Rep. Virginia Foxx

Maddy summaryHJRES 27 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a federal rule that redefined which waterways fall under the Clean Water Act's protections. It targets a rule submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 18, 2023, which aimed to revise the "Waters of the United States" definition. The resolution would formally disapprove this rule under a specific federal procedure (Chapter 8 of Title 5), preventing it from taking effect. This would directly affect how federal agencies regulate pollution and development near water bodies, including wetlands and smaller streams.

Maddy summaryThe VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to schedule appointments for enrolled veterans during the same phone call when they request care. This applies to veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system who contact the VA by phone to request appointments. The law mandates that the VA must complete the scheduling during the call - without delay or future scheduling - regardless of the appointment date. The requirement takes effect 120 days after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill terminates the national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020, under the National Emergencies Act. It ends the executive branch's authority to use emergency powers related to that specific declaration. The resolution passed both chambers in early 2023 and took effect April 10, 2023, without creating new policies or affecting specific groups.

Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act This bill prohibits using federal funds for certain abortion-related purposes outside the United States. The bill prohibits federal funding for certain foreign and domestic organizations that are engaged in activities such as performing abortions, furnishing items intended to procure abortions, or providing financial support to other organizations that conduct such activities. The prohibition does not apply to abortions resulting from rape or incest, or when the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term.

Maddy summaryHR 1581, the America Works Act of 2023, modifies work requirement exemptions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It expands direct exemptions to include individuals medically certified as unfit for work, parents or caregivers of children under 7, and pregnant women, while removing a specific enforcement clause (Section 6(o)(4)(A)(ii)). The bill adjusts existing exemption rules to clarify that certain exemptions apply retroactively to cases beginning before the bill's enactment date. These changes directly affect SNAP recipients who would otherwise face work requirements under federal law.

Maddy summaryHR 2445 establishes a new Office of the Special Inspector General for Ukraine Assistance to oversee all U.S. military and nonmilitary aid to Ukraine since January 2022. The Inspector General will conduct independent audits and investigations into how funds are spent, track weapons transfers, review contracts, and monitor compliance with U.S. requirements, directly affecting all agencies administering Ukraine aid. Quarterly reports to Congress must detail all obligations, expenditures, and comparisons of U.S. support versus other NATO allies' contributions. The office is funded with $70 million for fiscal year 2023 and terminates 180 days after unspent aid drops below $250 million.

Maddy summaryHR 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, would require public schools receiving federal funding to provide parents with greater access to educational information. The bill mandates that schools post curricula online or widely distribute it to parents, include school budgets in report cards, and provide specific information about school activities including violent incidents and plans to eliminate gifted programs. It also guarantees parents the right to meet with teachers twice a year, review library materials, and address school boards. These requirements would apply to all local educational agencies and schools covered by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill amends existing education laws to strengthen parental transparency and involvement in their children's education.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 30 seeks to block a Department of Labor rule that would have required retirement plan managers (like those handling 401(k)s) to follow strict "prudence and loyalty" standards when selecting investments and voting on company matters. The rule, published in December 2022, aimed to protect retirement savings by ensuring fiduciaries prioritize participants' interests. This resolution, if passed, would prevent the rule from taking effect, avoiding new compliance requirements for retirement plan managers and sponsors. It directly affects retirement plan administrators and the millions of participants in these plans.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 26 is a congressional disapproval resolution blocking the District of Columbia Council's approval of its Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-789). It directly affects the District of Columbia by preventing the new criminal code from taking effect, as Congress disapproved the Council's action under the Home Rule Act. The resolution formally rejects the Council's enactment of the code, which was transmitted to Congress on January 27, 2023. This procedural action stops the District from implementing the revised criminal code without further congressional action.

Maddy summaryHRES 215 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Nowruz, the ancient Persian New Year celebrated by over 300 million people worldwide, including Iranian Americans. It acknowledges Nowruz’s 3,000-year cultural history, its themes of renewal and human rights, and expresses appreciation for Iranian Americans’ contributions to U.S. society. The resolution has no binding policy impact but formally supports the holiday’s observance and the values of freedom and tolerance it embodies.