Rep. Michael Lawler

Healthy Air Travel Act This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to establish an interagency task force to develop and implement a strategy to identify and advance research on communicable diseases in air travel. The task force must consult with representatives from the aviation industry, health experts, and labor stakeholders in developing the strategy. Under the bill, the term communicable disease refers to certain diseases that have the potential to cause a future epidemic or pandemic of infectious disease that would constitute a public health emergency of international concern as declared, after the date of the bill's enactment, by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Stop Our Scourge Act of 2023 or the SOS Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to designate illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction and requires the Office of National Drug Control Policy to conduct an assessment regarding that substance. Specifically, the office must assess foreign manufacturing of illicit fentanyl, the tools and capabilities across federal agencies to address trafficking of that substance, the capabilities of the Mexican military to conduct counterdrug missions with respect to that substance, the capacities and willingness of China to take specified actions with respect to that substance, and illicit fentanyl being trafficked into the United States from Mexico.

Small Business Growth Act This bill increases from $1 million to $2 million to the limitation on expensing of depreciable business assets. It also increases the asset threshold amount used to reduce the expensing limitation.

Maddy summaryHR 3639, the After Hours Child Care Act, creates a new Child Care and Development Innovation Fund to improve access to child care for parents working nontraditional hours (such as evenings, nights, or weekends). The bill directly affects working parents with young children and eligible child care providers who serve these families. It authorizes competitive grants (ranging from $25,000 to $500,000) to providers or partnerships with businesses/community organizations to expand after-hours care programs, establish workplace child care, or improve existing facilities. Grantees must cover 25% of costs, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services must report biennially on program impact to Congress.

Wildfire Grid Resiliency Act This bill requires the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response of the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out a Resilience Accelerator Demonstration Program. Under the program, the office must make awards to DOE's National Laboratories for projects that demonstrate innovative technologies to improve the electric grid's resilience to wildfires, such as technologies for monitoring vegetation management or enhancing the safety of first responders who respond to electric grid emergencies.

Maddy summaryThe AIR PUMP Act requires airlines to provide nursing crew members (like flight attendants and pilots) with reasonable break time to express breast milk for up to one year after their child's birth, as well as a private, non-bathroom space for this purpose. It specifically excludes breaks during critical flight phases and ensures accommodations won't compromise safety, security, or require significant costs (e.g., aircraft modifications). The bill includes anti-retaliation protections for employees who request accommodations or file complaints, and enforces these requirements through the Department of Labor using existing Fair Labor Standards Act mechanisms. This directly affects airline employees who are nursing parents and their employers, aligning airline workplace policies with federal breastfeeding protections.

This resolution encourages the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to continue its work in educating the public about the dangers of antisemitism and the origins of the Holocaust, congratulates those responsible for the creation of the museum, condemns antisemitism, supports educational and community-based programs that counter antisemitism and hate, and supports the designation of a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Day.

Maddy summaryHR 3592, the Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act, would award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 627 women who served as "Donut Dollies" in the Red Cross Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program during the Vietnam War (1962-1973). The bill directs the Treasury to design and strike the medal, which would be presented by congressional leaders and then given to the Smithsonian Institution for public display and research. It also authorizes the sale of bronze duplicates at cost to cover production expenses. This commemorative measure recognizes the service of these women, who provided recreational support to U.S. troops across 28 locations in Vietnam while facing war-zone dangers.

Historic Preservation Fund Reauthorization Act This bill extends through FY2033 and increases funding for the National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund. The funding is provided from revenues from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas leases, and awards from the fund are made to states and other entities, including tribes and nonprofits.

Maddy summaryHR 3165, the Military Housing Transparency and Accountability Act, requires the military to create a new database tracking complaints about housing units occupied by service members and their families who do not own their housing. It mandates an annual report to Congress summarizing all complaints, categorized into specific types like mold or lead hazards (physiological), security issues (psychological), safety risks, and maintenance problems (timeliness and quality). This directly affects military members and their dependents living in government-provided housing. The bill aims to improve transparency by making complaint data publicly available and requiring the military to report on actions taken to resolve issues.