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

Maddy summaryHCONRES 81 is a symbolic concurrent resolution recognizing the anniversaries of multiple United Nations-designated international days focused on peace, such as the International Day of Peace (September 21), International Day of Non-Violence (October 2), and others. It commemorates specific milestones, including the 42nd anniversary of the International Day of Peace and the 5th anniversary of the International Day of Living Together in Peace. The resolution encourages U.S. citizens to observe these days and supports activities promoting peace, nonviolence, and cooperation throughout the year. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or requirements but expresses congressional support for global peace efforts.

Maddy summaryThis resolution calls on the U.S. government to formally end the Monroe Doctrine - a historical policy used to justify U.S. intervention in Latin America - and develop a new "Good Neighbor" policy focused on partnership. It specifically urges the State Department to declare the doctrine obsolete, end unilateral sanctions (like the Cuba embargo), reform international financial institutions, and support regional cooperation on issues like climate change and human rights. The resolution targets U.S. foreign policy mechanisms and aims to improve relations with Latin American and Caribbean nations by shifting from intervention to mutual respect. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses congressional intent but does not create new law.

Maddy summaryHRES 937 is a non-binding House resolution raising awareness about chordoma, a rare bone cancer affecting the skull and spine. It directly addresses chordoma patients and families globally (including approximately 300 new U.S. diagnoses annually) who face limited treatment options and high recurrence rates. The resolution expresses the House’s sense that increased funding is needed for accurate diagnosis, new treatment development, faster research-to-treatment translation, and patient-centered drug discovery. As a symbolic measure, it does not allocate funds but urges greater support for this underserved cancer community.

Maddy summaryHR 6839 establishes an Office of Legal Access Programs within the immigration court system to improve legal access for detained immigrants. The bill requires that all detained individuals receive free legal orientation within 5 days of custody, explaining immigration procedures, their rights, and available legal resources in English and the five most common languages spoken by detainees at that facility. It specifically mandates identifying vulnerable groups - including unaccompanied children and those with serious mental disabilities - for special consideration under immigration law. The program aims to streamline immigration proceedings by helping detained people make informed decisions about their cases, reducing delays and costs, while applying to all individuals in immigration custody under relevant laws.

Maddy summaryHR 6754, the School Violence Prevention Act, establishes a federal grant program to fund evidence-based violence prevention programs in schools located in communities with high rates of youth gun violence. The bill authorizes $25 million annually for 5-year grants to partnerships between state/local education agencies (meeting specific homicide or violent crime thresholds) and community nonprofits serving youth. Grantees must implement trauma-informed, culturally competent programs for K-12 students, focusing on skills like conflict resolution, mental health support, and community engagement, while collecting data on outcomes like graduation rates. The program requires annual reporting to the Secretary of Education and CDC, with evaluations to assess impacts on reducing youth violence risks.

Maddy summaryHR 6830, the "Books Save Lives Act," requires covered schools (elementary/secondary schools receiving federal funds) and public libraries receiving federal assistance to maintain staffed libraries with diverse book collections. These collections must include books written by, illustrated by, or about individuals from underrepresented communities - defined as racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, or people with disabilities. The bill states that excluding such "covered books" could be used as evidence of discrimination under civil rights laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It also mandates a report on the impact of book-banning campaigns on these communities within 180 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Brittany Clardy Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls Act establishes a new Office within the Department of Justice to address the disproportionate rates of missing and murdered Black women and girls in the U.S. The Office will collect and analyze data on these cases - including case resolution times, Amber Alert usage, and trafficking links - and create a public dashboard for tracking. It also creates a grant program for community organizations to provide culturally appropriate prevention services, law enforcement training, and victim support. The Office must submit biennial reports to Congress with findings and recommendations to improve the criminal justice response to these cases. This bill directly affects Black women and girls facing violence, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations providing related services.

Maddy summaryHR 6416, the "Russian War Crimes in Ukraine Tax Act," imposes a 100% tax on interest and dividends earned from frozen Russian and Belarusian sovereign assets held abroad. This tax revenue is directed into a new Ukraine Reconstruction Trust Fund, which must be used for Ukraine's reconstruction, humanitarian aid, economic development, and transparent governance. The bill requires U.S. financial institutions to withhold this tax from qualifying income and overrides international treaty obligations to ensure implementation. It also mandates annual reports on fund usage to Congress, specifying that all revenues from the tax must support Ukraine's recovery efforts as defined in the legislation.

This resolution condemns all forms of discrimination and expresses support for policies to prevent and respond to hate crimes, including education and training on prevention and response.

Maddy summaryThe Rent Relief Act of 2023 creates a new refundable tax credit for renters whose rent exceeds 30% of their adjusted gross income. It directly affects low-to-moderate income renters in their principal residence, with credit percentages ranging from 100% (for incomes under $25,000) down to 0% (for incomes over $100,000). The credit is limited to rent within HUD's fair market rent guidelines, and the IRS will make monthly advance payments starting July 2024 for eligible taxpayers who elect this option. The bill requires no additional tax filing for the credit but includes $50 million for outreach to help eligible households enroll.