Rep. Jared Moskowitz

Maddy summaryHRES 1206 is a symbolic House resolution supporting the designation of May 2024 as "Mental Health Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness about mental health challenges, emphasizing the need to reduce stigma and treat mental well-being as equally important as physical health. The resolution cites statistics on rising mental health crises - including increased anxiety, depression, and suicide rates among youth, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and communities of color - to underscore the urgency of the issue. It encourages nationwide efforts to promote mental health awareness and access to care during this designated month.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $280 million in funding for the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for fiscal year 2024, with funds available through September 2025. The OCR investigates school discrimination complaints related to race, sex, disability, and other protected characteristics. This funding directly supports the OCR's ability to handle civil rights cases involving students and schools nationwide, without creating new student requirements or altering existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 859 North State Road 21 in Melrose, Florida, as the "Pamela Jane Rock Post Office Building" for commemorative purposes. It updates all official U.S. government references to the location to use this new name. The bill is procedural and does not create new policies or affect any other entities. It was enacted on May 7, 2024, after passing both chambers of Congress.

Maddy summaryHR 8231, the James Earl Jones Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded to actor James Earl Jones in recognition of his distinguished career in theater and film, and his role in advancing inclusion and equal opportunities for people of all backgrounds in the entertainment industry. The Treasury will strike the medal with an image and inscription of Jones, and may produce and sell bronze duplicates to cover costs, with proceeds deposited into the U.S. Mint's public enterprise fund. This bill serves as a ceremonial honor with no new legal requirements or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act in federal education programs. It clarifies that discrimination against Jewish individuals based on actual or perceived shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics may violate Title VI protections, requiring agencies to consider antisemitism intent during investigations. The law affects schools and universities receiving federal funds by guiding how they handle discrimination complaints related to antisemitism. It does not create new legal standards or expand the Department of Education's authority, as explicitly stated in the bill.

Maddy summaryHR 8192, the High School Voter Empowerment Act of 2024, requires all public high schools (as defined by federal education law) to serve as official voter registration agencies under the National Voter Registration Act. It mandates that each high school conduct at least one annual voter registration drive targeting students enrolled in American Government or Economics courses, aged 17+ by April 10, and eligible to vote for federal office. The bill also establishes a federal grant program to reimburse schools for reasonable costs incurred during these registration drives, including documentation of activities and student registrations. This law directly affects public high schools and state election officials, creating a new requirement for schools to facilitate voter registration for eligible students.

Maddy summaryThis House resolution condemns Iran's April 13, 2024 attack on Israel, which involved over 350 drones and missiles launched directly from Iran. It affirms support for Israel's right to self-defense, commends international efforts (including U.S., U.K., French, and Jordanian intercepts) that minimized damage, and calls for enforcing U.S. sanctions against Iran to disrupt its missile programs and support for proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses congressional support without creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 6323, the Iran Counterterrorism Act of 2023, modifies U.S. sanctions waiver authority for Iran's financial sector. It requires the President to determine Iran has "ceased to provide support for acts of international terrorism" before waiving sanctions, replacing the previous standard. The bill adds a 30-day congressional review period (extendable to 60 days) during which Congress can block a waiver through a joint resolution of disapproval, with specific timelines for legislative action. This directly affects the President's ability to lift sanctions on Iran's financial sector and increases congressional oversight of such decisions. The law applies to existing sanctions under the 2012 and 2013 National Defense Authorization Acts.

Maddy summaryHR 6603, the No Technology for Terror Act, requires export licenses for certain foreign-made items destined for Iran if they were produced using U.S. technology or equipment. Specifically, it targets foreign goods that are direct products of U.S.-origin technology (as defined by the Commerce Control List) and are sent to Iran or used in Iran’s production of controlled items. The law applies to exporters of technology, equipment, or components but includes limited exceptions for food, medicine, and communications services. It expands existing U.S. export control rules to cover foreign-produced items made with U.S. technology, effective 120 days after enactment. The bill does not address terrorism directly but aims to restrict technology transfers to Iran under existing export frameworks.

Maddy summaryHR 5917, the "Strengthening Tools to Counter the Use of Human Shields Act," expands sanctions against foreign individuals and entities that direct the use of civilians as human shields. It specifically adds members or agents of Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) to the list of targets for sanctions when they order or control civilians to shield military objectives. The bill requires the President to justify sanction decisions to Congress within 120 days and extends the sunset date for related sanctions from 2023 to 2030. Additionally, it mandates a Department of Defense report within 120 days detailing strategies to counter human shield tactics used by groups like Hamas and PIJ, including plans for international coordination.