whether the agency has achieved its original purpose. Agencies would be scheduled for review and potentially abolished unless Congress reauthorizes them, with a supermajority vote allowing up to a 2-year extension. This bill directly affects all federal agencies and would require Congress to periodically assess the necessity of government programs. The commission would also monitor new legislation to prevent unnecessary creation of new agencies or programs.

Maddy summaryHR 1200, the National Right-to-Work Act, prohibits requiring workers to join a union or pay dues as a condition of employment in both private-sector workplaces (covered by the National Labor Relations Act) and railroad industries (covered by the Railway Labor Act). The bill amends key sections of these laws to eliminate provisions that allowed union security agreements, meaning workers in unionized settings would no longer be forced to pay dues to retain their jobs. This directly affects employees in unionized workplaces across the U.S., particularly those in industries with existing union contracts that included mandatory dues. The law changes the legal framework to ensure union membership and dues payment remain voluntary for all workers.

Women's Public Health and Safety Act This bill allows a state to exclude from participation in the state's Medicaid program a provider that performs an abortion, unless (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or (2) the woman suffers from a physical issue that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. Under current law, a state plan for medical assistance must provide that any individual eligible for medical assistance may obtain required services from any provider qualified to perform them.

CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act This bill limits the ability of the Federal Reserve to (1) provide direct services to individuals, and (2) use a central bank digital currency. A central bank digital currency is a digital currency (e.g., Bitcoin or Ether) issued by a government-backed central bank. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Federal Reserve and the Federal Open Market Committee from using any central bank digital currency to implement monetary policy. In addition, a Federal Reserve bank is prohibited from offering products or services directly to an individual, maintaining an account on behalf of an individual, or issuing a central bank digital currency directly to an individual. The Federal Reserve must (1) consult with each Federal Reserve bank with respect to any central bank digital currency study or pilot program, and (2) issue quarterly reports on the findings and determinations of any such study or program.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE for America Act of 2023 eliminates the Diversity Immigrant Visa program, commonly known as the "visa lottery," which provided annual visas to individuals from countries with historically low U.S. immigration rates. This change directly affects applicants and participants in the diversity visa program, ending their eligibility for this specific immigration pathway. The bill amends key sections of immigration law (Sections 201, 203, and 204 of the Immigration and Nationality Act) to remove references to the diversity program and adjust visa allocation procedures. The changes take effect October 1, 2023, permanently ending this visa category.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require the U.S. to withhold funding for the UNRWA (United Nations refugee agency for Palestinians) unless the State Department certifies UNRWA staff, materials, and facilities comply with specific conditions. Key conditions include confirming no ties to terrorism or anti-Israel rhetoric (like denying Israel's right to exist or promoting BDS), no misuse of UNRWA resources for terrorist activities, and adherence to international financial audits. It also caps U.S. contributions to UNRWA at levels comparable to Arab League countries and mandates annual reports to Congress on phasing out UNRWA support. These changes directly affect U.S. foreign aid decisions for Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and the West Bank.

Maddy summaryHR 997, the English Language Unity Act of 2023, would establish English as the official language of the United States government. It requires all federal government functions, including laws, regulations, and public communications, to be conducted in English, with exceptions for national security, disability education, census activities, and public health. The bill also sets uniform English language standards for naturalization, requiring applicants to read and understand the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and U.S. laws, with naturalization ceremonies conducted solely in English. This legislation directly affects federal agencies, government communications, and individuals seeking U.S. citizenship.

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 bans all federal funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology for any purpose. It also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study whether U.S. funds were provided to the institute or related Chinese entities (including affiliated researchers, China, the Chinese Communist Party, or their agencies) over the 15 years prior to enactment. The GAO must complete this study and report to Congress within two years of the bill becoming law. This directly affects U.S. funding decisions for the institute and its connections to Chinese research networks.