Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Congressman Cleaver Secures More than $15 Million for Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Economic Development Initiatives in MO-05 Through Appropriations Packages

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that he has secured $15,468,000 in Community Project Funding for public safety, infrastructure, and economic development initiatives across the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri as part of the 2026 appropriations packages that were recently signed into law. 

“Responsible governance in the United States of America demands compromise in Congress. While the recent funding packages were by no means perfect, they contained vital investments that are important to communities across western Missouri,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I’m proud to have secured more than $15 million within those funding bills that will support public safety, economic development, and infrastructure initiatives in my congressional district, creating safer and more prosperous communities for all our neighbors. As the Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, I will continue working to bring additional investments back to western Missouri to meet the needs of hardworking families.”

Included in the recently passed funding packages are 15 separate investments for local projects supported by Congressman Cleaver:

  • $2,000,000 to Kansas City, Missouri for a Brush Creek Park Greenway to create improved pedestrian and recreational opportunities for the neighborhoods that were fractured by the Bruce R Watkins Highway Project and the Brush Creek Flood Control Project.
  • $1,200,000 to Independence, Missouri for Kentucky Avenue Bridge Replacement to replace the existing bridge that was built in the 1920’s and which has been closed since 2019 due to safety concerns. Replacing the bridge on Kentucky Road, which serves as an arterial roadway for residential and commercial areas through Independence and Sugar Creek, will allow for greater access between communities, quicker response for emergency services, and reduce logistics and scheduling costs for businesses.
  • $1,039,000 to Lee’s Summit to purchase additional public safety technology equipment, supporting regional public safety communications and their real-time crime center, enhancing emergency response and coordination for Jackson County, Missouri communities.
  • $1,031,000 to Rockhurst University to expand innovative technology programs focused on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
  • $1,031,000 to the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) to purchase automated license plate readers to combat reckless driving and boost traffic safety.
  • $1,031,000 to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) to support their Transit Ambassador Program, which is aimed at strengthening transit security during the 2026 World Cup.
  • $1,031,000 to KCATA to purchase a combination of public safety technology, including license plate readers, a security camera system, lighting improvements, gun-shot detection systems, and other installation costs.
  • $1,031,000 to Foster AdoptConnect to strengthen wraparound support programs intended to provide stability for high-risk youth.
  • $1,031,000 to the Mattie Rhodes Center in support of their community-based violence intervention and prevention initiatives.
  • $1,031,000 to the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) to purchase additional police cruisers.
  • $1,031,000 to KCPD to purchase police aviation technology equipment.
  • $1,031,000 to Youth Guidance to support school-based education and crime prevention programs for Kansas City children.
  • $850,000 for to Grandview for a Main Street Market, creating a permanent Main Street Market that will also provide an additional multipurpose community space in downtown Grandview, including the construction of a farmer’s market structure both enclosed and open air, restrooms, public parking, solar power, and the development of green space that provides a pocket park and park amenities.
  • $850,000 to MCC Longview for their Automotive Institute, providing equipment for training programs within Automotive Technology and Collison Repair, launch a program in Diesel Technology, and permit development of new program tracks focusing on Electric Vehicle Maintenance and Repair.
  • $250,000 to North Kansas City, Missouri to Modernize the Town Square, supporting the renovation of the town square located in the block between Armour Road, Erie Street, 18th Avenue, and Swift Street, which is currently underutilized by the community and local businesses.

 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

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Markey, Jayapal, Merkley, Wyden Introduce Bill to Ban ICE and CBP Use of Facial Recognition Technology Amid Trump’s Rapidly Growing Surveillance State

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Washington (February 5, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) introduced the ICE Out of My Face Act, bicameral legislation that would ban ICE and CPB from acquiring and using facial recognition technology (FRT) and other biometric identification systems. The ICE Out of My Face Act would also require the deletion of all data collected for use in or by biometric identification systems and allow individuals and state attorneys general to seek civil penalties for violations.

“ICE and CBP agents are using facial recognition technologies to track, target, and surveil individuals across the country,” said Senator Markey. “The Trump administration isn’t deploying these tools to maintain public safety. They are doing so to silence lawful speech and to punish dissent. I’m proud to introduce the ICE Out of Our Faces Act to stop this unaccountable, authoritarian use of facial recognition technologies. Big Brother has no place in a democracy, and we will not allow these Orwellian tools to take root here.”

“We are at an incredibly dangerous moment in this country, where overzealous and overly violent ICE and Border Patrol agents are increasing their use of biometric identification systems. This has become a surveillance state with militarized federal troops on our streets to terrorize and intimidate US citizens and residents alike. We must urgently pass the ICE Out of My Face Act to stop the proliferation of this technology, protect our communities, and protect our democracy,” said Representative Jayapal.

“For years, I’ve been ringing the alarm bells about the dangers of a national surveillance state built on facial recognition technology. Now, we’re seeing Trump’s lawless federal agents deploy this technology on our streets across the nation as he tries to tighten his authoritarian grip,” said Senator Merkley. “Without oversight, this technology is dangerous in the hands of any government, and the Trump Administration is abusing it to trample on privacy, freedom of speech, and civil liberties. All freedom-loving Americans must join us to stand up to this assault on folks’ fundamental rights.”

“ICE and CBP have trampled on our Constitution when they build databases of regular people concerned about ICE committing violence in their communities or scan the faces of people on the street to run through their surveillance systems. I’m glad to work with Senator Markey to protect Americans against harassment and biometric surveillance by Trump’s handpicked militia,” said Senator Wyden.

The ICE Out of Our Faces Act is co-sponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The legislation is endorsed by Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Fight for the Future, American Civil Liberties Union, The Leadership Conference’s Center for Civil Rights and Technology, Free Press Action, Access Now, and Human Rights First.

“It’s past time for the federal government to end its use of this abusive surveillance technology. A great place to start is its use for immigration enforcement, given ICE and CBP’s utter disdain for the law. Face surveillance in the hands of the government is a fundamentally harmful technology, even under strict regulations or if the technology was 100% accurate. We thank the authors of this bill for their leadership in taking steps to end this use of this dangerous and invasive technology,” said India McKinney, Director of Federal Affairs at Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).

“Facial recognition is a dangerous and invasive surveillance technology, particularly in the hands of an agency that is cavalier with the law, lacks transparency, and avoids oversight. ICE’s use of facial recognition is ripe for abuse and undermines our privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights. The ICE Out of Our Faces Act is a step towards stopping the growing surveillance infrastructure that is undermining Americans’ Constitutional rights, and EPIC is proud to support it,” said Jeramie D. Scott, Senior Counsel & Director, EPIC Surveillance Oversight Program.

“Facial recognition creates a broad, warrantless hoard of surveillance data that can instantly be weaponized for intimidation and oppression. It has no place in a free society and we will continue to fight to see it banned in every arena: ICE agents should be banned from using it; city and state governments including law enforcement should be banned from using it; and businesses should be banned from using it in all places of public accommodation. We cannot let this regime of data-supercharged fascist witness intimidation become the new normal. It is time to ban facial recognition for good and banning ICE from using it is a great start,” said Lia Holland, Campaigns & Communications Director at Fight for the Future.

“Since Congress gave ICE and Border Patrol hundreds of billions of dollars in unnecessary funding last year, the Trump administration has doubled down on the use of shadowy surveillance technology to supercharge its lawless and violent immigration operations,” said Kate Voigt, Senior Policy Counsel at the ACLU. “The Department of Homeland Security’s use of such biased and error-prone technology to go after our communities and to scare people speaking out against ICE’s abuses is disgusting and blatantly illegal. It’s vital that Congress pass the ICE Out of Our Faces Act as soon as possible, and that our leaders use their funding power to rein in these out-of-control agencies.”

“No matter where we’re from or the color of our skin, we should all be able to move freely in our communities without the fear of being spied on by our own government. But right now, facial recognition and other biometric surveillance tools are being used to carry out violent immigration enforcement. The ICE Out of Our Faces Act is essential to start reigning in a growing and unaccountable surveillance state aimed squarely at immigrant communities, communities of color, and people speaking up for their neighbors and loved ones. No administration should be able to weaponize technology against us,” said Alejandra Montoya-Boyer, Vice President of The Leadership Conference’s Center for Civil Rights and Technology.

“Biometric surveillance poses an urgent threat to our fundamental rights. Facial recognition and other biometric surveillance technologies have been used by authoritarian regimes around the world to target journalists, protestors, and marginalized communities; they are increasingly central to infrastructures of mass surveillance and criminalization. We are watching these abuses evolve as DHS pours more money into expanding its own surveillance dragnet — including mobile facial recognition tools that ICE and Border Patrol agents are using to profile, track and target people in the street. The ICE Out of Our Faces Act interrupts this trajectory and is a critical step towards safeguarding our communities and our rights,” said Jenna Ruddock, Advocacy Director at Free Press Action.

“At a time of increasingly lawless actions by ICE, we are grateful for Senator Markey taking concrete steps to implement accountability measures to protect our communities with the introduction of the ‘ICE Out of Our Faces Act.’ No government official should be able to hide behind masks while violating our fundamental rights with impunity. Our privacy and security, regardless of our race, nationality, or citizenship, should not be compromised by such dangerous anti-immigrant agendas, as we have seen acted out on the streets of Minneapolis. This bill inserts crucial guardrails for protecting our democracy and we urge Congress to act swiftly to pass this legislation,” said Robyn Barnard, Senior Director of Refugee Advocacy at Human Rights First.

Senator Markey is leading efforts to hold ICE and DHS accountable for their gross violations of Americans’ First Amendment rights and their weaponization of surveillance technologies against peaceful protestors, immigrants, and American citizens.

  1. This week, Senator Markey wrote to ICE’s Acting Director Todd Lyons demanding that Lyons immediately confirm or deny reports that the agency is maintaining a so-called “domestic terrorists” database to track individuals protesting ICE activities. 
  2. In November, Senator Markey wrote to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney S. Scott, urging the agency to immediately cease using a system of license plate readers (LPRs) and predictive algorithms to monitor the movements of individual Americans. CBP is reportedly using the system to “identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious.”
  3. Also in November, Senator Markey led his colleagues in requesting that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cease the use of their biometric phone application known as Mobile Fortify following a previous unanswered request.
  4. In September, Senator Markey wrote to ICE’s Acting Director Todd Lyons, demanding that ICE cease use of Mobile Fortify and requesting detailed information about its policies and practices surrounding the use of biometric technology.
  5. In July, Senator Markey, along with Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Schiff (D-Calif.), sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) recent usage of Predator drones and aerial surveillance against peaceful protesters in Los Angeles. In the letter, the senators raised concerns about the threat to the protesters’ privacy and their constitutional rights that are guaranteed by the First Amendment.
  6. In June, Senators Markey and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote two letters to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary Noem about the government’s use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies to determine whether an individual poses a national security risk.

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Griffith Statement on Passing of Delegate Charles Poindexter

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

Griffith Statement on Passing of Delegate Charles Poindexter

Virginia Delegate Charles Poindexter passed away on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. In response to his passing, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Delegate Charles Poindexter. Delegate Poindexter was a dedicated public official whose service to Franklin, Henry and Patrick Counties lasted more than a decade. I enjoyed working with him in the House of Delegates to promote the Republican Party and deliver solutions for rural communities. 

“I am praying for his wife, Janet, his family and his community as we mourn the loss of a good man, legislative leader and rural community advocate.”

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MENG SEEKS MORE DAYS OF MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE FOR REGO PARK LIBRARY WHILE FACILITY IS CLOSED AND REBUILT OVER NEXT SEVERAL YEARS

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

Congresswoman sends letter to head of Queens Public Library; current one day a week of mobile library service not enough

QUEENS, NY – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she asked the Queens Public Library to provide more days of mobile library service for the Rego Park Library while the facility is closed and rebuilt over the next several years. 

The current 7,500-square-foot, one-story location at 91-41 63rd Drive is being demolished and will be replaced with a new 18,000-square-foot, three-story state-of-the-art building. But the library is not expected to reopen until the winter of 2029-2030, and during this time over the next several years, only one day a week of mobile library service is scheduled to be available at the site.

Many constituents in the area, as well as members of Queens Community Board 6 (which covers Rego Park), have said that this once-weekly service – which is on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – is not enough for the community.

So, the Congresswoman sent a letter to the head of the Queens Public Library respectfully requesting that additional days of mobile service be arranged for Rego Park. 

“This would help ensure that local library users have greater access to the resources they need over the next few years, while the new library is being built,” Meng wrote in her correspondence to Dennis Walcott, the President and CEO of the Queens Public Library. “Many residents who rely on the library, including seniors, students completing school assignments, and researchers, will be directly affected. While some disruption is inevitable as this state-of-the-art facility is built, Rego Park residents deserve consistent and meaningful access to library services throughout the process, and I respectfully ask that you consider this.”

Meng added that “while the Elmhurst, Forest Hills, and North Forest Park branches will remain open, traveling to these locations presents a significant challenge for many neighborhood residents.”

The Rego Park Library closed to the public in late November to prepare for construction and the one day a week of mobile service began in January. 

The branch has consistently been one of the Queens Public Library’s busiest locations, ranking among the top in checkouts, visits and computer use. 

In December, Meng took part in the groundbreaking for the new library where she expressed her excitement for the project, which has been decades in the making. The $39 million initiative is being managed by the New York City Department of Design and Construction. The current facility opened some 50 years ago. 

A copy of Meng’s letter can be viewed here, and the text of the correspondence is below.

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Mr. Dennis M. Walcott                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 President and CEO                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Queens Public Library                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           89-11 Merrick Boulevard
Jamaica, NY 11432

Dear President and CEO Walcott:

Thank you for having me at the recent groundbreaking for the new Rego Park Library. This is an exciting and ambitious project for constituents of my Sixth Congressional District of New York, and I look forward to its completion.

I am writing to share concerns raised by several of my constituents in the surrounding area, as well as members of Queens Community Board 6, regarding the once-weekly mobile library service planned during the construction period.

Many residents who rely on the library, including seniors, students completing school assignments, and researchers, will be directly affected. While the Elmhurst, Forest Hills, and North Forest Park branches will remain open, traveling to these locations presents a significant challenge for many neighborhood residents.

Therefore, I respectfully request that additional days of mobile service be provided in Rego Park. This would help ensure that local library users have greater access to the resources they need over the next few years, while the new library is being built, including services provided by the Queens Public Library, supported in part by federal funding.

As the mom of two boys, I know firsthand the crucial role that libraries play in our communities. While some disruption is inevitable as this state-of-the-art facility is built, Rego Park residents deserve consistent and meaningful access to library services throughout the process, and I respectfully ask that you consider this.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Grace Meng                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Member of Congress 

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Release: Representative Ro Khanna Leads 21 California Members in Calling for No ICE at the Super Bowl

Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

Washington, DC – Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17) led a letter signed by 21 California colleagues calling on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem not to deploy ICE or other immigration enforcement personnel at the upcoming Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California, in Representative Khanna’s district: 

“This should be a moment of celebration, unity, and economic opportunity, not a flashpoint for fear, polarization, and violence,” the lawmakers wrote. “Across the country, aggressive and often indiscriminate ICE operations have caused real harm. They have led to multiple deaths, sparked justified national outrage, and caused lasting damage to trust and well-being in communities.”

“Having ICE at the Super Bowl would undermine public safety, disrupt communities, and threaten the peaceful enjoyment this event should bring to the region and the nation,” the lawmakers continued. “Members of Congress from California are united in a simple principle: public safety is built through trust, not fear. We trust you will give this letter your full and fair consideration under all applicable laws and regulations. We demand DHS rely on standard large-scale event security and coordination with local partners, not immigration enforcement that jeopardizes safety, unity, and economic success.

To read the full letter, click here. 

Signers: Representatives Nanette Barragán, Salud Carbajal, Gil Cisneros, J.Correa, Mark DeSaulnier, Laura Friedman, John Garamendi, Jimmy Gomez, Jared Huffman, Sara Jacobs,  Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren, Dave Min, Kevin Mullin, Jimmy Panetta, Nancy Pelosi, Luz Rivas, Lateefah Simon, Eric Swalwell, Juan Vargas.  

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PRESS RELEASE: Norton Secures over $10 Million in Community Project Funding for D.C. in THUD Bill Signed Into Law and Nearly $15 Million Overall in FY 26

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

The president signed the fiscal year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill into law on Tuesday. Norton has secured nearly $15 million in Community Project Funding for D.C. in FY 26.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that she secured over $10 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) for D.C. in the final fiscal year 2026 (FY 26) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill signed into law by the president on Tuesday. 

“I am pleased that the president has signed the fiscal year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill into law, delivering more than $10 million in Community Project Funding for D.C.,” Norton said. “These investments will strengthen our parks, improve public safety and transportation infrastructure, expand research and workforce capacity at the University of the District of Columbia, and support sustainable, community-driven projects across the city. This funding reflects the priorities of D.C. residents and will make a tangible difference in neighborhoods throughout the District.”

Norton secured:

  • $500,000 for Carver Langston Park Upgrades
  • $850,000 for Duke Ellington Park
  • $600,000 for Riggs and South Dakota Triangle Park Upgrades
  • $2,000,000 for Research Infrastructure Upgrades for UDC
  • $2,000,000 for Food Hub Infrastructure Upgrades for UDC
  • $1,200,000 for Firebird Farm Infrastructure Upgrades for UDC
  • $1,000,000 for Aviation Maintenance Infrastructure Upgrades for UDC
  • $850,000 for Lederer Gardens Facility Improvements
  • $250,000 for Solar Charging for Capital eBikes
  • $850,000 for Suitland Parkway Safety Enhancements

Norton previously secured the following funding for the District through other fully enacted FY 26 appropriations bills: 

  • $1,800,000 for Study of Secondary Drinking Water Source for D.C. in the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
  • $1,031,000 for Georgetown University Lab Equipment in the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
  • $1,000,000 for Kingman Lake Wetlands Restoration and Improvements in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
  • $1,000,000 for Rock Creek Park Restoration and Improvements in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

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Reps. Chu and Schrier Secure GAO Study on Hepatitis B Birth-Dose Vaccine Recommendation

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) welcomed the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) decision to conduct a comprehensive study on the impacts of eliminating the universal hepatitis B birth-dose recommendation. 

On December 16, 2025, Reps. Chu and Schrier led 108 of their Democratic colleagues in a letter to GAO requesting this study after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), appointed by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., voted 8-3 to eliminate the long-standing recommendation. 

The GAO study will examine the public health, economic, and equity implications of eliminating the universal hepatitis B birth-dose recommendation. As part of its review, GAO will assess projected public health outcomes, including increased infant infections and long-term conditions such as liver disease and cancer; equity impacts, particularly for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities; and economic effects, including costs to Medicaid and Medicare and any expected changes in cost-sharing for families who choose to continue vaccinating their newborns under the prior standard; and an evaluation of ACIP’s evidence and decision-making process.

“I am thrilled that the Government Accountability Office accepted my request to conduct this important study on the public health, equity, and economic impacts of eliminating the hepatitis B birth-dose recommendation,” said Rep. Chu. “For more than thirty years, doctors, public health officials, and the scientific community have agreed that hepatitis B vaccines are safe and essential to protecting infants from serious illness. These vaccines are especially crucial for our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community, who make up only 7% of the U.S. population, yet account for 60% of chronic hepatitis B cases. I look forward to reviewing the findings of this study, and I will continue working to ensure that decisions affecting the health and safety of infants and families are guided by science, evidence, and public health expertise.” 

“RFK Jr.’s handpicked Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) decision to roll back the recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth is rooted in reckless conspiracy theories, not science,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “I’m glad to see that the GAOhas accepted our request to study the widespread impacts of the decision, and I will continue to fight against these dangerous moves that erode the foundation of our nation’s public health and put the health of millions of Americans – particularly children – at risk.”

The December 2025 letter was signed by Representatives Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Troy Carter (LA-02), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Herbert Conaway (NJ-03), Angie Craig (MN-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny Davis (IL-07), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), John Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), John Mannion (NY-22), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-07), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Thomas Suozzi (NY-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).

Full text of the Members’ December 205 letter is available here and text of the GAO’s acceptance letter is available here.

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Carter statement on FTC settlement with Express Scripts to bring down prescription drug costs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter statement on FTC settlement with Express Scripts to bring down prescription drug costs

Carter statement on FTC settlement with Express Scripts to bring down prescription drug costs

Washington, February 5, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today released the following statement after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) confirmed it has reached a historic settlement with Express Scripts, Inc. and its affiliated entities (collectively “ESI”) to bring down patients’ out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs – including insulin – by up to $7 billion over the next decade, strengthen community pharmacies, and secure the Trump Administration’s health care priorities:

“Hours after we secured the largest PBM reforms for patients and pharmacists in decades, Chairman Ferguson and the FTC announced yet another win that will make health care more affordable and accessible. PBMs such as Express Scripts have been robbing us blind for years and are finally, under President Trump’s leadership, facing the consequences of their abuses. This administration is laser-focused on bringing relief to patients at the pharmacy counter, and the results speak for themselves. With this settlement, we will bring portions of our pharmaceutical supply chain back to America, increase transparency and accountability, and work towards a system in which all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable health care.”

ESI, under the FTC’s proposed consent order, has agreed to:

  • Stop preferring on its standard formularies high wholesale acquisition cost versions of a drug over identical low wholesale acquisition cost versions;
  • Provide a standard offering to its plan sponsors that ensures that members’ out-of-pocket expenses will be based on the drug’s net cost, rather than its artificially inflated list price;
  • Provide covered access to TrumpRx as part of its standard offering upon relevant legal and regulatory changes;
  • Provide full access to its Patient Assurance Program’s insulin benefits to all members when a plan sponsor adopts a formulary that includes an insulin product covered by the Patient Assurance Program unless the plan sponsor opts out in writing;
  • Provide a standard offering to all plan sponsors that allows the plan sponsor to transition off rebate guarantees and spread pricing;
  • Delink drug manufacturers’ compensation to ESI from list prices as part of its standard offering;
  • Increase transparency for plan sponsors, including with mandatory, drug-level reporting, providing data to permit compliance with the Transparency in Coverage regulations, and disclosing payments to brokers representing plan sponsors;
  • Transition its standard offering to retail community pharmacies to a more transparent and fairer model based on the actual acquisition cost for a drug product plus a dispensing fee and additional compensation for non-dispensing services;
  • Promote the standard offerings to plan sponsors and retail community pharmacies; and
  • Reshore its group purchasing organization Ascent from Switzerland to the United States, which will bring back to the United States more than $750 billion in purchasing activity over the duration of the order.


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Congressman Vicente Gonzalez Urges VA to Reconsider Cuts to In-Home Veteran Health Care

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) urged the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary, Douglas Collins, to reverse the recent decision to reduce reimbursement rates for caregivers who provide essential in-home health services to veterans.

In the letter, Congressman Gonzalez states, “I write to express serious concern regarding the 2026 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Fee Schedule, which significantly reduces reimbursement rates for Home Health Aides (G0156) and Homemakers (S5130) in rural parts of Texas. The VA should be removing barriers, not adding additional ones for veterans trying to access the care they need and have earned by bravely serving our country.”

As of January 1, 2026, the VA reduced reimbursement rates for certain in-home care services. The new fee schedule threatens to devastate home care access for veterans, especially those living in the rural communities of Texas and New Mexico, where care is already limited. Specifically, the VA replaced Texas’s tiered locality structure, which considered specific conditions in each town and region, with a single statewide rate for home health aide and homemaker codes. While this change slightly increases fees in five urban and suburban areas, it causes reimbursement rates in rural regions to be cut from $67 to $38 per hour. The VA’s failure to increase reimbursement rates in rural areas will make it much harder to recruit and retain the staff who are needed to operate these essential programs. 

The Congressman also notes, “…there are reports that indicate spending on this program decreased also in part due to a drastic reduction of approved hours for Home Health Aides. The reduction in approved hours along with recent changes to the VA Fee Schedule will further alter the lives of our veterans. Aides enable veterans to live with independence and dignity. 

“While I understand the desire to simplify the VA Fee Schedule and reduce costs, there are at least 15,000 veterans in Texas who rely on in-home care provided through the VA’s Home Health Aide program and will be negatively impacted by this change,” he continued.

In addition to today’s letter, Congressman Gonzalez also testified before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in December to advocate for the construction of a VA Medical Center in South Texas and better serve the approximately 50,000 veterans, including 24,000 with service-connected disabilities, in the region.

To read the full letter, click here.

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Grothman, Norcross Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Simplify Retirement Plan Reporting and Cut Red Tape

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI), alongside Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ), introduced the Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation to modernize and streamline outdated federal reporting requirements for employer-sponsored retirement plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. 

The Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act establishes a single, uniform filing deadline for retirement plans. Under current law, the statutory deadline for filing Form 5500 does not provide sufficient time for companies to complete all the necessary steps for filing with the Department of Labor. As a result, many plan sponsors are forced to submit an extension request with the IRS using Form 5558 simply to file their annual Form 5500 on time. By eliminating the need for a separate extension request, the bill reduces unnecessary administrative burdens on employers while maintaining strong oversight and transparency. 

The legislation is supported by the American Retirement Association, The ERISA Industry Committee, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the CHRO Association, and the American Benefits Council. Current cosponsors include Representatives Abraham Hamadeh (R-AZ), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Randy Fine (R-FL), James Moylan (R-GU), Mark Messmer (R-IN), Michael Rulli (R-OH), and Rick Allen (R-GA). 

“Employers who sponsor retirement plans are required to file Form 5500 each year, but under current rules many also have to submit a separate extension request, Form 5558,” said Congressman Grothman. “This redundant two-step process wastes time and money, creates unnecessary headaches for small and mid-sized businesses, and does nothing to help workers. Our bill fixes that by establishing a single, uniform filing deadline and allowing electronic submission, cutting paperwork while keeping the transparency and oversight needed to protect Americans’ retirement benefits.” 

“Workers need a clear window into what is happening behind the scenes with their retirement accounts and most employers want to act in good faith to provide that transparency. But right now, an overly complicated filing system makes it harder for employers to stay on track and easier for mistakes to slip through,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “This bill fixes that by setting one clear deadline and cutting out redundant steps, so plans are filed accurately and on time and workers’ retirement savings stay protected.” 

“The current two-step Form 5500 filing system creates needless complexity and exposes plan sponsors—especially small and mid-sized employers—to severe penalties for simple clerical errors. The Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act provides a practical, bipartisan solution that modernizes reporting, improves compliance, and strengthens the private retirement system.” – American Retirement Association CEO Brian Graff. 

“The ERISA Industry Committee applauds the introduction of the Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act. The bill would eliminate unnecessary paperwork for retirement plans and reduce red tape. We support the bill because these improvements would help plan sponsors more efficiently provide benefits to workers and retirees.” – James Gelfand, President and CEO, The ERISA Industry Committee 

“The US Chamber has been working to ease the administrative burdens associated with sponsoring a retirement plan. We support Congressman Grothman’s efforts in this area through the Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act, which will make it more streamlined for sponsors to file the Form 5500.” – Chantel Sheaks, Vice President Retirement Policy, US Chamber of Commerce 

Background Information 

Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), employers sponsoring retirement plans must file Form 5500 annually with the Department of Labor to disclose basic information about plan finances and operations. 

Because the current statutory filing deadline often does not align with plan years, many otherwise compliant employers are forced to file a separate extension request using IRS Form 5558. This creates a redundant, two-step process that increases paperwork and compliance costs without improving oversight or participant protections—particularly for small and mid-sized employers. 

The Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act modernizes this process by establishing a single, uniform filing deadline, eliminating the need for Form 5558, and explicitly allowing electronic filing, while maintaining transparency and accountability for retirement plans. 

U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) proudly serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.