Rep. Steve Cohen

Maddy summaryHRES 1537 is a non-binding House resolution condemning Hamas' October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which killed over 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, including 7 Americans still held captive. It calls on Hamas to immediately surrender, cease attacks, and release all hostages unconditionally, while reaffirming Israel's right to self-defense. The resolution also urges international organizations to condemn Hamas' actions and address the global surge in antisemitism following the attacks. As a symbolic statement, it does not create new laws or alter policy but expresses congressional position. The bill specifically references the ongoing captivity of seven U.S. citizens: Edan Alexander, Itay Chen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Gadi Haggai, Judith Weinstein Haggai, Omer Neutra, and Keith Siegel.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 1534) is a symbolic recognition of Outdoor Afro's 15th anniversary, commemorating its founding in 2009. It honors the organization's work connecting Black Americans with nature through activities like hiking, camping, and water safety programs (including its "Making Waves" initiative), though the resolution itself creates no new policies or funding. The House formally supports this milestone and commends Outdoor Afro's role in expanding access to outdoor recreation and reshaping representation in conservation.

Maddy summaryThe Fresh Food Act provides tax credits to new grocery stores operating in underserved areas, defined as census tracts with high poverty rates, limited grocery access (more than 1 mile in urban areas or 10 miles in rural areas), and low median income. It creates two main incentives: a $1,000 increase in the work opportunity tax credit for employees of these stores and a credit equal to 30% (decreasing over time) of the cost of goods sold for fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy, with an additional 5% bonus for locally sourced items within 100 miles or the same state. These credits apply only to stores meeting specific criteria - such as dedicating at least 25% of retail space to fresh items and generating 25% of sales from them - and are available for taxable years 2025 through 2030.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes procedures for handling requests to dismiss criminal prosecutions against the President. It requires the Attorney General to submit a sworn statement confirming whether a dismissal request came from the President or their direction, and mandates that courts consider evidence of bad faith before granting such dismissals. A three-judge court must hear these cases, and the Justice Department's Inspector General must report to Congress if they find a dismissal was requested by the President. The bill directly affects the President, Attorney General, courts, and Justice Department oversight mechanisms during presidential criminal cases.

Maddy summaryHR 9864, the Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2024, prohibits the sale of food packaging containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals (like those used in non-stick coatings) in interstate commerce. It directly affects food manufacturers and packaging producers who currently use these chemicals. The bill amends federal food safety law to ban such packaging starting January 1, 2025, defining PFAS as man-made chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. This is a concrete policy change to remove specific chemicals from food contact materials.

Maddy summaryHRES 1515 designates October 1, 2024, as "National Animal Rescue Day" to raise public awareness about animal adoption, promote spaying and neutering to reduce pet overpopulation, and encourage more adoptions nationwide. The resolution supports community events, educational efforts, and charitable activities on that day to assist animal shelters and reduce the number of animals euthanized. It is a non-binding symbolic gesture without legal force, intended to unite communities around animal rescue initiatives.

Maddy summaryHCONRES 130 is a symbolic concurrent resolution commending state and local governments that treat reproductive rights as human rights following the *Dobbs* decision. It recognizes efforts by cities like Austin, Texas, and Montgomery County, Maryland, to expand abortion access and condemn criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. The resolution affirms that reproductive rights are human rights, urges states to repeal restrictive laws, and references U.S. obligations under international human rights treaties. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies Medicare rules to allow doctors to provide certain critical medications directly in their offices without extra administrative hurdles. It specifically amends a Medicare provision (Section 1877(b)(2) of the Social Security Act) to remove a requirement that drugs furnished in-office must follow specific administrative rules, effective May 11, 2023. The bill also directs the removal of conflicting Medicare guidance published in 2021 and 2023, which had previously restricted this practice. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries (seniors) and doctors' offices that supply covered medications during patient visits. It streamlines access to necessary drugs by eliminating an unnecessary barrier to in-office medication administration under Medicare.

Maddy summaryHR 3433, the "Give Kids a Chance Act of 2024," requires pharmaceutical companies developing certain cancer drugs to conduct pediatric studies if the drugs target molecular pathways relevant to childhood cancers. It directly affects drug manufacturers submitting new applications for cancer treatments, particularly those combining previously approved adult cancer drugs or containing a single new active ingredient. The bill amends FDA regulations to mandate these pediatric investigations only when specific conditions are met, such as when a drug's molecular target is relevant to pediatric cancer growth. The FDA must issue implementing guidance within 12 months, and reports to Congress will track implementation and effectiveness starting 2 years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits hospitals and transplant centers from denying organ transplants or related services to people with disabilities solely because of their disability. It requires covered entities to make reasonable modifications to policies (like considering a patient's support network for post-transplant care) and provide auxiliary aids (such as communication services or accessible health information). The law specifically prevents discrimination based on disability during evaluation, listing, and treatment, while clarifying that medical decisions must be based on individualized assessments - not disability alone. It applies to all organ transplant processes and allows individuals to file complaints with the Department of Health and Human Services or sue for violations.