Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer

Maddy summaryHJRES 31 is a procedural resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) concerning reproductive health services. It targets the VA's September 2022 rule (published in the Federal Register as 87 Fed. Reg. 55287), which established policies for reproductive health care access for veterans. If passed, this resolution would nullify the VA rule, preventing it from taking effect under the Congressional Review Act (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code). The bill directly affects the VA’s ability to implement its reproductive health services policy for veterans.

This resolution condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents. The resolution also expresses support for the people of Iran who are legitimately defending their rights for freedom against repression and condemns the killing of Iranian protesters by the Iranian regime.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 13 is a concurrent resolution expressing Congress's support for maintaining the current policy that prohibits imposing new fees on local radio stations for playing music. It states that Congress should not impose any performance fee, tax, royalty, or charge on local radio stations for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on businesses like bars and restaurants that play music publicly. The resolution argues that such fees would harm local radio stations - critical sources for emergency information and community programming - and jeopardize the economic model that has supported both radio and the music industry for decades. This resolution does not create new law but formally opposes potential legislative changes to the existing fee structure.

Maddy summaryThe Standing with Moms Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to create a public website (life.gov) and interactive portal within one year of enactment, providing pregnant women with tailored information on local resources. It mandates comprehensive listings of services including mental health support, alternatives to abortion, abortion risk details, child development resources, and practical assistance like childcare and housing. The portal uses a question-based system to match users with ZIP code-specific services, while requiring states to recommend vetted providers (excluding abortion-focused organizations) and ensuring multilingual access. The bill also integrates the Maternal Mental Health Hotline to promote the portal and requires an annual report on user feedback and service gaps.

Maddy summaryHR 804, the Chinese CBDC Prohibition Act of 2023, prohibits U.S. money services businesses (such as banks and payment processors) from handling transactions involving China's central bank digital currency (CBDC). The bill directly affects financial institutions operating in the United States by banning any direct or indirect involvement with the People’s Republic of China’s digital currency. Its key mechanism, added to Title 31 of the U.S. Code, explicitly forbids these businesses from engaging in any transaction related to China’s CBDC. The legislation aims to limit U.S. financial system involvement with a digital currency viewed by its proponents as enabling Chinese government surveillance and control over citizens.

Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2023 This bill restricts research that uses human fetal tissue from an induced abortion. Specifically, it prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from conducting or supporting such research. Additionally, the bill applies requirements on the research of transplantation of fetal tissue for therapeutic purposes to research on fetal tissue in general. The bill also prohibits soliciting or acquiring a donation of human fetal tissue from an induced abortion, other than for purposes of an autopsy or burial.

Maddy summaryThis bill would prohibit the FDA from approving new abortion medications or investigational uses of existing ones. It would restrict currently approved abortion drugs to in-person administration only in clinics, hospitals, or medical offices by certified providers who can handle complications like ectopic pregnancy or severe bleeding. The law requires detailed adverse event reporting (excluding patient identifiers) to the FDA by both manufacturers and prescribers, and mandates provider certification covering pregnancy assessment, surgical intervention capabilities, and patient safety documentation. These provisions apply directly to healthcare providers, patients seeking medication abortions, and manufacturers of abortion drugs.

Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2023 This bill requires federally funded entities to certify that they will not, subject to certain exceptions, perform abortions or provide funding to other entities that perform abortions. The bill provides exceptions for abortions (1) in cases of rape or incest; or (2) when the life of the woman is in danger due to a physical disorder, injury, or illness.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits federal funding to Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates for one year unless they certify they won't perform or fund abortions (with exceptions for rape/incest or life-threatening conditions). It redirects $235 million in existing funding to community health centers for women's health services like contraception, cancer screenings, and prenatal care. The bill explicitly states that redirected funds will continue to support all women's health services previously provided by Planned Parenthood. It also requires repayment of funds if Planned Parenthood violates the certification, and clarifies that overall federal funding for women's health services remains unchanged.

Maddy summaryThe Educational Choice for Children Act creates tax credits for individuals and corporations that contribute to scholarship granting organizations providing education scholarships. Individuals can claim a credit up to $5,000 or 10% of their income, while corporations can claim up to 5% of taxable income. The scholarships are available to students from households with income up to 300% of the area median income, and can be used for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational expenses at elementary and secondary schools. The bill includes strict requirements for scholarship organizations to verify income, conduct audits, and prevent misuse of funds, while also prohibiting government control over these organizations and protecting private and religious schools from discrimination in the program. It establishes a $10 billion annual cap on the total tax credits available.