Rep. Michelle Steel

Maddy summaryHRES 1002 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year (celebrated as the Year of the Dragon in 2024). It acknowledges the holiday's 4,000-year history in China, its celebration across Asia (including Seollal and Tết), and its significance to Asian Americans and others in the U.S. The resolution expresses respect for those observing the holiday and wishes them a happy new year, but it does not create new laws, policies, or funding. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no direct effect on legislation or constituents.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates over $15 billion in supplemental funding for U.S. security assistance to Israel following attacks in Israel. It includes specific allocations such as $5.2 billion for Israel's Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam defense systems, as well as funds for military personnel, operations, and equipment across all branches of the military. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State to submit regular reports to Congress detailing security assistance provided to Israel and designates all funding as "emergency requirements" under federal law. This funding directly supports U.S. security assistance programs with Israel to respond to regional security threats.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HR 7242 (Loans in our Neighborhoods Act), increases the maximum loan size for Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) loans from $5 million to $10 million. It directly affects small businesses seeking SBA financing for expansion, equipment purchases, or working capital by allowing them to access larger loans. The key change amends the Small Business Act to double the cap on these standard loans, making it easier for qualifying businesses to secure more substantial funding without needing alternative loan structures. This is a straightforward policy adjustment to the existing SBA loan program.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to integrate behavioral health, mental health, and substance use disorder treatment into housing support for homeless individuals. It requires housing programs receiving federal funds to partner with nearby Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics for eligible participants, defined as those in supportive housing, receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), or classified as homeless with a disability. The bill sets aside 2% of annual funding for this integration and provides incentives of up to $500,000 per 1,000 homeless individuals in high-need areas, capped at $2 million per project. It also mandates annual reports on implementation progress to Congress.

Maddy summaryHRES 974 is a non-binding House resolution supporting the designation of January 21-27, 2024, as "National School Choice Week." It encourages parents to learn about K-12 education options - including public schools, charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling - and promotes public awareness of educational choice. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally expresses the House's backing for this annual observance. It directly affects parents and students by highlighting available education pathways and urging communities to host events celebrating school choice. The resolution was introduced by multiple House members and referred to the Education Committee.

Maddy summaryHRES 882 is a non-binding resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on November 21, 2023, declaring support and gratitude to food banks, food pantries, and community-based organizations addressing food insecurity. It recognizes these groups' work in serving over 5 billion meals annually, rescuing wasted food (nearly 118 billion pounds yearly), and supporting vulnerable populations including 44.2 million people in food-insecure households in 2022. The resolution specifically acknowledges their role in providing emergency aid, nutrition education, and disaster response, while highlighting that 55% of food-insecure households did not access federal nutrition programs. It does not create new policies or funding but formally commends these organizations' contributions to reducing food insecurity and improving community health.

Maddy summaryThe Death Tax Repeal Act would eliminate the federal estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax for estates of people who die on or after the bill's enactment date, and for generation-skipping transfers made after that date. It would also establish a new $10 million lifetime gift tax exemption (adjusted annually for inflation) and replace the existing gift tax rate schedule with a revised structure. These changes would primarily affect high-net-worth individuals and their heirs, as the estate tax and gift tax typically apply to large estates or gifts exceeding the new exemption threshold. The bill's provisions would take effect on the date of enactment, with transitional rules for the year the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Homeland Security Act to clarify and expand U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) authority over customs revenue operations. It requires CBP to maintain staffing levels above a specified "optimal" threshold from a 1978 model before reducing staff, and adds new job titles like "National Account Managers" to existing categories. The bill explicitly authorizes CBP to consolidate, modify, or reorganize revenue functions - such as by adjusting job classifications or creating new positions - and allows the Office of Personnel Management to establish standards for new roles. This directly affects CBP's internal staffing structure and job classifications but does not change customs duties or tax collection policies.

Maddy summaryHRES 963 is a symbolic resolution honoring Korean American Day, which commemorates the January 13, 1903 arrival of the first large wave of Korean immigrants to the U.S. It recognizes Korean Americans' contributions to U.S. society, including their economic, cultural, and military impacts, and marks the 121st anniversary of this historic migration. The resolution urges all Americans to observe Korean American Day to appreciate these contributions. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new policies or affect specific groups beyond this ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summaryHR 6744, the "No VA Resources for Illegal Aliens Act," prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from providing health care or processing health care claims for individuals unlawfully present in the United States who are not already eligible for VA health care under existing law. This bill directly affects undocumented immigrants who do not qualify for VA benefits through standard veteran eligibility criteria. The key provision explicitly bars VA resources from being used for any care or claims processing for such individuals. The bill does not alter VA eligibility rules for veterans but prevents the use of VA funds for non-eligible non-citizens unlawfully present in the U.S.