Rep. Michael Lawler

Maddy summaryHR 3537 authorizes the minting of commemorative coins to mark the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Foreign Service, established by the 1924 Rogers Act. The bill specifies three coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar clad) with limited mintage (50,000 gold, 400,000 silver, 750,000 half-dollars) to be issued in 2025, featuring designs honoring diplomatic history. A surcharge on each coin sale ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollars) will fund the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST) to support its oral history program and diplomatic preservation efforts. The coins will be legal tender, sold at cost-plus-surcharge, with all revenue directed to ADST per the bill's provisions.

Maddy summaryHR 3508, the Comprehensive Southern Border Strategy Act, requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit a detailed strategy report to Congress within 12 months of the bill’s enactment. The strategy must outline current border security risks, assess existing technology and tools for combating drug and human trafficking (especially fentanyl), and provide cost estimates for physical barriers and technologies per mile of the southern border. It mandates DHS to justify chosen solutions based on stakeholder input from governors, local officials, and property owners, along with methodology for selecting barriers. The bill does not fund new projects but establishes a framework for evaluating border security measures.

Maddy summaryHR 3540, the INFANT Act of 2023, amends the WIC infant formula contracting rules under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. It changes the process for selecting formula manufacturers by requiring the Secretary or State agencies to choose two manufacturers through competitive bidding, designating one as the "primary manufacturer" and the other as the "secondary manufacturer." This directly affects the WIC program, which provides nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant women, infants, and children, and the infant formula manufacturers supplying the program. The key provision replaces all references to "primary" with "manufacturer" in the contracting rules to clarify the dual-supplier structure.

Walter Patterson and Werner Foerster Justice and Extradition Act This bill directs the President to report annually to Congress on fugitives and other individuals with respect to whom the United States is seeking extradition from other countries. The report shall contain information on the number of such individuals, U.S. diplomatic efforts to secure their return, and the factors that have prevented the resolution of outstanding cases.

Sand Acquisition, Nourishment, and Development Act or the SAND Act This bill allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to acquire fill material for beach erosion and nourishment purposes from non-domestic sources even if such materials are available from domestic sources.

Maddy summaryThe PATH to College Act (HR 3411) provides federal grants to public transit providers partnering with specific colleges to improve student transportation access. It targets community colleges, historically Black colleges (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges, and minority-serving institutions, prioritizing partnerships where over 25% of students receive Federal Pell Grants. The bill funds new transit routes, added stops, increased service frequency, or operating costs for routes connecting campuses to students’ neighborhoods or other cities. Funding starts at $2 million in 2025 and grows to $10 million annually from 2029 through 2031, with the federal government covering up to 80% of capital projects and 50% of operating costs. This directly supports students at eligible institutions by making public transit to campus more reliable and accessible.

This resolution expresses support for Israel's efforts of self-determination and collective security against external forces, recognizes Jerusalem as the legitimate capital city of Israel, and condemns actions by Hamas against the people of Israel.

Maddy summaryThis bill recognizes service in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II (July 1, 1943-December 31, 1948) by allowing qualifying individuals to receive VA headstones, markers, or other commemorative benefits. It requires the Secretary of Defense to issue honorable discharges to eligible former cadet nurses within one year of enactment, designating their service termination date. The bill does not grant full veteran benefits (like Arlington National Cemetery burial), but honors these individuals as veterans for specific commemorative purposes only. It directly affects surviving cadet nurses who served during that period and were honorably discharged.

Maddy summaryHR 3442, the America’s CHILDREN Act of 2023, creates a pathway to permanent residency for certain college graduates who entered the U.S. as children on specific work visas. It directly affects individuals who were lawfully present as dependents of nonimmigrant visa holders (like H-4 or L-2) for at least 8 years, graduated from a U.S. college, and have lived in the U.S. for 10+ years total. Key provisions include protecting applicants from "aging out" of eligibility by basing age calculations on when their parent’s visa petition was filed (not current age), and allowing them to retain their original visa application date ("priority date") if they later switch to a different visa category. The bill aims to provide stability for young adults who grew up in the U.S. but face immigration barriers due to visa status.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Comptroller General to annually investigate nationwide theft of mail and USPS property for five years, reporting findings to specific congressional committees. The reports must detail current USPS theft prevention measures and offer concrete recommendations for improving security. This directly affects the U.S. Postal Service by mandating regular oversight and providing Congress with data to inform future policy decisions. The legislation focuses on establishing a structured reporting process to address theft patterns, without specifying new funding or enforcement actions.