Rep. Michael Lawler

Child Care Investment Act of 2023 This bill increases the employer-provided child care tax credit, the amount excludable from gross income for dependent care flexible spending accounts, and makes the household and dependent care tax credit refundable. Among other provisions, the bill increases the rate of the employer-provided child care tax credit from 25% to 50% and increases the maximum credit amount from $150,000 to $500,000. It also increases (1) the pre-tax deduction for dependent care flexible spending accounts from $5,000 to $10,000, plus an additional $2,000 for each eligible dependent; and (2) the rate of the household and dependent care tax credit and makes such credit refundable.

Maddy summaryHRES 579 is a U.S. House resolution condemning Cuba's ongoing repression of citizens following peaceful protests on July 11, 2021. It specifically calls for the immediate release of over 600 arbitrarily detained Cuban citizens, including minors, who were imprisoned for exercising rights to free expression and assembly. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to advocate for their release, support Cuban civil society, recognize a 2023 Inter-American Court ruling holding Cuba responsible for murders of activists, and work with international partners to deny Cuba a second term on the UN Human Rights Council. It expresses U.S. solidarity with Cuban protesters and commits to supporting Cuba's transition to a government respecting human rights and democratic freedoms.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits U.S. federal agencies from entering new contracts with companies that boycott Israel after January 1, 2024. Companies must certify they are not boycotting Israel at contract signing, and contracts must include this prohibition. It applies to federal contracts over $100,000 for services or IT with companies employing more than 10 people. If a company violates the boycott prohibition, the agency must terminate the contract after 30 days unless the company ends the boycott. The bill explicitly states it does not infringe on First Amendment rights or take sides on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Maddy summaryThe IDEA Full Funding Act (HR 4519) mandates specific annual increases in federal funding for special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It requires Congress to appropriate increasing amounts each fiscal year - from $5.87 billion for 2024 up to $55.53 billion for 2033 - to reach 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for public schools by 2033. This directly affects all public school districts serving students with disabilities, as federal IDEA funding supports their special education services. The bill sets fixed dollar amounts or percentage targets (whichever is greater) for each fiscal year, aiming to gradually close the long-standing gap between promised and actual federal funding. It does not alter eligibility for services but mandates higher, phased funding levels to meet the 40% target.

Reignite Hope Act of 2023 This bill establishes a tax credit for the hiring of critical employees and makes permanent certain expiring provisions that increase the child tax credit. Specifically, the bill allows a $3,500 tax credit for the hiring of a critical employee. The bill defines critical employee as a healthcare professional, a law enforcement officer, member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew, a firefighter, an eligible child care provider, or a personal or home care aide. The employer of these professionals must certify that they worked full-time for not less than 75% of the taxable year in their professional capacity and that their primary place of employment for the majority of hours worked during the year is located in a qualified opportunity zone.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to revert mortgage guarantee fees for single-family homes to the rates in effect before May 1, 2023, effectively undoing a 2023 fee increase. It prohibits fees based on a borrower’s debt-to-income ratio and restricts future fee adjustments without following standard federal rulemaking procedures. The bill directly affects mortgage borrowers (particularly middle-class homeowners) and lenders who pay these fees, as it changes how mortgage finance agencies charge for loan guarantees. A GAO study will also examine the FHFA’s previous fee changes and their economic impact, with a report due within 14 months.

Maddy summaryHR 4395, the Natural GAS Act of 2023, requires the Department of Energy to conduct a comprehensive energy analysis (including full fuel cycle impacts) before setting new efficiency standards for gas water heaters, furnaces, boilers, and kitchen cooktops/ranges/ovens. It mandates that new rules must not cause a significant shift from gas to electric appliances in residential or commercial settings, and requires manufacturers to prominently disclose the analysis results on product labels at point of sale. The bill specifically protects key features of gas appliances (like burner types and grates) and exempts small manufacturers from certain requirements. This affects appliance manufacturers and consumers by adding transparency requirements while preserving gas appliance functionality.

Maddy summaryHR 4412, the Tick Identification Pilot Program Act of 2023, creates a federal pilot program allowing states to apply for grants to establish tick identification services. Residents would submit photos of ticks online with location and date details, and tick experts would identify species, assess disease risk, and provide prevention advice within 72 hours. States implementing the program must maintain a database of encounters, including location, tick identification, and educational materials provided. The pilot prioritizes states with high Lyme disease cases and runs through 2027, with annual CDC reports to Congress on collected data.

Maddy summaryHR 4413, the Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act, authorizes the U.S. Postal Service to sell a special semipostal stamp (where the price exceeds regular postage) to fund Lyme disease research. The extra revenue from stamp sales will be sent directly to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) for tick-borne illness research, with funds specifically protected from being used to offset NIAID's regular budget. The stamp would be available for at least six years, beginning one year after the bill becomes law, and the proceeds cannot reduce other federal funding for NIAID. This bill creates a new public funding mechanism for research, directly affecting those who purchase the stamp and the NIAID research programs.

Maddy summaryHR 4479, the "Positioning the Election Assistance Commission for the Future Act of 2023," designates the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) as the primary federal agency for election administration. It increases the EAC's annual funding to $25 million for fiscal years 2024-2026 (from $10 million), sets a maximum of 55 full-time staff, and gives the EAC exclusive authority to make payments to states for election equipment, technology, and security improvements. The bill prohibits using these funds for get-out-the-vote activities and requires any public communication funded by EAC payments to include a clear disclaimer stating it was paid for with federal taxpayer funds. These changes take effect October 1, 2023.