Rep. Gregory F. Murphy

Maddy summaryHRES 282 is a non-binding resolution condemning public colleges and universities that require faculty or students to submit statements supporting specific ideological views, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as a condition for hiring, promotion, or admission. It asserts these mandatory statements violate the First Amendment by compelling adherence to particular political or ideological positions, directly contradicting Supreme Court precedents protecting academic freedom. The resolution urges institutions to stop requesting such statements, emphasizing that educational environments should not enforce ideological conformity.

Maddy summaryThe Campus Free Speech Restoration Act amends the Higher Education Act to strengthen student speech protections at colleges and universities receiving federal funding. It requires public institutions to follow strict guidelines for speech restrictions (ensuring they're content-neutral, viewpoint-neutral, and the least restrictive means to achieve a compelling interest), and mandates private institutions to disclose all speech-related policies on their websites in an easily accessible location. The bill defines "expressive activity" broadly to include peaceful assembly, distributing literature, carrying signs, and other First Amendment-protected activities, while prohibiting "free speech zones" and restrictive speech codes. Students can file complaints about speech policy violations, with potential consequences for non-compliant institutions including loss of federal funding after a formal review process. The law aims to ensure campus speech policies align with First Amendment protections without unduly restricting student expression.

Biologics Competition Act of 2023 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to evaluate (1) the differences between the requirements that apply to interchangeable biologics and the requirements that apply to therapeutically equivalent ratings for generic drugs, and (2) the effects of these differences on the approval of interchangeable biologics. The FDA must update the Purple Book with changes that better align the ways these requirements are communicated while still maintaining each distinct approval pathway. The Purple Book is an FDA publication that lists approved biological products, including biosimilars and interchangeable biologics. Interchangeable biologics are biologics that may be substituted for the original product without consulting the prescriber, similar to how generic drugs may be substituted for brand-name drugs based on therapeutic equivalence.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Veterans Affairs Secretary to expand or modify an existing national cemetery (under National Cemetery Administration control) before Arlington National Cemetery reaches capacity, ensuring it provides full military honors using the same standards and eligibility criteria that applied to Arlington as of March 31, 2023. It directly affects veterans and their families seeking burial with full military honors at national cemeteries nationwide. The bill also mandates a joint report within one year to Congress on expanding cemetery capacity and assessing whether interment criteria should recognize exceptional service, including impacts on women, non-combat veterans, and other groups. The key mechanism is preserving current military honors standards at alternative cemeteries to prevent Arlington's capacity limits from disrupting existing burial practices.

This resolution commemorates the 190 th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Thailand. It also looks forward to enhancing the ties of friendship between the peoples of Thailand and the United States.

Maddy summaryHR 1831 would award Billie Jean King a Congressional Gold Medal to honor her lifelong advocacy for equal rights in sports and society. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike the medal and have it presented by congressional leaders, recognizing her pivotal role in advancing women's equality through tennis (including founding the Women’s Tennis Association and securing equal prize money) and her broader impact on society through initiatives like Title IX advocacy.

Maddy summaryHR 1154, the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2023, targets international trafficking in organs through coercion or abuse of power. It requires annual U.S. reports assessing forced organ harvesting and trafficking in foreign countries, mandates passport denial for convicted traffickers, and authorizes sanctions including asset freezes and visa bans against foreign individuals or entities involved in these activities. The bill specifically defines "forced organ harvesting" as organ removal via coercion, abduction, deception, fraud, or abuse of power, and "trafficking in persons for organ removal" as recruiting or transporting people for that purpose. These sanctions apply to foreign actors (including non-state groups) and cover both financial transactions and entry into the U.S., with limited exceptions for humanitarian aid. The law directly affects foreign governments, entities, and individuals implicated in organ trafficking, while requiring U.S. diplomatic and enforcement mechanisms to address the issue.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new visa category for temporary workers in mobile entertainment, such as carnival and circus staff who travel across the U.S. It directly affects carnival operators, seasonal workers, and food/concession vendors at fairs and festivals. The key provision requires Department of Labor certification to ensure U.S. workers are not displaced and that hiring foreign workers won’t lower wages or working conditions. It defines "mobile entertainment provider" to include traveling carnivals, circuses, and affiliated seasonal services like food concessions at local events.

Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2023 This bill raises the mandatory retirement age for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations from 65 to 67 years of age, unless the operation takes place in (1) the territorial airspace of a foreign county where such operations are prohibited by the foreign country, or (2) international airspace where such operations are not in compliance with the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration must also submit a report to Congress on further increasing the age limitation for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 28 is a symbolic resolution expressing Congress's view that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies - organizations providing life, health, and accident benefits to members - have long delivered critical community support. It states these societies, with about 7 million members nationwide, generate significant annual value through charitable work and volunteer activities (estimated at over $3.8 billion yearly). The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(8) of the tax code is essential for sustaining their volunteer-driven model and relieving pressure on government safety programs. As a non-binding expression of congressional sentiment, it does not alter existing laws or create new obligations.