Rep. Steve Cohen

Maddy summaryThe Train EATS Act requires Amtrak to provide two food service options on overnight routes: traditional dining (including healthy meals meeting USDA guidelines and dietary accommodations upon pre-order) and more affordable alternatives for all passengers. Unused first-class dining capacity must be offered to coach passengers on a first-come, first-serve basis. The bill applies to all Amtrak routes operating across different departure and arrival dates. It mandates specific nutritional standards and accessibility while focusing on passenger choice and affordability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Amtrak to establish an advisory committee within one year to oversee improvements to onboard dining services. The committee, including Amtrak staff, food service unions, passenger groups, and states funding routes, will review Amtrak’s progress on implementing food service recommendations. Amtrak must then submit annual reports to Congress detailing which recommendations are completed, which are deemed impractical (with cost estimates if funding is insufficient), and changes to dining services. A separate Government Accountability Office report will also assess Amtrak’s progress after two years. The bill directly affects Amtrak’s food service operations and involves multiple stakeholders in the oversight process.

Maddy summaryHJRES 13 proposes a constitutional amendment to restrict the President's pardon power. It prohibits pardons for the President themselves, their close family (up to third-degree relatives), current or former administration staff, paid campaign employees, and individuals involved in offenses tied to the President's personal or financial interests. Any pardon granted for corrupt reasons would be invalid. If passed, Congress could create laws to enforce this amendment, requiring ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures to become part of the Constitution.

Maddy summaryThe Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution (HRES 23) would allow U.S. House Members who have given birth or whose spouse has given birth to appoint another Member as a proxy to cast their vote or record their presence in the House and committees for up to 12 weeks after childbirth. To use this, the new parent must submit a signed letter to the Clerk detailing the birth or medical condition and naming the proxy; the proxy must vote exactly as instructed and announce the vote as "by proxy." The proxy vote does not count toward quorum, and the new parent can revoke the proxy at any time by submitting a new letter or casting their own vote. This resolution applies to all House Members, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, though they cannot cast votes for the House itself.

This resolution honors the life, achievements, legacy, and distinguished public service of former President Jimmy Carter. The resolution also (1) acknowledges President Carter's contributions to the state of Georgia, the United States, and the world; and (2) establishes his legacy as one of the great leaders and statesmen of the United States.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases healthcare affordability for low- and middle-income people by expanding eligibility for premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. It removes the previous 400% of poverty level cap for subsidy eligibility and replaces it with a new sliding scale based on income tiers, ranging from 0% to 8.5% of household income for coverage costs. The scale adjusts linearly across income levels, with households earning 300-400% of poverty paying 6.0%-8.5% of income (up from the prior fixed 400% cap), while lower-income households pay progressively less. These changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, directly affecting individuals purchasing health insurance through marketplace plans.

Maddy summaryThis resolution symbolically recognizes Russian actions in Ukraine as genocide, based on documented atrocities including mass killings, attacks on civilians and infrastructure, deliberate deprivation of necessities, and forced transfers of Ukrainians. It directly affects Ukraine as the targeted group and calls on the U.S. government to support Ukraine with allies and back international tribunals. The resolution condemns Russia for these acts, urges U.S. action to prevent further genocide, and supports holding Russian leaders accountable. As a symbolic resolution (not a law), it has no legal force but expresses congressional stance. It aligns with the Genocide Convention's definition of genocide through specific evidence cited in the text.

Maddy summaryHR 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, repeals two provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for certain government workers. It eliminates the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which cuts spousal or survivor benefits for people with pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security (like federal or state government roles), and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), which lowers retirement benefits for those with similar pensions. The law takes effect for benefits paid after December 2023, requiring the Social Security Administration to adjust benefit calculations to remove these reductions. This change directly affects public-sector employees who previously had their Social Security benefits reduced due to their government pensions.

Maddy summaryHR 40 would establish a 15-member commission to study the legacy of slavery and systemic discrimination against African Americans in the United States, and develop proposals for reparations. The commission would examine historical and ongoing effects of slavery, discriminatory policies (including redlining and educational disparities), and recommend remedies through education and potential reparations. Composed of members appointed by the President, House Speaker, and Senate President pro tempore, the commission would have 18 months to submit a report to Congress, with $20 million authorized for its work. This legislation creates a study process but does not provide reparations directly.

Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States. The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court building, federal monuments, and federal office buildings adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. The excluded territory shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of the government of the United States, as provided for in Article I of the Constitution. The state may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits. The bill provides for the DC Mayor to issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill eliminates the office of Delegate to the House of Representatives. The bill applies current DC laws to the state. DC judicial proceedings and contractual obligations shall continue under the state’s authority. The bill also provides for specified federal obligations to transfer to the state upon its certification that it has funds and laws in place to assume the obligations. These include maintaining a retirement fund for judges and operating public defender services.  The bill establishes a commission that is generally comprised of members who are appointed by DC and federal government officials to advise on an orderly transition to statehood.