Rep. Monica De La Cruz

Maddy summaryThe Water Infrastructure Enhancement Act of 2023 establishes a federal grant program to fund critical upgrades for public water systems. It directly affects water suppliers in rural areas (population ≤20,000) and communities designated as "areas of persistent poverty" (e.g., counties with 20%+ poverty for 30 years or census tracts with ≥20% poverty). The program allocates $800 million annually from 2024-2029, requiring at least 50% of funds to support rural areas and 15% to historically disadvantaged communities or persistent poverty zones. Grants cover up to 90% of costs for eligible activities like replacing pipes, upgrading treatment facilities, or modernizing monitoring systems, with the Administrator determining additional eligible projects.

Maddy summaryHR 4610 amends federal tax law by changing a specific date in the Tax Reform Act of 1984 from October 9, 1969, to March 1, 1985. This adjustment aligns federal tax rules with the Texas Constitution, allowing the State of Texas to continue leveraging the Permanent University Fund (PUF) for public university funding without triggering federal tax penalties. The PUF, which supports Texas public universities, has historically benefited from a special tax rule enabling its financial investments, and this bill maintains that benefit. The change takes effect upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 3358, the Mission not Emissions Act, prohibits federal contractors from being required to report greenhouse gas emissions or climate-related financial risks. The bill blocks compliance with the proposed Federal Acquisition Regulation rule that would have mandated contractors to disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions, create emissions inventories, or set emissions reduction targets for validation. It directly affects businesses holding federal contracts by removing these specific reporting obligations. The law focuses solely on eliminating disclosure requirements, not on changing emissions standards or reduction efforts.

Maddy summaryHRES 535 is a symbolic resolution designating November 12, 2023, as "National Warrior Call Day" to raise awareness about veterans' mental health and connection to support systems. It does not create new programs or funding but encourages Americans to call veterans or military members for meaningful conversation and to connect them with resources. The resolution cites rising veteran suicide rates (6,261 in 2019) and aims to address isolation through public engagement. It directly affects veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders by promoting community support. This is a non-binding awareness measure with no concrete policy changes.

Ukraine Reconstruction Accountability and Transparency Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to instruct the United States Executive Directors at each international financial institution to use their voice, vote, and influence to prevent such institutions from entering into contracts for reconstruction in Ukraine with companies in countries supporting the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The international financial institutions include the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the International Finance Corporation. Specifically, the bill requires such instructions to prevent the institutions from contracting with firms, including subcontractors, that are located or have operations in designated countries or in countries whose government has provided material or diplomatic support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The bill also authorizes Treasury to waive such instructions for countries specified by the bill if the government of that country (1) publicly opposes the Russian invasion of Ukraine, or (2) provides material support to Ukraine to evict Russian forces from its territory.

Maddy summaryHR 4346, the Small Bank Holding Company Relief Act of 2023, requires the Federal Reserve to raise the asset threshold for small bank holding companies from its current level to $10 billion. This change would exempt smaller banks (with consolidated assets under $10 billion) from certain regulatory requirements they currently face. The policy update must be implemented within 180 days of the bill’s enactment.

Maddy summaryThe HERO Act establishes a national data system to track suicides among public safety officers, including firefighters, EMTs, police, and telecommunicators, collecting detailed statistics by age, gender, occupation, and employment status (career, volunteer, or retired). It mandates annual reports to Congress and public availability of findings to identify suicide trends and effective interventions. The bill also funds peer-support wellness programs for fire/EMS departments, behavioral health programs for healthcare providers, and resources to train mental health professionals on treating public safety personnel. All data collection and program provisions include strict privacy safeguards to protect confidentiality and prohibit using suicide data to deny survivor benefits.

Maddy summaryHJRES 44 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a 2021 rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The rule classified firearms with stabilizing braces as "short-barreled rifles," which would have required additional licensing and regulation. This resolution uses a specific legal process (under Title 5, U.S. Code) to formally disapprove the ATF rule, meaning the rule would no longer be in effect. It directly affects firearm owners, manufacturers, and dealers who would have been subject to the rule’s requirements.

CHAMPVA Online Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a system under which applications for benefits under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA (CHAMPVA) may be submitted electronically through a VA website. The VA must also take other steps to ensure the online administration of the program.

Maddy summaryHR 4237, the Ensuring Sound Guidance Act, requires investment advisors and retirement plan fiduciaries to prioritize financial factors (like investment returns and costs) when making decisions for clients or plan participants. It mandates that non-financial factors (such as environmental or social goals) can only be considered if the client provides written consent, and advisors must then disclose the expected and actual financial impact over a three-year period. The bill amends the Investment Advisers Act and ERISA to enforce this standard, with changes taking effect 12 months after enactment. Additional provisions direct studies on state pension plans, climate disclosures in municipal bonds, and rules preventing payments to officials for government business.