Rep. Michael K. Simpson

Maddy summaryHR 1046, the Marc Fischer Memorial Act, requires the Bureau of Prisons to implement digital mail scanning technology at all federal prisons to detect fentanyl and other synthetic drugs in inmate mail. It mandates a strategy within 90 days of an evaluation, including 100% scanning of all mail, digital copies of mail to inmates within 24 hours, and physical mail delivery within 30 days for non-contaminated items. The bill directly affects federal prison staff, inmates, and the Bureau of Prisons by aiming to reduce drug-related overdoses and alleviate staff workload tied to mail processing. Implementation must be completed within three years, with annual reports tracking detected drugs and strategy efficiency. The legislation focuses on concrete technological and procedural changes to enhance safety, referencing a successful pilot program at two facilities.

Fair Access to Banking Act This bill places restrictions on certain banks, credit unions, and payment card networks if they refuse to do business with a person who complies with the law. Restrictions include prohibiting the use of electronic funds transfer systems and lending programs, termination of an institution's depository insurance, and specified civil penalties. Banks and other specified financial institutions are allowed to deny financial services to a person only if the denial is justified by a documented failure of that person to meet quantitative, impartial, risk-based standards established in advance by the institution. This justification may not be based upon reputational risks to the institution. The bill establishes the right for a person to bring a civil action for a violation of this bill.

Maddy summaryThe Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025 (HR 907) establishes a final settlement of water rights for the Fort Belknap Indian Community (Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes) in Montana, confirming their rights to 20,000 acre-feet of water annually from Lake Elwell. The bill ratifies a water rights compact between the tribe and Montana, creates a process for exchanging Federal and State lands, and establishes two trust funds to support water infrastructure projects and management. It includes provisions for the tribe to manage water allocations, lease water rights, and develop infrastructure while protecting allottees' water rights through a Tribal water code. The bill provides specific funding for rehabilitation of the Fort Belknap Indian Irrigation Project and mitigation for the Milk River Project, with implementation requirements and timelines.

Maddy summaryThe MAILS Act requires the Postal Service to establish a formal process within 90 days for local governments to request new post offices. It mandates that for temporary relocations of post office services lasting more than two days (including for holidays or events), the Postal Service must collect community input, provide written notice to local elected officials 30 days in advance, and hold a public presentation. For relocations exceeding 180 days, the Postal Service must submit reports to Congress and local representatives detailing communication compliance and reasons for extensions. These provisions directly affect local communities, elected officials, and the Postal Service by increasing transparency in decisions about post office operations.

Life at Conception Act This bill declares that the right to life guaranteed by the Constitution is vested in each human being at all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization, cloning, or other moment at which an individual comes into being. Nothing in this bill shall be construed to authorize the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child.

Maddy summaryHR 21, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, requires medical staff at abortion facilities to provide the same immediate care and hospital admission to any infant born alive during an abortion as they would for any newborn. It mandates reporting failures to provide this care to law enforcement and imposes penalties of up to 5 years in prison for violations, with harsher penalties for intentional killing. The bill also allows women who undergo abortions to sue for civil damages, including triple the abortion cost, and provides for attorney fees. It defines "abortion" to exclude procedures performed after viability to preserve a live birth. This law directly affects healthcare providers at abortion facilities and creates new federal legal obligations for them.

Maddy summaryHR 685, the SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2025, prohibits the FDA from approving new abortion drugs or allowing investigational use of existing ones. It restricts existing abortion drugs to in-person administration by certified healthcare providers in clinics or hospitals (not pharmacies), limits use to pregnancies under 70 days gestation, and requires providers to certify they can handle complications like severe bleeding or ectopic pregnancies. The bill mandates reporting of adverse events (such as hospitalizations or infections) to the FDA without patient identifiers and defines "abortion drug" broadly as any drug intended to terminate pregnancy, excluding specific medical exceptions. This directly affects FDA approval processes, healthcare providers prescribing these drugs, and drug manufacturers.

Maddy summaryHR 703, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, makes a key tax deduction permanent for small business owners. It removes the temporary sunset provision (subsection (i)) from Section 199A of the tax code, ensuring the qualified business income deduction remains available for eligible small businesses. This change directly affects pass-through business owners (like S-corps, partnerships, and sole proprietorships) who currently qualify for this deduction. The permanent change takes effect for tax years starting after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 634, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2025, splits the current Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals into two separate circuits: the restructured Ninth Circuit (covering California, Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands) and a new Twelfth Circuit (covering Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington). The bill adds 2 new judges for the restructured Ninth Circuit and 3 new judges for the Twelfth Circuit, with appointments requiring Senate confirmation after January 2025. It establishes transition rules for existing judges, ensuring current judges in specific states are reassigned to the new circuits based on their duty stations, and ensures ongoing cases are handled without disruption. This reorganization directly affects federal appellate judges and the administrative structure of the U.S. Court of Appeals system.

Maddy summaryHR 7 prohibits federal funds from being used for abortions or health insurance plans covering abortion, with exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, or when a woman's life is endangered. It blocks federal premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act for health plans covering abortion (except in specified cases) and requires clear disclosure of abortion coverage and related surcharges in plan materials. The bill allows individuals or employers to purchase separate abortion coverage using non-federal funds, such as out-of-pocket payments, without affecting federal subsidies. It directly affects federal health programs, ACA marketplace plans, and health insurance issuers offering coverage that includes abortion services.