Rep. John R. Moolenaar

This resolution recognizes that current retirees and those nearing retirement expect certain Social Security commitments to be made. It further expresses the policy of the House of Representatives to exclude cuts to Social Security from debt ceiling negotiations.

Maddy summaryHR 936, the Tanning Tax Repeal Act of 2023, repeals a 10% federal excise tax on indoor tanning services that was originally enacted under the Affordable Care Act. This bill directly affects tanning salons and businesses providing indoor tanning services by eliminating their obligation to pay this tax on customer services. The repeal applies to services performed after the bill's enactment date, removing the tax provision from the Internal Revenue Code. The bill does not create new requirements or alter other tax policies, solely removing this specific tax.

Maddy summaryHR 914, the Simplifying Grants Act of 2023, requires federal agencies to simplify grant application processes for small local governments (defined as those in areas with fewer than 50,000 people, per Census standards). Within 180 days of enactment, agencies must review and simplify complex grant requirements for existing programs and ensure new programs are designed with simplicity from the start. Agencies must also publish public checklists for each grant step and report annually to Congress on implementation progress, including how much technical assistance was provided and how many grants were awarded to small communities versus larger ones. This bill directly affects counties, towns, and other small local governments that receive federal grants but face bureaucratic hurdles.

Maddy summaryThe Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2023 amends the National Labor Relations Act to explicitly include Indian tribes and tribal enterprises operating on Indian lands as covered "employers" under federal labor law. This means tribal governments and tribal-owned businesses on tribal lands would now be subject to the same labor protections and rules as other employers under the NLRA, such as those governing union organizing and collective bargaining. The bill achieves this by adding specific definitions for "Indian tribe," "Indian," and "Indian lands" to the NLRA, clarifying which entities fall under the law's jurisdiction. This change directly affects tribal governments and tribal enterprises operating on designated tribal lands.

Maddy summaryHRES 107 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and proposing the week beginning February 5, 2023, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." It highlights that TCUs - 35 accredited institutions serving over 230 federally recognized tribes - provide culturally grounded education, access to higher learning in underserved communities, and workforce preparation for American Indian, Alaska Native, and other students. The resolution calls on the House to support the designation and urges the public to observe the week with activities demonstrating support for TCUs. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but aims to raise awareness of TCUs' national importance.

Anti-Border Corruption Improvement Act This bill revises the waiver authority of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for polygraph examinations of applicants for law enforcement positions in the CBP. Any individual who receives such waiver and holds a current background investigation may be subject to further background investigation. The CBP may administer a polygraph examination to an applicant for employment or an employee who is eligible for a waiver if information is discovered prior to the completion of a background investigation that makes necessary a final determination regarding suitability for employment or continued employment.

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 summaryHCONRES 9 is a symbolic resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that formally denounces socialism as incompatible with American values, citing historical examples of socialist regimes causing widespread suffering and authoritarian rule. It states Congress opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States. This resolution has no legal effect, does not change any laws, and serves solely as a non-binding statement of congressional opinion. It directly affects no individuals or policies, as it is purely a declarative position.

Maddy summaryHJRES 31 is a procedural resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) concerning reproductive health services. It targets the VA's September 2022 rule (published in the Federal Register as 87 Fed. Reg. 55287), which established policies for reproductive health care access for veterans. If passed, this resolution would nullify the VA rule, preventing it from taking effect under the Congressional Review Act (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code). The bill directly affects the VA’s ability to implement its reproductive health services policy for veterans.

This resolution condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents. The resolution also expresses support for the people of Iran who are legitimately defending their rights for freedom against repression and condemns the killing of Iranian protesters by the Iranian regime.