Rep. Brian K. Fitzpatrick

Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 This bill repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government. The bill eliminates the government pension offset , which in various instances reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own. The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision , which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes. These changes are effective for benefits payable after December 2021.

Maddy summaryHRES 1363 designates September 19, 2022, as "National Stillbirth Prevention Day" to recognize the approximately 23,000 stillbirths occurring annually in the U.S. and support efforts to reduce them. The resolution specifically acknowledges racial disparities in stillbirth rates, highlighting that Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous families face the highest risks. It requests the President issue a proclamation encouraging nationwide awareness, evidence-based prevention efforts, improved data collection, and education to help reduce stillbirths by 33% over time. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws but aims to raise public awareness and promote existing prevention strategies. It directly affects families impacted by stillbirth and advocates for greater attention to this public health issue.

This resolution requests the President and directs the Secretary of State to transmit to the House of Representatives copies of all documents and other materials, both classified and unclassified, in their possession that refer or relate to certain aspects of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

This resolution applauds and expresses support for the continued cooperation between the United States and the European Union in thwarting Hezbollah's terrorist activities. It also urges the European Union to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization.

Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act of 2022 This bill expands lender disclosure requirements and revises loan counseling requirements. First, the bill requires a lender to provide a quarterly statement to a Federal Family Education Loan or Direct Loan borrower during a period when loan payments are not required. The statement must include specified information on the loan and interest amounts and explain the option to pay accrued interest while in deferment or forbearance. In addition, the bill requires an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student-aid programs to provide pre-loan counseling to a student borrower of a federal student loan upon or prior to the first disbursement of each new loan. Currently, an IHE must provide one-time entrance counseling to a student who is a first-time federal student loan borrower. The bill also revises and expands required elements of pre-loan counseling to include an estimate of the borrower's monthly payment amount compared to the borrower's estimated monthly income after taxes and other expenses, a statement to borrow the minimum necessary amount, a warning that a high debt-to-income ratio makes repayment more difficult, options to reduce borrowing, and an explanation of the importance of on-time graduation. Prior to certifying a Federal Direct Loan disbursement to a student, an IHE must ensure that the student manually enters the exact dollar amount of the loan.

Maddy summaryHR 7618 designates the Kol Israel Foundation Holocaust Memorial in Bedford Heights, Ohio, as a national memorial. The bill formally recognizes the memorial's role in preserving the memory of Holocaust victims and honoring survivors who built it. Crucially, the designation does not make the site part of the National Park System and explicitly states no federal funds will be used for the memorial. This is a commemorative measure affecting the memorial's official status, not a policy change with operational requirements.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution (HRES 1369) expresses condolences for Queen Elizabeth II's passing and honors her 70-year reign as the United Kingdom's monarch. It recognizes her leadership in strengthening the U.S.-UK "special relationship," promoting global peace, and serving with integrity. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely commemorative, affirming her legacy through congressional recognition without altering laws or affecting any individuals.

Maddy summaryHRES 1366 is a non-binding resolution expressing congressional support for designating October 8, 2022, as "National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day." It commemorates hydrogen and fuel cell technologies without creating new laws or affecting any group directly. The resolution highlights hydrogen's role in clean energy, transportation (including vehicles and buses), power generation, and U.S. leadership in these technologies. It serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the industry's contributions to energy, environmental, and economic goals.

This bill retroactively applies the Generalized System of Preferences (a U.S. trade preference program that provides duty-free access to imports on products from certain developing countries) for the period after December 31, 2020, and before September 1, 2022. These covered articles shall be liquidated or reliquidated as though entry occurred on December 31, 2020. A request for liquidation or reliquidation must be filed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and such request must contain sufficient information for CBP to locate the entry or, if the entry cannot be located, reconstruct the entry. Any amounts owed by the United States pursuant to liquidation or reliquidation of an entry of a covered article shall be paid without interest.

The Emergency Relief Program Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to carry out a program to make payments for losses of crops and livestock during calendar year 2022.