Rep. Thomas H. Kean, Jr.

Maddy summaryHRES 925 is a non-binding resolution condemning the Iranian government's ongoing persecution of the Baha'i religious minority. It directly affects Baha'is in Iran, who face systemic discrimination, imprisonment, denial of education and employment, and violence due to their faith. The resolution calls on Iran to immediately release Baha'i prisoners, end hate propaganda targeting them, and reverse policies banning their access to education and jobs. It also urges the U.S. President and Secretary of State to demand Iran's compliance and use existing sanctions authorities against officials responsible for human rights abuses against Baha'is.

Maddy summaryThe Global Child Thrive Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends the authorization period for the Global Child Thrive program - which provides U.S. foreign assistance to support orphans and vulnerable children globally - from 2025 to 2030. It requires the Secretary of State to appoint a Special Advisor for Assistance to Orphans and Vulnerable Children within 90 days of enactment. The bill also extends the time period for issuing implementing directives under the Foreign Assistance Act. This legislation ensures continued U.S. funding and coordination for international child welfare programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new interagency Task Force to dismantle foreign scam operations targeting Americans, particularly through "pig butchering" scams in Southeast Asia. The Task Force, chaired by the Secretary of State, will coordinate efforts across multiple agencies to shut down scam centers, impose sanctions on perpetrators, and support victims of trafficking. It requires a detailed strategy within 180 days and annual reports to Congress on progress, including sanctions imposed and funds recovered. The bill authorizes $30 million for these efforts in fiscal years 2026-2027, focusing on countries like Cambodia, Laos, and Burma where scam centers operate with forced labor.

Maddy summaryHR 5021, the American Decade of Sports Act, requires the U.S. Department of State to create a formal 5-year strategy (updated every 5 years) for using major international sporting events hosted in the U.S. between 2024 and 2034 - including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics - to strengthen diplomatic ties and promote U.S. soft power. It mandates renaming the State Department’s sports diplomacy division as the Office of Sports Diplomacy, adding at least 3 dedicated staff members, and coordinating with host cities, sports leagues, and visa agencies to streamline international visitor access. The strategy must detail diplomatic goals, partnerships with local communities and the sports industry, and plans for cultural exchange, while requiring annual progress reports to Congress until 2034. This bill directly affects the State Department, host cities, international athletes, and diplomatic engagement efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill would remove restrictions on U.S. military exports to the Republic of Cyprus, allowing the Cypriot government to purchase U.S. defense equipment and services. It directly affects Cyprus by enabling access to U.S. defense articles and services, which were previously subject to a policy of denial. The key mechanism eliminates the denial policy for such exports, with exceptions if credible human rights concerns exist, and requires annual congressional certifications to maintain the policy beyond a 5-year period (based on Cyprus's cooperation with U.S. anti-money laundering efforts and denying Russian military vessels port access). The bill does not create new programs but changes existing export restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill renames a U.S. Postal Service facility at 514 Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark, New Jersey, as the "Mildred Joyce Coleman Crump Post Office Building." All official references in federal documents, maps, or records to this specific post office location will now use the new name. The bill directly affects the Newark postal facility and its official documentation. (Procedural naming resolution; no policy changes.)

Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 This bill expands the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authority with respect to research on rare pediatric diseases, including by permitting the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to satisfy pediatric study requirements and by reauthorizing programs that support pediatric research.  Specifically, the bill modifies requirements relating to molecularly targeted pediatric cancer investigations to permit research on new drugs in combination with active ingredients that have already been approved, provided certain conditions are met; permits the FDA to take enforcement action against drug sponsors that fail to comply with pediatric study requirements, if such sponsors demonstrated a lack of due diligence in satisfying the requirement; renews the FDA’s authority to award priority review vouchers to sponsors of new products intended to treat rare pediatric diseases through September 30, 2029; and reauthorizes through FY2027 certain funding for the National Institutes of Health to support priority pediatric research.  The bill also provides statutory authority for the FDA’s interpretation of the orphan drug exclusivity period. The bill specifies, consistent with FDA regulations, that the seven-year market exclusivity period for drugs for rare diseases or conditions (i.e., orphan drugs) prohibits the approval of the same drug for the same approved use or indication with respect to the disease or condition. (In Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Becerra , a court rejected the FDA’s interpretation and held that orphan drug exclusivity extends to all uses or indications for the disease or condition.)

Maddy summaryHR 6302, the Whistleblowers Aiding National Security Act of 2025, creates a program rewarding individuals who report defense export rule violations to the State Department. It establishes a secure online portal for submitting original information (including anonymously), with whistleblowers eligible for awards of 10-30% of civil penalties collected from violators. The bill also prohibits employer retaliation against whistleblowers who report violations, requiring reinstatement or double back pay if fired, and creates a special fund to pay rewards using fines collected under the program. This directly affects individuals reporting defense export violations and employers who might retaliate against them.

Maddy summaryThis bill corrects an error in the distribution of funds to specific 9/11-related claimants. It ensures "Havlish Settling Judgment Creditors" (a group who settled claims through a 2014 court case related to the 9/11 attacks) receive funds previously withheld from them and can participate in future payments like other eligible claimants. The key mechanism releases all withheld funds held in escrow for these creditors and explicitly states they are eligible for future payments under the same rules as other claimants. The changes apply retroactively from December 29, 2022.

Maddy summaryHR 6243, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act, directs the Architect of the Capitol to create and bury a time capsule commemorating the U.S. 250th anniversary. The capsule, to be sealed in the Capitol Visitor Center by July 4, 2026, will contain a joint letter from congressional leadership, commemorative coins, and other durable items (like metal or archival paper) that won’t degrade. It will remain sealed until July 4, 2276, when the 244th Congress will receive and decide how to preserve its contents. This is a ceremonial act with no policy impact, solely marking the semiquincentennial anniversary.