Rep. David Rouzer

Maddy summaryHR 1831 would award Billie Jean King a Congressional Gold Medal to honor her lifelong advocacy for equal rights in sports and society. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal and have it presented by congressional leaders, recognizing her pivotal role in advancing women's equality through tennis (including founding the Women’s Tennis Association and securing equal prize money) and her broader impact on society through initiatives like Title IX advocacy.

Purple Heart Freedom to Work Act This bill increases the monthly income limit that is used to determine whether certain Purple Heart recipients are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. Specifically, when making such determinations with respect to Purple Heart recipients who are entitled to SSDI benefits based on combat-related injuries, the Social Security Administration must use the limit that applies to individuals who are blind rather than the lower limit that applies to other SSDI recipients. In addition, the bill phases out SSDI benefits for these Purple Heart recipients, with benefits reduced by $1 for every $4 of earnings in excess of the limit.

Maddy summaryHR 1782, the International Port Security Enforcement Act, requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to certify that foreign governments conducting port security assessments meet specific standards before those assessments can be accepted. The bill mandates that the foreign government must have followed proper assessment procedures, provided sufficient information, and not be a state sponsor of terrorism (as defined in law). If a foreign government is a state sponsor of terrorism, the Secretary must automatically treat its ports as lacking effective security measures and apply sanctions under existing law. This directly affects foreign governments operating ports, particularly those designated as state sponsors of terrorism, by imposing new certification requirements and automatic sanctions. The bill clarifies that these rules do not limit the Secretary's discretion to conduct independent assessments or request security measures.

Maddy summaryHR 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, would require public schools receiving federal funding to provide parents with greater access to educational information. The bill mandates that schools post curricula online or widely distribute it to parents, include school budgets in report cards, and provide specific information about school activities including violent incidents and plans to eliminate gifted programs. It also guarantees parents the right to meet with teachers twice a year, review library materials, and address school boards. These requirements would apply to all local educational agencies and schools covered by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill amends existing education laws to strengthen parental transparency and involvement in their children's education.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new visa category for temporary workers in mobile entertainment, such as carnival and circus staff who travel across the U.S. It directly affects carnival operators, seasonal workers, and food/concession vendors at fairs and festivals. The key provision requires Department of Labor certification to ensure U.S. workers are not displaced and that hiring foreign workers won’t lower wages or working conditions. It defines "mobile entertainment provider" to include traveling carnivals, circuses, and affiliated seasonal services like food concessions at local events.

Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2023 This bill raises the mandatory retirement age for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations from 65 to 67 years of age, unless the operation takes place in (1) the territorial airspace of a foreign county where such operations are prohibited by the foreign country, or (2) international airspace where such operations are not in compliance with the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration must also submit a report to Congress on further increasing the age limitation for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations.

Maddy summaryHR 1623 amends the Homeland Security Act to exclude specific propane storage facilities from certain Department of Homeland Security chemical security standards. It directly affects facilities storing propane for residential use (as defined in the Fair Housing Act), agricultural production (per CFR), or small rural businesses (per the Small Business Act). The bill adds a new exclusion criterion for these facilities and requires the DHS Secretary to report to Congress and notify owners if a facility doesn't qualify for the exclusion. This changes the current security requirements for these specific propane storage locations without altering broader DHS chemical security rules.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 28 is a symbolic resolution expressing Congress's view that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies - organizations providing life, health, and accident benefits to members - have long delivered critical community support. It states these societies, with about 7 million members nationwide, generate significant annual value through charitable work and volunteer activities (estimated at over $3.8 billion yearly). The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(8) of the tax code is essential for sustaining their volunteer-driven model and relieving pressure on government safety programs. As a non-binding expression of congressional sentiment, it does not alter existing laws or create new obligations.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 30 seeks to block a Department of Labor rule that would have required retirement plan managers (like those handling 401(k)s) to follow strict "prudence and loyalty" standards when selecting investments and voting on company matters. The rule, published in December 2022, aimed to protect retirement savings by ensuring fiduciaries prioritize participants' interests. This resolution, if passed, would prevent the rule from taking effect, avoiding new compliance requirements for retirement plan managers and sponsors. It directly affects retirement plan administrators and the millions of participants in these plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new health and identification requirements for importing live dogs into the U.S. Importers must provide veterinary certification proving dogs are healthy, vaccinated, treated for parasites, and permanently identified (e.g., microchipped), with documentation from accredited veterinarians. Dogs imported for transfer (sale, adoption, etc.) must be at least 6 months old and accompanied by a Secretary-issued permit. Limited exceptions exist for research, veterinary treatment (with quarantine), and Hawaii-specific puppy imports under state regulations, with regulations to be finalized within 18 months. The bill repeals a prior section of the Animal Welfare Act and strengthens enforcement through penalties for noncompliance.