Rep. Troy Balderson

Adding Coccidioidomycosis to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act of 2023 This bill expands the priority-review voucher program for tropical diseases to include coccidioidomycosis (also known as Valley fever). A voucher entitles the holder to have a future new drug or biological product application acted upon by the Food and Drug Administration within six months.

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 summaryThis resolution (HRES 839) condemns antisemitism at U.S. colleges and universities and urges campus leaders to publicly oppose hate speech targeting Jewish students, faculty, and staff. It encourages university presidents, administrators, and faculty to speak out against speech that promotes violence or discrimination based on religion, national origin, or ancestry. The resolution specifically calls on institutions to support Jewish student organizations and ensure Jewish members can study and work without fear. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but expresses congressional support for addressing antisemitism on campuses.

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 summaryHRES 771 is a non-binding resolution expressing the U.S. House of Representatives' support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack. It condemns Hamas' actions, affirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls for the immediate release of hostages. The resolution also urges enforcement of existing laws restricting aid to terrorists and sanctions against Iran for supporting Hamas. It does not create new policies or allocate funds, as it is a symbolic statement of congressional support.

Maddy summaryHRES 768 is a symbolic House Resolution expressing congressional support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks. It condemns Hamas' actions, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls for the immediate release of hostages. The resolution references the U.S. commitment to Israel's security through existing military aid programs, including the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding, and emphasizes enforcement of laws like the Taylor Force Act to prevent U.S. aid from reaching terrorist groups. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new policy but serves as a statement of congressional support for Israel.

Maddy summaryHR 6055, the Schools Want Accountability for Threats Act (SWAT Act), increases penalties for threats targeting schools. It amends federal laws to add specific provisions making it a crime to threaten or spread false information about public, private, or religious schools offering early childhood through career education (as defined by state law), with penalties of up to 20 years in prison or fines. The bill applies to threats involving fire/explosives (18 U.S.C. §844), mail/interstate communications (§§875, 876), and false information (§1038). This creates a clear federal criminal penalty for individuals making such threats against qualifying schools, without changing existing school safety protocols.

Maddy summaryHR 5996, the "Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act," restricts all U.S. federal funding in Gaza until the President certifies two conditions to Congress: (1) funds won't benefit Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or designated terrorist groups, and (2) all hostages taken by these groups have been freed. The bill also prohibits U.S. funding through UN entities in Gaza if they promote anti-Israel or anti-Semitic content. It applies to all U.S. government spending in Gaza, including aid delivered via international organizations. The law directly affects federal budget allocations for Gaza operations and requires specific congressional oversight before any funds can be used.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish a "crisis evacuation loan program" for U.S. citizens needing emergency evacuation abroad during crises. It replaces the previous "repatriations loan program" name and directs existing funding from the Department of Homeland Security’s Shelter and Services Program to the State Department to administer these loans. The program allows the State Department to provide loans for evacuation costs, which must be repaid by the affected citizens. This change primarily affects U.S. citizens abroad facing sudden emergencies requiring urgent travel assistance.

Health Care Practitioner Disaster Protection Act This bill extends certain liability protections available for health care practitioners who provide voluntary health care services in declared emergencies through a community health center other than the one that initially sponsored them. Current law makes the liability protections available to volunteer practitioners that are sponsored by a particular community health center. This bill maintains the liability protections for a volunteer practitioner who provides services through a different community health center if the center (1) seeks the assistance of the volunteer practitioner to respond to a declared emergency, and (2) promptly notifies the Department of Health and Human Services that the volunteer practitioner will be providing services.