Rep. Keith Self

Maddy summaryHR 4691 requires the President to submit detailed reports to Congress before terminating Iran sanctions, waiving sanctions for specific individuals, or making significant changes to U.S. foreign policy toward Iran through licensing actions. Congress then has 30 days (or 60 days for reports submitted between July 10 and September 7) to review these reports, during which the President cannot implement the proposed action without congressional approval. If Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval, the President cannot proceed with the action for 12 days after the resolution passes, or 10 days after a presidential veto. This bill applies to actions involving sanctions under multiple laws, including the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 and the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Act of 2010. It does not change the sanctions themselves but establishes a formal review process for executive branch decisions affecting them.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) handles medical examinations for veterans claiming disability due to toxic exposures (like burn pits or Agent Orange). It changes the evidence standard in VA claims processing to require sufficient medical evidence for a decision, rather than focusing on establishing service connection. The bill also updates VA systems to explicitly track and indicate when a veteran was exposed to toxins, ensuring this information is properly documented in their records. These changes directly affect veterans filing disability claims related to toxic exposures and streamline the VA's review process using exposure history.

Maddy summaryHR 5921, the "No U.S. Financing for Iran Act of 2023," prohibits U.S. financial institutions from authorizing transactions related to Iran's imports or exports (excluding agricultural goods, food, medicine, and medical devices for civilians). It also requires the U.S. to oppose International Monetary Fund (IMF) financial aid to Iran and block Iran's access to IMF Special Drawing Rights. The bill amends the Export-Import Bank Act to ban U.S. financing for Iran's government or state-controlled entities. The law expires either 30 days after the President certifies Iran has stopped supporting international terrorism and is no longer a major money laundering concern, or 10 years from enactment.

Maddy summaryHRES 1148 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that condemns the Iranian government for supporting terrorism, regional proxy conflicts, and internal suppression of dissent - including its crackdown on protests following Mahsa Amini's death in 2022. It specifically calls for maintaining sanctions against Iran, supporting the Iranian Resistance's Ten-Point Plan (which advocates for a democratic, secular, nonnuclear Iran), and protecting Iranian political refugees in Albania. The resolution also affirms the Iranian people's right to self-determination under international law and urges the U.S. to recognize their struggle for freedom. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally expresses congressional stance.

Maddy summaryHR 8011, the Iranian Terror Prevention Act, requires the U.S. Secretary of State to designate 12 Iranian-affiliated military groups and any entity controlled by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps as Foreign Terrorist Organizations within 90 days. It mandates the President to decide within 60 days whether to impose sanctions under existing law (Executive Order 13224) on these groups, which would block their U.S. assets and restrict transactions. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to submit regular reports to Congress on new entities meeting designation criteria and the President to explain any decisions not to impose sanctions. This law directly affects the listed Iranian military groups and any new entities linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1117) is a formal statement by the U.S. House of Representatives opposing efforts to pressure Israel regarding Gaza. It specifically criticizes calls for an immediate ceasefire, including President Biden's April 4, 2024, statement and UN Security Council Resolution 2728, which the resolution claims was adopted due to the U.S. not vetoing it. The resolution affirms Israel’s right to self-defense following the October 7 Hamas attacks and emphasizes the U.S.-Israel relationship as a major strategic partnership. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws or policies but expresses the House’s position on diplomatic pressure related to Gaza.

Maddy summaryThis bill protects licensed amateur radio operators' ability to install antennas for emergency communications by preventing homeowners' associations and private land use restrictions from blocking such installations. It requires communities to allow antennas that don’t impair emergency use, with exceptions only for safety, structural requirements, or minimal visual impact (e.g., screened enclosures). Small antennas (under 1 meter diameter), flagpoles (under 43 feet), and wire/vertical antennas don’t require prior approval, and communities must approve applications within 45 days. The law directly affects over 770,000 licensed amateur operators who rely on these antennas for life-saving emergency communications during disasters.

Maddy summaryH.J.Res. 116 seeks to block a Department of Labor rule finalized on January 10, 2024, which aimed to clarify how businesses classify workers as employees or independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). If passed, this resolution would prevent the rule from taking effect, directly affecting businesses that use independent contractors and their workers, who rely on FLSA protections for minimum wage and overtime pay. The bill uses a specific congressional process (under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code) to disapprove the rule, rather than creating new policy. This action would maintain the existing classification standards until a new rule is established.

Maddy summaryHR 7823, the Second Chance for Moms Act, requires new labeling on mifepristone (a medication used in medical abortions) and establishes a hotline. The bill mandates that mifepristone packaging include a warning label stating that natural progesterone may counteract the drug's effects, based on a statement from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. It also directs the creation of a 24/7 toll-free hotline to provide support for women seeking to reverse the drug's effects. This bill directly affects pharmaceutical manufacturers (through labeling changes), healthcare providers, and women using mifepristone, with the labeling requirement taking effect six months after enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 6831, the VERDAD Reauthorization Act, extends existing U.S. sanctions and restrictions on Venezuela until December 31, 2025. It modifies four separate laws (the Russian-Venezuelan Threat Mitigation Act, Venezuelan Arms Restriction Act, Venezuela Emergency Relief Act, and Venezuela Defense of Human Rights Act) by updating their expiration dates from 2023 to 2025. The bill does not create new policies but ensures current measures remain in effect. This directly affects U.S. foreign policy enforcement toward Venezuela, maintaining economic restrictions and arms limitations. The key change is simply extending the sunset dates for these existing provisions.