Rep. Chris Pappas

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 3266, the Peace and Tolerance in Palestinian Education Act, requires the U.S. Secretary of State to report annually on curriculum content in Palestinian Authority (PA) schools and UNRWA schools in the West Bank and Gaza. The bill mandates reports assessing whether textbooks contain content encouraging violence or intolerance toward other nations or ethnic groups, steps the PA is taking to align with UN tolerance standards, and how U.S. aid funds are used to address such content. It specifically directs the State Department to review materials like textbooks, maps, and math problems referencing conflicts, as documented in a 2018 GAO report. The reports must be submitted publicly and include details on U.S. diplomatic efforts to promote peace in Palestinian education. This is a procedural bill focused on monitoring curriculum content, not altering education policy directly.

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 summaryHRES 599 is a non-binding resolution urging the European Union to fully designate Hizballah (Hezbollah) as a terrorist organization, rather than just its military wing as the EU did in 2013. It recommends the EU implement sanctions, freeze assets, issue arrest warrants, and prohibit fundraising for Hizballah, aligning with actions taken by the U.S. and other nations. The resolution cites Hizballah’s history of attacks, its criminal activities in Europe (including drug trafficking and money laundering), and its ties to Iran as justification. It directly addresses EU decision-makers, calling for coordinated action to disrupt Hizballah’s operations across the continent. The resolution follows prior House efforts, including H.Res. 359 (2017) and H.Res. 558 (2022), which made similar requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the tax code to allow taxpayers to deduct over-the-counter naloxone purchases as medical expenses, similar to insulin. It directly affects individuals who buy naloxone without a prescription for personal or family use. The key provision adds "naloxone" to the list of deductible medical items under Section 213(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. The change applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to request state or EPA permit modifications for military facilities to mandate quarterly testing of PFAS chemicals in stormwater runoff and implement controls to reduce discharges. It directly affects DoD facilities, which use PFAS-containing firefighting foams, and the states or EPA issuing their stormwater permits. Key provisions include a one-year deadline for permit revisions (requiring quarterly PFAS monitoring and best management practices) and dedicating at least 1% of annual PFAS remediation funds for stormwater testing at military sites. The bill aims to reduce PFAS pollution from military operations into waterways through enforceable monitoring and control measures.

National Museum of American LGBTQI+ History and Culture Act This bill establishes within the Smithsonian Institution the National Museum of American LGBTQI+ History and Culture. The museum (1) may carry out educational and liaison programs in support of its goals, and (2) shall establish specified grant and scholarship programs.

Maddy summaryHR 5937, the National Children’s Museum Act, formally designates the National Children’s Museum (operating as a nonprofit under IRS 501(c)(3)) as the official national children’s museum and secures its space in the Ronald Reagan Building. The bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to enter a cooperative agreement providing the museum with rent-free use of its current 32,369-square-foot space (suite C-001) for the duration of its existing lease, subject to the museum maintaining its 501(c)(3) status and using the space as a children’s museum. Funding for this arrangement will come from existing GSA funds (Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation or International Trade Center funds), and the museum must submit annual reports on operations and finances to specific congressional committees. This procedural bill primarily affects the museum’s operational stability and space agreement, not broader policy.

Maddy summaryHRES 820 is a symbolic resolution designating October 28 as "Oxi Day" in the U.S. to commemorate Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas' 1940 refusal ("Oxi!" or "No!") to an Axis surrender demand. It honors Greece's resistance against Italian forces, which delayed Nazi Germany's invasion of Russia and is credited with influencing World War II's outcome. The resolution encourages the U.S. public to observe this day through ceremonies and activities. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes this historical event and U.S.-Greece alliance.

Maddy summaryHR 6102 establishes a nonpartisan commission to study the feasibility of creating a National Museum of American LGBTQI+ History and Culture. The 8-member commission, appointed by congressional leaders, will assess costs, location options, governance, fundraising needs, and potential impacts on existing museums, with reports due within 18 months. Crucially, the bill prohibits federal funding for the commission’s work and requires a fundraising plan to support the museum’s future operation without relying on ongoing government appropriations. The commission’s findings will inform future legislative action but do not authorize the museum’s creation. This is a study-only measure, not a funding or construction bill.