Rep. Daniel Meuser

Maddy summaryHR 5370, the Ukraine Reconstruction Act of 2023, directs the U.S. government to use assets blocked from Russia (designated as an "Aggressor State") and Belarus (designated as an "Affiliated Aggressor State") to fund Ukraine's reconstruction. It requires transferring these blocked assets into an international fund or a U.S. reconstruction fund if an international tribunal for claims isn't established promptly, with strict reporting and auditing requirements. The law expires on December 31, 2030, but allows for orderly winding down of operations. This directly affects Ukraine (as the recipient of reconstruction funds) and Russia/Belarus (as targets of asset freezes).

Maddy summaryHR 5383, the GIVE MILK Act, amends the Child Nutrition Act to allow WIC participants with young children to choose their preferred milk type (whole, low-fat, or nonfat) instead of receiving a default option. This change directly affects WIC participants caring for children aged 12 months to 4 years, aligning with dietary guidelines for that age group. The key provision requires the Secretary of Agriculture to issue the milk type elected by the participant or their guardian, updating WIC program regulations under Section 17(f) of the Child Nutrition Act. The bill focuses on enabling participant choice based on established nutritional recommendations for childhood development.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Small Business Act to standardize how federal agencies report on small business procurement goals. It requires agencies to include specific, detailed metrics in their reports, such as the percentage and value of contracts awarded to different small business types, the number of new small businesses winning contracts, and the number of first-time awards. Agencies must also add a discussion of actions taken to meet goals and analyze past practices' effectiveness. The bill directly affects federal agencies that award procurement contracts and aims to improve transparency in small business contracting data. It does not create new funding but requires agencies to use existing resources for these enhanced reports.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to develop and implement a strategy for scanning all incoming mail at federal prisons to stop fentanyl and other synthetic drugs from entering facilities. It directs the Bureau to evaluate existing scanning technology within 180 days and submit a detailed plan to Congress within 90 days, including how to provide digital copies of mail to inmates within 24 hours and physical copies within 30 days (if safe). The strategy must achieve 100% mail scanning capacity at all federal prisons, prioritize high-security facilities, and include a budget proposal for fiscal years 2024-2026. This directly affects federal prisons, inmates, and Bureau employees by changing mail processing procedures to enhance safety and reduce staffing burdens from manual mail checks.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the definition of manufactured homes under federal law by removing the requirement that they be "built on a permanent chassis." The change directly affects manufactured home owners and manufacturers by potentially expanding eligibility for certain housing programs and financing options previously restricted to traditional homes. Within 90 days of enactment, a federal committee must develop revised safety standards for manufactured homes to implement this definition change. The core provision simplifies regulatory classification, aiming to make manufactured housing more accessible as a homeownership option.

Maddy summaryHR 5184, the School Security Enhancement Act, amends existing education law to allow schools and school districts to use current funds for specific security upgrades. It directs local educational agencies to spend funds already allocated under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act on evidence-based security measures like controlled access points (e.g., metal detectors), bullet-resistant doors, crisis notification systems for law enforcement, and infrastructure to help first responders during emergencies. The bill directly affects schools seeking to strengthen campus safety using existing resources, without requiring new federal funding. Key provisions include installing technology for remote building control during crises and systems to quickly notify parents during safety incidents. All proposed security measures must align with evidence-based effectiveness where available, as determined by the state.

Maddy summaryHR 5073, titled the "Promoting Domestic Energy Production Act," is a tax code amendment affecting oil and gas companies. It changes how businesses calculate adjusted financial statement income by removing specific deductions related to intangible drilling and development costs from their financial reports. The bill requires companies to disregard depreciation and depletion expenses taken into account on their financial statements for these costs when computing taxable income. This applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2022, directly impacting oil and gas producers who use these accounting methods. The bill does not create new energy policies but alters tax accounting rules for the industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds spotted lanternfly control to the list of high-priority research initiatives funded by the USDA. It enables federal grants for developing and sharing practical tools to combat this invasive insect pest, directly affecting agricultural researchers and farmers in affected areas (like Pennsylvania, where the pest causes significant crop damage). The key provision modifies existing law to specifically include lanternfly research under funding programs, without changing current grant rules. The bill also extends the funding authorization period for such initiatives through 2028.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 60 is a symbolic congressional resolution calling for the immediate release of Marc Fogel, a U.S. citizen and former teacher imprisoned in Russia since 2021. It states Fogel was sentenced to 14 years for carrying medical marijuana (prescribed in Pennsylvania for his chronic pain) in his luggage, which the resolution deems an unjust and disproportionate sentence compared to typical Russian penalties for similar offenses. The resolution urges the Russian government to release Fogel, respect his human rights, and allow consular access, while also demanding the release of other detained U.S. citizens like Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich. It emphasizes Fogel’s health decline and the U.S. State Department’s failed humanitarian request for his release. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses congressional support but does not alter U.S. policy or law.

Preserving Family Farms Act of 2023 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase to $13 million (currently, $750,000) the limitation on the special use valuation for farmland or other trades or businesses for estate tax purposes. The increased amount is adjusted for inflation for estates of decedents dying after 2023.