Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) hosted a town hall to discuss defending Medicaid from draconian cuts proposed by President Trump and congression Republicans. She was joined by speakers from the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County and Via Care Los Angeles. The event saw a significant turnout, with over 110+ attendees, predominantly seniors. Due to the high level of interest, the venue reached standing-room-only capacity. Many participants expressed deep concerns regarding actions taken by President Trump and Elon Musk, including the firing of tens of thousands of federal workers without cause, granting DOGE unlimited access to the Treasury payment system which contains private taxpayer data, and Republicans’ threats to slash Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.

This town hall was part of a nationwide Day of Action led by Democrats to highlight the looming threat of severe cuts to Medicaid, the state-federal program that provides health care to more than 70 million Americans—including over 14 million Californians. Republican proposals call for the largest Medicaid cuts in U.S. history, slashing $880 billion from the program to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. These drastic reductions would have devastating consequences for children, families, people with disabilities, seniors, and women, impacting communities across the country.

Rep. Chu also highlighted her role on the Ways and Means Committee and outlined key legislative efforts to combat these proposed cuts. She emphasized ongoing initiatives to protect Medicaid and ensure continued access to vital health care services for millions of Americans.
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) voted against House Republicans’ full-year appropriations bill, which passed on a 217-213 vote.

“On the day our president purchases a car from Elon Musk on the White House grounds, Republicans have passed a funding bill with massive cuts for families that is completely subservient to the whims and whimsy of the unelected billionaire – providing him a slush fund of our tax dollars to direct as he wants, including to his own companies. Republicans in Washington are falling over themselves to deliver tax cuts for Musk and billionaires, rather than focus on cost-of-living issues facing Americans,” said Rep. Chu. “In typical spending bills, Congress includes directives and instructions to ensure taxpayer dollars are distributed as our branch of government intended. Without any directives in this continuing resolution or any constraints on Musk and DOGE’s illegal cuts, Republicans have given the Trump administration the green light to continue taking a wrecking ball to the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, Department of Education, National Nuclear Security Administration, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, IRS and so many other essential programs. The bill also cuts Veterans’ health care benefits Republicans have previously supported, evicts low-income renters – including survivors of domestic abuse and Veterans – from their homes, and fails to fund disaster relief programs districts around the country like mine need.” 

“And this Republican shutdown bill strips out all Community Project Funding for Fiscal Year 2025, including 15 important projects that I selected in my district. As a result, law enforcement agencies and first responders are losing out on new equipment and infrastructure, San Gabriel Valley cities are losing out on new affordable housing, and residents are losing out on new community centers and safer streets,” Rep. Chu continued. “I am strongly opposed, and urge my Senate colleagues to be as well. Democrats are ready to pass a short-term stopgap funding bill to provide more time to negotiate a bipartisan solution that will ensure that the programs that our constituents receive the funding that Congress provides, without being illegally intercepted by Musk and DOGE.”

Among other provisions, this funding bill:

• Fails to lower the cost of housing and instead cuts rent subsidies for low-income and working Americans by more than $700 million, leaving landlords to foot the bill for or evict more than 32,000 households including Veterans, survivors of domestic violence, seniors, and families with disabilities.
• Would allow Elon Musk and President Trump to continue their plans to fire thousands of employees at the Social Security Administration and close down SSA field and hearing offices around the country, which will result in increased wait times and unacceptable backlogs for Americans trying to access their earned benefits.
• Fails to fund the Disaster Relief Fund through the remainder of the fiscal year, which means uncertainty for victims of the Eaton Fire and potential victims of the approaching tornado and hurricane seasons.
• Enables Elon Musk to direct contracts to his companies while his unvetted employees have burrowed in the FAA, with no requirement for public transparency, fair competition, or Congressional approval – all while mission-critical jobs have been cut at the FAA.
• Cuts Army Corps of Engineers construction projects that keep commerce safely flowing on our waterways, manage flood risk, and restore ecosystems by $1.4 billion, or 44 percent, and Elon Musk and President Trump, not Congress, will determine all project funding levels.
• Reneges on Veterans’ medical care and creates future uncertainty. More Veterans are enrolled in VA care than ever. While the bill includes $6 billion in mandatory funds to address an immediate funding shortfall, it fails to include $22.8 billion in fiscal year 2026 advanced funding for the Toxic Exposures Fund to care for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances that House Republicans included in their own funding bill last year. It also enables Elon Musk and President Trump to redirect funding meant for homelessness assistance grants, mental health care, rural health, opioid and substance abuse programs, some oncology programs, and caregivers support, however they see fit.
• Gives Elon Musk and President Trump broad discretion to eliminate individual programs of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a critical agency that our communities rely on for reliable information and forecasts related to weather patterns, climate change, ocean conditions, and natural disaster preparedness. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

DENVER, CO — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02), Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) released the following statement after reports that Jeanette Vizguerra, an immigration rights activist, was ordered to be removed without due process.

“The Trump administration’s shredding of the Constitution and disregard for the law is outrageous. Due process is foundational to our democracy, and the abrupt nature of Ms. Vizguerra’s detention, without transparent justification, exemplifies a troubling pattern of civil rights violations and disregard for due process under this administration. This will only further erode the essential legal protections that ensure fairness and justice for all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.  

“Furthermore, news of Ms. Vizguerra’s removal order shows a continuation of the administration’s reckless and bigoted immigration policy. They claim they are targeting violent criminals, but instead they are going after mothers with U.S.-born children and immigrant advocates, like Ms. Vizguerra. 

“This is wrong, and the administration must stop these hateful and unjust actions immediately.” 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement after voting against House Republicans’ extreme year-long government funding bill.

“I voted no on the government funding bill because it will only enable Elon and Trump to further their chaos and confusion while ceding Congressional authority to the executive branch. They want to slash Medicaid and VA benefits to give tax cuts to billionaires, and now Elon is talking about cutting entitlements like Social Security. I refuse to vote for a bill that will allow Trump, Elon, and DOGE to cut benefits for millions of Americans, fire federal workers at the Forest Service and VA, and further damage our government.” 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement after Trump’s Address to the Joint Session of Congress.

“Tonight, Donald Trump spent over an hour spewing lies, insulting the American people, and bullying anyone who is opposed to him.

“It’s because of him that costs are skyrocketing, the stock market is crashing, and our adversaries are laughing. His actions are dangerous and shameful, and I will fight to oppose his disgraceful agenda every step of the way.” 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement regarding her decision to not attend Donald Trump’s address to a Joint Session of Congress:

“Trump’s childish and shameful actions in the Oval Office towards Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as his barrage of illegal attacks against public servants and vulnerable groups, have disgraced and embarrassed our country. His actions are beneath the office of the President and do not merit my attendance at this Joint Address.

“As Trump undermines our democracy and assaults the values we hold dear, he continues to ignore his promise to lower costs and make life better for the American people. 

“Trump and his billionaire pal Elon have made life worse for countless Denverites and Americans, many of whom call my office every day expressing their frustration and fear that the Trump administration is doing nothing to help them. 

“His extreme actions, including his reckless disregard for the rule of law, are an insult to my constituents and the American people. They deserve so much more than his hateful rhetoric, blatant lies, and lack of meaningful progress on improving their quality of life.

“While I won’t be attending the Joint Address in person, I will be watching closely. And I will continue to call out Trump’s lies and stand up for the truth. Our democracy deserves no less.” 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) along with Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10),U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), reintroduced the Keep Americans Safe Act (KASA) to reinstate a nationwide ban on the sale, transfer, possession, import, or manufacture of high-capacity gun magazines that hold more than fifteen rounds.

“By continuing to allow these weapons of destruction in our streets, we are enabling individuals to unleash a hail of bullets, turning any public space into a potential warzone,” Rep. DeGette said. “The impact of high-capacity gun magazines is not an abstract concept for us Coloradans—it is a painful reality etched into the fabric of our communities. From Aurora to Boulder to Columbine, high-capacity magazines have enabled shooters to inflict more damage and kill more innocent people. Americans deserve a Congress that acts decisively to protect their safety, and it is our duty to deliver on that promise.”

“We in Las Vegas know all too well what happens when a mass shooter is armed with a weapon equipped with a high-capacity magazine,” Rep. Titus said, referring to the 2017 Harvest Festival shooting that claimed the lives of 60 people. “As a gun owner myself, I know these are not for sport or hunting, they are killing machines. The Keep Americans Safe Act would protect families, law enforcement, and community members from this deadly form of gun violence.”

“Two and a half years ago, on July 4th, 2022, in the span of 60 seconds, a deranged gunman fired 83 rounds from high-capacity magazines attached to a semiautomatic rifle into the crowd at the Highland Park Independence Day Parade. The gunman murdered 7 beautiful people and wounded more than 40 others, traumatizing an entire community. High-capacity magazines are designed to maximize lethality—allowing a shooter to kill en masse without having to pause to reload. Firearms equipped with high-capacity magazines are frequently used in mass shootings and are responsible for the deaths of countless innocent people. I’m proud to join Reps. DeGette and Titus to reintroduce the Keep Americans Safe Act, to ban high-capacity magazines and help reduce the devastation of gun violence,” Rep. Schneider said.

“As we work to combat our nation’s gun violence crisis, banning high-capacity magazines is a crucial step toward combatting senseless acts of gun violence and protecting our communities,” said Senator Hirono. “Everyone deserves to live their lives free from the scourge of mass shootings and this commonsense legislation will help to keep dangerous, high-capacity magazines out of our communities and keep Americans safe.”

“The common denominator in nearly every mass shooting is large-capacity magazines (LCMs), dangerous accessories that allow shooters to continuously fire without reloading, robbing victims of an opportunity to flee or intervene. Regardless if they are paired with handguns or assault weapons, when LCMs are used in shootings, 155% more people are shot and twice as many people are killed. Brady is grateful to Sen. Blumenthal, Sen. Hirono, and Rep. DeGette for their leadership and is proud to endorse the Keep Americans Safe Act to regulate these dangerous accessories and make America safer.” — Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy at Brady: United Against Gun Violence

“High-capacity magazines enable shooters to cause devastating harm in a short amount of time and restricting them will help prevent mass shootings that have tragically become too common. If enacted, the Keep Americans Safe Act would save lives because it is working in states who’ve adopted similar laws. When a mass shooting occurred, states with a large-capacity magazine ban had 38 percent fewer fatalities and 77 percent fewer nonfatal injuries.” — Nick Wilson, senior director of gun violence prevention at Center for American Progress.

“High-capacity magazines were designed for war, but have become a favored tool for mass shooters looking to inflict maximum carnage. We applaud Senator Hirono for introducing this legislation, which will keep high-capacity magazines out of civilian hands.” — John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety.

According to Everytown, in mass shootings with four or more people killed between 2015 and 2022, high-capacity magazines led to more than twice as many people killed, and nearly 10 times as many people wounded per incident on average.

Rep. DeGette previously introduced KASA in 2023 alongside Rep. Titus and Rep. Schneider. In 2024, she and Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) led a discharge petition, attempting to circumvent House Republicans’ inaction and force a vote on KASA.

The Keep Americans Safe Act would:

1. Ban the sale or transfer of high-capacity gun magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds to anyone other than law enforcement.
2. Ban the possession of a high-capacity gun magazine manufactured after the date of enactment by anyone other than law enforcement.
3. Authorize high-capacity magazine buyback programs; and
4. Authorize law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF, to seize and destroy high-capacity magazines possessed illegally.

A federal law prohibiting semiautomatic assault weapons and high-capacity magazines was in place from 1994 to 2004. While research showed this regulation reduced the likelihood of mass shooting fatalities by 70 percent, this federal law has not been renewed since 2004.

Read the full bill text here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla)

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D.’s legislation, H.R. 1336, the Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act, passed the House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee. This bipartisan bill would establish a pilot program at the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

“Providing innovative treatment solutions for our veterans has been a priority of mine since taking office,” said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. “Sadly, this nation loses more than 17 veterans a day from suicide. One of the greatest reasons for this is TBI/PTSD. Our veterans need new therapies to help combat the suicide epidemic. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a well-proven intervention that helps veterans suffering from TBI/PTSD and our veterans should have access to this at their VA. I’m honored to announce that the U.S. House Veterans’ Affairs Health Subcommittee has passed my Veterans National Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Act, paving the way for national reform. I’m deeply grateful for the support of my colleagues and look forward to continuing my advocacy on behalf of this lifesaving treatment.”

Cosponsors
Reps. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA), Don Davis (D-NC), Addison McDowell (R-NC),  Deborah Ross (D-NC), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Josh Harder (D-CA), Sherri Biggs (R-SC), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP AL).

Background
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy accelerates the brain’s healing process by providing the bloodstream with elevated oxygen to reach and repair damaged tissue and restore normal function.

Studies demonstrate that HBOT is an effective treatment for veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI. Authors of one such study described HBOT as having “one of the greatest reductions in PTSD symptoms in a four-week period with any reported treatment.”

Despite its proven efficacy and requests by Members of Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs currently does not employ HBOT.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla)

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., introduced the Down East Remembrance Act, alongside Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, to honor the six victims of a tragic plane crash in Carteret County in 2022. The legislation identifies the exact latitudes and longitudes of creeks’ locations which will be named after the victims.

“We remember and honor the six victims of the devastating plane crash in Carteret County on February 13th, 2022,” said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. “Eastern North Carolina continues to mourn the loss of these individuals. Through this legislation, we memorialize their lives and legacies, and may God grant peace to their families.”

Background
On February 13th, 2022, Eastern North Carolina witnessed a tragic plane crash off the coast of Carteret County. The Down East Remembrance Act gives the exact latitudes and longitudes of six creeks on federal land and renames them after six of the following passengers: Noah Styron, age 15; Hunter Parks, age 45; Kole McInnis, age 15; Stephanie Fulcher, age 42; Jacob Taylor, age 16; and Daily Shepherd, age 15.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla)

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D., issued the following statement in response to the plane crash and fatalities near Pitt-Greenville Airport:

“I am deeply heartbroken by the tragic loss of life in the plane crash in Greenville this morning,” said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D.“We mourn and pray for peace for their family and loved ones in this very difficult time. Thank you to the Greenville Police Department and emergency responders for your immediate response to this devastating event.”