Rep. Richard McCormick

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.

This resolution condemns the recent violence near Atlanta, Georgia, and expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that law enforcement must be supported.

Assessing Unintended Drivers of Illegal Trafficking Act or the AUDIT Act This bill prohibits certain federal agencies from giving grants to implementing partners that provide abortion services to asylum seekers. The bill also requires these agencies to submit quarterly reports to Congress on grants that the agencies have provided for migrant services programs in Central and South America. The reporting requirements and grant prohibitions apply to (1) the U.S. Agency for International Development; (2) the Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration; and (3) the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. These federal agencies may not give grants to any implementing partners that (1) perform abortions, (2) provide health services that include referrals for abortions, or (3) provide assistance or funding in any manner for obtaining abortions. Among other required elements, the quarterly reports for specified migrant services grants shall explain why each implementing partner was chosen, the amount of money the partner received, the availability of asylum claims processing in countries where those partners operate, and the number of asylum claims processed in those countries.

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 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 summaryHR 1159 amends the Taiwan Assurance Act of 2020 to require the U.S. Department of State to conduct biennial reviews of its Taiwan Guidelines and submit updated reports. The bill directly affects the State Department's diplomatic guidance on U.S.-Taiwan relations, mandating reports every two years after the initial submission. Each report must detail how current guidelines meet the Act's stated goals and identify specific opportunities to lift self-imposed restrictions on U.S. relations with Taiwan. This change establishes a regular process for evaluating and updating the State Department's approach to Taiwan engagement.

Maddy summaryHR 1093 requires the U.S. Secretary of State, with Defense Department coordination, to submit a detailed report to Congress within 90 days of enactment about implementing the AUKUS partnership's "advanced capabilities pillar." The report must include specific data on U.S. defense export license processing times for Australia and the UK (2021-2022), denial rates, ITAR violations by these nations, civil penalties assessed, and legal frameworks governing defense exports. It directly affects the State and Defense Departments, which must compile and submit this data, and impacts Australia and the UK as key partners in the trilateral security agreement. The bill focuses on transparency and administrative processes for defense cooperation, not on policy changes or outcomes.

Maddy summaryH.J. Res. 26 is a congressional disapproval resolution blocking the District of Columbia Council's approval of its Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022 (D.C. Act 24-789). It directly affects the District of Columbia by preventing the new criminal code from taking effect, as Congress disapproved the Council's action under the Home Rule Act. The resolution formally rejects the Council's enactment of the code, which was transmitted to Congress on January 27, 2023. This procedural action stops the District from implementing the revised criminal code without further congressional action.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows states to adopt year-round daylight saving time (DST) through their own laws, removing the current federal requirement to revert to standard time in the fall. It amends federal law to let states choose whether to apply DST continuously (instead of switching back to standard time) for the entire state or within specific time zones. The bill also requires a GAO study on implementing year-round DST within two years of enactment. It does not mandate year-round DST but gives states the legal option to do so if they pass state legislation. This directly affects residents and state governments in any state that chooses to implement the change.

Maddy summaryHR 1524 (FAIR Act of 2023) prohibits federal agencies, contractors, and recipients of federal funds from intentionally discriminating against or granting preferences based on race, color, or national origin. It directly affects federal contractors, state/local entities receiving federal aid, and educational institutions using federal funds by banning preferential treatment (including quotas or set-asides) in contracts, employment, and admissions. Key provisions require federal agencies to review and update policies within six months of enactment to comply with the ban. The bill does not impact immigration laws or pending cases/contracts but allows civil lawsuits for violations with remedies like back pay and attorney fees.