Maddy summaryThe Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2024 (HR 8329) strengthens U.S. sanctions against Belarusian officials responsible for human rights abuses, support of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the abduction of Ukrainian children. It authorizes U.S. assistance to promote democracy in Belarus through support for independent media, civil society organizations, and the democratic opposition, including funding for media access, civil society development, and cultural programming. The bill maintains existing sanctions until Belarus demonstrates significant progress on democratic reforms, and it requires reports on Belarus's military support for Russia, including the use of Belarus as a staging ground for Russian operations. It specifically targets officials involved in suppressing political dissent, enabling Russian military operations from Belarus, and facilitating the deportation of Ukrainian children. The legislation directly affects Belarusian government officials and security forces who violate democratic norms or support Russia's war effort, while supporting Belarusian civil society and democratic movements.
Rep. Thomas H. Kean, Jr.
Sponsored bills
Payment Choice Act of 202 3 This bill requires retail businesses to accept cash as a form of payment for on-site sales of $500 or less, and it prohibits them from charging cash-paying customers a higher price compared to customers not paying with cash. Businesses covered by this bill are those engaged in the business of selling or offering goods or services at retail to the public that accept in-person payments at a physical location. The bill provides for enforcement through preventative relief, damages, and civil penalties.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1199) commemorates the 50th anniversary of Turkey's 1974 military invasion and ongoing occupation of northern Cyprus. It formally condemns Turkey's continued occupation, calls for the immediate withdrawal of its 35,000 troops, and demands the removal of over 200,000 Turkish settlers from the occupied territory. The resolution also urges Turkey to assist in repatriating displaced Cypriot refugees and to cooperate on resolving the fate of missing persons, including U.S. citizens. As a symbolic congressional statement, it does not create binding law but expresses the House's position on the Cyprus issue.
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 summaryThe Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023 reauthorizes and updates the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017, focusing on improving weather forecasting capabilities across multiple domains. It authorizes annual funding for research and development in tornado, hurricane, and atmospheric river forecasting, with specific provisions for enhancing data collection from commercial sources and improving public communication of weather warnings. The bill establishes programs to improve data assimilation practices, support agricultural and water management applications, and enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's computing resources for weather modeling. This legislation directly affects the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, its partners in the weather enterprise, and the public who rely on weather forecasts and warnings for safety and planning.
Maddy summaryHR 4755, the Privacy Enhancing Technology Research Act, directs the National Science Foundation to fund competitive research on tools that protect personal data privacy during collection, storage, and analysis. It specifically supports research into de-identification techniques, privacy-preserving algorithms, data minimization methods, and workforce training for privacy technology development. The bill requires coordination with agencies like NIST and the FTC to develop voluntary standards, and mandates a congressional report on research progress within three years. This act primarily affects researchers, tech developers, and organizations handling personal data by advancing privacy-focused technological solutions.
Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 1174 (HRES 1174) is a symbolic resolution supporting April's Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month. It recognizes math and statistics as foundational to STEM fields and everyday life (like technology and cybersecurity), while highlighting the need for greater diversity in math careers based on 2022 data showing underrepresentation of women and minorities in math PhDs. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise public awareness of these fields' importance through annual recognition. It is an annual statement, not a policy change, focused on celebrating math and statistics' role in innovation and inclusion.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1157) is a symbolic gesture recognizing the work of linemen. It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it formally expresses the House's support for designating April 18, 2024, as "National Lineman Appreciation Day." The resolution highlights linemen's critical role in maintaining power infrastructure, their work as first responders during emergencies, and their safety risks. It directly affects no individuals or entities through policy changes - it solely offers ceremonial recognition of linemen's contributions to public safety.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Medicaid's asset recovery rules by giving states the option to exempt a home from recovery after a Medicaid recipient's death if the home is transferred to a family member who qualifies for Medicaid or has income below 138% of the federal poverty level. It directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries and their families by potentially preserving family homes instead of requiring states to reclaim them after care costs. The key change inserts a new exception into federal law, allowing states to choose whether to apply this rule when recovering assets from a deceased recipient's estate. This is a concrete policy adjustment to Medicaid's asset recovery process, not a new benefit or funding change.