Rep. Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses support for designating June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month. The bill calls on the public to wear orange on the designated day to honor victims and promote awareness of gun safety. It highlights statistics on gun-related deaths and injuries to underscore the need for community discussions on making neighborhoods safer.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution directs the President to withdraw all United States Armed Forces from Lebanon within seven days of the bill's adoption. It operates under section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, which allows Congress to mandate the removal of troops from foreign locations. The measure directly affects the executive branch by requiring immediate compliance with the specified timeline for troop withdrawal.

Maddy summaryThe Know Your Rights Act directs the Attorney General to create a new Office of Legal Access Programs within the immigration review system to educate detained noncitizens about their legal rights and immigration procedures. This office would develop orientation programs that provide information in English and the five most common languages spoken by detainees, aiming to help individuals make informed decisions while reducing costs and delays in immigration proceedings. The law requires these educational services to be offered within five days of a person entering custody and mandates that the government consider vulnerable groups, such as unaccompanied children and those with serious mental disabilities, for special attention. Importantly, the bill explicitly states that providing this information does not create any new legal rights or benefits that can be enforced in court.

Maddy summaryThe Right to Trial Act modifies federal sentencing guidelines to ensure that defendants are not penalized for exercising their constitutional right to a trial rather than accepting a plea deal. It requires judges to consider whether a mandatory minimum sentence would effectively punish a defendant for going to trial, particularly when compared to the sentences of similarly situated individuals who pleaded guilty. Additionally, the law grants courts the authority to impose sentences below statutory minimums specifically to protect this right. These changes directly affect federal criminal defendants and the judges who determine their punishments.

Maddy summaryH.Con.Res. 107 is a non-binding resolution that formally recognizes the importance of reducing gun violence and strengthening public safety as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies, but instead expresses Congress's commitment to these goals and honors the lives lost to gun violence. It acknowledges the efforts of community leaders, law enforcement, and advocates while calling for continued support of victim services and data collection initiatives.

Maddy summaryThe Postal Data Privacy Act of 2026 restricts the use of mail covers by requiring governmental entities to obtain a court order before accessing postal records for criminal investigations. To qualify for such an order, authorities must provide specific facts demonstrating that the requested data is relevant and material to an ongoing case, while state laws prohibiting mail covers would override federal requirements. Additionally, the bill mandates that postal officials preserve relevant records for up to 180 days while a court order is being sought or renewed. These provisions directly affect federal and state law enforcement agencies as well as the United States Postal Inspection Service by establishing new procedural safeguards for accessing mail data.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act, modifies how the United States evaluates foreign countries' efforts to combat human trafficking. It requires these nations to demonstrate serious and sustained actions, such as banning the purchase of commercial sex acts, educating buyers about exploitation, and reducing international sex tourism. These new criteria will be used in future annual reports to determine whether a country meets the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking. Consequently, the bill directly affects how the U.S. government assesses and categorizes the anti-trafficking progress of other nations.

Maddy summaryThe American High-Speed Rail Act expands federal funding and streamlines regulations to support the development of high-speed and higher-speed rail projects across the United States. It authorizes billions of dollars in grants for corridor planning, technology improvements, and construction, while allowing the federal government to cover up to 100% of project costs under specific conditions. The bill also introduces new provisions to facilitate land acquisition, prioritize border projects, and extend labor protections to workers involved in federally funded rail infrastructure. Additionally, the legislation defines higher-speed rail as trains traveling between 110 and 186 miles per hour and includes tax incentives for rail carriers that sell or lease property to support these projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes $5 billion annually for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2035 to fund affordable housing programs, but restricts these funds to areas designated by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as having high housing costs. It also requires the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive study on alternative ways to calculate income limits for urban housing assistance, with a final report due two years after enactment. The study will analyze how current income metrics affect rent affordability and explore options like using ZIP Code-level data to better support low- and middle-income families in expensive cities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents the United States Postal Service from finalizing or enforcing a proposed rule that would allow the mailing of concealable firearms. Directly affecting the Postal Service, the legislation blocks the implementation of regulations scheduled for April 2, 2026, which would have changed how handguns are shipped through the mail. By prohibiting the enforcement of these specific rules, the bill ensures that the current mailing standards for firearms remain in place without the new restrictions or allowances proposed in the document.