Rep. Michael Lawler

Maddy summaryHR 429, the Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act, authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and sell three types of commemorative coins ($5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar) to honor women who worked on the U.S. home front during World War II. The coins will be sold at face value plus surcharges ($35 for gold, $10 for silver, $5 for half-dollar), with all surcharge revenue directed to the Rosie the Riveter Trust to support the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and related educational programs. The coins must be issued between January 1, 2028, and December 31, 2028, in specified quantities (50,000 gold, 400,000 silver, 750,000 half-dollar), with all costs covered by the sales revenue to avoid net government expense.

Maddy summaryHR 430, the SALT Deductibility Act, repeals the $10,000 cap on deducting state and local taxes (SALT) for federal income tax filers who itemize deductions. This change directly affects taxpayers in high-tax states who currently face the $10,000 limit on deducting their state income taxes, property taxes, and sales taxes. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to remove the specific deduction limit (Section 164(b)(6)), allowing these taxpayers to deduct their full state and local tax payments. The repeal applies to tax returns filed for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHR 450, the FORCE Act, prevents the U.S. government from removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. It requires the President to make a specific determination under the 1996 LIBERTAD Act before Cuba can be removed. The bill directly affects Cuba's international designation status and U.S. foreign policy actions toward the country. It does not change existing law but blocks any removal until the specified determination is made. The provision applies to both the President and the Secretary of State.

Maddy summaryHR 436 prohibits U.S. federal funds from being used to support Russia's participation in the Group of Seven (G7) or to reconstitute a Group of Eight (G8) including Russia. The bill blocks any federal spending for actions facilitating Russia's involvement in G7 meetings or the return of Russia to a G8 format. This directly affects U.S. government agencies and programs that manage international funding or diplomatic engagement. The policy change requires the U.S. to stop providing financial support for Russia's role in these international forums, without altering the G7's own rules.

Maddy summaryThe FAIR PREP Act of 2025 prohibits the IRS from preparing individual tax returns or refund claims, except for the existing IRS Free File Program and certain qualified return preparation services. It clarifies that the IRS may still provide fillable tax forms with automated calculations and correct mathematical or clerical errors without violating the prohibition. The bill also bans the IRS from developing or operating new electronic tax preparation services after enactment without explicit new congressional authorization. This directly affects how the IRS delivers tax filing assistance, preserving current free options while restricting new government-run tools.

Maddy summaryHR 378, the Thin Blue Line Act, adds a new aggravating factor for the death penalty in federal cases where a defendant kills or targets a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder. It specifically applies when the victim was killed or targeted while performing official duties, because of those duties, or due to their status as a public official. This amendment to federal death penalty law would make the death penalty a potential sentencing option for such crimes, as the killing would be considered an aggravating factor. The bill directly affects defendants convicted of homicides meeting these specific circumstances involving public safety personnel.

Maddy summaryThe TRUST in Congress Act requires current and new Members of Congress, along with their spouses and dependent children, to place certain investments - such as stocks, commodities, and derivatives - into a blind trust within 90 to 180 days of taking office. It excludes U.S. Treasury securities and widely held mutual funds from this requirement and exempts investments tied to a spouse’s or dependent child’s primary job. Members must certify the trust’s setup to the House Clerk or Senate Secretary within 15 days, with these records posted publicly online. The act also prohibits dissolving such trusts until 180 days after a member leaves office.

Maddy summaryHR 361, the "Make Greenland Great Again Act," authorizes the President to begin negotiations with Denmark for the U.S. acquisition of Greenland starting January 20, 2025. It requires the President to submit any resulting agreement to specific congressional committees (Foreign Affairs and Foreign Relations) within five days, followed by a 60-day congressional review period. If Congress takes no action during that period, the agreement would automatically take effect. The bill does not change Greenland’s current status as part of Denmark’s Kingdom but proposes a diplomatic process for potential transfer. Note: This appears to be a symbolic or satirical proposal, as Greenland is an autonomous territory within Denmark’s Kingdom and not subject to unilateral acquisition.

Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 This bill expands the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Grant Program to include separate grants to rescue sea turtles for the next seven years. The grants must be used for the recovery, care, or treatment of sick, injured, or entangled sea turtles; responses to rescue stranded sea turtles; the collection of data and samples from living or dead stranded sea turtles for scientific research or health assessments; facility operating costs that are directly related to activities to assist sea turtles; or  development of stranding network capacity where facilities do not exist or are sparse. In addition, the bill establishes the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund.

Head start Education And Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act or the HEADWAY Act This bill allows some teachers in Early Head Start programs to teach while in the process of earning their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and completing training. Currently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must ensure that all teachers providing direct services to children and families in Early Head Start centers (1) have a minimum of a CDA credential and have been trained in early childhood development, and (2) have been trained in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development. The bill revises this requirement by requiring at least one teacher per classroom (instead of all teachers) to have a CDA credential and training. In particular, the bill requires HHS to ensure that (1) each additional teacher providing direct services to children and families is in the process of earning a CDA credential and completing training, and (2) the Early Head Start agency provides a mentor to oversee the progress and guide the work of a teacher who is in the process of earning a CDA credential and completing training.