Rep. Jared Moskowitz

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the U.S. government to monitor and report on $6 billion in Iranian funds held in Qatar, ensuring they aren't used for non-humanitarian purposes like military spending. It mandates annual reviews of all U.S. nationals held hostage by Iran over the past decade, with the President identifying individuals or entities responsible for hostage-taking and determining if sanctions should apply. The bill also directs the President to restrict travel for Iranian diplomats at the U.N. if they face sanctions related to terrorism or hostage-taking, and requires the State Department to assess whether U.S. passports should be invalidated for travel to Iran due to security risks. These provisions directly affect the Iranian government, its officials, and entities involved in detaining U.S. citizens, focusing on accountability and financial oversight.

Maddy summaryHR 4681, the Illicit Captagon Trafficking Suppression Act of 2023, imposes U.S. sanctions on foreign individuals and entities involved in the illicit production and trafficking of Captagon - a stimulant drug. It directly affects foreign persons (including officials and networks linked to Syria’s government or Hezbollah) who materially contribute to Captagon trafficking. Key mechanisms include blocking their U.S. assets, denying visas or entry to the U.S., and imposing penalties for violations. The bill requires the President to identify and sanction specific targets within 180 days, such as Syrian officials named in the bill, to dismantle trafficking networks. The policy aims to disrupt transnational criminal organizations profiting from Captagon trafficking, consistent with U.S. national security interests.

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 summaryHRES 1152 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting. It honors the 13 victims, their families, and the survivors by formally recognizing their stories and the community's resilience. The resolution expresses condolences, applauds ongoing healing efforts, and reaffirms Congress's commitment to preventing gun violence through policy action and promoting safer schools. It does not create new laws but serves as a symbolic gesture of national solidarity.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding House resolution condemns the slogan "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" as antisemitic, stating it promotes hatred against Jewish people and the State of Israel. It links the slogan to Hamas and other groups that reject Israel's existence, citing their charters and recent actions. The resolution calls for public condemnation of the slogan, noting it undermines peace efforts and aligns with positions of organizations like the Anti-Defamation League. It does not create new laws but expresses the House's stance on the phrase's harmful impact.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 288) urges the European Union to formally designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization under EU legal framework Common Position 931. It does not create new laws but requests the EU take this specific action, noting the EU has previously sanctioned IRGC individuals but not the organization as a whole. The resolution cites the IRGC's role in human rights abuses, support for proxy groups, and involvement in conflicts like Ukraine as context for the request. Introduced in April 2023 by 20+ House members, it is a non-binding expression of congressional preference.

Maddy summaryHR 3649 establishes a 5-year pilot program to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program, limited to three Veterans Health Administration networks, offers HBOT through VA-approved providers using FDA-approved or investigational medical devices. Funding comes solely from donations to a dedicated VA HBOT Fund, with no annual budget constraints. This bill directly affects eligible veterans seeking this specific treatment option, but does not guarantee long-term coverage beyond the pilot's five-year term.

Maddy summaryHR 1083, the Caring for Survivors Act of 2023, increases financial support for surviving spouses of veterans. It amends Title 38 to raise dependency and indemnity compensation from a fixed $1,154 to 55% of the monthly compensation rate under section 1114(j), effective six months after enactment. The bill also modifies eligibility for survivors of veterans who died before 1993, ensuring they receive the greater of their current benefit or the new calculation. Additionally, it reduces the required continuous service rating period for survivors from 10 years to five years when a veteran was totally disabled at death. These changes directly affect surviving spouses, particularly those with veterans who died prior to 1993.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends U.S. Code to lower the minimum student enrollment required for high schools to establish or maintain a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) program, reducing the threshold from 100 to 50 students. It directly affects high schools seeking to start or sustain JROTC units, particularly those with smaller student populations. The key provision changes the existing requirement under Title 10, U.S. Code, making it easier for schools to qualify for JROTC participation. This is a straightforward policy adjustment to existing law, with no additional funding or program changes specified.

Maddy summaryThe PAAW Act prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from conducting or funding research that causes significant pain or distress to dogs or cats, effective 90 days after enactment. It requires the NIH to publish annual reports detailing all such research projects - including costs, animal numbers, locations, and efforts to phase out these studies - and submit them to Congress. The bill also mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study to evaluate the NIH’s progress in reducing dog and cat testing, compare efforts with other agencies, and recommend improvements. These provisions aim to increase transparency about taxpayer-funded animal research and encourage adoption of alternative methods.