Rep. Steve Cohen

Maddy summaryHR 486, the Young Americans Financial Literacy Act, authorizes $27.5 million to $55 million annually through 2029 to fund competitive grants for centers of excellence focused on financial literacy education for individuals aged 8-24. These centers, established by eligible institutions like schools, nonprofits, or financial organizations, must develop research-based programs covering budgeting, debt management, student loan guidance, and avoiding pitfalls like predatory lending. The bill specifically requires programs to address at-risk populations, include evidence-based teaching methods, and serve groups such as high school graduates, college students, young families, and military personnel. It mandates annual reporting to Congress on grant recipients and the populations they serve, with funding ending in 2029.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of federal funds at any property or entity owned, managed, or controlled by Donald J. Trump, including his hotels, golf courses, and numerous Trump Organization subsidiaries worldwide. It specifically bans federal funds from being used at listed properties like Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, Trump National Doral Miami, and Trump International Golf Links Ireland, as well as for entering new contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements with these entities. The legislation directly affects Trump's business properties and the federal government's ability to engage with them using public funds. This policy change aims to prevent potential conflicts of interest by ensuring government resources aren't used for Trump's commercial ventures.

Maddy summaryHR 243 prohibits the U.S. government from recognizing or implying recognition of Georgia's government led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, directing federal officials to avoid any actions supporting such recognition. It requires the U.S. to recognize Georgia's current president before the October 2024 elections as the legitimate leader and mandates implementing existing sanctions under Executive Order 14024 against Ivanishvili's regime. The policy would end if Georgia restores its constitution through free and fair elections certified by the U.S. Helsinki Commission. This bill directly affects U.S. diplomatic recognition policy toward Georgia's government.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to publicly report the names, salaries, and duties of all management-level employees (including executives and board members) earning at or above the GS-15 federal pay grade. It replaces previous financial reporting requirements with this specific compensation disclosure. The report is exempt from standard public disclosure laws (like the Freedom of Information Act) and the Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act. This directly affects TVA leadership and board members at the specified pay level, mandating transparency while limiting public access to the disclosed data.

Maddy summaryHR 423 would change bankruptcy law to allow private student loan debt to be discharged (forgiven) in bankruptcy cases. It amends a section of the Bankruptcy Code that currently makes most student loans non-dischargeable, specifically removing the exception for private loans by revising the language around loan programs. This change would directly affect borrowers with private student loans who file for bankruptcy after the law takes effect. The bill applies only to bankruptcy cases filed on or after its enactment date, not to existing cases.

Maddy summaryHR 433, the Department of Education Protection Act, prohibits the use of federal funds to reorganize the Department of Education. Specifically, it blocks any spending from current fiscal year appropriations on activities that would decentralize the department, reduce staffing, or alter its structure, responsibilities, or authority relative to its organization as of January 1, 2025. The bill directly affects the Department of Education by preventing structural changes to its existing offices and operations. This is a procedural measure focused solely on preserving the current departmental framework, not on changing education policy or funding.

Maddy summaryThe Combating Global Corruption Act of 2025 requires the State Department to annually rank all foreign countries into three tiers based on anti-corruption efforts: Tier 1 (full compliance with minimum standards), Tier 2 (making progress), and Tier 3 (minimal or no efforts). Countries ranked Tier 3 trigger potential sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against corrupt foreign officials and entities. The bill also mandates U.S. embassies in Tier 2 and Tier 3 countries to appoint anti-corruption liaisons to coordinate U.S. anti-corruption programs. This directly affects foreign governments' international standing and targets specific individuals for sanctions based on documented corruption.

Maddy summaryThe LNG Public Interest Determination Act of 2025 requires the Secretary of Energy to approve natural gas exports only if they meet a public interest standard. This standard mandates three specific assessments: climate impact (including effects on global warming and clean energy investment), economic impact on U.S. consumers (with focus on low-income households and businesses), and environmental justice (assessing burdens on vulnerable communities). The Secretary must complete these assessments within one year of receiving environmental data and make a public finding. The bill also requires public participation in the process and treats export approvals as major federal actions under environmental law.

Maddy summaryThe End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act of 2025 would eliminate several tax benefits currently available to oil and gas companies, including credits for enhanced oil recovery, deductions for intangible drilling costs, and percentage depletion allowances. It would also prohibit major integrated oil companies (defined as those meeting specific production and revenue thresholds) from using last-in, first-out accounting for inventory purposes. These changes would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, directly affecting oil and gas producers who currently claim these tax benefits. The legislation removes specific tax advantages that have been available to the oil and gas industry, potentially increasing their tax burden.

Head start Education And Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act or the HEADWAY Act This bill allows some teachers in Early Head Start programs to teach while in the process of earning their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and completing training. Currently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must ensure that all teachers providing direct services to children and families in Early Head Start centers (1) have a minimum of a CDA credential and have been trained in early childhood development, and (2) have been trained in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development. The bill revises this requirement by requiring at least one teacher per classroom (instead of all teachers) to have a CDA credential and training. In particular, the bill requires HHS to ensure that (1) each additional teacher providing direct services to children and families is in the process of earning a CDA credential and completing training, and (2) the Early Head Start agency provides a mentor to oversee the progress and guide the work of a teacher who is in the process of earning a CDA credential and completing training.