Rep. Bill Posey

Maddy summaryHR 6301, the Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2023, requires group health plans to ensure that out-of-pocket costs for oral anticancer drugs (taken by patients at home) are no higher than for intravenous or injected anticancer drugs. It applies to patients prescribed oral anticancer medications approved by the FDA and deemed medically necessary or clinically appropriate by their physician. The law prohibits insurers from increasing patient costs for oral drugs through benefit changes, such as higher copays or stricter coverage limits, and allows prior authorization for all chemotherapy. The law takes effect for 2024 plan years, and the GAO will study its impact on patient costs within two years.

Maddy summaryThe SHIP Act imposes sanctions on foreign entities that knowingly handle Iranian petroleum, targeting those involved in port operations, transportation, refining, or ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian oil. Starting 90 days after enactment, the President must block assets, deny visas, and impose penalties on individuals or companies engaging in these activities, including family members or owners of sanctioned entities. It requires annual reports tracking Iran's oil exports, revenues, and key players like shipping companies and ports. The sanctions terminate if the President certifies Iran has stopped supporting terrorism and dismantled weapons programs.

Maddy summaryHR 6212, the PROTECT Florida Act, extends the existing moratorium on oil and gas leasing and exploration in the Gulf of Mexico until 2032 and adds a new ban on such activities off Florida's Atlantic coast until June 2029. The bill blocks federal permits for oil and gas exploration, leasing, and seismic testing in two specific areas: the Straits of Florida and the southern portion of the South Atlantic Planning Area south of Florida's coastline. These restrictions apply to all related activities, including preleasing and seismic testing, directly affecting federal agencies and companies seeking to conduct offshore drilling operations in those regions. The legislation aims to prevent new oil and gas development in Florida's coastal waters for the specified periods.

Maddy summaryHRES 798 is a House resolution condemning support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at colleges and universities. It states such support may create a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff, citing incidents like blaming Israel for the October 7 Hamas attack. The resolution urges the Secretary of Education to direct the Office for Civil Rights to investigate and take action where appropriate. This non-binding resolution expresses the House's position but does not create new law or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 6211, the SAFE Act of 2023, prohibits U.S. immigration benefits for individuals holding passports issued by the Palestinian Authority. It blocks the issuance or renewal of visas, temporary protected status, asylum, refugee status, and parole for these individuals, and mandates the revocation of any such status granted on or after October 1, 2023. The bill also declares covered aliens inadmissible and requires immigration authorities to identify and remove Palestinians without lawful status who arrived after that date. This law directly affects Palestinian passport holders seeking to enter or remain in the United States through standard immigration pathways.

Maddy summaryHR 6201, the Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023, creates the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund to cover costs related to seizing and forfeiting property from Iran or its designated proxies (like Hezbollah or the Revolutionary Guard Corps) that violate U.S. sanctions. The fund, initially $150 million, pays for investigative costs, property management, informant rewards, and equipment for federal, state, and local agencies involved in enforcement. It also establishes an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security to improve interagency cooperation on enforcing export controls targeting Iran. The bill requires annual reports on fund usage and mandates repayment of the initial $150 million by 2034, unless waived for national security reasons.

Maddy summaryHR 2601, the National Human Trafficking Hotline Enhancement Act, requires organizations applying for federal grants under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to certify they will share hotline information with state or local law enforcement upon request, while following disclosure laws. This directly affects grant applicants, such as anti-trafficking organizations operating the National Human Trafficking Hotline. The key mechanism adds a new certification requirement to grant eligibility, ensuring potential data sharing with law enforcement when appropriate. The bill also mandates a joint report from the Attorney General and DHS Secretary to Congress on how this requirement is implemented. The bill does not change the hotline's operations or victim services.

Maddy summaryThe REPAIR Act requires car manufacturers to provide vehicle owners and independent repair shops with free, unrestricted access to vehicle data and repair information. It bans manufacturers from using technological or legal barriers to block access to diagnostics, tools, or aftermarket parts, and prohibits mandating specific brands for repairs or restricting customers’ choice of repair facility. The law also prevents manufacturers from requiring waivers of these rights as a condition of purchase, lease, or warranty service. The Federal Trade Commission will enforce these provisions to ensure fair competition in vehicle repair.

Maddy summaryHR 662, the Block Grant Assistance Act of 2023, amends the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2023 to allow the Secretary of Agriculture to provide disaster loss assistance to eligible states and territories through block grants. This change permits states and territories to use the funds more flexibly for disaster recovery under the existing disaster relief framework, rather than requiring direct federal disbursement for specific losses. The bill directly affects states and territories experiencing disasters covered by the Disaster Relief Act. It modifies the current process by adding a specific provision enabling block grants as an option for distributing relief funds.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 74 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing support for the Geneva Consensus Declaration, a 2020 agreement signed by 36 countries affirming that no international right to abortion exists, protecting life at all stages, and prioritizing the family as society's foundation. It urges the U.S. to rejoin this declaration, which the Biden administration temporarily withdrew from, while noting existing U.S. laws already prohibit federal funding for abortions or coercive family planning abroad. The resolution does not create new laws but calls on the President to restore U.S. participation and directs oversight to ensure U.S. foreign aid aligns with current abortion funding restrictions. It directly addresses U.S. foreign policy engagement with international health initiatives but does not affect domestic laws or policies.