Rep. Michael Lawler

Maddy summaryThe Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution (HRES 23) would allow U.S. House Members who have given birth or whose spouse has given birth to appoint another Member as a proxy to cast their vote or record their presence in the House and committees for up to 12 weeks after childbirth. To use this, the new parent must submit a signed letter to the Clerk detailing the birth or medical condition and naming the proxy; the proxy must vote exactly as instructed and announce the vote as "by proxy." The proxy vote does not count toward quorum, and the new parent can revoke the proxy at any time by submitting a new letter or casting their own vote. This resolution applies to all House Members, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, though they cannot cast votes for the House itself.

This resolution honors the life, achievements, legacy, and distinguished public service of former President Jimmy Carter. The resolution also (1) acknowledges President Carter's contributions to the state of Georgia, the United States, and the world; and (2) establishes his legacy as one of the great leaders and statesmen of the United States.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 27) expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' opposition to New York City's proposed Central Business District Tolling Program, which would charge drivers up to $23 per day to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. It directly affects daily commuters, small businesses (particularly those still recovering from pandemic-related losses), low-income families, and students traveling into Manhattan. The resolution disapproves the program, urges New York State to conduct and publicly share an economic impact report, and recommends halting implementation. The tolling program is intended to generate $1 billion annually for the MTA's capital projects and operations, but critics argue it would impose significant costs on residents and businesses already facing high inflation.

Maddy summaryHR 269, the Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a single gold medal to be awarded to Jens Stoltenberg in recognition of his service as NATO Secretary General from 2014 to 2024. The bill cites his leadership in expanding NATO membership, increasing defense spending by member nations (including 23 countries meeting the 2% target by 2024), strengthening partnerships with Indo-Pacific nations, and coordinating international support for Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion. This commemorative act does not create new policy or affect any laws, as it solely provides a symbolic honor through a gold medal. The medal will be struck by the U.S. Mint, with bronze duplicates available for sale to cover costs.

Maddy summaryHR 253, the Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act, prohibits members of Congress, their spouses, and dependents from owning or trading most stocks, bonds, commodities, and derivatives. Covered individuals must divest such investments within 90 days of the bill’s enactment or when becoming covered, with exceptions for U.S. Treasury securities, state/local government bonds, and Thrift Savings Plan investments. The law requires divestment through sale or placement in a qualified blind trust (approved by the ethics office), mandates annual compliance certificates, and imposes civil penalties up to $50,000 for violations. It directly affects congressional staff and family members with financial holdings, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest in legislative decision-making.

Maddy summaryHR 283 authorizes the President, with coordination from the Secretary of State, to negotiate with Panama to reacquire the Panama Canal. The bill requires the President to submit a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment, detailing negotiation progress, challenges, and expected outcomes. This procedural bill focuses solely on initiating talks and reporting requirements, without specifying repurchase terms or funding. It directly affects U.S. executive branch actions and congressional oversight, not the canal’s current operations or Panama’s government.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) as outlined in a 2019 policy memo. It requires migrants seeking asylum at the U.S. border to remain in Mexico while their cases are processed, rather than being allowed to stay in the U.S. pending a hearing. The bill does not create new rules but mandates the reinstatement of a policy that was previously in effect from 2019 to 2021. This would directly affect asylum seekers arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. The policy change would apply to all migrants covered by the existing MPP framework.

Maddy summaryHR 296, the "Justice for 9/11 Act," modifies legal procedures for three specific defendants accused of the September 11, 2001, attacks: Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi. The bill ensures their plea agreements for the 9/11 attacks cannot block military commission trials under Title 10, makes the death penalty available in those trials, and mandates they remain in solitary confinement at Guantanamo Bay under strict conditions - no contact with foreigners, limited psychological care, and no transfer to the U.S. or other countries. It directly affects only these three individuals and their legal proceedings, not the general public. The bill changes existing legal pathways for their trial and confinement, not broader policy.

Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act of 2025 This bill makes it a crime to intentionally convey false or misleading information in circumstances where the information may reasonably be expected to cause an emergency response and the information indicates the occurrence of criminal conduct or a threat to health or safety (commonly referred to as swatting ).

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to create a special rule for deducting losses of uncut timber (timber not yet cut for sale) from disasters like fires, storms, pests, or drought. It requires taxpayers to base deductions on the timber's pre-loss appraised value minus salvage value, using a certified appraiser's assessment within one year. Crucially, taxpayers must reforest the affected area with hardwoods or softwoods within five years to keep the tax benefit; failure to reforest results in recapturing the deduction. The rule applies only to timber held for sale in an active business, excluding passive activities. This changes how businesses can claim tax deductions after timber losses while linking the benefit to reforestation efforts.