Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi for a press conference where they called out the Trump administration for their failure to address the climate crisis with the seriousness and urgency that it deserves, while reiterating that Democrats are committed to defending the clean energy economy and fighting for lower costs.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Now, from the very beginning of this Congress, the very beginning of this presidency, there’s been an unwillingness by Donald Trump and House Republicans and Senate Republicans to deal with issues of importance to the American people, particularly as it relates to the cost-of-living crisis that we have in this country, and the various reasons why it continues to get worse in the United States of America. It’s shameful that the Trump administration and the United States government chose not to be involved and engaged at the most recent COP conference, essentially ceding leadership on this issue in the world to our rival China and the Chinese Communist Party while leaving America and Americans behind.
Now there’s a direct connection between the climate crisis, which continues to grow more urgent by the day, and the rise of extreme weather events that are not a partisan issue—because they hit blue states, purple states and red states all across America—a direct connection between the climate crisis and the rise of extreme weather events that threaten the health, the safety and the well-being of the American people, and a direct connection between the rise of extreme weather events and the homeowners insurance crisis that exists now in state after state after state. Homeownership has become unaffordable in far too many places, ripping away the possibility of homeownership for millions of Americans. And we know that homeownership has always been central to the great American dream.
And so, it’s incredibly important that we deal with the climate crisis because there is only one Earth. There is no planet B. We have no other option. We have to deal with protecting God’s green Earth, but we also have to deal with the climate crisis, because the absence of doing it causes life in America to just continue to become more unaffordable, particularly in this instance as it relates to both the home insurance prices and the rise in electricity costs and utility bills all across the country because of the administration’s assault on the progress that was made related to standing up a clean energy economy, under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi, Senator Whitehouse, Democrats in the House and the Senate and, of course, the Biden administration. Republicans have taken a sledgehammer to the clean energy economy, which hurts our ability to both deal with the climate crisis and hurts our ability to drive down costs for everyday Americans.
Remarks by Leader Jeffries at the press conference can be watched here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García issued the following statement after federal prosecutors dropped their case against Marimar Martinez, and Anthony Ruiz. Ms. Martinez, was repeatedly shot by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent in Brighton Park on October 4:
“I am pleased to see that the charges against Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ruiz have been dismissed. Federal agents involved in the violence unleashed by Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago have a track record of lying about their actions, and we must hold them accountable for the terror they are deploying in our communities.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California
Lawmakers to Trump Administration: Taxpayers should not be “compelled to subsidize political speech.”
November 21, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08), co-chairs of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, and James Clyburn (SC-06), Chair of the Democratic Faith Working Group, along with Senator Ron Wyden, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, led six of their colleagues in objecting to the Trump Administration’s attempts to exempt two specific organizations from the law. In a new letter to Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service Scott Bessent, the lawmakers urged the Trump Administration to withdraw a proposed settlement in National Religious Broadcasters Association v. Bessent which carves out exceptions to the foundational principle of separation of church and state.
For the past 70 years, a provision of the tax code known as the Johnson Amendment has insulated nonprofits, faith-based organizations and houses of worship from electoral politics. In order to qualify for 501(c)(3) status, nonprofits and houses of worship cannot engage in tax-exempt political speech. Despite widespread support for the Johnson Amendment among thousands of nonprofits and houses of worship, the Trump Administration reversed course on a lawsuit targeting the Johnson Amendment in an attempt to exempt two churches from complying with the law.
“Congress has considered and rejected multiple attempts to modify the Johnson Amendment,” the lawmakers wrote. “Members have long understood the moral imperative of shielding nonprofit service organizations, including houses of worship, from electoral politics while protecting taxpayers from being compelled to subsidize political speech. Your Proposed Consent Decree is nothing more than a transparent end-run around Congress, which has consistently rejected attempts to change this 70-year-old law.
“The Proposed Consent Decree seeks to exempt two specific organizations favored by the government out of the more than 1.5 million 501(c)(3) organizations in the United States from following the law,” the lawmakers continued. They noted that the reasoning in the proposed settlement “blows the door wide open for both secular nonprofits and all other religious organizations to petition the courts for their own free pass to engage in tax-exempt electoral speech. This settlement radically reinterprets the law and creates another opening for political actors to use charitable nonprofits to anonymously funnel unlimited money into elections.”
“The IRS should reject the false tension that the religious Right has tried to create between these two principles,” the lawmakers concluded. “The Religious Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses are equally essential, and they stand best when they stand together.”
The letter was also signed by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Emmanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and André Carson (IN-07).
The great Congressman John R. Lewis, an ordained Baptist Minister and hero of the Civil Rights Movement, issued a moral call to his colleagues on November 8, 2017:
“Fifteen years ago…Democrats and Republican came together to preserve the last remaining sanctuary that was free from partisan politics. In our heart of hearts, we understood that we had a moral responsibility to put the good of our nation before campaigns. My friends, we need that vision and unity again today.”
Congressman Lewis was defending the Johnson Amendment—a foundation stone in the nation’s wall of separation between church and state and a shield for tax-exempt organizations’ integrity—as the House Committee on Ways and Means considered an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to demolish it. In this same spirit, we are writing to express our serious concerns regarding the settlement that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has proposed in the matter of National Religious Broadcasters Association et al v. Bessent.
The Proposed Consent Decree asks the Court to exempt two religious organizations from obeying the law by reinterpreting the verbs “participate” and “intervene” and classifying communications from houses of worship to their congregations as compliant with the Johnson Amendment without any accompanying explanation for that classification. This reinterpretation is not permissible under the statute as enacted and sustained by Congress; presents serious constitutional concerns as a potential violation of the Equal Protection Clause; fails to disclose any fiscal effects of reinterpreting the law; and sidelines the principled and compelling opposition expressed by thousands of nonprofits, houses of worship and faith-based organizations that would be harmed by adopting this proposal.
Congress was in the process of modernizing the tax code in 1954 when then-Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson offered a provision clarifying reasonable boundaries between electoral politics and tax-exempt activities, including religious exercise. It was so noncontroversial at the time that Congress incorporated the Johnson Amendment without extended debate and Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law. Congress has considered and rejected multiple attempts to modify the Johnson Amendment because, as Congressman Lewis noted, Members have long understood the moral imperative of shielding nonprofit service organizations, including houses of worship, from electoral politics while protecting taxpayers from being compelled to subsidize political speech. Your Proposed Consent Decree is nothing more than a transparent end-run around Congress, which has consistently rejected attempts to change this 70-year-old law.
As explained in a letter sent to then-Commissioner Billy Long on July 18, 2025, the Proposed Consent Decree seeks to exempt two specific organizations favored by the government out of the more than 1.5 million 501(c)(3) organizations in the United States from following the law. In exempting two religious entities in terms limited to religious activities, the IRS is creating an Equal Protection Clause violation which could spread as organizations seize upon this Proposed Consent Decree to sue for their own exemptions. The settlement’s reasoning blows the door wide open for both secular nonprofits and all other religious organizations to petition the courts for their own free pass to engage in tax-exempt electoral speech. This settlement radically reinterprets the law and creates another opening for political actors to use charitable nonprofits to anonymously funnel unlimited money into elections.
The Proposed Consent Decree also fails to acknowledge the potential costs of implementing this ill-judged settlement. The Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation evaluated the Johnson Amendment repeal measure that Congressman Lewis opposed in 2017 and determined that such legislation would cost taxpayers $2.1 billion over 10 years. While the ultimate cost of the Proposed Consent Decree would ultimately depend on the extent of the exemptions granted, we are concerned that there will be very real costs to taxpayers if more nonprofits are able to engage in electoral activity. Under current law, political donations are subject to federal and state taxes. If this Proposed Consent Decree takes effect, contributions could be redirected from taxable sources to the churches covered by the settlement to become newly tax-deductible, with more to follow if and when other religious organizations and nonprofits seek the same allowance. The result would be reduced federal revenue. If you have prudently estimated the potential costs of this settlement and its aftermath, we urge you to publicize the results of your calculations.
We are also concerned that your Proposed Consent Decree would harm the many religious institutions and people of faith who oppose weakening the Johnson Amendment. During previous attempts to weaken the law, more than 4,600 faith leaders, 5,800 nonprofit organizations and 106 religious and denominational organizations expressed strong and principled opposition. Faith leaders across religious denominations united across their differences to affirm that “faith leaders are called to speak truth to power, and we cannot do so if we are merely cogs in partisan political machines.” If this decree weakening the Johnson Amendment shield goes into effect, houses of worship in which the clergy and congregation wish to remain apolitical could be pressured to engage in taxpayer-subsidized electoral politics by elected officials, candidates or donors. Such an outcome would be highly detrimental to religious freedom in America.
The First Amendment protects religious communities in two different ways—through the Establishment Clause, which prevents the government from imposing or endorsing one or more religions, and the Free Exercise Clause, which protects every person’s right to worship in whatever manner they choose. The IRS should reject the false tension that the religious Right has tried to create between these two principles. The Religious Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses are equally essential, and they stand best when they stand together. Neither has been violated by the Johnson Amendment as it has been interpreted since 1954, with equal applicability to all nonprofit organizations.
Congress has repeatedly chosen to maintain the Johnson Amendment in statute, and we reject the notion that the IRS can unilaterally reinterpret 70 years of this settled law. We urge you to withdraw your Proposed Consent Decree.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California
Natural Resources Democrats Demand: End War on Clean Energy, Lower Costs, Protect Public Health, and Allow Strong Public Input to Advance SPEED Act
November 20, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member Huffman pushed back against Republicans’ so-called SPEED Act, a sweeping bill that would gut core provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and rig the rules to fast-track polluter projects and silence Americans. Democratic members offered a series of amendments to the legislation that would lower costs, improve public health, support community input, prevent polluter handouts, and stop Trump’s attacks on cheap, clean energy sources.
Ranking Member Huffman speaks during committee markup (November 20, 2025)
Excerpts and Highlights from Ranking Member Huffman’s Opening Remarks
“American families are struggling right now to make ends meet. Trump’s tariffs have raised prices on everything. Millions of Americans are about to lose affordable health care because Republicans don’t have a plan to fix the crisis that they set in motion. The last thing our constituents need right now is higher utility bills because President Trump wants to stop new transmission lines and shut down an entire sector of clean energy that can help us deliver cheap, affordable electricity.”
“While the House was out of session this fall, Democrats met with companies and organizations across the spectrum to discuss this legislation. [And] across these conversations, there was agreement that NEPA provides important benefits: benefits that force the federal government to take a hard look and carefully consider alternatives and impacts, benefits that provide transparency, benefits that provide community input and engagement. These are important pillars of NEPA that, unfortunately, are undermined in deeply disturbing ways by the legislation before us today.”
“[T]he SPEED Act [treats] environmental reviews as a nuisance rather than a tool to prevent costly, harmful mistakes. Weakening environmental review won’t fix permitting challenges. It certainly won’t help us build the clean energy future that we need. Gutting NEPA only invites more risk, more mistakes, more litigation, more damage to communities that already face too many environmental burdens.”
War on Clean Energy
“Wind and solar projects across this country are being shut down by this administration with the approval of Congressional Republicans. We can’t ignore that. It is an essential part of the context for any serious conversation in this space. Now, if President Trump and Secretary Burgum weren’t illegally blocking wind and solar projects right now, firing permitting staff, cutting funding for agencies – we’d be having a very different conversation about permitting legislation.”
“Donald Trump is not always right, as you have watched him be terribly wrong on the Epstein files, as you’ve watched him be terribly wrong on redistricting and this race to the bottom that he set in motion. He’s not always right. And so, I’m going to urge my colleagues across the aisle to summon your independence, summon a little bit of courage once again this week, and push back on this president when he is terribly wrong – and he is terribly wrong on clean energy right now.”
“This bill is so extreme that there’s simply nothing left in a meaningful way of NEPA if this were to become law. Now, Democrats are very interested in working constructively in problem solving. We would love to have a meaningful conversation, but it has to start with ending the war on clean energy, which this bill does not do in any significant way.”
“The promise of American leadership in the green economy is being squandered. In effect, as China dominates the industries and jobs of tomorrow, we’re locking ourselves into a fossil fuel stalemate when we should be taking advantage of the clean energy revolution. I will continue to say this: we can’t have a real conversation about permitting reform until these attacks stop.”
“Over the past few months, the Department of Energy has terminated $7.6 billion in clean energy awards. Reports show that nearly $23 billion more is on the chopping block right now. Projects that would lower energy costs, strengthen the grid, and provide thousands of jobs. These are straightforward, beneficial investments that serve only to benefit the average American, and there is no rational explanation for targeting them. The only people benefiting are Big Oil billionaires.”
Public Health and Community Input
“This bill would prevent agencies from examining harms that communities across the country are living with right now. So, consider the poster child here: Louisiana’s Cancer Alley, where predominantly black neighborhoods face some of the highest pollution related cancer risks in the nation. Those risks result from cumulative emissions from many facilities over decades, impacts that are well documented and directly tied to federal permitting decisions. And under this bill, agencies would be prohibited from considering those cumulative effects because they unfold over time and across multiple sources. That’s not streamlining. That’s telling federal agencies to look the other way in the face of an obviously foreseeable harm.”
“Agencies would be limited to analyzing only the alternatives that meet the applicant’s preferred outcomes, and reasonable alternatives that would reduce environmental harm, lower costs, avoid impacts to communities, or better serve the public’s interest, are excluded entirely by law. That is not reform. That is enabling biased analysis from the start. That is a thumb on the scale against the public.”
“This is an extreme and radical bill. [It’s] just chock full of these things that create an impossible gauntlet for people who are really hurt by bad projects and even illegal projects, from having any chance to challenge them. That is not an honest process. That is not a fine-tuning of NEPA. It’s a dramatic, radical change to a law that protects the public.”
“[The] problem is the way the bill goes way too far in constraining environmental reviews, in eliminating, in some cases, transparency and public input. And we don’t have to wonder what it looks like when you take away transparency, when you take away public input, when you make it impossible to stop a wrongheaded project that the federal government just decides to do, even if it’s illegal, even if it’s a crazy idea, when you make it impossible to scrutinize or stop that. We have a perfect example, and it is the East Wing of the White House right here. This is what happens when there’s no transparency, when there’s no scrutiny, when there’s no input, when there’s no way to stop a dumb idea from moving forward because you’ve done something like this to the NEPA process.”
Key Democratic Amendments
Huffman amendment #3 to prevent the bill from taking effect until clean energy grants such as offshore wind port grants that have been improperly rescinded by the Trump administration are reinstated and regulations are in place to prevent similar actions in the future.
Magaziner amendment #6 to clarify that renewable projects are recognized as legitimate multiple-use activities, planned responsibly, reviewed transparently, and coordinated with Tribes, states, fishermen, and local communities.
Ansari amendment #9 to amend the bill’s restrictions on the consideration of new science during much of the environmental review period. This amendment protects communities that would otherwise be put in harm’s way because an agency was forced to ignore new science about flooding, wildfire, pollution, or habitat collapse.
Rivas amendment #11 to ensure that NEPA’s public participation process is accessible and meets the needs of the community so people can have a voice in the decisions that affect their health, safety, and environment.
Rivas amendment #12 to add renewable energy to the list of national policies for the White House Council on Environmental Quality to foster and support.
Huffman amendment #13 to strike the provisions of the bill that dramatically narrows the definition of a “major Federal action” to exempt numerous projects from NEPA review and allow federal agencies to spend billions of taxpayer dollars on major infrastructure, energy, and environmental projects with no environmental review, no public input, and no accountability.
Grijalva amendment #14 to ensure that climate and environmental justice are included as national priorities pursued by the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
Min amendment #17 to repeal the Department of the Interior’s memo forcing all wind and solar energy projects through a permitting process that requires personal approval from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum at every stage of the permitting process, needlessly adding red tape to stall clean, affordable energy development.
Randall amendment #20 to exempt tribes from the bill’s restrictions that prevent them from getting judicial review, protecting their ability to challenge agency decisions that affect their lands, waters, cultural resources, and treaty obligations.
Randall amendment #22 to ensures that offshore oil and gas lease sales mandated by President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill still go through NEPA review.
Brownley amendment #24 to preserve meaningful accountability and ensure agencies correct significant errors before projects move forward.
Huffman amendment #26 to strike the provision that would prohibit agencies from considering cumulative effects of projects and foreseeable harm like pollution-related cancer risks.
Huffman amendment #28 to amend the judicial review section of the bill to ensure that federal agencies follow the law, listen to communities, and carefully consider the environmental and public-health consequences of their decisions.
What the So-Called SPEED Act Would Do
The SPEED Act would dramatically limit what federal agencies are allowed to consider when evaluating the environmental and public health consequences of major proposed projects, including climate and environmental justice impacts.
Bans the use of new scientific research or updated data that becomes available after a project is proposed—forcing agencies to ignore improved wildfire maps, updated climate models, or newly available health risk assessments.
Greatly limits what projects and actions can be reviewed under NEPA.
Limits public input and legal recourse to make it virtually impossible for communities to raise legitimate concerns or challenge flawed environmental reviews in court.
Tilts the standard for legal challenges even further away from impacted communities towards polluters while greatly limiting the ability of courts to take corrective action or provide relief.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)
WASHINGTON, D.C. –Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Angie Craig (D-MN)introduced theSenior Savings Protection Act,bipartisan legislation to reauthorize critical outreach and assistance programs under theMedicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA).The bill extends funding for five years at current levels and ensures that low-income Medicare beneficiaries continue to receive trusted, one-on-one guidance to help them understand and access the benefits they are entitled to. MIPPA grants fund community-based organizations that provide in-person counseling, education, eligibility screening, benefit explanation, application and enrollment assistance, and outreach to promote Medicare enrollment. These services are especially important for older adults who may struggle to navigate Medicare’s complex enrollment processes, particularly lower-income seniors, people with disabilities, rural residents and caregivers.
“For years, MIPPA programs have been a lifeline for low-income older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers-helping them save money, access essential medications, and get the care they deserve. Reauthorizing this funding is not just good policy; it is a commitment to protecting the dignity, health, and financial security of some of our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “The Senior Savings Protection Act ensures these vital services remain available and accessible, and I’m honored to help lead this effort on behalf of the communities who depend on them.”
“Every senior deserves clear, trusted information about their Medicare options,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “MIPPA programs are the only source of free, unbiased information to help seniors understand their benefits and make the right decisions for their health and financial security. My bill ensures older Americans can retain access to this assistance and fully benefit from cost-saving tools like the new out-of-pocket prescription drug spending cap included in the Inflation Reduction Act. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to protect and strengthen these vital programs.”
“Every senior deserves clear, unbiased guidance when navigating their Medicare benefits. The Senior Savings Protection Act would help older Americans access the trusted support they need to make informed decisions about their care and to get help lowering their costs,” said Congresswoman DelBene. “By reauthorizing these outreach programs, we’re helping seniors gain resources on how to lower costs, understand their Medicare options, avoid predatory misinformation, & fully access the benefits they’ve earned.”
“I join my colleagues in introducing the Senior Savings Protection Act to ensure low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities can easily access information on the programs that help make Medicare more affordable,” said Congresswoman Milliotakis. “More than 240,000 New Yorkers used these services last year, and this bill ensures these vital resources remain available for those who need them most.”
“Every senior should have the information and support they need to access their earned Medicare benefits, and that’s why it’s critical that existing outreach and enrollment resources are extended,” said Congresswoman Craig. “I’m proud to be introducing the Senior Savings Protection Act to improve health outcomes and ensure that our nation’s seniors can access the affordable care they are owed.”
The legislation is endorsed by the National Council on Aging and AARP.
“With millions of older Americans on fixed incomes struggling to afford food and rent, it’s more important than ever to enroll those who are eligible into the programs that help pay for Medicare premiums and copays,” said NCOA President & CEO, Ramsey Alwin. “Reauthorizing the Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) for 5 years will provide stable funding to enable community-based organizations across the country to continue their critical work of finding and enrolling people into these benefits that help them stay healthy, in their communities, and out of hospitals. While much progress has been made, we know that almost 5.8 million older adults are eligible for but not enrolled in the Medicare Savings Programs alone.”
Since 2008, MIPPA grants have helped states, tribes, and community partners reach more than one million low-income Medicare beneficiaries with direct counseling and outreach. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) administers the grants through State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), and Aging & Disability Resource Centers/No Wrong Door Systems (ADRC/NWD), as well as tribal organizations.
Funding Reauthorized Through FY 2030:
State Health Insurance Programs (SHIPs): $15 million
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs): $15 million
Aging & Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs): $5 million
National Coordination & Outreach: $15 million
Congressman Bilirakis has long championed efforts to strengthen Medicare, support seniors, and ensure older Americans can age with dignity.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)
Headline: Congressman Veasey On the 5th Circuit Court’s Decision to Strike Down Racist Maps
Washington, D.C– Today, a three-judge panel for the 5th Circuit Court struck down that the maps proposed by Governor Abbott, Donald Trump, and Texas Republicans, ruling that it discriminated on the basis of race to dilute the power of minority voters. Congressman Veasey issued the following statement in response:
“The courts have affirmed what we’ve known all along: Trump, Abbott, and their Republican stooges intentionally jammed through racist, rigged maps to shut minority voters up and shut us out. They tried to steal power they could never win honestly.
“They thought we would roll over and take it. Boy did they have another thing coming.
“We fought them in the streets, at the ballot box, and in the courts. We marched. We raised hell. We stood in front of judges and tore their lies apart piece by piece. And today, Texas proved it won’t be pushed around.
“Trump and Abbott know they can’t win on policy—because their records are disasters. Record-high prices for food, rent, and healthcare.
“Make no mistake: this fight is far from over. Republicans will keep scheming, keep rigging, keep trying to bend democracy until it breaks. But if they think we’re going to roll over and take it, they’re dead wrong.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)
JOLIET — Rep. Lauren Underwood led members of the Illinois congressional delegation, Representatives Robin Kelly (IL-02), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Bill Foster (IL-11), Darin LaHood (IL-16), and Eric Sorenson (IL-17) to introduce legislation to honor Underwood’s constituent and officially designate the Post Office Building at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, IL as the “Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. Post Office Building.”
Staff Sergeant Dueñez and three other U.S. soldiers were killed during an Army training exercise in Lithuania on March 31, 2025. His family describes Dueñez as “someone who always wanted to protect people.” He was a beloved member of his community who enlisted right after high school and served his country for seven years.
“Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. represents the best of our community. He was an extraordinary hero who served his country with strength and resilience,” Rep. Underwood said. “I’m honored to introduce this legislation to permanently commemorate his sacrifice and service. The Plainfield Post Office will bear his name as reminder of his contributions not only to his country, but to his community and family as a father, husband, brother, and son.”
Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. was born on April 8, 1999, and was raised in Joliet along with his five sisters. Dueñez was promoted five times over the course of his service, ultimately reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant in November of 2020. He served in three overseas deployments—Poland in 2019, Germany in 2022, and Lithuania in 2025—and was recognized with two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, one Certificate of Achievement, two Army Good Conduct Medals, and a National Defense Service Medal.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)
WASHINGTON — Rep. Lauren Underwood and every member of the Illinois Congressional delegation wrote to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to express support for Illinois’ application for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) program.
The RHT Program was created due to the deep cuts to Medicaid enacted through Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) estimates that more than 270,000 Illinois residents will lose Medicaid coverage as a result of the law, with Medicaid spending in the state’s rural areas expected to decrease by $6.36 billion. These cuts are projected to cause nine Illinois rural hospital to close.
“The funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program will not offset the devastating cuts to health care that Republicans passed in their Big Ugly Bill,” said Rep. Underwood. “But our rural communities are fighting to survive a health care crisis, and lives are at stake. While the Trump Administration continues to attack our care, Illinois needs to compete for every dollar available to us.”
In the letter, the lawmakers wrote: “Today, nearly 500,000 Medicaid enrollees call our rural areas home, yet the challenges are clear: 60 out of 65 rural counties face primary care shortages, 64 lack adequate mental health services, and 57 experience dental care gaps. Affordability continues to stand as a barrier, and, most heartbreakingly, pregnancy-related mortality rates in rural counties remain unacceptably high. The RHT Program provides a critical opportunity to further Illinois’ goal of improving the health of our rural communities. We believe Illinois’ application, prepared by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), strongly aligns with the strategic priorities established by CMS.”
The letter is signed by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05), Congressman Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Congresswoman Laura Underwood (IL-14), Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Congresswoman Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Congressman Bradley Scott Schneider (IL-10), Congressman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06).
The full text of the letter can be foundhere and below:
Dr. Mehmet Oz
CMS Administrator
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244
Dear Administrator Oz,
We are pleased to write in strong support of the State of Illinois’ application for the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program (CMS-RHT-20-001).
As members of Illinois’ Congressional Delegation, we have worked towards improving healthcare affordability and accessibility for rural Illinoisans through workforce retention and recruitment efforts, supporting new rural health delivery models, and addressing the financial viability of rural hospitals.
The RHT Program provides a critical opportunity to further Illinois’ goal of improving the health of our rural communities. We believe Illinois’ application, prepared by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), strongly aligns with the strategic priorities established by CMS.
The Rural Health Transformation Plan presented in this application stands as a testament to Illinois’ unwavering dedication to uplifting our rural communities. Guided by the knowledge, advocacy, and expertise of our stakeholder partners and anchored in the most pressing needs of our rural constituents, this initiative seizes an unprecedented opportunity to tackle disparities in care and reimagine the future of healthcare delivery across rural Illinois.
Illinois’ RHT Program is designed to deliver critical funding and drive sustainable change in the most underserved rural communities—because every resident deserves access to high-quality care, no matter where they live. Today, nearly 500,000 Medicaid enrollees call our rural areas home, yet the challenges are clear: 60 out of 65 rural counties face primary care shortages, 64 lack adequate mental health services, and 57 experience dental care gaps. Affordability continues to stand as a barrier, and, most heartbreakingly, pregnancy-related mortality rates in rural counties remain unacceptably high.
Working together, we can deliver on the promise to build a healthier, more equitable Illinois — one where every community, no matter its zip code, has the opportunity to thrive.
We urge you to give the State of Illinois’ application full and fair consideration. Should you have any questions regarding Illinois’ application, please do not hesitate to contact our offices.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)
WASHINGTON — Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood introduced legislation to extend the popular tax credits from her legislation, theHealth Care Affordability Act, to December 31, 2028.
The tax credits are currently set to expire on December 31, 2025. Republicans have failed to make them permanent, and tens of millions of working families are now facing skyrocketing health care costs for next year. Open enrollment is currently underway, and families should visit HealthCare.gov through December 15th to review their options.
“Republicans cannot continue to ignore the health care crisis that they’ve created. These popular tax credits will expire in just 42 days, and the cost increases that millions of Americans have been getting notices of will become reality,” said Rep. Underwood. “Health care is a human right, and House Democrats will not give up this fight. A three-year extension of these tax credits will give families peace of mind and certainty that their coverage will remain affordable and within reach. We are out of time, and Congress must pass this legislation immediately.”
The cost savings from the Health Care Affordability Act have led to a record-breaking and historic expansion of health care coverage.
More than 24 million people signed up for health care through the Affordable Care Act this year, including 3.2 million new enrollees. Four in five Americans have found health coverage for $10 or less per month and families of four with Marketplace plans are saving an average of $2,400 on their annual health care premiums.
But Republicans have refused to extend these savings, and the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 4.2 million Americans will lose their coverage as a direct result of the associated cost increases.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Kathy Castor (FL-14), and Yvette Clarke (NY-09) reintroduced the Frack Pack, a set of five bills aimed at closing loopholes that allow the oil and gas industry to skirt key environmental and public health protections. The legislative package would hold the industry accountable for pollution that threatens clean air, safe drinking water, and the health of communities across the country.
The Frack Pack includes the SHARED Act, FRAC Act, FRESHER Act, CLEANER Act, and CLOSE Act.
“Hydraulic fracking is a serious risk to our water, no matter how much Big Oil and Gas insist it is safe. The truth is, these companies are not even required to report when their fracking activity contaminates the local water supply,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “The SHARED Act is commonsense legislation that would require oil and gas companies to regularly test nearby water sources and disclose the results. Families deserve to know that the water coming out of their tap is safe to drink and use. I am committed to holding the fossil fuel industry accountable. Protecting our clean water is not optional, it is essential.”
“For too long, oil and gas companies have enjoyed special exemptions from our nation’s bedrock environmental laws that no other industry gets,” said Congresswoman Diana DeGette. “The Frack Pack would finally put an end to that double standard. These commonsense reforms will protect our air, water, and communities while ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the fracking process. I’m proud to work with leaders like Reps. Huffman, Castor, Schakowsky, and Clarke on these important bills.”
‘”The fossil fuel industry gets to dump their runoff into stormwater thanks to special exemptions for no good reason – polluting our water supply and putting communities at risk,” said Congressman Jared Huffman. “Why should Big Oil billionaires get to skirt the rules? They shouldn’t. The FRESHER Act closes this loophole to even the playing field and stop them from destroying communities so we can get this public health and environmental crisis under control.”
“Families deserve clean air to breathe and clean water to drink, and the CLEANER Act is a practical step to make that a reality,” said Congresswoman Kathy Castor. “By holding polluters accountable and closing loopholes that let dangerous toxins seep into our waterways and neighborhoods, we can make communities healthier. Encourage Congress to move this bill and build a healthier, safer future for every community.”
“When a regulatory loophole within the Clean Air Act enables fracking and other environmentally harmful practices to bring dangerous toxins and climate-changing emissions into our communities unimpeded, it’s clear legislative action is necessary to correct the shortcoming and protect the public health. The ‘aggregation exemption’ has, for too long, allowed for an unacceptable status quo in climate policy in America, and it is past time for that to change,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. “I am proud to introduce my legislation, the CLOSE ACT, to address this destructive exemption, just as I am proud to support the Frack Pack as a comprehensive solution towards amending the loopholes that put polluters first and leave the American people last.”
The SHARED Act would require testing for water contamination near fracking sites.
The FRAC Actwould eliminate the “Halliburton Loophole,” established under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, under which fracking fluids are exempted from regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The FRAC Act would require fracking companies to publicly disclose the chemicals they are pumping into the ground and give the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to regulate the process under its Underground Injection Control program. The oil and gas industry remains the only economic sector exempt from this important program.
The FRESHER Act closes the loophole for oil and gas companies in the Clean Water Act and creates a study to better understand the effect of storm water runoff from oil and gas companies.
The CLEANER Act would make oil and gas companies responsible for cleaning up and disposing of hazardous waste that comes from their operations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Subtitle C, the country’s hazardous waste management law.
The CLOSE Act would decrease toxic air pollution that comes from oil and gas exploration and production activities and add hydrogen sulfide to the list of hazardous air pollutants regulated under the Clean Air Act. Hydrogen sulfide is an air toxic released during oil and gas exploration and production. Additionally, it would reverse the exemption of oil and gas companies from the Clean Air Act’s aggregation requirement, which allows multiple activities or facilities to be collectively permitted as one single source.