Rep. Lois Frankel

Maddy summaryHRES 858 is a non-binding House resolution acknowledging the service of two groups: veterans who fought in the 1950-1953 Korean War (including 36,574 U.S. military deaths) and current U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as "Korean Defense Veterans" (nearly 25,000 personnel, with some having died protecting the armistice). It recognizes these veterans as "forgotten" compared to World War II veterans and highlights the ongoing U.S. military presence on the Korean Peninsula. The resolution does not create new benefits or policies but formally honors their sacrifices and contributions to defending democracy. It was introduced in November 2023 by a bipartisan group of representatives.

Maddy summaryHR 6298, the Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act, prohibits the detention of pregnant, lactating, or postpartum noncitizens in immigration custody, requiring their immediate release except in narrow cases involving an immediate threat to safety. It bans the use of restraints during labor, delivery, and postpartum care, except under strict conditions with documented justification, and mandates access to comprehensive reproductive health services including abortion. Detention facilities must conduct biweekly reviews to reassess detention needs and report detailed data on restraint use, detention lengths, and pregnancy outcomes. The bill applies directly to pregnant noncitizens held under U.S. immigration law and requires training for DHS staff on its provisions.

Maddy summaryThe SHIP Act imposes sanctions on foreign entities that knowingly handle Iranian petroleum, targeting those involved in port operations, transportation, refining, or ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil. Starting 90 days after enactment, the President must block assets, deny visas, and impose penalties on individuals or companies engaging in these activities, including family members or owners of sanctioned entities. It requires annual reports tracking Iran's oil exports, revenues, and key players like shipping companies and ports. The sanctions terminate if the President certifies Iran has stopped supporting terrorism and dismantled weapons programs.

Maddy summaryHR 6212, the PROTECT Florida Act, extends the existing moratorium on oil and gas leasing and exploration in the Gulf of Mexico until 2032 and adds a new ban on such activities off Florida's Atlantic coast until June 2029. The bill blocks federal permits for oil and gas exploration, leasing, and seismic testing in two specific areas: the Straits of Florida and the southern portion of the South Atlantic Planning Area south of Florida's coastline. These restrictions apply to all related activities, including preleasing and seismic testing, directly affecting federal agencies and companies seeking to conduct offshore drilling operations in those regions. The legislation aims to prevent new oil and gas development in Florida's coastal waters for the specified periods.

Maddy summaryHR 5976, the Youth Mental Health Research Act, establishes a new NIH research initiative led by the National Institute of Mental Health. The bill directs collaboration between three NIH institutes to coordinate research on youth mental health, focusing specifically on building community resilience for at-risk youth and improving how mental health services reach young people in schools, communities, and other settings where they live and work. It authorizes $100 million annually for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to fund this research. The bill does not create direct services but aims to generate evidence to inform future mental health support strategies for young people.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 839) condemns antisemitism at U.S. colleges and universities and urges campus leaders to publicly oppose hate speech targeting Jewish students, faculty, and staff. It encourages university presidents, administrators, and faculty to speak out against speech that promotes violence or discrimination based on religion, national origin, or ancestry. The resolution specifically calls on institutions to support Jewish student organizations and ensure Jewish members can study and work without fear. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but expresses congressional support for addressing antisemitism on campuses.

Maddy summaryThis bill excludes veterans' disability and dependency payments from income calculations for HUD housing assistance programs. It directly affects veterans and their families receiving disability compensation under Title 38, U.S. Code, by ensuring these benefits don't reduce their eligibility or housing assistance amounts. Specifically, it prevents HUD from counting these payments when determining eligibility, benefit amounts, or rent calculations for assisted housing. The policy change applies solely to HUD-administered housing programs, not other federal benefits.

Maddy summaryHR 6201, the Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023, creates the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund to cover costs related to seizing and forfeiting property from Iran or its designated proxies (like Hezbollah or the Revolutionary Guard Corps) that violate U.S. sanctions. The fund, initially $150 million, pays for investigative costs, property management, informant rewards, and equipment for federal, state, and local agencies involved in enforcement. It also establishes an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security to improve interagency cooperation on enforcing export controls targeting Iran. The bill requires annual reports on fund usage and mandates repayment of the initial $150 million by 2034, unless waived for national security reasons.

Maddy summaryHRES 599 is a non-binding resolution urging the European Union to fully designate Hizballah (Hezbollah) as a terrorist organization, rather than just its military wing as the EU did in 2013. It recommends the EU implement sanctions, freeze assets, issue arrest warrants, and prohibit fundraising for Hizballah, aligning with actions taken by the U.S. and other nations. The resolution cites Hizballah’s history of attacks, its criminal activities in Europe (including drug trafficking and money laundering), and its ties to Iran as justification. It directly addresses EU decision-makers, calling for coordinated action to disrupt Hizballah’s operations across the continent. The resolution follows prior House efforts, including H.Res. 359 (2017) and H.Res. 558 (2022), which made similar requests.

Maddy summaryThe Stop Sexual Harassment in K-12 Act requires schools receiving federal funding to hire additional full-time Title IX Coordinators (one per 75,000 students in 7th grade and above, one per 150,000 students in 6th grade or below) and ensures these coordinators don't have other school responsibilities that create conflicts of interest. The bill mandates annual trauma-informed prevention education about sex-based harassment, clear reporting procedures, and anonymous annual surveys to assess harassment experiences among students and staff. Schools must provide accessible information about Title IX rights and maintain grievance procedures addressing discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity. The legislation authorizes $50 million annually for staff training grants and $10 million for survey implementation to support schools in meeting these requirements.