Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Maddy summaryThe Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act of 2023 amends the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act to expand sanctions against individuals and entities supporting the Assad regime in Syria. It targets those who provide financial or material support to the regime, divert humanitarian aid, seize property, or engage with Syria Arab Airlines or Cham Wings. The bill prohibits U.S. officials from recognizing or normalizing relations with the Assad regime and requires the administration to develop a strategy to counter other countries' engagement with Syria. It also mandates annual reports on diplomatic meetings with Syria, transactions involving Syria, and how the Assad regime manipulates UN operations in Syria.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the 2018 Anti-Boycott Act to include boycotts by international governmental organizations (IGOs), such as UN agencies, alongside boycotts by foreign countries. It expands existing requirements for U.S. entities to report boycotts they comply with, now covering IGO-initiated boycotts as well. The change directly affects U.S. businesses and organizations operating internationally who might face pressure from IGOs to participate in boycotts. Key provisions update legal definitions in the law by inserting "or international governmental organization" in relevant sections without creating new penalties.

Maddy summaryThe Uyghur Policy Act of 2023 establishes a U.S. Special Coordinator for Uyghur Issues within the State Department to coordinate policy and advocate for the protection of Uyghur cultural, religious, and linguistic identity in Xinjiang. It authorizes $250,000 annually for Uyghur human rights advocates to speak at public diplomacy events in Muslim-majority countries and mandates Uyghur language training for U.S. diplomats. The bill also directs the U.S. government to support United Nations monitoring of Xinjiang human rights issues and oppose efforts to block discussions of Xinjiang at the UN. These provisions focus on diplomatic advocacy and information-sharing, not direct sanctions or enforcement actions against China.

Maddy summaryThis resolution proposes creating a Permanent Select Committee on Aging in the U.S. House of Representatives. The committee would study issues affecting older Americans - such as income security, healthcare, housing, and long-term care - without having the power to pass laws. It would review existing government and private programs, develop coordination strategies for aging-related services, and assess recommendations from the President or the White House Conference on Aging. The committee’s work would inform future policy discussions but would not directly change legislation.

Maddy summaryHR 7434, the BEST for Vets Act of 2024, requires that only licensed health care professionals conduct medical disability examinations for veterans' benefits under certain VA pilot programs. The bill amends existing law to prohibit non-licensed personnel from performing these evaluations, ensuring only qualified professionals (as defined in the law) handle disability assessments. It also mandates annual reports to Congress detailing the pilot program's implementation and the VA's compliance actions. This directly affects veterans receiving disability benefits and VA contractors administering medical exams. The law aims to standardize exam quality and transparency in the disability evaluation process.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, working with the Education Secretary and other agencies, to create a federal strategy for securing K-12 schools against terrorism threats within 180 days of enactment. The strategy must detail existing federal programs and funding for school security, identify specific vulnerabilities in school safety, outline actions to address those gaps, and recommend any needed new authorities. It applies directly to federal agencies coordinating school security efforts but does not mandate specific security measures for schools themselves. The strategy must be updated every seven years, with the requirement ending seven years after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryHR 7373, the Recognize AGS Act, would require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to add alpha-gal syndrome to its official list of nationally notifiable diseases. This means doctors and health facilities would be mandated to report diagnosed cases of alpha-gal syndrome to public health authorities, similar to how they report diseases like measles or Lyme disease. The bill directly affects individuals diagnosed with this rare condition (caused by a tick bite and triggering meat allergies), healthcare providers who treat it, and public health agencies tracking disease patterns. This change would improve national data collection on alpha-gal syndrome but does not alter treatment or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 7384, the Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2024, extends the deadline for issuing priority review vouchers to pharmaceutical companies developing treatments for rare pediatric diseases. The bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to push the program’s expiration from 2024 to 2028 and adjusts another related deadline to 2030. This directly affects drug manufacturers seeking faster FDA review for new treatments targeting rare childhood illnesses. The extension ensures continued incentives for developing these critical therapies without altering the core voucher mechanism.

Maddy summaryHR 7307, the Health Care Workforce Innovation Act of 2024, establishes a new federal grant program to expand training for allied health professionals - such as medical assistants, community health workers, pharmacy technicians, and dental hygienists - in underserved communities and rural areas. Eligible applicants include Federally-qualified health centers and rural health clinics, which can use grants (up to $2.5 million per award for at least 3 years) to develop community-driven training partnerships with schools, vocational programs, and healthcare facilities. Funds support specific activities like apprenticeships, culturally competent training, and building career pathways for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, while prohibiting construction costs or replacing existing workforce funding. The program authorizes $100 million annually from 2025-2029 to address healthcare workforce shortages in areas lacking access to care.

Maddy summaryHRES 1014 is a symbolic House resolution commemorating the Ukrainian people's sacrifices two years after Russia's February 24, 2022, invasion. It recognizes the war's devastating toll, including over 10,000 civilian deaths, 19,000 abducted children, and 10 million displaced people, while condemning Russia's actions. The resolution reaffirms U.S. support for Ukraine, condemns Vladimir Putin's regime, and stands in solidarity with Ukraine's defense of democratic values. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect but formally acknowledges Ukraine's struggle and resilience. It directly honors Ukrainian civilians, soldiers, and those displaced by Russia's war of aggression.