Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer

Maddy summaryHCONRES 28 is a symbolic resolution expressing Congress's view that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies - organizations providing life, health, and accident benefits to members - have long delivered critical community support. It states these societies, with about 7 million members nationwide, generate significant annual value through charitable work and volunteer activities (estimated at over $3.8 billion yearly). The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(8) of the tax code is essential for sustaining their volunteer-driven model and relieving pressure on government safety programs. As a non-binding expression of congressional sentiment, it does not alter existing laws or create new obligations.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 30 seeks to block a Department of Labor rule that would have required retirement plan managers (like those handling 401(k)s) to follow strict "prudence and loyalty" standards when selecting investments and voting on company matters. The rule, published in December 2022, aimed to protect retirement savings by ensuring fiduciaries prioritize participants' interests. This resolution, if passed, would prevent the rule from taking effect, avoiding new compliance requirements for retirement plan managers and sponsors. It directly affects retirement plan administrators and the millions of participants in these plans.

Maddy summaryThe Kids in Classes Act requires states receiving Title I federal education funds to provide those funds directly to parents and guardians if in-person instruction is unavailable for more than three days during a school year due to public health emergencies or collective bargaining actions. This provision allows families to use the money for educational expenses such as tutoring, curriculum materials, online learning resources, private school tuition, and educational therapies for students with disabilities. The bill is designed to ensure that disadvantaged students, who are disproportionately affected by school closures, continue to receive educational support when regular classroom instruction is not available. By mandating that Title I funds follow eligible children, the legislation aims to prevent widening educational gaps between low-income students and their peers during periods when schools cannot operate normally.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the "Hello Girls" - female telephone operators who served in the Army Signal Corps during World War I. They provided critical battlefield communications in France (connecting 26 million calls), wore military uniforms, and faced combat risks, but were denied veteran benefits for 60 years due to being classified as civilian contractors. The medal recognizes their pioneering service, devotion, and the decades-long struggle to gain military recognition. The award follows similar recognition for other WWII women veterans and aims to correct the historical injustice they faced.

Maddy summaryThe PHIT Act of 2023 allows individuals and families to deduct certain fitness expenses as medical costs on their federal taxes. It covers gym memberships, fitness classes, and specific equipment used exclusively for exercise (like home workout gear), with a yearly limit of $1,000 ($2,000 for joint returns). Expenses for activities like golf, hunting, or non-exercise-focused facilities (e.g., private clubs) are excluded, and equipment must be used solely for physical activity. This directly affects taxpayers who pay for qualifying fitness programs, making these costs partially tax-deductible under revised IRS rules.

FDIC Board Accountability Act This bill revises provisions related to the board of directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Specifically, the bill removes the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from the board as a voting member and requires the appointment of an individual with demonstrated primary experience working in or supervising small depository institutions. Further, the bill limits the term length of a board member to twelve years.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection as the Consumer Financial Protection Commission and updates its governance structure. It establishes a 5-member Commission (with no more than 3 from the same political party), sets staggered 5-year terms for members, and designates a Chair as the principal executive officer. The bill requires all federal laws referencing the "Bureau" to instead cite the "Consumer Financial Protection Commission," affecting over a dozen statutes including the Dodd-Frank Act and mortgage disclosure laws. The changes are administrative, updating titles and references without altering the agency's regulatory authority or policy functions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated Inspector General position for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), replacing the previous arrangement where the Federal Reserve's IG also oversaw the CFPB. It requires the CFPB to allocate 2% of its annual funding to support the Inspector General's office and mandates semiannual congressional hearings by the IG to report on oversight activities. The bill also sets a 60-day deadline for the President to appoint the IG after enactment. These changes directly affect the CFPB's internal oversight structure and reporting requirements.

Maddy summaryHR 1379, titled the *Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act*, simplifies reporting requirements for investment companies that hold shares in business development companies (BDCs). The bill allows registered investment companies (like mutual funds) to exclude BDC-related fees and expenses from their standard "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" calculations in registration statements, instead disclosing these costs in a footnote. This change directly affects investment companies managing portfolios with BDC investments and the BDCs themselves, reducing administrative complexity. The provision modifies existing SEC disclosure rules under the Investment Company Act of 1940 without creating new capital access for small businesses.

Maddy summaryThe TABS Act of 2023 would rename the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to the Consumer Financial Empowerment Agency (CFEA) throughout U.S. federal law. This bill would change the agency's name in the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 and over 25 other federal statutes, including the Dodd-Frank Act and Truth in Lending Act. The bill does not alter the agency's responsibilities, authority, or budget structure - only its name. This is a procedural change affecting all federal documents, regulations, and references to the agency.