Rep. David Kustoff

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau titled Small Business Lending under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B) and published on May 31, 2023. The rule requires financial institutions to collect and report to the bureau credit application data for small businesses. On July 31, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ordered the bureau not to implement or enforce the rule until a related pending case is resolved.

Maddy summaryHR 1712, the Rural Health Innovation Act of 2023, creates two new federal grant programs to expand healthcare access in rural areas. The Rural Health Center Innovation Awards program provides grants (up to $750,000 initially) to Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural clinics, or entities establishing them, enabling them to operate walk-in urgent care centers with triage services and essential equipment like labs and x-ray machines. The Rural Health Department Enhancement program awards annual grants (up to $500,000 per year) to local public health departments in rural areas to enhance emergency services, primary care, and transport coordination. Both programs fund equipment, staffing, and outreach over five years, with $25 million authorized annually for fiscal years 2024-2028.

Maddy summaryHR 1711, the Rural America Health Corps Act, creates a new loan repayment program for health professionals working in rural areas. It provides up to $200,000 in repayment for eligible loans (covering principal and interest) in exchange for five years of full-time service in a rural health professional shortage area (HPSA). Participants must meet existing Loan Repayment Program requirements but serve in rural HPSAs instead of the standard locations, with the program not affecting HPSA designations through 2028. The program requires $50 million annually from 2024-2028 and mandates a final report evaluating its impact on rural healthcare access.

This concurrent resolution authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center on April 20, 2023, for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.

Maddy summaryHR 2454, the United States-Israel PTSD Collaborative Research Act, establishes a grant program to fund joint research projects between U.S. academic or nonprofit entities and Israeli institutions focused on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The bill directs the Secretary of Defense, with coordination from the Departments of Veterans Affairs and State, to award grants for collaborative research addressing PTSD treatment gaps, building on existing U.S.-Israel scientific cooperation frameworks. It specifically targets research into improved PTSD diagnosis and treatment methods, rather than providing direct services or benefits. The program requires annual reporting to Congress on research outcomes and terminates seven years after the first grant is issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 2451 (Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2023), prevents colleges receiving federal funds from punishing students or single-sex social organizations (like fraternities/sororities) solely because of their single-sex membership policies. It prohibits actions such as denying housing, scholarships, or leadership roles, or forcing students to waive these protections as a condition of enrollment. The law does not require colleges to recognize such groups, nor does it block disciplinary action for misconduct unrelated to membership (e.g., academic issues). It directly affects students in single-sex organizations and institutions participating in federal student aid programs under Title IV.

Maddy summaryThe ALIGN Act (HR 2406) permanently allows businesses to deduct the full cost of qualified equipment and machinery in the year of purchase, rather than spreading the deduction over multiple years. This applies to property placed in service after September 27, 2017, directly affecting businesses that make capital investments in eligible assets like manufacturing equipment or commercial facilities. The bill eliminates the previous requirement to depreciate these costs over time, reducing taxable income in the purchase year. It makes a temporary 2017 tax provision permanent, impacting businesses across various industries that purchase qualifying property.

Maddy summaryHR 1139, the GUARD VA Benefits Act, amends federal law to strengthen penalties for individuals or organizations charging veterans unauthorized fees when helping with VA benefit claims. It directly affects veterans seeking assistance with VA claims and the representatives (like advocates or attorneys) who might charge them fees. The bill adds a new provision making it a violation to solicit, charge, or receive any fee for preparing, presenting, or prosecuting VA claims, punishable by fines under Title 18. This change specifically targets unauthorized fee-charging while excluding fees covered under existing exceptions in sections 5904 or 1984 of the law.

Maddy summaryHR 1818, the Aviation Workforce Development Act, expands tax-advantaged savings plans (529 plans) to cover costs for specific aviation training programs. It allows funds from these plans to pay for tuition, fees, and required materials at FAA-certified aviation maintenance technician schools (Part 147) or commercial pilot training programs (Part 61 or 141). This directly affects students pursuing careers as aircraft maintenance technicians or commercial pilots by making these training costs more affordable through existing tax-advantaged savings. The bill amends the tax code to include these programs under "qualified higher education expenses" for 529 plan distributions.

Investing in Our Communities Act This bill reinstates the exclusion from gross income for interest on certain bonds issued to advance the refunding of a prior bond issue. The exclusion was repealed for bonds issued after 2017.