Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new federal crime for assaulting law enforcement officers causing serious injury or death, with penalties up to 10 years in prison for serious injury and up to life for aggravated cases involving death, kidnapping, or attempted killing. It applies when offenses involve interstate travel, commerce, or target officers engaged in law enforcement duties. Federal prosecution requires Attorney General certification that state authorities cannot or will not handle the case, or that federal action is necessary for public safety. The law covers all law enforcement officers (state, local, and federal) who enforce criminal laws or detain individuals.

Maddy summaryHR 794, the Ending Mandates on Head Start Educators Act, would remove a federal requirement that Head Start programs mandate vaccines or masks for educators to prevent COVID-19 spread. The bill specifically prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from enforcing or creating similar rules, such as the 2021 rule published in the Federal Register. This directly affects Head Start educators and the early childhood programs serving low-income children and families. The policy change shifts health protocol decisions from federal mandates to individual program policies.

Maddy summaryThe Protecting School Milk Choices Act of 2023 requires schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer both flavored and unflavored milk to students. Schools may also choose to provide lactose-free milk as an optional offering. This bill directly affects all public and private schools receiving federal funding for school meals, which serves millions of students nationwide. The amendment changes existing milk requirements under the National School Lunch Act to expand student choices while maintaining mandatory options.

Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises Act or the RIFLE Act This bill repeals the excise tax on the transfer of firearms. The bill shall not be construed as placing any regulated firearms under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People's Republic of China Act This bill requires the President to prohibit nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and agents associated with China's government from (1) purchasing agricultural (including ranching) real estate located in the United States, or (2) participating in Department of Agriculture programs that are unrelated to food and safety regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 1, 2023, as "George Washington Carver Day" to honor the legacy of George Washington Carver, an influential agricultural scientist and humanitarian. It recognizes his contributions as a pioneering Black scholar (Iowa State University’s first Black student and faculty member) and his work developing agricultural products like peanut-based innovations. The resolution has no direct policy impact - it is a ceremonial expression of support for commemorating Carver's life and achievements, which changed farming practices and supported communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill helps new car dealers affected by pandemic-era supply chain disruptions by changing tax rules for inventory sales. It allows dealers using LIFO accounting to treat certain sales of unsold vehicles (liquidations) between March 2020 and December 2021 as "qualified" for tax purposes. Dealers can defer recognizing income from these sales and have until 2026 to replace the sold vehicles before potential tax adjustments apply. The provision specifically targets dealers who couldn't replenish inventory during the supply chain crisis.

Maddy summaryHR 382, the "Pandemic is Over Act," terminates the federal public health emergency declaration for the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill ends the emergency status declared on January 31, 2020, effective upon the bill's enactment. This action directly ends the federal authority tied to the emergency, including related public health measures and funding mechanisms under the Public Health Service Act.

Ceasing Age-Based Trucking Restrictions Act This bill exempts drivers who transport goods from a port of entry and another place within the same state from age restrictions and other requirements that apply to federal commercial driver's licenses.

Maddy summaryHR 683 (PASS Act of 2023) expands the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review process to cover foreign investments in U.S. agriculture businesses, agricultural biotechnology, and private farmland. It mandates that the President block transactions involving foreign entities from China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea that would give them control over U.S. agricultural operations or land used for farming. The bill allows limited presidential waivers for national security reasons but requires a 30-day review period before any waiver. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit biannual reports to Congress on risks posed by foreign ownership in U.S. agriculture.