Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig released the following statement on her vote against the government funding bill that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits and raises health care costs for millions of Americans. 

“I have said from the beginning of this shutdown that I refuse to abandon the tens of thousands of Minnesotans who could lose their health coverage because of Republicans’ unrelenting attacks on health care. 

“I voted against this so-called ‘deal’ today because Minnesotans are asking their leaders to stand up to the Trump Administration and fight for them when it matters most. 

“Minnesota, I heard you loud and clear. It’s past time for us to lower costs for working folks in this country, and this bill doesn’t do that.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture Angie Craig and Assistant Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02) hosted a press conference on the Trump Administration’s deliberate suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Reps. Craig and Neguse were joined by Reps. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) and Alma Adams (NC-12).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has sufficient SNAP contingency funding to provide full benefits for the month of November, despite the Republicans’ government shutdown. However, President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins are refusing to release more than $5 billion in available funding taking away food assistance from nearly 42 million Americans.

“In the case of November SNAP benefits, this Administration’s hands are not tied,” Rep. Craig said in her remarks. “Withholding food from hungry children, seniors, people with disabilities and veterans is a choice.”

“The law is clear and unambiguous on this point,” she continued. “I am calling on the President to get back from Asia – to do the right thing and the moral thing. I am calling on the President to follow the law. And where are my Republican colleagues? Silent. Complicit. They have a responsibility to their constituents not to go along with this cruel behavior.”

“This Administration must stop playing politics with America’s hungry seniors, veterans and children,” Rep. Craig concluded.

Yesterday, Rep. Craig joined House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Appropriations Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) in a press conference to demand the Trump Administration use previously appropriated funding to fund SNAP in November.

The press conference followed a lawsuit filed by 25 states and the District of Columbia against the Trump Administration for illegally withholding Congressionally appropriated funds that would have helped fund food assistance benefits through November. You can read Rep. Craig’s statement on the lawsuit here. You can watch her interview with MSNBC’s Chris Jansing on the lawsuit and the Administration’s assault on SNAP here. 

You can watch the full clip of Rep. Craig’s remarks from today’s press conference here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture Angie Craig joined House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Appropriations Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) in a press conference to demand the Trump Administration use previously appropriated funding to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). 

The President and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins have the appropriated funds and legal authority to help fund SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans in November and ensure that Americans can put food on the table during the Republican government shutdown, but they have chosen not to.

“If the president wanted to help feed hungry Americans, he would. He has shown us that he does whatever the hell he wants to, whether it’s legal or not,” Rep. Craig said in her remarks. “But his actions have shown a callous disregard for America’s seniors, veterans and families with children.”

“The Republicans’ one and only priority this Congress has been the Big Ugly Bill, which not only cut health care by $1 trillion but also cut SNAP by $186 billion – a frontal assault on our most effective basic need food assistance program to help vulnerable members of our community who rely on it to keep food on their tables,” she continued. “Now, the Administration is taking food away from 16 million children, 8 million seniors and 1.2 million veterans.”

“Their hands are not tied,” she continued. “The law is clear – as clear as this Administration’s cruelty is clear. The law is as unambiguous as Congressional Republicans’ desire to let ACA tax credits expire. It is unconscionable. It is egregious. And it is illegal.”

Earlier today, 25 states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump Administration for illegally withholding Congressionally appropriated funds that would have helped fund food assistance benefits through November. You can read Rep. Craig’s statement on the lawsuit here. You can watch her interview with MSNBC’s Chris Jansing on the lawsuit and the Administration’s assault on SNAP here. 

You can watch the full clip of Rep. Craig’s remarks from today’s press conference here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture Angie Craig led 53 of her colleagues in calling on Congressional Republican leadership to work with Democrats to pass a funding bill that will reopen the government and extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits that millions of farmers and rural Americans rely on for affordable health care. 

In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Rep. Craig and her colleagues highlighted the damage President Trump and Congressional Republicans have already inflicted on rural Americans by failing to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of the year and enacting the deepest cuts to Medicaid in American history through their One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

“We write today on behalf of millions of farmers and rural Americans who are facing increased health costs and decreased access to critical health care services if Congressional Republicans do not work with Democrats to reach a bipartisan deal to open the government and remedy the health care crisis that is already roiling rural America,” Rep. Craig wrote. “Your inaction on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, combined with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s draconian cuts to Medicaid, are a betrayal of all Americans. But the burden of these cuts falls heavily on those who live in rural communities and those who work tirelessly to feed and fuel our nation.”

The Members went on to blast Republicans’ insufficient efforts to mitigate the damage they did to rural health care providers through their One Big Beautiful Bill Act. 

“Further, the Rural Health Transformation Program that Republicans are touting as a new investment does not come close to correcting the damage that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is already doing to rural America’s health infrastructure,” Rep. Craig continued. “This temporary infusion of funds fails to make whole rural hospitals and health care providers that stand to lose a total of $137 billion between the expiration of the ACA enhanced tax credits and cuts to Medicaid. As a result, rural hospitals across the country are closing their doors – forcing those in rural areas to travel further for care or forgo treatment altogether.”

As farmers and rural Americans grapple with the impacts of the President’s trade policies, which have decimated American export markets while increasing the cost of living, Rep. Craig and her colleagues expressed that they are committed to working across the aisle to support our nation’s rural communities. 

“We stand ready to work with you to uplift our nation’s farmers, invest in rural America and avoid a health care cliff that will endanger the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans who are depending on us to do better by them,” Rep. Craig concluded.

If Republicans fail to extend the ACA enhanced tax credits, Minnesotans who get their health insurance through MNSure will see their health insurance premiums increase by an average of 21.5%, according to the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Middle class Minnesotans will be hit the hardest by these price hikes – especially farmers, small business owners and early retirees.

You can read the full text of the letter here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig called on the Trump Administration to reverse its decision to execute mass layoffs in the Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). In a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought and Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Rep. Craig and 116 of her House colleagues condemned the decision and demanded that the Education Department immediately rescind the termination notices that were sent to OSERS workers.

“These firings, along with other decisions you have made that directly undermine special education, will have a devastating impact on the more than 7.5 million students with disabilities across the country and their families just one month before the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),” the Members wrote.  

 “Decimating these offices threatens accountability for special education and vocational rehabilitation funds, as well as the civil rights Congress has enshrined in federal law, at a time when schools nationwide are already struggling to meet the needs of students and when people with disabilities continue to face barriers to employment,” they continued. “Federal employees at OSERS play a key role in ensuring that federal dollars are spent appropriately and effectively to support students with disabilities.”

 “These reckless terminations are just another in a line of actions by your administration that threaten the rights that individuals with disabilities have fought long and hard for,” the Members concluded. “We urge you to immediately rescind your plans to wrongly fire employees at the agencies listed above so that they can continue working to ensure that every family, no matter where they live or their income, has access to an education that will set them up for a successful future regardless of their child’s disability.”

 Since she came to Congress, Rep. Craig has been a strong advocate for Minnesota’s special education programs – consistently leading legislation to fully fund IDEA.

 Last month, Rep. Craig and Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-06) introduced their Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act to help schools recruit, train and retain paraeducators. The bill would establish a grant program to fund pipeline and credentialing programs, high-quality professional development and higher wages for paraprofessionals and special education teachers.   

In April, Rep. Craig introduced the bipartisan IDEA Full Funding Act, which would finally ensure Congress fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). She is also a cosponsor of the Protecting Students with Disabilities Act, which would prohibit the use of appropriated funds to eliminate, consolidate or restructure any office with the Department of Education that administers or enforces programs under the IDEA. 

And earlier this year, Rep. Craig brought together special educators, paraprofessionals and parents from Minnesota’s Congressional District to form her inaugural Special Education Advisory Council.

You can read the full text of the letter here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited a Kansas-based beef company that handles every step of the process — from raising the cattle to butchering, transporting, and selling. Last month, she demanded President Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins rethink their decision to spend $20 billion to bail out Argentina and increase beef imports from the country.

 

“Kansas ranchers work tirelessly to provide quality beef for our communities and across the country,” said Davids. “Bailing out Argentina and increasing their beef imports threatens local jobs, drives up costs for American families, and undermines our farmers and ranchers like Booth Creek Wagyu. We need policies that support Kansans first, not foreign governments.”

 

“Supporting Kansas ag supply chains is vital because our producers face some of the highest levels of risk and complexity of any industry,” said Jarett Wright, Vice President of Supply Chains, Sales, and Marketing, Booth Creek Wagyu. “Weather, disease, and market volatility all impact the flow of products that feed our communities, yet Kansas farmers and ranchers continue to adapt and deliver. Strengthening local supply chains ensures that the hard work, care, and quality that go into raising Kansas beef, often over years, stay right here in our state and benefit the communities that make it possible.”

Booth Creek Wagyu is a fully integrated beef company based in Kansas. The company raises premium Wagyu cattle, oversees processing and butchering, manages transportation, and delivers high-quality beef directly to restaurants and consumers, ensuring a locally sourced, sustainable product from farm to table.

 

Most of Kansas’ congressional delegation, including Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and the state’s other three House members, has also expressed concern about how the President’s trade policies with Argentina could harm Kansas farmers and ranchers.

 

The administration’s plan includes a $20 billion bailout of Argentina’s government and expanded imports of Argentinian beef, despite warnings from industry experts that such policies would undercut U.S. producers. According to recent reports, U.S. farm bankruptcies have risen 60 percent this year, and American soybean exports to China have dropped to zero as Argentina fills the gap left by ongoing tariff disputes.

Davids has made strengthening agriculture supply chains and lowering the cost of groceries a priority, including by: 

 

Reckless tariffs have forced many Kansas producers to pay higher costs for equipment and materials while reducing access to international markets for crops and livestock. Similarly, cuts to USAID programs disrupt food-aid delivery abroad, which in turn affects demand for U.S. agricultural products. Davids has been a consistent advocate for fair-trade policies that hold foreign actors accountable while protecting U.S. competitiveness, and has joined Senator Moran in sounding the alarm.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Rep. Sharice Davids issued the following statement after the U.S. House passage of the government funding bill.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a Veterans Day appreciation event to recognize the service and sacrifices of local veterans. As part of the event, Davids, whose mom served in the Army for 20 years, presented a Vietnam veteran with his stolen medals, including a Bronze Star, which her office helped recover.

 

“As the daughter of an Army veteran, I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices that service members and their families make. This Veterans Day, we honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of all our local veterans,” said Davids. “Returning these medals is a small way to show respect for someone who served our country with bravery and honor. To all Kansas veterans and military families, thank you for your service and your sacrifices.”

 

The event brought together veterans from across the Third District and provided a chance for the community to show appreciation for their service and dedication to the nation.

Davids has been a dedicated advocate for the support of Kansas veterans after their return from active duty. She helped pass the Honoring our PACT Act, which expands Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) health care eligibility to 3.5 million American veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic airborne hazards while deployed. Most recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed her bipartisan bill to help veteran entrepreneurs succeed. 

 

Davids’ office also helps military and veteran constituents access VA health care and benefits and acts as a facilitator between federal, state, and local agencies. For more information on how veterans can receive assistance, constituents are encouraged to visit Davids’ website or call her office at (913) 621-0832.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Yesterday, KCUR reported on Representative Sharice Davids’ (KS-03) efforts to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits before Kansans face “dramatically increased premiums.” While those monthly premiums are set to increase by an average of 77 percent, Davids emphasized there’s still time to act before costs go up for everyone.

 

In Kansas alone, more than 160,000 people relied on these tax credits last year to save an average of $700 annually on their health care. Davids previously urged congressional leadership to include an extension of these ACA health care tax credits in any government funding bill. She also hosted a virtual press conference with Kansans who rely on these savings to afford other everyday necessities.

 

Read more from KCUR’s Noah Taborda:

 

“The Affordable Care Act marketplace for health insurance opened Saturday. With an enhanced tax credit set to expire at the end of the year, Kansans face dramatically increased premiums.

 

Stephanie Barr of Prairie Village, Kansas, is a breast cancer survivor. Her healing journey, however, is still going on.

 

[…]

 

‘I am so close to having this wound healed but I am also now at a risk of losing my health insurance because my health insurance is set to go from $21.70 a month to well over $600,’ Barr said. That’s an increase of nearly $8,000 a year for Barr.

 

As of 2024, 160,000 Kansans face surging health care costs like this if the ACA enhanced premium tax credit expires. On average, those credits helped insured clients save about $700 according to a Kaiser Family Foundation analysis.

 

[…]

 

Although open enrollment started Saturday, Congress can still act to prevent the tax credit from expiring.

 

[…]

 

Kansas Democratic Rep. Sharice Davids said during a virtual press conference Tuesday that she is cautiously optimistic about some of the ideas floating around D.C. ‘You know, when you’ve got me and Marjorie Taylor Greene on the same page on a piece of policy, that tells me there’s a reason to be cautiously optimistic,’ she said.

 

Any extension at this point would likely still result in major disruptions, lawmakers say, but it would still help lessen the burden. Davids warned the price hike would likely result in many healthy people dropping coverage, driving up premiums for people with chronic conditions or already expensive medical needs. These, she said, are often the people most in need of health insurance benefits.

 

‘No Kansan should have to choose between paying for health care and putting food on the table,’ said Davids.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Representative Sharice Davids heard directly from Kansans whose health care premiums are set to rise dramatically next year for everyone. Because Congress has failed to act on her calls to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, Kansans will see their monthly premiums increase by an average of 77 percent, potentially forcing 4.2 million Americans off their health insurance. One participant faces a staggering increase of more than 3,000 percent, while another will pay more than $17,000 next year.

“No Kansan should have to choose between paying for health care and putting food on the table,” said Davids. “Now that open enrollment has begun, every day counts for families facing skyrocketing premiums. We need Congress to work across the aisle to extend these tax credits immediately, because delaying action will only make it harder for Kansans to afford their health care.”

WATCH: Kansans share how much their health care premiums will rise

The ACA’s premium tax credits have lowered health care costs for millions of Americans, leading to the lowest uninsured rate in modern history. In Kansas alone, more than 160,000 people relied on these tax credits last year to save an average of $700 annually on their health care. But now, premiums will skyrocket, including for the Kansans who joined Davids for today’s press conference. Specifically:

• Nancy Mays, Mission Woods
  • 2025: $560 per month
  • 2026: $2,030 per month
  • Increase: $17,640 per year (263 percent increase)
• Stephanie Barr, Prairie Village
  • 2025: $20 per month
  • 2026: $646 per month
  • Increase: $7,752 per year (3,130 percent increase)
• Dawn Wheeler, Edwardsville
  • 2025: $69 per month
  • 2026: $248 per month
  • Increase: $2,148 per year (259 percent increase)

Even though open enrollment has begun, Congress can still take action to prevent the steep premium increases Kansans face in 2026. Forecasting models show that extending the enhanced ACA tax credits now could still slow or reduce the premium hikes.

 

Because of the expected price hikes, many healthy people may be forced to drop coverage, leaving the insurance pool made up of individuals with chronic conditions or high-cost medical needs. That would drive premiums even higher for those who remain on ACA plans, compounding the financial burden on families who can least afford it.

 

Davids previously urged Congressional leadership to include an extension of these ACA health care tax credits in any government funding bill. A few weeks ago, she also hosted a virtual press conference with Kansans, who rely on these savings to afford other everyday necessities.

Kansans looking for help during open enrollment can visit https://kansascares.org/open-enrollment/ for assistance.