Rep. Robert J. Wittman

Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2022 or the PAST Act of 2022 This bill addresses the practice of soring horses. The soring of horses includes various actions taken on horses' limbs to produce higher gaits that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness. Specifically, the bill expands soring regulation and enforcement at horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions, including by establishing a new system for inspecting horses for soring. In addition, the bill increases penalties for violations.

Maddy summaryHRES 1459 is a symbolic House resolution formally acknowledging the service and sacrifices of veterans who served during the Korean War (1950-1953) and current Korean Defense Veterans stationed in South Korea. It recognizes the contributions of approximately 1.8 million U.S. military personnel who served under the UN Command, including the 36,574 U.S. service members who died. The resolution specifically honors the ongoing service of nearly 25,000 U.S. personnel currently stationed in South Korea to maintain the armistice. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new benefits or policy changes but serves as a formal statement of congressional recognition.

Maddy summaryHR 9275, the BNA Fairness Act, amends the tax code to exclude the basic needs allowance paid to active-duty military members from their taxable income. This directly affects members of the Armed Forces who receive this specific allowance under 37 U.S. Code § 402b. The bill adds the allowance to the list of "qualified military benefits" under the Internal Revenue Code, ensuring it is not counted as taxable income. This change simplifies tax treatment for service members by removing this benefit from gross income calculations. The policy change applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHRES 1114 is a non-binding House resolution expressing support for recognizing "National Police Week" as a way to honor law enforcement officers across the United States. The resolution acknowledges the service and sacrifices of law enforcement officers, particularly those who have died in the line of duty, and specifically references 619 officers who died in 2021 as listed in the resolution. This resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage public recognition of law enforcement personnel. It calls for Americans to observe National Police Week by honoring officers and raising awareness about their essential role in community safety. The resolution was introduced by multiple members of Congress and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Maddy summaryHRES 566 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). The resolution recognizes CAP's 80 years of service, including its roles in disaster response (such as Hurricane Katrina, the Deepwater Horizon spill, and the COVID-19 pandemic), search and rescue operations, support for the U.S. Air Force, and youth aviation education programs. It honors CAP's contributions as a volunteer organization with over 10,000 trained members and assets like 560 aircraft, which have impacted millions of Americans through community support and emergency services.

Ukraine Human Rights Policy Act of 2022 This bill provides for congressional oversight of sanctions on foreign persons associated with human rights abuses in territory controlled by Russia and requires reports on human rights abuses related to Ukraine.

Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act This bill imposes criminal penalties and/or fines on individuals for directly or indirectly soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine or imprisonment.

American Confidence in Elections Act or the ACE Act This bill addresses election administration and security, campaign finance, and other related provisions. Among other provisions, the bill reduces certain election assistance payments for states and local jurisdictions that allow noncitizens to vote in state and local elections, establishes certain requirements related to election and political mail, prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or donations in connection with state or local ballot initiatives or referenda, repeals certain limits on coordinated party expenditures and aggregate contributions by individuals, terminates the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and requires remaining funds to be transferred to the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund, and prohibits the use of federal funds to establish a Disinformation Governance Board.

Protecting America from IRGC Terrorists Act This bill adds questions to certain visa, permanent residence, and naturalization applications concerning an applicant's association with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act This bill requires registered lobbyists to disclose any foreign countries or political parties that are involved in the direction, planning, supervision, or control of the lobbyist's activities.