Rep. Susie Lee

Maddy summaryHRES 858 is a non-binding House resolution acknowledging the service of two groups: veterans who fought in the 1950-1953 Korean War (including 36,574 U.S. military deaths) and current U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as "Korean Defense Veterans" (nearly 25,000 personnel, with some having died protecting the armistice). It recognizes these veterans as "forgotten" compared to World War II veterans and highlights the ongoing U.S. military presence on the Korean Peninsula. The resolution does not create new benefits or policies but formally honors their sacrifices and contributions to defending democracy. It was introduced in November 2023 by a bipartisan group of representatives.

Maddy summaryThe Hire Student Veterans Act expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include veterans using educational benefits (like the GI Bill) to attend school. It directly affects employers who hire veterans receiving education assistance under specific veterans' education laws (such as Chapter 30, 33, or 1606/1607 of U.S. Code). The bill adds these veterans to the tax credit program, allowing employers to claim a credit for hiring them, while adjusting the minimum employment period requirement to exclude this group. This change applies to veterans hired after the bill's enactment, providing a financial incentive for employers to hire student veterans.

Maddy summaryThe SHIP Act imposes sanctions on foreign entities that knowingly handle Iranian petroleum, targeting those involved in port operations, transportation, refining, or ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil. Starting 90 days after enactment, the President must block assets, deny visas, and impose penalties on individuals or companies engaging in these activities, including family members or owners of sanctioned entities. It requires annual reports tracking Iran's oil exports, revenues, and key players like shipping companies and ports. The sanctions terminate if the President certifies Iran has stopped supporting terrorism and dismantled weapons programs.

Maddy summaryHR 6216 expands the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area boundary from 48,438 to 57,728 acres and grants the Southern Nevada Water Authority rights-of-way for pipeline construction without requiring payment of rents or fees. The bill designates approximately 736,188 acres in Clark and Lincoln Counties as the Southern Paiute Wilderness, with specific provisions for water rights management and wildlife activities within the wilderness area. These changes aim to balance public land conservation with infrastructure needs and military activities in Southern Nevada, while maintaining protections for conservation resources and existing land uses.

Maddy summaryThe Train More Nurses Act (HR 6122) requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Labor to jointly review all federal grant programs supporting the nursing workforce. Within one year of enactment, they must submit a report to Congress with recommendations to improve these programs. The report must specifically address three goals: increasing nurse faculty in underserved areas, creating pathways for experienced nurses (with 10+ years of clinical work) to become faculty, and expanding opportunities for licensed practical nurses to become registered nurses. This bill does not change existing programs but mandates a review and report to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHR 5997, the SHINE Act of 2023, creates a voluntary program to streamline local permitting for residential energy systems like rooftop solar, home battery storage, electric vehicle chargers, and hydrogen vehicle refueling. The bill directs the Department of Energy to develop an online permitting platform and provide technical assistance to local governments, aiming to standardize and expedite approval processes for these systems. It establishes a certification program for local governments that adopt the streamlined process and offers prizes to encourage participation. The legislation authorizes $20 million annually (2024-2027) to fund the program's implementation, directly affecting homeowners installing qualifying energy systems and local permitting authorities.

Maddy summaryHR 6201, the Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023, creates the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund to cover costs related to seizing and forfeiting property from Iran or its designated proxies (like Hezbollah or the Revolutionary Guard Corps) that violate U.S. sanctions. The fund, initially $150 million, pays for investigative costs, property management, informant rewards, and equipment for federal, state, and local agencies involved in enforcement. It also establishes an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security to improve interagency cooperation on enforcing export controls targeting Iran. The bill requires annual reports on fund usage and mandates repayment of the initial $150 million by 2034, unless waived for national security reasons.

Maddy summaryHRES 599 is a non-binding resolution urging the European Union to fully designate Hizballah (Hezbollah) as a terrorist organization, rather than just its military wing as the EU did in 2013. It recommends the EU implement sanctions, freeze assets, issue arrest warrants, and prohibit fundraising for Hizballah, aligning with actions taken by the U.S. and other nations. The resolution cites Hizballah’s history of attacks, its criminal activities in Europe (including drug trafficking and money laundering), and its ties to Iran as justification. It directly addresses EU decision-makers, calling for coordinated action to disrupt Hizballah’s operations across the continent. The resolution follows prior House efforts, including H.Res. 359 (2017) and H.Res. 558 (2022), which made similar requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to allow taxpayers to deduct over-the-counter naloxone purchases as medical expenses, similar to insulin. It directly affects individuals who buy naloxone without a prescription for personal or family use. The key provision adds "naloxone" to the list of deductible medical items under Section 213(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. The change applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the goals and ideals of National Veterans Small Business Week, celebrates the millions of people in the United States—especially veterans and their spouses—who benefit from Small Business Administration programs, and expresses appreciation for the continued service to the United States by the nation's veterans through small business ownership and entrepreneurship.