Rep. Doug Lamborn

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 summaryHR 1709, the Tribal Firearm Access Act, allows members of federally recognized tribes to use their Tribal government-issued ID instead of a state-issued ID when purchasing firearms from licensed dealers. It amends federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(t)(1)(D)) to explicitly accept tribal identification documents as valid proof of identity for firearm transactions. The bill defines "Tribal government" to include recognized tribes listed under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994. This change directly affects tribal members seeking to purchase firearms and federally licensed dealers who must now accept tribal IDs as valid identification. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that tax-exempt status for charities (under IRS Section 501(c)(3)) does not count as "federal financial assistance" for other federal programs. It directly affects tax-exempt organizations, such as charities and religious groups, by preventing their tax exemption from automatically qualifying them for other federal benefits or programs. The key provision amends the U.S. Code to define "federal financial assistance" as excluding tax exemptions, ensuring these organizations aren't mistakenly included in programs meant for recipients of direct federal funds. This change applies prospectively and does not alter how tax exemptions were treated before the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 92 seeks congressional disapproval of a 2022 rule from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) that updated how discrimination complaints are processed in federal nutrition programs (like SNAP) following the *Bostock v. Clayton County* Supreme Court decision. The bill aims to block the rule’s implementation, which would have required agencies to handle discrimination complaints under the expanded protections established by *Bostock* (covering LGBTQ+ individuals). If passed, the resolution would make the FNS policy update ineffective, maintaining the previous complaint processing approach. This affects how federal nutrition programs address discrimination claims but does not change the underlying anti-discrimination law.

Maddy summaryHR 1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023, allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer whole milk as an option during lunch. It amends the school lunch law to explicitly permit schools to serve flavored and unflavored whole milk alongside reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free milk choices for students. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust meal regulations to account for saturated fat from whole milk, ensuring it doesn't count against meal fat limits. This change directly affects participating schools and the students who receive school lunches, expanding their milk beverage options.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides back pay and benefits to senior military officers (O-7 rank or higher) whose promotions were delayed due to a Senate confirmation suspension starting in February 2023. It requires the Secretary of Defense to retroactively pay these officers from a specific date - determined as the later of 30 days after their nomination was placed on the Senate Executive Calendar or the date they would have been appointed without the delay - and to establish their seniority from that same date. The law directly affects officers confirmed between December 5-31, 2023, who were impacted by the confirmation pause. It does not change future confirmation procedures but corrects past financial and career consequences for affected service members.

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 6416, the "Russian War Crimes in Ukraine Tax Act," imposes a 100% tax on interest and dividends earned from frozen Russian and Belarusian sovereign assets held abroad. This tax revenue is directed into a new Ukraine Reconstruction Trust Fund, which must be used for Ukraine's reconstruction, humanitarian aid, economic development, and transparent governance. The bill requires U.S. financial institutions to withhold this tax from qualifying income and overrides international treaty obligations to ensure implementation. It also mandates annual reports on fund usage to Congress, specifying that all revenues from the tax must support Ukraine's recovery efforts as defined in the legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to obtain fingerprints from noncitizen children under 14 years old if officers suspect they are trafficking victims upon entering the U.S. It also creates a new federal crime for adults (18+) who knowingly use a minor for entry without being a relative or guardian, punishable by fines or up to 10 years in prison. The bill mandates sharing fingerprints collected under this provision with the Department of Health and Human Services for unaccompanied minors and requires CBP to report monthly data on trafficking-related apprehensions and annual data on fingerprinting to Congress. These provisions directly affect CBP officers, unaccompanied children, and individuals suspected of exploiting minors for entry.

Maddy summaryHRES 793 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives calling on Hamas to immediately release all 199 hostages taken during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution condemns Hamas for the attack, the taking of hostages, and threats against hostages, while stating that holding hostages violates international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions. It demands the immediate release of all hostages and expresses sympathy for victims and their families. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create legal obligations but formally expresses the House's position.