Rep. Ryan K. Zinke

Maddy summaryHR 925, the Protect Camp Lejeune VETS Act, caps attorney fees for legal claims related to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. It limits fees to 12% of administrative claim payments or 17% of court judgments/settlements, prohibits additional costs, and requires attorneys to certify fee amounts. The bill also mandates the Secretary of the Navy to issue claim documentation guidance within 30 days and a compensation schedule within 180 days. These provisions apply to all pending and future cases under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, ensuring transparency through annual fee reporting to Congress.

Finish the Wall Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume activities related to the construction of a barrier system along the U.S.-Mexico border and addresses other border-related issues. DHS must resume all such construction activities that were planned or underway prior to January 20, 2021. DHS must also expend all funds appropriated or explicitly obligated since October 1, 2016, for construction of this barrier system. DHS may not cancel contracts for activities related to such construction entered into on or before January 20, 2021. Furthermore, within 14 days of this bill's enactment, DHS must certify to Congress that U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities that process adults taken into custody at the border are fully compliant with certain laws related to the collection of DNA. (Among other things, these laws allow for the collection of DNA samples from non-U.S. persons detained under U.S. authority.)

Maddy summaryHR 29, the Border Safety and Security Act of 2023, grants the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to restrict entry at U.S. land or maritime borders for certain immigrants deemed "covered aliens" (those inadmissible under immigration law due to lack of proper documentation). The bill requires the Secretary to suspend entry if they cannot detain or process these individuals as required by existing immigration law. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the Secretary in federal court if they believe border policies harm their state's residents. The law defines "operational control" using terms from the Secure Fence Act of 2006. This bill directly affects immigrants seeking entry who fall under the specified inadmissibility category.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 13 is a concurrent resolution expressing Congress's support for maintaining the current policy that prohibits imposing new fees on local radio stations for playing music. It states that Congress should not impose any performance fee, tax, royalty, or charge on local radio stations for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on businesses like bars and restaurants that play music publicly. The resolution argues that such fees would harm local radio stations - critical sources for emergency information and community programming - and jeopardize the economic model that has supported both radio and the music industry for decades. This resolution does not create new law but formally opposes potential legislative changes to the existing fee structure.

Maddy summaryHR 812, titled the "Inflation Reduction Act of 2023," would repeal the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Public Law 117-169) and rescind unobligated funds from that law. This bill does not establish new policy but reverses the existing 2022 legislation, halting its ongoing programs and redirecting unused funding. It directly affects the continuation of the 2022 act's provisions, including climate and healthcare initiatives, by formally terminating them. The key mechanism is the repeal of the 2022 law and the rescission of remaining unobligated balances.

Terrorist Deportation Act of 2023 This bill establishes that non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) identified in the terrorist screening database, except for lawful permanent residents, shall be deportable and inadmissible into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may temporarily waive the inadmissibility of such an individual if it is in the national security interests of the United States. DHS shall grant such a waiver only with the unanimous concurrence of the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of State. An individual identified in the terrorist screening database shall be ineligible for various immigration benefits, including asylum, withholding or cancellation of removal, voluntary departure, or adjustment of status. DHS shall determine on an expedited basis whether to remove an individual identified in the terrorist screening database, if the individual has not received a waiver and does not have lawful permanent residence status. The individual shall be entitled to various protections, including the right to be represented by counsel (at no cost to the government) and judicial review.

Maddy summaryHR 780, the "Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act," blocks federal funding for state and local governments that refuse to share immigration information with federal authorities under existing law (8 U.S.C. 1373). It requires the Attorney General to annually identify non-compliant jurisdictions and report them to Congress, with affected areas losing all federal funding for at least one year until compliance is certified. The bill directly impacts local governments that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, such as those with policies limiting information sharing. This policy change creates a direct financial penalty for non-compliance, replacing discretionary federal funding with a mandatory cutoff.

FTO Passport Revocation Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of State to revoke or refuse to issue a passport for an individual who has aided an organization that the State Department has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. The individual may request a hearing with the State Department upon being notified of a revocation or refusal.

Visa Overstay Enforcement Act of 2023 This bill imposes various penalties on non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who overstay a visa or lawful immigration status. An individual who overstays shall be fined or imprisoned for up to six months, or both. Such an individual may not be admitted into the United States for 5 years, and may not be granted a visa for 10 years. For subsequent offenses, the individual shall be fined or imprisoned for up to two years, or both, and may not be admitted into the United States or granted a visa. The Department of Homeland Security shall make case-by-case exceptions for individuals who overstay due to medical necessity, public safety, or national security reasons.

Build up Illegal Line Defenses with Assets Lawfully Lifted Act of 2023 This bill directs certain amounts from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Assets Forfeiture Fund to the deployment of additional border security measures. Specifically, DOJ must report annually on the amount of total deposits into the fund that are derived from Mexican cartels. The bill makes available 50% of that amount for the construction of additional physical barriers and roads near the border to deter illegal crossings into the United States. Additionally, the bill prohibits the release of seized currency or contraband that likely belongs to or supports a foreign illegal trafficking organization while a civil forfeiture action is pending.