Rep. David P. Joyce

This resolution recognizes and appreciates the dedication and devotion demonstrated by the men and women of law enforcement. It also condemns calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police.

Maddy summaryThe HEAL Act (HR 603) requires the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Director to study how public elementary and secondary schools teach about the Holocaust and related antisemitism. The study will examine curriculum requirements, teaching methods (like project-based learning), instructional materials, and assessment approaches across states and school districts. It specifically analyzes whether Holocaust education is mandatory, optional, or integrated across subjects, and how schools address antisemitism and genocide prevention. The resulting report, due within 180 days of the study or three years after enactment, will inform Congress but does not change current school policies. This is a data-gathering measure, not a policy mandate.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires manufacturers of internet-connected toys (targeted at children) to clearly label packaging and include simple explanations in privacy terms about how personal data is collected, stored, and shared. Specifically, labels must state if the toy connects to the internet and collects children's information (like voice recordings or location), and privacy terms must detail what data is gathered, how it's used, and whether parents can disable data collection. It directly affects toy companies selling such products in the U.S. and is enforced by the FTC under existing laws for deceptive practices. The goal is to give parents clear, upfront information about data handling without restricting toy functionality.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 7 is a symbolic resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that commends Iranian protesters - particularly women - who have risked safety to demonstrate against the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, including the mandatory hijab law and violent crackdowns following Mahsa Amini's death. It condemns the regime's use of violence (reportedly killing over 450 protesters) and detention of activists, while urging the Biden Administration to impose additional human rights sanctions on officials involved in repression and support internet freedom tools to bypass Iranian censorship. The resolution makes no binding policy changes but formally expresses congressional support for protesters' demands for freedom, justice, and an end to discriminatory laws targeting women. It does not directly affect any U.S. laws or policies but serves as a statement of U.S. position.

Maddy summaryThe Educational Choice for Children Act creates tax credits for individuals and corporations that contribute to scholarship granting organizations providing education scholarships. Individuals can claim a credit up to $5,000 or 10% of their income, while corporations can claim up to 5% of taxable income. The scholarships are available to students from households with income up to 300% of the area median income, and can be used for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational expenses at elementary and secondary schools. The bill includes strict requirements for scholarship organizations to verify income, conduct audits, and prevent misuse of funds, while also prohibiting government control over these organizations and protecting private and religious schools from discrimination in the program. It establishes a $10 billion annual cap on the total tax credits available.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers to give the same medical care to infants born alive during abortions as they would to any newborn, and to immediately admit such infants to a hospital. It mandates reporting of non-compliance to law enforcement and imposes penalties including up to 5 years in prison for violations. Women who undergo abortions can file civil lawsuits seeking money damages for injuries, three times the abortion cost, and punitive damages if care standards are not met. The bill also clarifies that abortion includes intentionally killing an unborn child or terminating pregnancy without specific exceptions (e.g., after viability to preserve life or removing a dead fetus).

Maddy summaryHR 472, the Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2023, requires the Attorney General to develop a report within 150 days of enactment on programs to provide specialized mental health services for public safety officers (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers) and telecommunicators. The report must propose evidence-based trauma care, peer support, and family services to address job-related PTSD and acute stress disorder, while ensuring confidentiality for those seeking help. It will also outline efficient implementation plans using in-person and telehealth options across state, tribal, territorial, and local levels, plus draft legislative language and funding estimates. The bill directly targets public safety workers facing significantly higher PTSD rates (30% vs. 20% general population) and elevated suicide risks, including an estimated 125-300 annual police suicides.

Maddy summaryThe Putting Investors First Act of 2023 requires proxy advisory firms (companies that provide voting recommendations to investors) to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and disclose potential conflicts of interest. It mandates these firms to establish procedures ensuring recommendations are based on accurate information, provide public companies with reasonable time to review data used in recommendations, and maintain an ombudsman for complaint resolution. The bill also requires investment advisors and asset managers with over $100 million in assets to report how they use proxy advice and provide economic analysis for votes not aligned with board recommendations. Additionally, it prohibits "robovoting" (automatically voting based on proxy advice) and mandates ESG funds to disclose performance comparisons with standard index funds. The legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability in the proxy advisory industry to better protect investor interests.

This resolution urges all participants in the Good Friday agreement and subsequent agreements to honor their obligations. The resolution also supports efforts to (1) prevent a hard border within the island of Ireland and (2) promote peace and prosperity for all communities. (The island of Ireland is divided between Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and the Republic of Ireland, a European Union member state.)

Second Amendment Protection Act This bill exempts certain individuals who use medical marijuana from federal firearms-related restrictions. Currently, federal firearms laws prohibit an individual who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance from shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing a firearm or ammunition. This bill exempts from the prohibition an individual who uses marijuana for a medical purpose in accordance with state law.