Rep. Michael Cloud

This joint resolution nullifies the interim final rule submitted by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security and published on March 29, 2022, concerning procedures for the consideration of asylum claims and other related issues. (Among other changes, the interim final rule requires an asylum seeker subject to expedited removal to be screened by an asylum officer for a credible fear of persecution or torture, rather than a credible fear of persecution, reasonable possibility of persecution, or reasonable possibility of torture.)

Maddy summaryHJRES 61 proposes repealing the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which would eliminate Congress's constitutional authority to collect federal income taxes on all income sources (except during a formally declared war). This bill would directly affect all individuals and businesses currently subject to federal income tax, removing the legal basis for the tax system. If ratified by 3/4 of states within seven years, it would require the Treasury Secretary to submit implementation recommendations within 180 days of ratification. The proposal does not change current tax law but seeks to remove the constitutional foundation for federal income taxation.

This resolution expresses support for the Supreme Court's holding in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (that there is no constitutional right to abortion). The resolution also applauds the courage of the Justices for standing by their allegiance to the Constitution and the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, and it expresses a commitment to supporting policies that continue to protect all life.

Maddy summaryHRES 1183 is a non-binding House resolution condemning domestic terrorist violence targeting religious organizations and pregnancy support groups. It specifically references multiple recent incidents of vandalism and arson against such facilities - including pregnancy centers and churches - occurring after the leak of a Supreme Court abortion decision. The resolution urges the Department of Justice, FBI, and National Security Council to investigate and prosecute these attacks and update domestic terrorism strategies to prevent future violence. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new laws but formally expresses the House’s stance against targeting these groups.

This resolution urges the Biden Administration to expeditiously restore the Migrant Protection Protocols, a policy requiring many asylum seekers arriving at the southern border to wait in Mexico while their cases are being adjudicated. It also urges the Administration to use certain public health powers, commonly referred to as Title 42 authority, to promptly expel migrants.

This resolution requests that the President provide to the House of Representatives documents concerning certain aspects of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations. For example, the resolution requests information, starting from January 20, 2021, about (1) the number of individuals apprehended by CBP along the southern border and demographic information about such individuals, (2) CBP officers stationed along the southern border, (3) individuals who had unlawfully entered the United States and have been released from CBP custody, and (4) the amount of federal funds expended relating to the care of individuals who had unlawfully entered the United States.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) the claims made by the members of the Texas legislature who have fled to the nation's capital from Texas are unfounded at best and deceiving at worst, and (2) their actions have further resulted in their abandonment of their responsibilities and duty to fulfill their oath of office. The resolution also urges the House Sergeant at Arms, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Department of Justice to cooperate with the Texas Department of Public Safety in their efforts to return these members to Texas.

This resolution supports the initiative of Governor Greg Abbott to complete a border wall in Texas and calls on other border state governors to follow suit. It also states that the status quo relating to border security is unsustainable, irresponsible, and dangerous.

287(g) Program Protection Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to allow qualified state and local law enforcement agencies to perform certain immigration enforcement activities if the agency requests such authority. DHS may refuse to grant the request only if there is a compelling reason. Currently, DHS is authorized to grant such authority but is not required to do so.

Ending Catch and Release Act of 2022 This bill changes the treatment of certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) without lawful immigration status, including by prohibiting the release of asylum seekers into the United States while their cases are pending. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may not (with some exceptions) release an individual who is not clearly entitled to admission into the United States while the individual's case is pending, even if the individual is an asylum seeker. DHS may instead detain the individual or return the individual to a neighboring country in certain situations. The bill also expands expedited removal from the United States (i.e., removal without further hearing or review) to include individuals present in the United States without being admitted, with certain exceptions. Under current law, individuals are subject to expedited removal if they lack proper documentation or obtained an immigration benefit through fraud; such individuals are still subject to expedited removal under the bill. The bill also modifies the standard for establishing a credible fear of persecution to avoid expedited removal. Generally, an asylum seeker may avoid expedited removal if an asylum officer finds such a credible fear. Under this bill, an officer may find credible fear if it is more likely than not the individual can establish their eligibility for asylum, whereas under current law, the officer may find credible fear if there is a significant possibility that the individual can establish their eligibility.