Rep. David Rouzer

Maddy summaryHR 1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023, allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer whole milk as an option during lunch. It amends the school lunch law to explicitly permit schools to serve flavored and unflavored whole milk alongside reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free milk choices for students. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust meal regulations to account for saturated fat from whole milk, ensuring it doesn't count against meal fat limits. This change directly affects participating schools and the students who receive school lunches, expanding their milk beverage options.

Maddy summaryHR 6619, the PATROL Act, prevents the federal government from suing states for building border barriers. It specifically blocks the Attorney General from filing civil lawsuits under the 1899 Act against states that construct physical barriers (like walls, fences, or buoys) along the border to stop illegal entry or protect state territory. The law directly affects states building such barriers and the federal government’s legal authority to challenge those actions. This is a procedural change that removes a legal obstacle for states pursuing border security measures.

Maddy summaryHR 6612, the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2023, clarifies who qualifies for U.S. citizenship at birth under the 14th Amendment. It amends immigration law to define that a child born in the U.S. is "subject to the jurisdiction" for citizenship if one parent is a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident living in the U.S., or an active-duty military member. The bill directly affects children born in the U.S. to parents in these specific categories, ensuring they meet the citizenship definition without altering the constitutional right itself. It explicitly states this definition applies only to births occurring after the law's enactment, leaving existing citizenship status unaffected for those born before. The bill aims to codify existing constitutional principles through specific, narrow criteria for parental status.

Maddy summaryThe Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023 increases the expenditure cap for home- and community-based care for veterans from 65% to 100% of costs, with exceptions for certain cases based on clinical need and geographic factors. It establishes new programs including Veteran-Directed Care, which allows veterans to select and manage their own in-home care services, and Home-Based Primary Care, which provides in-home health care overseen by VA providers. The bill requires improved coordination with existing programs like the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and mandates a centralized website with information about available services. It specifically targets veterans who would otherwise require nursing home care or face increased risk of hospitalization, and includes provisions to address home health aide shortages through pilot programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill targets U.S. business activities that could help specific countries of concern (North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran) develop critical technologies. It requires the President to identify "covered sectors" (including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, hypersonics, and high-performance computing) and prohibit U.S. persons from engaging in certain activities involving these technologies with entities in countries of concern. The bill also mandates that U.S. persons submit notifications about certain activities involving these technologies, with requirements for public comment and transparency. It establishes reporting requirements for the President to Congress on implementation and impact, and includes provisions for national interest waivers.

Maddy summaryHR 6479 prohibits plea deals for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other individuals directly responsible for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that would avoid a public trial or a death penalty sentence. The bill requires the Attorney General to refuse any such plea agreement, ensuring these defendants cannot secure a resolution that skips a public trial or capital punishment. It directly affects only the 9/11 case defendants named in the legislation. The measure mandates that all legal proceedings for these individuals must proceed to trial or result in a death sentence.

Maddy summaryHR 6300, the Veterans Education is Timeless Act of 2023, removes expiration dates for all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits. It directly affects veterans and their dependents who use programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Survivors' Benefits, and others, allowing them to access education benefits at any time without a deadline. The bill amends multiple sections of Title 38 to state that benefits "shall be afforded... at any time and are not subject to any delimiting date." It also requires the VA to refund veterans for contributions if they apply for a refund, and applies retroactively to all eligible individuals.

Maddy summaryThe Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act of 2023 modifies rules for veterans' educational benefits to streamline approval of commercial driver education programs at branch locations. It allows a branch of an educational institution to be exempt from full approval requirements if it is appropriately licensed and uses the same curriculum as an approved main location. Schools must submit an annual report to the Department of Veterans Affairs verifying curriculum consistency, and the VA may withhold this exemption if needed. The changes will take effect 180 days after the VA establishes reporting rules, which must be finalized within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $14.3 billion in supplemental security funding to Israel following the October 7, 2023 attacks. The funding includes $4 billion for Iron Dome and David's Sling defense systems, $1.35 billion for the Iron Beam defense system development, and $3.5 billion for foreign military financing. The bill requires regular reporting to Congress on security assistance provided to Israel and designates all funds as "emergency requirements" under federal budget law. It also modifies existing laws to facilitate the transfer of defense articles and services to Israel, aiming to strengthen Israel's defense capabilities against rocket threats.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 859) is a ceremonial House measure honoring U.S. veterans on Veterans Day 2023. It formally recognizes veterans' service and sacrifice, calling on the American public to observe Veterans Day to acknowledge their role in protecting U.S. freedoms. The resolution does not create new policies, allocate funds, or affect specific groups - it is purely symbolic. It was introduced by 33 bipartisan House members and passed by the House without committee action.