Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5]
Republican · SC · 15 bills sponsored
To authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr., for acts of valor as a member of the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
# Summary of HR 3377 **What the Bill Does:** This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Capers, Jr., a former Marine Corps member, for his acts of valor during the Vietnam War. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration in the United States, awarded for extraordinary bravery in combat. **Who It Affects:** The bill directly affects James Capers, Jr., and recognizes his military service during the Vietnam War era. More broadly, it honors a Marine Corps veteran and acknowledges his exceptional service to the country. **Current Status:** The bill has passed both the House and Senate and is ready for presidential approval. Congressman Ralph Norman (R-SC) sponsored the legislation.
To repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.
# Summary of HR 7628 **What the Bill Would Do** HR 7628 would eliminate the automatic cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that Congress members currently receive each year. Under current law, members of Congress automatically get pay raises tied to inflation unless they vote to reject the increase. This bill would remove that automatic mechanism, meaning congressional salaries would remain fixed unless lawmakers actively vote to approve a raise. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** This bill directly affects all members of Congress—senators, representatives, and leadership positions. Currently, members earn a base salary of around $174,000 annually, with automatic adjustments made each year based on inflation. The bill contains no exceptions or phase-in period; if passed, the automatic adjustment system would be repealed entirely. Members would need to pass separate legislation to increase their own pay. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee and has not advanced to a floor vote in the House. It was introduced by Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) in the 119th Congress.
To amend the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act of 1993.
# HR 4463 Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would modify the 1993 Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina Land Claims Settlement Act, though the specific amendments aren't detailed in the provided information. The original 1993 law settled long-standing land disputes between the Catawba Indian Tribe and the state of South Carolina by establishing terms for tribal land rights and compensation. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects the Catawba Indian Tribe of South Carolina, the state government, and potentially any parties involved in the original 1993 settlement agreement. Changes could impact tribal sovereignty, land ownership, or financial arrangements established nearly 30 years ago. **Current Status:** HR 4463 is currently in committee (as of the 119th Congress), meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC). Without access to the bill's specific text, the exact nature of the proposed amendments cannot be determined from this summary alone.
Rural Depositories Revitalization Study Act
# Rural Depositories Revitalization Study Act - Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would require the federal government to conduct a comprehensive study on the state of banking services in rural America. The study would examine challenges rural communities face in accessing financial services, including bank deposits and capital for business development. If passed, it would direct relevant federal agencies to investigate these issues and provide Congress with findings and recommendations for how to improve rural banking. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily concerns rural communities and small towns that may have limited access to traditional banking services. It could also impact rural businesses, farmers, and financial institutions serving agricultural areas. The study results could potentially inform future policies affecting rural economic development and financial services. **Current Status:** As of now, the bill remains in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House. It was introduced by Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) in the 119th Congress. No major action has been taken on the legislation.
Earmark Elimination Act of 2026
# Earmark Elimination Act of 2026 – Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would eliminate "earmarks" – provisions in spending bills that direct federal money to specific projects in particular locations or for specific purposes, often chosen by individual members of Congress. If passed, it would prohibit Congress from including these targeted funding allocations in appropriations bills going forward. **Who It Affects** The bill would impact states, cities, and organizations that currently receive earmarked federal funding for local infrastructure, research, or community projects. It would also change how Congress operates, as lawmakers would no longer be able to direct money to projects in their districts or states. **Current Status** The bill was introduced by Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) but remains in committee, meaning it has not yet advanced to a full vote in the House. No information is available about specific provisions or whether it has received significant support from other members of Congress.
CBO Oversight Act
# CBO Oversight Act Summary **What the Bill Does** The CBO Oversight Act would require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)—a nonpartisan agency that analyzes the budgetary impact of proposed legislation—to testify before Congress at least twice per year. Specifically, the heads of the House and Senate Budget Committees could each request these testimonies to discuss any topic they consider important, including reviewing how accurate the CBO's budget projections and cost estimates were in the previous fiscal year. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** This bill primarily affects the CBO Director and Congress, particularly members of the Budget Committees. The main provision is the mandatory testimony requirement: the CBO Director would need to appear at hearings by the end of each calendar year if requested. These hearings could cover the CBO's performance, budget forecasts, and any other budgetary matters the committees wish to discuss. Currently, the CBO Director testifies occasionally but is not required to do so on a fixed schedule. **Current Status** As of now, the bill remains in committee and has not been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced by Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) in the 119th Congress.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to prohibit Members of Congress from receiving compensation for any period during which a Government shutdown is in effect.
# Summary of HJRES 128 **What the Bill Would Do** This proposed constitutional amendment would prevent members of Congress from receiving their salaries during a government shutdown. A shutdown would be defined as any period when federal agencies lack funding due to Congress failing to pass regular budget bills or temporary funding measures. If passed, Congress would need to approve this amendment (requiring a two-thirds majority in both chambers) and then it would need to be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures to become part of the Constitution. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The amendment directly affects all members of Congress—senators and representatives—by withholding their paychecks whenever a shutdown occurs. The logic behind the proposal is that it would incentivize lawmakers to reach budget agreements quickly since their own compensation would be at stake. The amendment defines shutdowns specifically as lapses in funding for federal agencies or departments caused by failure to pass required appropriations legislation. **Current Status** As of now, the bill remains in committee, meaning it has not advanced to a full vote in either the House or Senate. This is a relatively common proposal that periodically resurfaces during periods of budget gridlock, though it has not been adopted in previous congressional sessions.
Camden National Battlefield Park Study Act
# Camden National Battlefield Park Study Act (HR 5219) Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would authorize the National Park Service to conduct a study examining whether the Camden battlefield area in South Carolina should become a national battlefield park. The study would evaluate the historical significance of the site, assess its condition, determine what lands should be included, and estimate costs for establishing and operating the park. It's essentially a fact-finding measure rather than a direct creation of the park itself. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects South Carolina residents and the Camden area, which would benefit from potential tourism and preservation efforts if the study results are positive. The National Park Service would be responsible for conducting the study, and local landowners could be impacted depending on the study's recommendations about which lands to include. **Current Status** As of now, HR 5219 remains in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Republican Representative Ralph Norman of South Carolina. If approved, the study would need to be completed and submitted to Congress, after which lawmakers would decide whether to formally establish the park.
Save our Allies Congressional Gold Medal Act
# Save our Allies Congressional Gold Medal Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would authorize Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize individuals or groups who aided Americans during military operations or conflicts. The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian honors the U.S. can bestow. While the bill's title suggests it's about "allies," the specific details about who would receive the medal and under what circumstances aren't provided in the available information. **Who It Affects:** The bill would primarily honor foreign nationals or groups who assisted U.S. military personnel—such as interpreters, guides, or local allies who provided intelligence or protection during overseas operations. Such recognition can be meaningful for these individuals and may acknowledge sacrifices made while working alongside American forces. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but hasn't yet been debated or voted on by the full House. Without more detailed information about the specific recipients or circumstances the bill addresses, it's unclear what the next steps will be or what level of support it has among lawmakers.
No Community Development Block Grants for Sanctuary Cities Act
# No Community Development Block Grants for Sanctuary Cities Act (HR 3987) **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would prohibit the federal government from providing Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to cities and counties that are designated as "sanctuary jurisdictions." Community Development Block Grants are federal funds that local governments use to support housing, infrastructure, economic development, and social services in their communities. If passed, this bill would cut off these funds to any jurisdiction that limits cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies. **Who It Affects:** The bill would primarily impact local governments—cities and counties—that have policies restricting their police or local authorities from assisting with federal immigration enforcement. It would indirectly affect residents of those communities who rely on programs funded by these grants, such as affordable housing initiatives, community centers, and infrastructure projects. It also affects federal immigration enforcement by potentially pressuring sanctuary jurisdictions to change their policies. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC).
Disapproving the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Prohibition on Creditors and Consumer Reporting Agencies Concerning Medical Information (Regulation V)".
# Summary of HJRES 74 **What the Bill Does** This bill would overturn a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule that took effect in January 2025. That rule prohibits credit reporting agencies from including medical debt on credit reports and prevents lenders from using medical debt when deciding whether to approve loans or credit. In practical terms, if this bill passes, medical debt would go back to being treated like any other debt on credit reports, and creditors could again factor medical bills into their lending decisions. **Who It Affects and Current Status** The bill would impact consumers with medical debt, healthcare providers, credit reporting agencies, and lenders. Supporters argue the rule helps people who face unexpected medical expenses, while opponents contend it limits creditors' ability to assess financial risk. Currently, the bill is in committee and has not yet advanced to a full vote in the House. Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) sponsored the legislation.
COST Act
# COST Act Summary The COST Act (HR 1387) is a bill introduced in the House of Representatives that focuses on government information and archives. While the bill's full details would need to be reviewed in official legislative documents, bills with this designation typically address how federal agencies manage, store, and provide access to government records and information. The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House. This legislation would primarily affect federal agencies responsible for maintaining government documents and records, as well as the public's ability to access government information. Depending on its specific provisions, it could impact agencies like the National Archives, other record-keeping departments, and potentially citizens seeking to obtain government documents. **Current Status:** The bill remains in committee and has not advanced to a full House vote. To learn the exact provisions and potential impacts, you can view the complete text on Congress.gov or contact the bill's sponsor, Representative Ralph Norman's office, for more detailed information about its intent. --- *Note: For comprehensive details about specific provisions, I'd recommend consulting the full bill text on Congress.gov.*
Fair-Value Accounting and Budget Act
# Fair-Value Accounting and Budget Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill would require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)—Congress's official scorekeeper for federal spending—to use "fair-value" accounting when estimating the cost of federal loan programs. Instead of using Treasury interest rates, fair-value estimates would use private-market interest rates to calculate what these loans actually cost taxpayers. The CBO would include these estimates whenever Congress considers new loan programs and in its regular budget outlook reports. **Who It Affects & Key Provisions:** Congress and budget committees would be directly affected, as they would need to use these fair-value estimates when determining whether bills comply with federal budget rules. Indirectly, this could affect any federal loan programs—such as student loans, small business loans, or mortgage guarantees—by changing how their costs are calculated and potentially making them appear more expensive in budget negotiations. The bill essentially changes the accounting method used to evaluate whether federal lending costs the government more or less than previously estimated. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee (as of the 119th Congress), meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. No action has been taken since introduction.
Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2025
# Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2025 - Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would require states to report abortion data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a condition of receiving federal Medicaid funding for family planning services. Currently, states voluntarily report this information. The bill would also have the CDC create standardized questions for states to use when collecting data about abortions, including information about the pregnant person's age, race, and the method used. **Who it affects:** The bill directly affects states that receive Medicaid funding and the CDC. Indirectly, it could impact women and families who use family planning services covered by Medicaid, as it establishes new reporting requirements tied to federal funding. **Current status:** The bill (HR 627) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve.
# Summary of HJRES 12: Congressional Term Limits Amendment **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would limit how long members of Congress can serve. If passed and ratified, senators would be limited to two terms (12 years), and representatives would be limited to three terms (6 years). Currently, there are no term limits for Congress members—they can serve indefinitely if re-elected. **Who It Affects and Key Process:** This would directly affect all current and future members of Congress. Because this is a constitutional amendment proposal, it faces a high bar: it must pass both the House and Senate with a two-thirds majority, then be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures (38 states) within seven years to become law. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House. **Current Status:** HJRES 12 was introduced by Representative Ralph Norman (R-SC) in the 119th Congress and remains in committee. Congressional term limits have been proposed many times over the decades but have never achieved the supermajority support needed to pass Congress and move to the states for ratification.