Rep. Steve Cohen

Maddy summaryHR 1499, the Good Jobs for Good Airports Act, requires airports receiving federal funding to pay covered service workers a minimum wage of at least $15 per hour (or higher if state/local laws or federal standards require it) and provide minimum fringe benefits. It directly affects workers in specific airport roles like security, ticketing, concessions, cleaning, and ramp services at small, medium, or large hub airports. The bill mandates annual certification from airport operators to verify compliance with these wage and benefit standards, tied to eligibility for federal airport grants under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It does not override stricter state or local laws but ensures minimum standards for workers supporting airport operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Medicaid to cover dental and oral health services for adults beginning in 2025, directly affecting low-income adults enrolled in Medicaid. It defines covered services to include preventive care, restorative treatments, dentures, implants, and emergency dental care. The bill increases federal funding for these services (100% FMAP for a 12-quarter period starting in 2025) and requires states to implement new quality measures tracking oral health outcomes and disparities. It also mandates reports on access barriers and creates outreach programs to improve culturally competent dental care for underserved populations.

Maddy summaryHR 1280, the Cerebral Palsy Research Program Authorization Act of 2023, creates a federal research program at the CDC to study cerebral palsy. The bill authorizes the CDC to fund research on diagnosis, treatment, prevention factors, health costs, and public health surveillance related to cerebral palsy, which affects over 1 million Americans. It allocates $5 million annually from 2024 through 2029 for these research activities. This program directly supports researchers and health systems by advancing scientific understanding of a condition with no known cure that impacts children and adults worldwide.

Maddy summaryHR 1328, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act of 2023, requires certain home-use medical devices (like blood pressure monitors and sleep apnea machines) to include nonvisual accessibility features - such as voice commands or audio feedback - by 2025. It directly affects blind or low-vision users who rely on these devices for independent, safe, and private care at home. The bill mandates that devices classified as Class II or III (and cleared via FDA processes) must meet accessibility standards ensuring equal usability for blind or low-vision individuals, with limited waivers allowed for manufacturers facing undue hardship. The FDA will develop and enforce these standards within two years, consulting with accessibility experts and blind users.

Informing New Factors and Options for Reproductive Care Act of 2023 or the INFO for Reproductive Care Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out a campaign to educate health care professionals (and health care professions students) about assisting patients to navigate legal issues related to abortions and other reproductive health care services.

Maddy summaryThe Paycheck Fairness Act (HR 17) strengthens equal pay protections by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act. It prohibits pay discrimination based on sex, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. The bill modifies employer defenses for pay differences to require demonstration that any disparity is job-related, consistent with business necessity, and accounts for the entire pay differential. It also prohibits employers from relying on wage history when making hiring decisions or setting pay, enhances penalties for violations, and requires the EEOC to collect compensation data disaggregated by sex, race, and national origin.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 22 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the persistent gender pay gap in the U.S., documenting that women earn significantly less than men across racial groups (e.g., Black women earn 67 cents for every dollar earned by White men). It highlights the economic impact of this disparity, noting women lose over $958 billion annually in wages and face barriers like occupational segregation and workplace harassment. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the issue and reaffirms Congress’s commitment to addressing the gap. It references specific Equal Pay Days (e.g., March 14 for all women) to underscore the time women must work to earn what men did the previous year.

Maddy summaryHR 1478 requires federal firearm dealers to implement physical security measures, including locked cabinets, security systems, and video surveillance, to prevent gun thefts. The bill mandates quarterly inventory checks, extends background check record retention from 24 hours to 90 days, and repeals restrictions that prevented the ATF from disclosing crime gun trace data. It increases penalties for violations, including fines up to $20,000 and license suspension or revocation for repeated failures. The bill directly affects all federally licensed firearm dealers, manufacturers, and importers by holding them accountable for security failures and recordkeeping. This legislation aims to reduce gun trafficking by strengthening enforcement and transparency in the firearm industry.

Maddy summaryThe Insulin for All Act of 2023 sets a federal price cap of $20 per 1,000 units of insulin sold in the U.S., applying to all insulin products licensed under federal law (including vials, pens, and cartridges). This directly affects insulin manufacturers by restricting their pricing and benefits people with diabetes who rely on insulin for daily health management. The law establishes a specific, enforceable price limit for all covered insulin products, regardless of brand or delivery method. It creates a concrete policy change by replacing current market pricing with a fixed maximum cost.

Maddy summaryHR 1510, the Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2023, removes work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. It directly affects approximately 6.1 million people, including many Black, Hispanic, and Native American households disproportionately impacted by food insecurity (with rates 2-4x higher than White households), as well as families with children and individuals with health barriers to employment. The bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act by striking provisions requiring work for SNAP eligibility and related administrative requirements. This change aims to prevent vulnerable households from losing critical food assistance during the pandemic and beyond.