Rep. Ted Lieu

Maddy summaryThe SAFEGUARD Act of 2023 restricts U.S. arms sales to countries committing genocide or war crimes. It prohibits defense exports to countries with credible evidence of such violations, with exceptions only if the government has punished perpetrators, prevented recurrence, and provided compensation. The bill requires recipient countries to agree not to use U.S. weapons to violate human rights, mandates end-use monitoring to ensure proper weapon use, and enhances congressional oversight for arms sales to countries with serious human rights concerns. These changes apply to all defense articles and services sold, exported, or transferred by the United States.

Maddy summaryHR 1794 authorizes the minting of commemorative coins to honor the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. It specifies four coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, half-dollar clad, and proof silver $1) with defined weights, sizes, and mintage limits (e.g., up to 100,000 gold coins). A surcharge is added to each coin sale (e.g., $35 for gold coins), with all surcharge funds directed to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties to support legacy programs and the Games' operations. The coins must be issued only during 2028 and are legal tender, though the bill focuses solely on commemorative coinage, not policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 1777 establishes a $50 million annual fund (2024-2028) for collaborative defense research between the U.S. and Israel in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, directed energy, and automation. The bill directly supports U.S. and Israeli military forces by enabling joint development of new warfare capabilities to address current and future defense challenges. Key provisions include authorizing $50 million per year for collaborative projects, building on existing U.S.-Israel defense partnerships like counter-tunnel and counter-drone systems. This funding aims to strengthen bilateral defense innovation without altering existing military aid structures.

Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2023 This bill allows the use of hemp, cannabidiol (i.e., CBD) derived from hemp, or any other ingredient derived from hemp in a dietary supplement, provided that the supplement meets other applicable requirements. (Currently, the Food and Drug Administration's position is that CBD products may not be sold as dietary supplements.)

Transparency in Government Contracts Act This bill expands the Small Business Administration's (SBA) reporting requirements to include certain disaggregated demographic data about federal contracts (and subcontracts to the extent practicable) awarded to small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The SBA also must include whether such a small business participates in the 8(a) business development program.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores access to VA housing loans and educational benefits for Black World War II veterans who were denied GI Bill benefits due to racial discrimination, as well as for their living spouses, children, grandchildren, or direct descendants. It defines eligibility by requiring applicants to certify that their veteran relative was denied GI Bill benefits on racial grounds, with a five-year application window starting from the bill's enactment date. The VA must process these applications within 90 days and report to Congress on the number of recipients and total benefit value within one year. This addresses historical discrimination by creating new pathways to benefits for affected individuals and their families.

Maddy summaryHR 1159 amends the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 to require the U.S. Department of State to conduct biennial reviews of its Taiwan Guidelines and submit updated reports. The bill directly affects the State Department's diplomatic guidance on U.S.-Taiwan relations, mandating reports every two years after the initial submission. Each report must detail how current guidelines meet the Act's stated goals and identify specific opportunities to lift self-imposed restrictions on U.S. relations with Taiwan. This change establishes a regular process for evaluating and updating the State Department's approach to Taiwan engagement.

Maddy summaryThe Office of Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2023 establishes a new office within the Department of Justice to coordinate federal efforts on gun violence prevention. The office, led by a Director appointed by the Attorney General, will evaluate existing programs, identify data gaps, and make evidence-based policy recommendations to Congress and the President. It will work with an advisory council including DOJ officials and external members like gun violence survivors, community service providers, and public health experts. The office must produce an annual report to Congress on gun violence trends and policy recommendations, and the bill authorizes funding to support these activities.

Maddy summaryHR 1723, the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2023, amends the Foreign Assistance Act to remove restrictions on using U.S. foreign aid funds for abortion services. It explicitly allows U.S. foreign assistance programs to fund comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion services, training, and equipment. This change directly affects U.S. international health programs and recipient countries, enabling them to integrate safe abortion care into broader reproductive health services. The bill aims to align U.S. policy with global health guidelines by making abortion services a standard part of reproductive health care funded through foreign assistance.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies federal highway funding rules to prioritize safety for cyclists and pedestrians. It allows states and local governments to receive 100% federal funding for projects that connect existing bike/pedestrian infrastructure or reduce safety risks for these users, instead of the usual lower federal share. The bill also requires projects to align with state safety plans focusing on vulnerable road users and includes specific "Proven Safety Countermeasures" for cyclists/pedestrians. These changes directly affect states administering federal highway funds and local governments seeking to improve non-motorized transportation infrastructure.