Rep. Steve Cohen

Maddy summaryHR 767 modifies the FDA's safety program for mifepristone (a medication used in medication abortion) to improve access. It requires the FDA to remove in-person dispensing rules, allow prescriptions via telehealth, and permit certified pharmacies to mail the medication directly to patients. This bill directly affects patients seeking medication abortion and healthcare providers who prescribe or dispense mifepristone. The changes apply specifically to mifepristone's safety program under federal law, ensuring broader access through existing pharmacy channels.

Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requiring payment from a veteran for any contraceptive item that is required to be covered by health insurance plans without a cost-sharing requirement.

Maddy summaryThe Child Care for Every Community Act establishes a federal program to provide universal, high-quality child care and early learning services for all young children not yet required to attend school. It provides 90% federal funding for most programs (100% for migrant/seasonal farmworkers and Native American children) with a sliding fee scale based on family income (maximum 7% of income). The bill requires states, tribes, and localities to develop comprehensive plans ensuring services are accessible, culturally appropriate, and meet national quality standards. It specifically focuses on serving low-income children, children with disabilities, dual language learners, homeless children, and children in foster care. The program emphasizes coordination with schools and other community services to support children's development and school readiness.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes significant changes to US corporate tax rules to prevent tax avoidance through foreign operations. It requires corporations to calculate foreign income tax liabilities country-by-country, limits interest deductions for large international financial reporting groups, and modifies rules for "inverted corporations" (where US companies move tax residence abroad). The bill also creates new rules treating foreign corporations managed primarily in the US as domestic corporations for tax purposes. These changes aim to close tax loopholes related to outsourcing and foreign tax planning.

Maddy summaryHR 969 (GAAME Act of 2023) requires public schools receiving federal funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to provide structured, standards-aligned arts and music education. It mandates that schools offer sequential arts education (defined as dance, media arts, theater, and visual arts) taught by state-certified arts educators, and sequential music education taught by state-certified music educators. The bill also directs targeted funding for schools to support certified educators, professional development, supplies, instruments, and other resources needed for these programs. This directly affects all public elementary and secondary schools participating in federal education programs, aiming to ensure consistent access to arts and music instruction.

Maddy summaryHR 971, the Black History Matters Act, directs the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to study Black history education in public elementary and secondary schools. The 3-year study will identify which schools require Black history curriculum, assess teaching quality through discussions and materials, and analyze how schools measure student understanding. It does not change school requirements but will produce a report for Congress on the current state of Black history education, including coverage of topics like slavery, Reconstruction, and systemic racism. The bill specifically defines "Black history education" as teaching the history of African Americans, including struggles against racism and discrimination. This is a procedural study bill, not a policy requiring new educational mandates.

Presidential Tax Transparency Act This bill requires the President, the Vice President, and certain candidates for President and Vice President to disclose federal income tax returns for the ten most recent taxable years. The returns must be disclosed to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which must make the returns publicly available after redacting information that is necessary for protecting against identity theft, such as Social Security numbers. If the tax returns are not disclosed to the FEC as required by this bill, the Internal Revenue Service must provide the returns to the FEC upon receiving a written request from the FEC.

This resolution condemns the attack against Brazil's government institutions on January 8, 2023. The resolution opposes any attempt to overturn Brazil's 2022 election results and calls for the U.S. government to cooperate with requests for assistance from Brazilian authorities investigating the attack.

Maddy summaryHR 866, the Equal COLA Act, changes how cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are calculated for federal retirees under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). It requires that each year's COLA be based on the exact percent change in the price index from the previous year's base quarter, rounded to the nearest 0.1%, effective December 1. This applies to all FERS annuities starting before, on, or after the bill's enactment date, ensuring a standardized calculation method for retirees' annual adjustments.

TSA Second Screening Act This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration to offer passengers an opportunity to undergo a secondary screening using advanced imaging technology prior to undergoing a physical inspection if an initial screening detects an object of concern.