Rep. Michael Lawler

Maddy summaryHR 2678, the Ending Trading and Holdings in Congressional Stocks (ETHICS) Act, prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from owning or trading most stocks, commodities, and derivatives (defined as "covered investments"). The bill requires existing investments to be divested or placed in qualified blind trusts within 120 days, with exemptions for diversified funds, government bonds, and certain small business investments. It establishes civil penalties of $500 per violation or 10% of the investment value for noncompliance and mandates online public disclosure of financial information to increase transparency. The law applies to congressional staff beginning January 31, 2023, for new terms of service.

Maddy summaryThe Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2023 requires the Health and Human Services Secretary to issue guidance within one year on covering pelvic health services (like pelvic floor exams and physical therapy) during the postpartum period under Medicaid and CHIP programs. This guidance will include best practices for payment models, financing options, and standardized terminology to improve access for postpartum women. It also mandates a GAO study on coverage gaps for postpartum services and funds a new CDC-led education campaign to train healthcare providers and inform postpartum women about pelvic health care. The bill directly affects postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, aiming to standardize and expand access to these specific health services.

Maddy summaryThe Panama Canal Zone Veterans Act of 2023 creates a presumption that veterans who served in the Panama Canal Zone between 1958 and 1999 (or until the last military member left) and developed specific illnesses are automatically eligible for VA benefits without needing to prove a direct link between their service and the condition. It lists 16 illnesses, including prostate cancer, lung cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and several other cancers, as qualifying for this presumption due to presumed exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange during service. The VA will use regulations based on medical evidence to determine which illnesses qualify under this provision. This change directly affects veterans who served in the Panama Canal Zone during the covered period and later developed one of the listed conditions.

Maddy summaryThe PLUS for Veterans Act of 2023 clarifies and updates rules for veterans' benefit claims under the Department of Veterans Affairs. It sets a $12,500 annual fee cap (adjusted for inflation) for agents or attorneys representing veterans, prohibits charging fees for medical exams, and prohibits unauthorized fees with penalties including fines or up to one year in prison. The bill directly affects veterans seeking benefits, their legal representatives, and the VA by standardizing fee agreements, requiring VA reports on agent/attorney suspensions, and ensuring veterans can access free services from VA-recognized organizations. Key provisions include banning fees for medical reports and requiring clear fee disclosures to veterans.

Maddy summaryHR 2584, the SAVE Act, creates a new federal criminal offense for assaulting or intimidating hospital employees while they're performing their duties, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, with enhanced penalties for using weapons, causing injury, or during public emergencies. The bill authorizes $25 million annually in federal grants to hospitals for violence prevention programs, including staff training, security technologies like panic buttons and video surveillance, and coordination with law enforcement. It defines "hospital" broadly to include various medical facilities such as long-term care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and critical access hospitals. The legislation directly affects hospital workers and medical facilities by establishing federal criminal penalties for violence against employees and providing funding to improve workplace safety. The law aims to address the rising problem of workplace violence against healthcare workers, which the bill states has increased since 2011.

Maddy summaryHR 2602, the Small Business Child Care Investment Act, reclassifies eligible nonprofit child care centers as "small business concerns" under federal loan programs. This allows organizations meeting specific criteria - like state licensing, 501(c)(3) tax status, and non-discrimination policies - to access SBA Section 7(a) loans and Title V financing. The bill requires loan guarantees for amounts over $500,000 but eliminates denial of loans solely due to religious activity (per First Amendment protections). It mandates annual SBA reports tracking loan numbers and amounts provided to these child care providers. The law directly affects nonprofit child care centers serving children from birth to school age.

Maddy summaryHR 2630, the Safe Step Act, requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to establish a clear, transparent process for patients or their doctors to request exceptions to medication step therapy protocols. These protocols typically force patients to try cheaper drugs first before covering more expensive alternatives. The bill mandates that plans must approve exceptions when prior treatments failed, delay would cause serious harm, a treatment is unsafe, or a patient is stable on a previously approved drug, with strict 72-hour (or 24-hour in emergencies) decision timelines. It also requires plans to publish the exception process online and limit documentation requests to only necessary medical information. This law directly affects health insurers, employers offering health plans, and patients using step therapy for prescription drugs.

Maddy summaryHR 2620, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023, increases penalties for crimes targeting firearms licensees. It amends Section 924 of Title 18 to impose mandatory minimum sentences of 3 years for burglaries or 5 years for robberies committed at the business premises of licensed firearms dealers, manufacturers, or importers. The bill specifically targets violations of Section 922(u), which prohibits unauthorized access to these premises, and adds "attempts to do so" to the penalties. This directly affects licensed firearms businesses by strengthening legal protections against theft or violence at their locations. The law creates clearer, harsher consequences for crimes committed during burglaries or robberies at these specific business sites.

This resolution recognizes law enforcement agencies and officers for their tireless work to protect us and make our communities safer. It also condemns calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police.

Securing Access to Lower Taxes by ensuring Deductibility Act or the SALT Deductibility Act This bill repeals the temporary restrictions in taxable years 2018 through 2025 on the deductibility of state and local taxes.