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

Maddy summaryHR 1269, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025, expands benefits for public safety officers (like police and firefighters) who develop certain cancers linked to their work. It adds 22 specific cancers - including lung, mesothelioma, and breast cancer - to the list of conditions presumed to be "exposure-related" and sustained in the line of duty. This presumption applies if the officer served at least 5 years, was diagnosed with the cancer within 15 years after last active duty, and the cancer directly caused death or permanent disability. The bill also establishes a process for adding new cancers every 3 years based on medical evidence from agencies like NIOSH, and allows claims to be filed within 3 years of the law's enactment.

Maddy summaryThe Fair Play for Women Act would require schools and athletic associations receiving federal funding to collect and publicly disclose detailed data on gender equity in sports, including participation rates, funding, facilities, and coaching. It mandates annual training for staff and athletes about Title IX rights and establishes civil penalties for schools that fail to comply with gender equity requirements. The bill directly affects all public elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions, as well as state athletic associations. Key provisions include requiring detailed reporting on gender disparities in sports participation and funding, and creating enforcement mechanisms to hold schools accountable for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits non-consensual distribution of intimate images (like photos showing genitals or sexual activity) created in private settings without the subject's consent, if the distribution causes psychological, financial, or reputational harm. It specifically bans sharing nude images of minors with abusive intent. Exceptions cover law enforcement, journalism, medical use, and legal proceedings. Violations carry up to 2 years in prison for non-consensual adult images or 3 years for minor-related offenses.

Maddy summaryThe PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends federal research funding for preterm birth prevention and care through fiscal years 2025-2029, replacing the prior 2019-2023 period. It requires the HHS Secretary to establish an interagency working group within 18 months and mandates a National Academies study on preterm birth costs, risk factors, and prevention strategies. The study must assess neonatal intensive care costs, long-term family expenses, and opportunities for early detection and support. It also analyzes targeted research for at-risk pregnancies, state program best practices, and precision medicine approaches starting in pregnancy. This bill directly affects preterm infants, their families, and federal health agencies through these research and coordination mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts access to Treasury payment systems (including the Bureau of the Fiscal Service) to only Treasury employees with a "fully successful" performance rating and at least one year of civil service, or contractors/outsiders with security clearances, required privacy/cybersecurity training, ethics agreements, and no conflicts of interest. It treats non-government users accessing these systems as government employees for ethics rules and defines specific actions (like stopping payments) as "personal and substantial participation" in government matters. The Treasury Inspector General must investigate any unauthorized access within 30 days and report to Congress, detailing the breach, security risks, and any halted payments. The bill directly affects Treasury staff, contractors, and any external entities accessing federal payment systems.

Maddy summaryThis proposed bill (HR 220) would expand VA healthcare benefits to cover infertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) and fertility preservation services for veterans with infertility or at risk of infertility (e.g., due to medical treatments), and their partners. It limits VA coverage to three successful IVF cycles or ten attempts, requires consent from veterans, partners, and donors, and allows use of donated eggs or embryos. Partners would receive travel reimbursement as if they were veterans, and temporary rules during implementation will immediately allow partners to access care without marriage requirements. The bill clarifies VA isn’t required to cover maternity care beyond existing rules and defers full implementation until VA issues final regulations within one year of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Comptroller General to study and report on menopause care provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to women veterans experiencing perimenopause, menopause, or genitourinary syndrome of menopause. The study will examine current VA protocols for diagnosis, treatment, provider training, veteran access to care, outreach efforts, and quality of care, including veteran feedback. The VA Secretary must then develop a strategic plan within six months of the report's release to improve menopause care access and quality for women veterans under VA healthcare programs.

Maddy summaryHR 1177, the "Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act," increases tax credits for employers hiring from targeted groups. It raises the credit rate from 40% to 50% for qualified first-year wages up to $6,000, plus 50% for wages between $6,000 and $12,000. The bill also creates higher credit limits for veterans (up to $24,000/$48,000), removes an age cap for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, and adjusts rules for summer youth workers and long-term family assistance recipients. These changes apply to employees hired after December 31, 2024, directly benefiting employers who hire from these eligible groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the "Nobody Elected Elon Musk Act," makes the head of the Department of Government Efficiency personally liable for any legal claims against the federal government related to the department's activities. The department leader, defined as a special Government employee, would cover costs for claims arising from violations of labor laws, data privacy laws, security threats, or other federal statutes. This shifts financial responsibility from the government to the department leader for all such claims. The bill does not create new policies but directly imposes personal liability on the department head for the department's actions.

Maddy summaryThe Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act of 2025 imposes a tax on major fossil fuel companies for historical carbon dioxide emissions exceeding 1 billion metric tons during 2000-2023, with payments due by September 2026. The tax revenue will fund a new Climate Fund that must be used for climate resilience, adaptation, and disaster response programs, with 40% specifically directed to environmental justice communities. The bill requires at least $15 billion annually for FEMA climate programs and $6 billion for Clean Air Act climate resilience grants. It explicitly states the fund does not affect existing legal claims against polluters for climate-related harms.