Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Maddy summaryHRES 1201 is a symbolic House resolution supporting the designation of May 9, 2024, as "National Scam Survivor Day." It does not create new laws or funding but aims to raise awareness about scams affecting Americans, citing 2023 data showing over 2.6 million fraud reports and $10+ billion in losses. The resolution encourages public awareness, improved access to scam prevention resources, and collaboration among government, private, and nonprofit groups to support survivors and combat scams. It specifically highlights vulnerabilities among veterans, seniors, and young adults targeted by evolving scam tactics like AI-generated fraud.

Maddy summaryHRES 1203 is a symbolic resolution designating July 17, 2024, as "Glioblastoma Awareness Day." It expresses congressional support for raising public awareness about glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer with a 6.9% 5-year survival rate and limited treatment options. The resolution encourages greater public understanding of the disease's challenges, honors those affected by it, and urges continued research and collaboration. This is a non-binding awareness measure with no new funding or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHR 8358, the Taiwan Allies Fund Act, creates a $40 million annual fund (2025-2027) to support countries that maintain or strengthen unofficial ties with Taiwan despite pressure from China. It targets nations facing Chinese economic or diplomatic coercion for their relations with Taiwan, such as recent diplomatic switchers like Nauru. Funds can be used for specific activities including countering Chinese propaganda, building civil society resilience, diversifying supply chains away from China, and supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations. The bill limits aid per country to $5 million annually and requires annual reports on fund usage and coordination with Taiwan.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the placement of a memorial honoring women who contributed to World War II efforts on the National Mall or adjacent federal land in Washington, D.C. It specifically removes a location restriction (under 40 U.S.C. § 8908) to allow the memorial - previously authorized by the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act - to be situated within Area I of the National Mall or the National Mall Reserve. The memorial would commemorate over 18 million women who worked as pilots, engineers, mechanics, and codebreakers during the war. The bill directly affects the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation, which is tasked with establishing the memorial.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $280 million in funding for the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) for fiscal year 2024, with funds available through September 2025. The OCR investigates school discrimination complaints related to race, sex, disability, and other protected characteristics. This funding directly supports the OCR's ability to handle civil rights cases involving students and schools nationwide, without creating new student requirements or altering existing laws.

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 8254, the October 7 Remembrance Education Act, requires the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Director to develop a curriculum for secondary schools on Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks against Israel and related antisemitism. The curriculum must cover the attacks’ details, historical antisemitism, campus rhetoric, social media’s role in spreading anti-Israel sentiment, and denial of antisemitism, using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition. It is intended for use in secondary schools under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The Director must submit a report to Congress within three years of completing the curriculum.

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 summaryHR 8238 requires the U.S. Secretary of Defense to consider Taiwan for defense industrial cooperation under the Taiwan Relations Act. It directs the Secretary to evaluate Taiwan's eligibility for defense research funding, memoranda of understanding, and cooperative projects focused on supply chain resilience and defense needs. The bill mandates a 180-day feasibility study assessing strategic benefits, legal aspects, and specific defense capabilities (like Taiwan-developed items needing U.S. components or U.S. defense products Taiwan cannot supply). This study must be submitted to congressional committees and will inform future defense industrial agreements between the U.S. and Taiwan. The bill affects U.S. defense policy and Taiwan's defense industry by establishing a formal process for exploring deeper defense cooperation.