Rep. Lisa C. McClain

This joint resolution nullifies a Department of Labor final rule entitled Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in Non-Range Occupations in the United States and published on February 28, 2023. This rule makes changes to the methodology used to set adverse effect wage rates for H-2A workers (temporary agricultural workers), including by using Bureau of Labor Statistics wage surveys in certain instances. (Generally, the minimum wage for an H-2A worker is the highest of the adverse effect wage rate, the applicable minimum wage, the prevailing wage for that occupation in that area, or any agreed-upon collective bargaining wage.)

Maddy summaryHRES 311 is a non-binding House resolution encouraging the expansion of the Abraham Accords to promote normalization of relations between Israel and additional countries. It urges the U.S. government to support these agreements while ensuring tangible security and economic benefits for citizens in participating nations. The resolution expresses support for U.S.-Israel security cooperation and existing financial commitments under the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new legal requirements but formally advocates for deeper regional diplomatic engagement.

Farm Credit Administration Independent Authority Act This bill specifies that the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) is the sole regulator of the Farm Credit System (FCS) and establishes reporting requirements for FCS institutions. Specifically, the bill states that the FCA is the sole and independent regulator of the FCS and exempts entities that are supervised by the FCA from the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). (The bill addresses a proposed rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [CFPB] that would implement provisions of the ECOA by requiring covered financial institutions, including FCS lenders, to collect and report to the CFPB data on credit applications for small businesses, including the principal owner's race, sex, and ethnicity.) The bill also requires FCS institutions to (1) request that loan applicants and borrowers that are small farmers disclose information identifying their race, sex, and ethnicity; and (2) annually report the collected information to the FCA. If an FCS institution customer does not voluntarily report the requested information, the FCA may not require the institution to use other means to deduce the information.

Maddy summaryHR 2743 prohibits large financial institutions (over $100 billion in assets) from denying banking services to lawful businesses based on subjective political reasons, industry type, or reputational concerns. It requires these institutions to use objective, risk-based assessments for service decisions and provide written justifications for denials. The law applies to banks, credit unions, and payment networks, with civil penalties for violations including fines up to $10,000 per incident. It specifically ensures businesses operating legally under federal law receive fair access to financial services without discrimination. The bill mandates that denials be based on documented risk factors, not political bias or category-based exclusion.

American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2023 This bill eliminates the five-year amortization requirement for research and experimental expenditures, thus allowing continued expensing of such expenditures in the taxable years in which they are incurred.

Maddy summaryHJRES 27 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a federal rule that redefined which waterways fall under the Clean Water Act's protections. It targets a rule submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 18, 2023, which aimed to revise the "Waters of the United States" definition. The resolution would formally disapprove this rule under a specific federal procedure (Chapter 8 of Title 5), preventing it from taking effect. This would directly affect how federal agencies regulate pollution and development near water bodies, including wetlands and smaller streams.

Maddy summaryHR 808, the Veterans Patient Advocacy Act, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide patient advocates at VA medical facilities. Starting one year after the bill's enactment, the VA must ensure at least one patient advocate serves every 13,500 enrolled veterans, with specific efforts to ensure rural veterans can access these advocates, including through rural clinics. The bill also mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report within two years to evaluate how well the VA implements this requirement. This legislation directly affects veterans receiving care through the VA system and VA medical facilities.

Maddy summaryHR 2434, the Next Generation Fuels Act of 2023, requires automobile manufacturers to design vehicles for model years 2028 and later to operate with gasoline containing up to 25% ethanol (2028-2032) or 30% ethanol (2033+) and to be compatible with gasoline having a research octane number of 95 or higher (2028-2032) or 98 or higher (2033+). Fuel retailers must install equipment to ensure compatibility with these high-octane, high-ethanol fuels, while refiners must meet specific requirements for gasoline aromatics content and low-carbon fuel standards. The bill mandates labeling requirements to inform consumers about fuel compatibility and potential consequences of using lower-octane fuels. EPA must determine nationwide availability of 98 octane gasoline by 2031 before the full requirements take effect in 2033, affecting automobile manufacturers, fuel retailers, and refiners through changes in vehicle design, fuel composition, and consumer information standards.

Maddy summaryHR 1581, the America Works Act of 2023, modifies work requirement exemptions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It expands direct exemptions to include individuals medically certified as unfit for work, parents or caregivers of children under 7, and pregnant women, while removing a specific enforcement clause (Section 6(o)(4)(A)(ii)). The bill adjusts existing exemption rules to clarify that certain exemptions apply retroactively to cases beginning before the bill's enactment date. These changes directly affect SNAP recipients who would otherwise face work requirements under federal law.

Maddy summaryHRES 271 designates March 30, 2023, as "National Beauty and Wellness Education Appreciation Day" to recognize educators who train students for licensed careers in the beauty and wellness industry, including cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and massage therapists. The resolution highlights that these educators prepare graduates for in-demand occupations projected to grow 11-22% by 2031, supporting an industry generating over $100 billion in annual sales and employing 2.3 million workers. It emphasizes the role of state-licensed training programs in meeting industry demand and ensuring professionals meet health, safety, and technical standards. This is a ceremonial resolution with no new legal requirements or funding.