Rep. Debbie Lesko

Maddy summaryThe Keeping the Lights On Act requires regional electricity grid operators (RTOs and ISOs) to submit annual reports detailing electricity demand, generation resources, and how extreme weather impacts supply. It establishes new "reliability markets" to ensure dispatchable power sources (like coal, nuclear, and natural gas plants) are available whenever intermittent sources (such as wind and solar) cannot meet demand, measured every 15 minutes. The bill prohibits the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from imposing environmental regulations on electricity generation and mandates that grid operators honor power wheeling contracts without diverting electricity to serve their own load. These provisions aim to enhance grid reliability during peak demand and extreme weather events by prioritizing consistent power sources.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funding for elementary and secondary schools that partner with Chinese government-funded programs, including Confucius Institutes, Confucius Classrooms, or other entities receiving support from China's government (e.g., through teaching materials, personnel, or funds). It directly affects schools with these specific ties to the People's Republic of China. The prohibition takes effect one year after enactment, with the Education Secretary required to notify schools and provide compliance guidance within 90 days of enactment. The policy change blocks federal education funds for schools meeting the defined criteria, without altering existing educational content or curriculum standards.

Maddy summaryThe Conscience Protection Act of 2024 would strengthen protections for health care providers, facilities, and organizations that refuse to participate in or provide coverage for abortions, assisted suicide, or other procedures conflicting with their religious or moral beliefs. It creates a private right of action allowing individuals or entities to sue when their conscience rights are violated, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to enforce existing conscience protections through the Office for Civil Rights. The bill prohibits discrimination against health care entities that decline to provide or facilitate these services, while ensuring these protections don't interfere with emergency care requirements under existing law. It also establishes clearer enforcement mechanisms, including the ability to terminate federal funding for non-compliance with conscience protections.

Maddy summaryThis bill simplifies tax administration by changing key IRS filing rules. It establishes that electronic submissions (like tax returns or payments) are considered delivered on the date sent, not when the IRS receives them, starting in 2025. It also extends deadlines for S-corporation tax elections, allowing late filings if the IRS finds "reasonable cause," and moves individual estimated tax payment deadlines from June/September to July/October for tax years beginning after 2024. These changes directly affect individual taxpayers and small businesses managing their tax filings.

Maddy summaryHRES 1305 is a procedural resolution that formally rescinds subpoenas issued by the January 6th Select Committee to four individuals (Stephen Bannon, Mark Meadows, Daniel Scavino Jr., and Peter Navarro) and withdraws the committee’s recommendations finding them in contempt of Congress. The bill specifically cancels subpoenas from September 2021, October 2021, and February 2022, along with related contempt resolutions adopted in 2021-2022. It does not alter legal proceedings but withdraws the committee’s authority to enforce these actions. The resolution is supported by House members who argue the committee was partisan and illegitimate, though the bill itself only addresses the committee’s procedural actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill rescinds unspent funds from specific federal programs. It targets leftover money from pandemic relief (like the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan) and certain infrastructure initiatives (including education stabilization funds and transportation programs like the Congestion Mitigation Program). The rescission is limited to amounts already allocated for Israel, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific security supplements under recent appropriations. Unspent funds must be returned to the Treasury, with no new spending created.

Maddy summaryHRES 1303 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on June 14, 2024, that condemns the Biden administration's suspension of pending approvals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to countries without free trade agreements with the U.S. The resolution argues this action is politically motivated, citing studies showing economic benefits of LNG exports and noting that previous administrations conducted similar environmental reviews without halting permits. It calls for lifting the suspension to restore confidence in the energy sector, prioritize U.S. workers and communities, and align with the administration's stated goals of economic growth. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but formally expresses congressional disapproval of the administration's approach.

Maddy summaryHRES 1300 is a non-binding House resolution condemning campus protests and the groups organizing them. It specifically targets protesters at universities like Columbia and George Washington for actions including blocking classes, using antisemitic rhetoric, and defacing U.S. flags with Palestinian flags. The resolution condemns organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine and George Soros for funding these protests, and calls for an investigation into foreign adversaries involved. It also urges politicians to reject contributions from groups supporting anti-American or antisemitic demonstrations. The resolution does not create new laws but expresses the House's position on campus protests.

Maddy summaryThe No Hidden FEES Act of 2023 requires hotels, motels, short-term rentals (like Airbnb), and online booking platforms to display the total price of a stay - including all required fees - before a reservation is made. It prohibits advertising a base price that excludes mandatory fees, though providers may still list individual fees if the total price is clearly shown. The law excludes corporate, government, or institutional travel bookings from these requirements. It applies to new reservations made one year after enactment and is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general.

Maddy summaryHR 5012 (SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023) authorizes federal funding to improve stillbirth research and data collection. It provides $5 million annually for states to collect standardized stillbirth data (including risk factors) while protecting privacy, $1 million annually for developing public educational materials and data collection guidelines, and $3 million annually for medical fellowships training pathologists in perinatal autopsy and stillbirth research. The bill directly affects state health departments, medical professionals (like obstetricians and pathologists), and families who experience stillbirth by improving data quality for future research. It requires federal reports on guidelines and program effectiveness within five years but does not provide direct medical care or financial assistance to families.