Sen. James E. Risch

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 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 summaryS 117 (AMERICANS Act) prevents the military from discharging or taking adverse action against service members who refuse the COVID-19 vaccine. It revises discharge rules to allow adjustments to honorable status for those separated solely over vaccine refusal, reinstates members to prior ranks, and expunges related records from service files. The bill also requires the military to retain unvaccinated members equally, creates exemption processes for natural immunity, health conditions, or religious beliefs, and cancels bonus repayment obligations for those separated over vaccine refusal. It directly affects active-duty service members and veterans separated under prior vaccine mandates.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to destroy all existing firearm transaction records from discontinued firearms businesses within 90 days of the law taking effect. It also amends federal law to prevent the government from collecting such records from these businesses in the future. The ATF must report to Congress on the number of records destroyed. The bill directly affects how the federal government handles firearm transaction data for businesses that have ceased operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 122) codifies qualified immunity for law enforcement officers under federal law, specifically amending Section 1983 of the Revised Statutes. It directly affects federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement officers with arrest powers, including police officers and agents of law enforcement agencies. The key provision states officers cannot be held liable in civil lawsuits unless the constitutional right they allegedly violated was "clearly established" at the time of the incident, or a prior court ruling found the specific conduct lawful. This creates a clearer legal standard for holding officers accountable while shielding them from liability for reasonable mistakes.

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 authorizes Congress to award a single Congressional Gold Medal to wildland firefighters collectively, recognizing their service in protecting forests, grasslands, and communities. It directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal with input from the National Interagency Fire Center, with the medal to be displayed at that center for public access and research. The bill also permits the sale of bronze duplicates at cost to cover production expenses, but does not create new benefits or policy changes for firefighters. The medal honors all federal, state, local, and contract wildland firefighters who serve in high-risk conditions, including those who have died or been injured in service.