Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Maddy summaryHRES 311 is a non-binding House resolution encouraging the expansion of the Abraham Accords to promote normalization of relations between Israel and additional countries. It urges the U.S. government to support these agreements while ensuring tangible security and economic benefits for citizens in participating nations. The resolution expresses support for U.S.-Israel security cooperation and existing financial commitments under the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding. As a symbolic measure, it does not create new legal requirements but formally advocates for deeper regional diplomatic engagement.

Maddy summaryHR 2826, the Save Local Business Act, clarifies when multiple businesses can be held jointly responsible for labor laws. It amends the National Labor Relations Act and Fair Labor Standards Act to state that a business is only a joint employer if it directly controls key employment terms like hiring, pay, schedules, or discipline for another business's workers. This directly affects franchisors, contractors, and similar business models that might previously have been deemed joint employers under broader interpretations. The bill aims to limit joint employer liability to cases where one business has clear, day-to-day control over essential worker conditions.

Maddy summaryThe Military Family Nutrition Act of 2023 amends the Food and Nutrition Act to exclude a military member's basic housing allowance (BAH) from income calculations when determining eligibility for nutrition assistance programs like SNAP. This change directly affects military families who receive BAH as part of their housing benefit but currently have that allowance counted as income, potentially disqualifying them from food assistance. The key provision adds a specific exclusion for BAH paid to or on behalf of uniformed service members under Title 37, U.S. Code. As a result, military families will have their housing costs subtracted from their income for program eligibility, making it easier for them to qualify for nutrition support.

Maddy summaryHR 675, the Secure Space Act of 2023, amends the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting licenses or U.S. market access for non-geostationary orbit satellite systems to entities that produce or provide covered communications equipment or services, or their affiliates. This directly affects foreign-owned or controlled satellite companies, particularly those linked to entities like Huawei or ZTE, by blocking their access to the U.S. satellite market. The key mechanism requires the FCC to deny licenses or market access requests for such satellite systems based on the ownership or control of the applicant. The law applies to all license or market access petitions filed on or after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryHJRES 27 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a federal rule that redefined which waterways fall under the Clean Water Act's protections. It targets a rule submitted by the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 18, 2023, which aimed to revise the "Waters of the United States" definition. The resolution would formally disapprove this rule under a specific federal procedure (Chapter 8 of Title 5), preventing it from taking effect. This would directly affect how federal agencies regulate pollution and development near water bodies, including wetlands and smaller streams.

Maddy summaryThe Transparent PRICE Act (HR 2691) requires hospitals to publicly disclose detailed pricing information for at least 300 standard medical services in plain language and machine-readable format, including gross charges, negotiated rates with insurers, discounted cash prices, and other relevant pricing details. Health insurance plans must also provide transparent cost-sharing information through self-service tools showing in-network rates, deductibles, copayments, and other costs for covered services. Hospitals and insurers that fail to comply face civil monetary penalties, with fines ranging from $300 per day for small hospitals to up to $5 million annually for larger non-compliant facilities. The law aims to increase transparency in healthcare pricing for consumers, employers, and the public by requiring standardized disclosure and public reporting of compliance status.

Maddy summaryHRES 301 is a symbolic House resolution designating April 2023 as "Month of the Military Child" to honor over 1.6 million military-connected children across the U.S. It urges all citizens, businesses, and government leaders to observe the month with ceremonies and activities celebrating these children's resilience and supporting military families. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal recognition of military children's contributions. It directly affects military families by highlighting their unique challenges and fostering public appreciation.

Maddy summaryHR 1762, the Northwest Energy Security Act, requires the Secretaries of Interior, Energy, and Army (who manage the Federal Columbia River Power System) to operate dams and power facilities consistent with the 2020 Columbia River System Operations plan. It prevents any new restrictions on hydroelectric generation at FCRPS dams or Snake River navigation in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho without explicit new federal law. The bill allows the Secretaries to amend the 2020 plan only for public safety, grid reliability, or if requirements are no longer needed, using a specific process. This directly affects how federal agencies manage power operations and river traffic in the Pacific Northwest.

Maddy summaryThe RISE Act (HR 2401) requires colleges to accept multiple types of documentation - such as past Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 plans, or licensed professional evaluations - to verify a student’s disability for accommodations, rather than requiring current evaluations. It also mandates institutions to publicly share clear, accessible processes for determining accommodation eligibility and to report specific disability-related enrollment data (like total students with disabilities and accommodations used) to federal databases. The bill authorizes $10 million for a national support center to assist postsecondary students with disabilities. It applies directly to institutions of higher education and students formally registered with disability services offices, without altering existing ADA definitions or rights.

Maddy summaryThe ALIGN Act (HR 2406) permanently allows businesses to deduct the full cost of qualified equipment and machinery in the year of purchase, rather than spreading the deduction over multiple years. This applies to property placed in service after September 27, 2017, directly affecting businesses that make capital investments in eligible assets like manufacturing equipment or commercial facilities. The bill eliminates the previous requirement to depreciate these costs over time, reducing taxable income in the purchase year. It makes a temporary 2017 tax provision permanent, impacting businesses across various industries that purchase qualifying property.