Rep. Debbie Lesko

Maddy summaryThe 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2023 establishes a federal advisory committee to study how location information is transmitted for 988 calls. The committee, composed of representatives from telecom providers, mental health organizations, crisis centers, and government agencies, will examine privacy concerns, technical standards, and funding needs for improving location data accuracy during 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline calls. It must submit a report within one year to Congress and the FCC with recommendations for potential policy changes. This bill does not enact new requirements but directs a study to address challenges in connecting callers to local crisis services. The committee will terminate 30 days after submitting its report.

Maddy summaryThe Menopause Research and Equity Act of 2023 requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to evaluate existing and ongoing research on menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life women’s health, identifying gaps in knowledge and funding over the past five years. The NIH must then develop a strategic plan with health professionals (including specialists like gynecologists and endocrinologists) to address these gaps and guide future research on treatments for menopause symptoms. The bill also mandates new NIH research on causes, symptoms, and treatments for menopause-related health issues, including a study on hormonal treatments. All activities must be funded using existing NIH resources, with no new appropriations authorized. This aims to improve scientific understanding of women’s mid-life health needs.

Maddy summaryThe ACE Act expands tax-advantaged education savings by allowing 529 plan funds to cover homeschooling costs and additional K-12 expenses like tutoring, therapies, and curriculum materials. It doubles the annual distribution limit from $10,000 to $20,000 for these expenses and adds a $20,000 annual gift tax exclusion for contributions to 529 plans. The bill also restricts tax-exempt bonds for school construction to states meeting specific school choice program metrics, requiring at least 40% of students to be eligible for programs like vouchers or education savings accounts. These changes directly affect families using homeschooling or private education, states with school choice programs, and contributors to 529 plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies retirement savings rules to help caregivers who temporarily leave the workforce. It allows eligible individuals to make "catch-up" contributions to retirement accounts (like IRAs or 401(k)s) as if they were age 50, even if they're younger, based on how long they've been out of work providing care. Specifically, the age threshold is reduced by the number of years spent in "qualified unemployment periods" (defined as at least one year caring for dependents with no earned income, after age 18). To qualify, individuals must self-attest under penalty of perjury that they meet these conditions. The change applies to taxable years after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 6734 prohibits the use of federal funds to finalize, implement, or enforce the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives' (ATF) proposed rule (2022R-17) defining "engaged in the business as a dealer in firearms." This bill directly affects the ATF by blocking funding for this specific regulatory rule, which was proposed in August 2023. The legislation does not create new requirements but prevents federal resources from being used to advance this particular ATF regulation.

Maddy summaryHR 357, the Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act, requires federal agencies to have rules signed by Senate-confirmed appointees (or senior appointees for initiation), aiming to increase oversight of regulatory decisions. It directly affects all federal agencies creating rules under standard procedures (covered by 5 U.S.C. § 553), ensuring higher-level accountability for rulemaking. Exceptions exist only if an agency head certifies that compliance would impede public safety/security, with required notifications to the OIRA Administrator and Federal Register publication. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will monitor agency compliance with these requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 6619, the PATROL Act, prevents the federal government from suing states for building border barriers. It specifically blocks the Attorney General from filing civil lawsuits under the 1899 Act against states that construct physical barriers (like walls, fences, or buoys) along the border to stop illegal entry or protect state territory. The law directly affects states building such barriers and the federal government’s legal authority to challenge those actions. This is a procedural change that removes a legal obstacle for states pursuing border security measures.

Maddy summaryHR 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2023, blocks the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing or enforcing a specific proposed rule setting emissions standards for 2027+ light-duty vehicles. It amends the Clean Air Act to prevent future EPA regulations from mandating specific vehicle technologies or limiting the availability of new vehicles based on engine type (e.g., gasoline vs. electric). The bill directly affects EPA rulemaking authority and automakers' compliance with emissions standards, ensuring new vehicle options remain diverse without technology mandates. This is a procedural change to federal emissions regulations, not a direct consumer or industry mandate.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of federal funds to cover abortions or related expenses (like travel or lodging) for unaccompanied immigrant minors. It directly affects unaccompanied alien children, as defined by immigration law, by blocking federal rules or guidance that would facilitate access to abortion services for them. The key provision bans the Health and Human Services Secretary from issuing, implementing, or enforcing any rule that enables such access using taxpayer money. This is a policy change limiting federal funding for abortion-related costs for this specific group, not a general abortion ban.

Maddy summaryThe SCREEN Act requires online platforms that host pornographic content for profit to implement age verification technology to block minors from accessing such material. It applies to platforms operating in the U.S. market or interstate commerce that create, host, or distribute content deemed "harmful to minors" (including pornography). Platforms must publicly disclose their verification methods, secure user data collected for age checks, and prevent minors from accessing prohibited content. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these requirements through audits, treating violations as unfair business practices under existing law.