Rep. Daniel S. Goldman

Choosing Our Own Lives Over Fast Firearms Act or the COOL OFF Act This bill establishes a three-day waiting period for certain handgun transfers. Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful for a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell or transfer a handgun to an unlicensed individual unless three business days have elapsed since the licensee initiated a background check. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to one year in prison, or both. Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful for an unlicensed individual to receive a handgun from another unlicensed individual unless at least three business days have elapsed since the recipient most recently offered to take possession of the handgun. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. The three-day waiting period does not apply to certain handgun transfers, such as for a loan between spouses for a lawful purpose.

Maddy summaryHR 660, "Ethan's Law," requires gun owners in homes where minors (under 18) or individuals prohibited from owning firearms under federal/state law reside to store firearms securely. It makes unsecured storage unlawful if a minor or prohibited person could access the firearm, with fines of $500 per violation and enhanced penalties (up to 5 years in prison) if injury or death occurs. The bill also establishes a federal grant program to help states implement similar secure storage laws and provides funding incentives for states that already have such laws in place.

Maddy summaryHR 666, the Access to Counsel Act, requires U.S. immigration officers to provide certain travelers a meaningful opportunity to consult with legal counsel within one hour of starting secondary inspection at ports of entry. It directly affects travelers including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents returning from abroad, visa holders, refugees, and parolees seeking entry. Key provisions mandate phone access to counsel, allow advocates to present evidence to officers, and require in-person meetings when possible. Lawful permanent residents cannot abandon their status without first consulting a lawyer unless they waive this right in writing. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryHRES 74 is a non-binding House resolution recognizing Fred Korematsu's lifelong fight for civil liberties, particularly his 1944 legal challenge to the WWII internment of Japanese Americans. It encourages the establishment of a national "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution" to be observed annually on January 30 (his birthday), promoting reflection on protecting rights during national security crises. The resolution highlights Korematsu's role in exposing government misconduct during the internment and his later warnings against post-9/11 civil liberties violations. It does not create new laws or affect specific groups but urges civic education on constitutional principles. (3 sentences)

Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the detention or imprisonment of an individual based solely on an actual or perceived protected characteristic of the individual. The term protected characteristic includes each of the following: race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and any additional characteristic that the Department of Justice determines to be a protected characteristic.

Maddy summaryHR 640 authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu, a Japanese American civil rights advocate who challenged the World War II internment of Japanese Americans. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to mint a gold medal bearing Korematsu's image and name, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. This commemorative measure recognizes Korematsu's lifelong advocacy against racial discrimination and his role in exposing the government's misleading actions during his 1944 Supreme Court case. The medal is a symbolic tribute, not a policy change, and does not affect any individuals or laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the possession, sale, or transfer of most large-capacity ammunition magazines (holding more than 15 rounds) for the general public, while exempting law enforcement officers (including campus security officers), retired officers, and certain licensed entities like nuclear facility security. It requires new magazines manufactured after enactment to have serial numbers and manufacturing dates, and allows federal grant funds to support buy-back programs for these devices. Existing owners of such magazines lawfully possessed before the law's enactment are exempt from the prohibition. The law applies to devices not already covered under current exemptions for law enforcement, nuclear security, and retired officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the U.S. Code to expand appeal rights for certain postal employees. It allows non-unionized postal workers in supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial roles (covered under the Executive and Administrative Schedule) to directly appeal personnel decisions to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). Previously, these employees may have lacked this specific appeal path. The change clarifies their eligibility under Section 1005(a)(4)(A)(ii)(I) of Title 39, U.S. Code, ensuring they can seek MSPB review for employment-related disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to provide written proposals to supervisors' organizations 60 days before pay/benefit decisions expire or after new collective bargaining agreements are reached. It directly affects postal supervisors and managers covered by collective bargaining agreements regarding their pay policies, schedules, and fringe benefits. The key mechanism establishes clear timelines for negotiations and mandates that any dispute resolution panel must issue a binding final decision within 15 days of receiving input from both parties. This aims to streamline the process for resolving pay and benefits disputes between the Postal Service and supervisory staff organizations.

Maddy summaryThe HEAL Act (HR 603) requires the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Director to study how public elementary and secondary schools teach about the Holocaust and related antisemitism. The study will examine curriculum requirements, teaching methods (like project-based learning), instructional materials, and assessment approaches across states and school districts. It specifically analyzes whether Holocaust education is mandatory, optional, or integrated across subjects, and how schools address antisemitism and genocide prevention. The resulting report, due within 180 days of the study or three years after enactment, will inform Congress but does not change current school policies. This is a data-gathering measure, not a policy mandate.