Rep. Brian Babin

Maddy summaryThis House resolution formally rebukes Representative Rashida Tlaib for specific past remarks and a recent vote. It cites her 2019 podcast comments referencing the Holocaust, 2022 statements opposing Israel's government, and her May 2023 vote against a pro-Israel resolution. The resolution also references her October 2023 statement calling Israel an "apartheid state" following Hamas attacks. The House resolves to censure her, stand with Israel, and reject the "apartheid" characterization.

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 summaryHR 5959, the GAZA Act, would bar individuals holding passports issued by the Palestinian Authority from entering the United States. Specifically, it makes such individuals inadmissible, ineligible for visas or parole, and unable to receive immigration benefits under U.S. law. The bill directly affects Palestinian Authority passport holders seeking U.S. entry or immigration status. It creates a specific visa restriction based solely on the passport authority issuing the document.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the release of Iranian assets blocked by the U.S. Treasury until the President certifies two conditions: (1) hostilities between Israel and Hamas/Iran-backed groups have ended, and (2) Israel has received full compensation for harms or Iran is participating in a verified international compensation mechanism. It requires the President to notify Congress 30 days before releasing any such asset and allows Congress to block the release via a joint resolution within 30 days. The bill also authorizes the President to confiscate Iranian assets held in the U.S., deposit the funds into a special account, and use those funds to procure defense articles/services for Israel. These provisions aim to leverage frozen Iranian assets to support Israel's defense needs while establishing specific procedural safeguards for asset management.

Drone Research and Innovation for Law Enforcement Act of 2023 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study, and create an approval process for, nonlethal de-escalation unmanned aircraft (i.e., drones). Under the bill,  nonlethal de-escalation unmanned aircraft  means an unmanned aircraft that is equipped with one or more nonlethal weapons or devices and is used by law enforcement personnel in scenarios (1) that present significant risk to human life, and (2) in which the suspected criminal is in a position to potentially escalate the situation and expose human life to a high level of risk. Specifically, the FAA must initiate a pilot research program to study the potential use of nonlethal de-escalation unmanned aircraft by law enforcement agencies. As part of the study, the FAA must enter into interagency agreements with various federal, state, and local agencies. The FAA must submit a report on the results of the research program to Congress. The report must include a plan outlining a proposed FAA application process for law enforcement to seek permission to operate nonlethal de-escalation unmanned aircraft. Within 90 days of submitting the report, the FAA must initiate rulemaking to create a process through which the FAA may provide approval to operate these unmanned aircraft.

Maddy summaryHRES 755 is a procedural resolution introduced on October 2, 2023, that proposes expelling Representative Jamaal Bowman from the U.S. House of Representatives. It cites Article I, Section 5, Clause 2 of the Constitution, which grants the House authority to expel members. The resolution, referred to the Committee on Ethics, would remove Bowman from his seat if passed by the full House. This is a formal procedural step seeking to end Bowman's membership, not a law with broader policy effects.

Maddy summaryHRES 739 is a House resolution disapproving of a September 11, 2023, sanctions waiver that would release $6 billion in Iranian assets held in South Korea. The resolution states this waiver weakens U.S. policy by allowing Iran access to funds that could support its nuclear program and terrorism, and criticizes the delayed notification to Congress. It specifically condemns the administration's nonenforcement of mandatory sanctions and the release of assets without proper congressional review. The resolution demands the administration submit any Iran nuclear agreement to Congress before further sanctions relief. This is a procedural disapproval, not a law altering sanctions.

Maddy summaryHR 5791, the "Define the Mission Act," requires the President to submit a comprehensive strategy report to Congress within 30 days of the bill's enactment, detailing U.S. involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The report must define U.S. national interests in the conflict, set specific objectives with timelines, benchmarks, and resource estimates (including personnel and funding), list expected European NATO security contributions, and assess Russia’s natural gas market impact on resolving the conflict. It mandates the strategy must aim for a Russia-Ukraine cease-fire agreement and explicitly cannot depend on U.S. funding for Ukrainian reconstruction. The report must be unclassified but may include a classified annex for full transparency. This bill establishes a formal process for Congress to review and oversee U.S. policy toward Ukraine.

Maddy summaryHR 5654, the "Hot Showers Act," directs the Secretary of Energy to withdraw a specific proposed rule on water heater energy efficiency standards. The bill mandates the withdrawal of the "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Water Heaters" rule (88 Fed. Reg. 49058, July 28, 2023), and prohibits the Department of Energy from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing that rule or any substantially similar rule. This action directly affects the Department of Energy and manufacturers of consumer water heaters by halting the proposed efficiency standards. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on withdrawing the rule without creating new policy.

Maddy summaryHR 5636, the "Protect Children’s Innocence Act," prohibits federal criminal penalties for performing gender-affirming medical care on minors under specific circumstances. It defines prohibited care as surgeries (like hysterectomy or mastectomy), puberty blockers, and hormone therapies at supraphysiologic doses, with exceptions for medical emergencies, intersex conditions, or life-threatening illnesses. The law only applies when the care involves interstate commerce (e.g., payments, communications, or travel across state lines). Minors receiving such care cannot be prosecuted, but they may sue providers for civil damages. The bill directly affects minors under 18, healthcare providers, and families seeking gender-affirming medical treatment.