Rep. Steve Cohen

Maddy summaryHR 1373, the Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025, requires the TVA Board to hold public meetings, provide 6 days' notice via its website, and publish meeting minutes online for all non-emergency meetings. This directly affects the TVA Board and its committees by mandating greater public access to their proceedings. Key provisions include requiring all meetings (except emergency-designated ones) to be open to the public, with notice posted online at least six days in advance, and making meeting summaries and minutes publicly available. The bill focuses on procedural transparency without altering TVA's operational authority or funding.

Maddy summaryHR 3754, the "Don’t Miss Your Flight Act," creates a federal grant program to fund transportation infrastructure projects connecting to public airports. It authorizes $1 billion annually (2027-2031) from the Highway Trust Fund for projects like highways, bridges, transit systems, or rail improvements within 5 miles of airports, aimed at reducing congestion and improving access. Eligible applicants include states, tribes, and local governments managing airports, with 50% of funds reserved for large hub airports and 30% for medium hub airports. The program requires a 50% non-federal cost share, allowing entities to use passenger facility charges or TIFIA credit assistance toward this requirement. This bill directly affects airport-connected transportation infrastructure planning and funding at the state and local government level.

Maddy summaryThe VET PFAS Act (HR 3639) provides VA health care coverage for veterans and their family members exposed to PFAS chemicals at military bases, without requiring proof linking illness to exposure. Veterans who served at contaminated bases and family members who resided there (or were in utero while the veteran lived there) can now receive treatment for specific conditions like testicular cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid disease, and pregnancy-related hypertension. The law creates a presumption that these conditions are service-connected, streamlining access to VA benefits. Annual reports will track program usage, including the number of veterans and families receiving care and the conditions treated.

Maddy summaryHR 3757, the Pride In Mental Health Act of 2025, provides $20 million annually (2026-2030) to fund grants for mental health services targeting LGBTQ+ youth, including nonbinary, intersex, and Two Spirit youth, and their families/caregivers. The bill mandates grantees to provide trauma-informed care, cultural competency training, school bullying prevention guidelines, and evidence-based practices while explicitly prohibiting the use of funds for conversion therapy or its promotion. It also requires the federal government to restore mental health reports on LGBTQ+ youth, conduct a national survey measuring mental health distress, and produce a report on mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care. The law directly affects these youth populations by expanding access to tailored mental health resources and data collection, with funding administered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.

Maddy summaryThe Complete Streets Act of 2025 requires states to establish programs that help local governments, transit agencies, Tribal governments, and other eligible entities design and build transportation infrastructure accommodating all users - including pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and people with disabilities. States must provide technical assistance and grants for complete streets projects, with funding coming from 5% of transportation funds apportioned to each state. The bill establishes new design standards requiring protected bike lanes, accessible sidewalks, and appropriate lighting for many road projects, with compliance required for certain new construction and reconstruction projects on Federal-aid highways within metropolitan areas. It also mandates that states develop "complete streets prioritization plans" focusing on improving safety, mobility, and accessibility, particularly in underserved communities.

Maddy summaryHRES 473 is a non-binding House resolution calling on the U.S. government to urgently use diplomatic efforts to ensure food and medical supplies reach civilians in Gaza. It directly addresses the needs of approximately 2.2 million Palestinians facing acute hunger, including 10,000 children identified with acute malnutrition, following a border blockade that blocked aid from March to May 2025. The resolution specifically urges the White House and State Department to secure "immediate and secure delivery and disbursement" of aid and a lasting end to the conflict, citing collapsed bakeries, exhausted food rations, and a near-total health system collapse.

Maddy summaryThe Family Vaccine Protection Act makes the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) an official part of federal law, requiring it to provide vaccine recommendations based on strong scientific evidence. It mandates that the CDC Director must adopt ACIP's recommendations unless they don't meet the evidence standard, and if not adopted, the CDC must explain its decision and notify Congress within 48 hours. The bill establishes procedures for ACIP to review new vaccines within 90 days of licensure and to consider breakthrough therapies or public health emergencies. This act aims to strengthen transparency and evidence-based decision-making in vaccine recommendations for the public health system. It affects the CDC, ACIP, and Congress through formalized processes for vaccine policy development.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals key provisions of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), which previously shielded gun manufacturers and dealers from civil lawsuits. It allows gun trace data from the federal Firearms Trace System to be used as evidence in civil court cases involving gun violence. Victims of gun violence (or their families) who sue gun manufacturers, dealers, or distributors in state or federal court can now access and rely on this trace information. The bill directly changes the legal landscape by removing a major barrier to holding gun industry entities accountable in civil cases. It does not alter criminal proceedings or affect gun ownership rights.

Maddy summaryHR 3694, the VALID Act of 2025, requires lenders to include specific information about VA loans in mortgage disclosures. It amends the National Housing Act to mandate that disclosures state the loan-to-value ratio and clarify that VA loans are available under Chapter 37 of Title 38 (veterans' benefits law), assuming prevailing interest rates. The bill also requires the Federal Housing Finance Agency to add a military service question to the Uniform Residential Loan Application form, placing it above the signature line within six months of enactment. This directly affects veterans and active-duty service members applying for VA-guaranteed mortgages, as well as the lenders processing those applications.

Maddy summaryHR 3623, the Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2025, prohibits transporting horses between states in motor vehicles with two or more stacked levels. This directly affects horse transporters, including owners and carriers moving horses across state lines. The bill defines "motor vehicle" to exclude rail vehicles but requires compliance with the multi-level ban, imposing civil penalties of $100-$500 per horse transported in violation. Violations are enforced through separate penalties for each horse transported illegally, in addition to other applicable laws.