Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)
Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus, today issued the following statement on President Trump’s executive order targeting state regulations on artificial intelligence:
“President Trump’s AI order is an attempt to kill responsible safety reforms passed by states, which would create a lawless Wild West environment for AI companies that puts Americans at risk. This is a terrible idea.
“Congress has been slow to respond to the AI revolution and in the absence of a strong federal response, states are wisely taking the lead to create guardrails and protect the public. Trump’s attempt to undo this progress without providing any federal regulatory protections would be extremely harmful. A moratorium on state legislation will reduce the likelihood of Congressional action as well, which is the unstated goal of this Executive Order. Moreover, his attempt to block state laws through federal coercion likely violates the 10th Amendment, and as such constitutes an unconstitutional abuse of power.
“The first attempt to pass this harmful AI moratorium policy in the One Big Beautiful Bill failed because of robust bipartisan opposition. Trump is using this executive order to bypass this opposition in both chambers of Congress. Hostility on Capitol Hill to this damaging and irresponsible policy remains strong, and I am actively exploring legislative options with members in both chambers and both parties in response to this order.”
Beyer previously served for eight years on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and is currently attending George Mason University as a part time student pursuing a master’s degree in machine learning, in part to help inform his work on AI in Congress.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement on House passage of the final conference agreement for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.
“The compromise legislation before the House was by no means perfect, but it was a bipartisan and commonsense bill that is essential to ensuring America’s security at home and abroad. I voted yes on raising pay for servicemembers, improving childcare and military housing, investing in scientific and technological advancements, protecting civilian workers from arbitrary workforce reductions, and advancing other measures that strengthen military readiness and provide the congressional oversight necessary to hold the Trump administration accountable.
“In addition to restoring key international relationships through critical funding support for our allies, like Ukraine and Taiwan, the NDAA conference agreement strengthens oversight by mandating reporting on the use of military aircraft for immigration operations, requiring detailed justifications for the removal of senior military leaders, repealing the outdated 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force, and requiring Secretary Hegseth to provide unredacted videos of recent lethal strikes in Latin America. These provisions will improve transparency, protect civilian and military personnel from unlawful political interference, and reinforce Congress’s constitutional role in matters of national defense.
“This legislation is also critically important for Naval Base Ventura County and its installations, which are home to cutting-edge missions, critical testing and training operations, a highly skilled civilian workforce, and our dedicated servicemembers. By investing in military construction, strengthening the defense industrial base, and improving the quality of life for servicemembers and their families, the NDAA supports the readiness and resilience of the Point Mugu and Port Hueneme communities. These investments help ensure that NBVC remains one of our nation’s premier defense assets.
“While I believe this bill makes necessary investments to bolster military readiness, I am disappointed that several bipartisan issues, such as expanding access to IVF and protecting collective bargaining rights for civilian personnel, were excluded from final passage. I will continue working across the aisle to advance these vital measures, and I remain committed to pushing back against efforts to weaken the diversity, talent, and unity of purpose that have long defined our military’s spirit and strengthened our nation.”
The Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act conference agreement passed the House by a vote of 312-112. The text of the conference agreement can be found here, the joint explanatory statement is here, and a summary of the FY2026 NDAA can be found here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) joined Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), DWC Servicewomen, Women Veterans and Military Task Force Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), DWC Progressive Caucus Liaison Jill Tokuda (HI-02), DWC members Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), and 58 members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, House Democrats, and Democratic Senators in a letter to the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General demanding accountability for the Army’s failure to stop widespread sexual misconduct.
Recently, over 80 women joined a lawsuit alleging that Dr. Major Blaine McGraw made sexual advances, directed lewd comments towards them, and secretly recorded patients during exams while working at Ford Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center. Dr. McGraw was not suspended from his position until this October.
In their letter, the Members and Senators expressed their outrage over Army leadership’s inaction despite numerous complaints from servicewomen and military wives that Dr. McGraw had sexually exploited women in his care for years. They also explained some of the unconscionable abuses women experienced, including details from the story of Jane Doe.
In their letter, the Members and Senators shared how the Army ignored Jane Doe’s attempts to report her abuse:
“After reportedly being assaulted during a patient visit with Dr. McGraw, Jane Doe said she begged a desk attendant to make a report. Instead, she was told to ‘call or send an email.’ Jane Doe alleges she called the hospital seven different times but she was dismissed and hung up on each time. The purported lack of response and urgency to respond to these complaints would clearly violate reporting policy and the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program protocols.”
The Members and Senators also expressed deep concern in their letter that this abuse is part of a recurring pattern of the Army failing to intervene in cases of sexual misconduct:
“In the lawsuit, female servicemembers and patients noted that a recurring issue was the lack of adequate response from Army leadership. Reportedly, when victims and their loved ones tried to make complaints with Army leadership, they were ‘refused meetings at every level.’ If true, these women deserve better. The alleged dismissive response from the Army demonstrates an immense failure at every level to properly support survivors.”
The Members and Senators concluded the letter by demanding a full investigation, explanations on how complaints were handled, and stronger protections to ensure no woman faces this abuse again:
“The allegations against Dr. McGraw are extremely serious, and the Army’s criminal investigation of this matter must continue unabated. That said, the separate concerns raised by survivors about members of the Army at many levels not timely acting on their complaints must be confronted immediately. Additionally, we request that DoD IG investigate to determine whether personnel within the Army properly followed procedures to timely report allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement and whether other SAPR procedures and existing protections were followed or not.”
In addition to Julia Brownley and letter leads Mazie Hirono, Chrissy Houlahan, Jill Tokuda, Nanette Barragán, Lori Trahan, Veronica Escobar, and Sylvia Garcia, the letter was signed by Angela D. Alsobrooks,, Joyce Beatty, Nikki Budzinski, André Carson, Judy Chu, Maxine Dexter, Debbie Dingell, Sarah Elfreth, Lizzie Fletcher, Valerie Foushee, Lois Frankel, Laura Friedman, Robert Garcia, Kirsten Gillibrand, Adelita Grijalva, Val Hoyle, Jonathan Jackson, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Julie Johnson, Timothy Kennedy, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Lucy McBath, Sarah McBride, Betty McCollum, James McGovern, LaMonica McIver, Gwen Moore, Kelly Morrison, Seth Moulton, Eleanor Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nancy Pelosi, Nellie Pou, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Deborah Ross, Andrea Salinas, Janice Schakowsky, Jeanne Shaheen, Lateefah Simon, Melanie Stansbury, Rashida Tlaib, Norma Torres, Chris Van Hollen, Elizabeth Warren, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Nikema Williams, Frederica Wilson, and Ron Wyden.
Mr. Steven Stebbins Acting Inspector General U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General 4800 Mark Center Drive Alexandria, VA 22350-1500
Dear Mr. Stebbins:
We write to express our strong concerns about the Army’s purported failure to timely intervene in the alleged misconduct of Dr. Major Blaine McGraw at Fort Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center, allegations, which if true, would possibly constitute the largest sexual misconduct case in U.S. military history. According to reports, for years, Dr. McGraw allegedly sexually exploited women, including servicewomen and military wives, in his care. When these women attempted to report their concerns and experiences were purportedly repeatedly ignored and Dr. McGraw was kept on staff. The Army, like the other Services, has a history of failing to adequately address sexual misconduct in the ranks, which required Congress to step in and institute hundreds of reforms over the last fifteen years, culminating in the establishment of the Office of the Special Trial Counsel in the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). One of those issues involved military services being slow to intervene in cases at an early stage. This appears to have happened in this case since Dr. McGraw was not suspended until this October. This delayed response is unacceptable, and we need answers. Separate, and not to interfere with the ongoing Army criminal investigation into the alleged misconduct of Dr. McGraw, we request the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General review if appropriate Military Health System policies were followed, to include whether patient complaints were timely evaluated and considered, and provide recommendations to the Defense Health Agency (DHA) to prevent further instances like this from occurring in the future.
This month over 80 women joined a lawsuit together alleging that Dr. McGraw made lewd sexual advances and comments towards them, as well as secretly recorded patients during exams.4 One example of the women’s horrific experiences is captured through Jane Doe’s story. After reportedly being assaulted during a patient visit with Dr. McGraw, Jane Doe said she begged a desk attendant to make a report. Instead, she was told to “call or send an email.” Jane Doe alleges she called the hospital seven different times but she was dismissed and hung up on each time. The purported lack of response and urgency to respond to these complaints would clearly violate reporting policy and the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program protocols.
In the lawsuit, female servicemembers and patients noted that a recurring issue was the lack of adequate response from Army leadership. Reportedly, when victims and their loved ones tried to make complaints with Army leadership, they were “refused meetings at every level.” If true, these women deserve better. The alleged dismissive response from the Army demonstrates an immense failure at every level to properly support survivors.
The allegations against Dr. McGraw, and the Army’s purported failure to timely address survivor complaints, are not isolated. A separate investigation deemed Fort Hood as a notoriously “permissive environment” for sexual harassment and assault. The base has been plagued by this issue for years. For example, in 2020, Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén was murdered by a fellow soldier while stationed at Fort Hood. Throughout her time on base, Specialist Guillén was sexually harassed by a separate supervisor. Specialist Guillén’s tragic murder was the impetus for the aforementioned changes in the FY22 NDAA. However, even with these positive reforms, it is clear more needs to be done. The fact that this reported abuse occurred at the same base as Specialist Guillen’s murder is appalling. All women should be safe on a military base, and they surely should be able to safely seek treatment without fear of sexual assault or abuse.
The allegations against Dr. McGraw are extremely serious, and the Army’s criminal investigation of this matter must continue unabated. That said, the separate concerns raised by survivors about members of the Army at many levels not timely acting on their complaints must be confronted immediately. Additionally, we request that DoD IG investigate to determine whether personnel within the Army properly followed procedures to timely report allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement and whether other SAPR procedures and existing protections were followed or not. We therefore request a response to the following questions from the Defense Health Agency and the Inspector General within 60 days of receipt:
Please provide the range of dates for the sexual harassment/assault complaints filed, including the number of complaints received at Fort Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center relating to Dr. McGraw.
What was the Military Treatment Facility management’s response to each complaint at Fort Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center?
How did the Military Treatment Facility management at Fort Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center follow appropriate policies to supervise staff, prevent patient harm, and address patient complaints?
What are the next steps the Military Treatment Facility management at Fort Hood and Tripler Army Medical Center will take to further protect patients from sexual assault?
How will the Defense Health Agency ensure that no Military Treatment Facility will ignore sexual abuse allegations again?
How will the Defense Health Agency prevent future concealment and employment of sexual abusers on their staff across Military Treatment Facilities?
Was a quality assurance investigation initiated? If so, please share the status with the House Armed Services Committee.
Why did the Army fail to take disciplinary actions against Dr. McGraw until his October 2025 suspension?
We are committed to demanding justice for victims of sexual assault and harassment, and we will not stay silent while the safety of women is at risk. Again, we request prompt and thorough answers to these questions to prevent further harm and hold those responsible for this accountable.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California
WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21) and Adam Gray (CA-13) introduced their End California Water Crisis Package today, a suite of bills that would authorize additional California water storage projects, ease permitting restrictions, and create enforceable timelines for environmental review processes. The bills aim to expand California’s water storage capacity by providing funding and technical support to both develop and maintain water infrastructure projects. “California needs a modern water system that can meet today’s challenges. These bills take meaningful steps to strengthen California’s water future. By improving coordination, cutting through red tape, and investing in real projects on the ground, we can use all of our water tools in our toolbox to deliver more reliable water for families, farms, and communities across our state. This is about practical solutions that will make a difference for the Valley and all of California,” said Congressman Costa. “A reliable water supply is essential for Valley families and our economy,” said Rep. Gray. “My End California Water Crisis Package aims to strengthen and grow California’s water infrastructure so we can maintain dependable water supplies, reduce flood risks, and responsibly manage water flow to preserve our environment while unleashing agricultural production. The Valley is the nation’s leading agricultural region, and these projects will help ensure we remain competitive and resilient as we face historic drought levels.”“Westlands Water District supports Congressman Gray’s End the California Water Crisis legislative package because it moves us toward real solutions at a pivotal time for California water,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District. “This pragmatic approach will cut through years of red tape and accelerate projects that will make a difference now. By moving urgently needed conveyance, groundwater recharge, and surface water storage projects from concept to construction, this package will help create a more reliable, modern water supply for the communities, farms, and under resourced communities across the San Joaquin Valley. Solving California’s water crisis takes all of us working together to reform a system that hasn’t worked for people, food production, or the environment for far too long.” “This legislative package is exactly the type of pragmatic, solutions-oriented approach California needs,” said Chris White, Executive Director of the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority. “Streamlining federal permitting and advancing long-overdue water infrastructure projects will help us capture, store, and move water when it’s available—and improve reliability for agriculture, our local communities, and the environment. The Exchange Contractors appreciate Congressman Gray’s leadership and his commitment to cutting red tape, modernizing federal coordination, and delivering the infrastructure investments our region needs to prepare for the future.”“The farms, communities, and ecosystems south of California’s Bay-Delta have been ground zero for the impacts of unreliable water supplies for decades,” said Federico Barajas, Executive Director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority. “There is a clear solution – we must develop and deliver water supply projects faster and more affordably. This package of bills does just that – allocating federal funds and improving project delivery for a list of projects that will improve water supply reliability for one of the most important food producing regions in the world. We urge Congress to take swift action on these bills and applaud Congressman Gray for his leadership in tackling this issue head on.”“As we face ongoing water challenges in California’s Central Valley, Congressman Gray’s water legislative package represents a significant opportunity to enhance interagency coordination and cut through the permitting obstacles that hinder vital water projects,” said Jason Phillips, CEO, Friant Water Authority. “By codifying the provisions of Executive Order 14181, our communities and farms can improve their access to the water resources they desperately need and along with the authorization of critical projects for improved water storage and management, the Central Valley would be poised to make meaningful progress in addressing our water needs and securing a sustainable future for our families and farms.”If enacted, the End California Water Crisis Package would significantly improve water storage, clear the way for additional projects, and consequently encourage further economic and agricultural development across the region. The End California Water Crisis Package includes three bills to stabilize wateraccess in the Central Valley:
The Central Valley Water Solution Actwould authorize 21 projects south of the Delta to increase regional water storage capacity.
The Water Agency and Transparency Enhancement Review (WATER) Actwould codify certain provisions of Executive Order 14181 to create interagency oversight cooperation and lower permitting barriers for California water projects.
The Build Now Actwould create a one-year enforceable timeline for certain environmental reviews for any water project that would enhance Central Valley water storage expansion and place the burden of permitting delays on the federal government, rather than applicants.
For additional information, click HERE.A summary and full text of the bill are available HERE.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the passage of S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2026.
“This year’s NDAA codifies our commitment to our Armed Forces and Louisiana. By modernizing our weapons systems and streamlining the Department of War’s (DoW) acquisition process, we are solidifying the American military’s position as the most lethal fighting force on the planet,” said Congressman Higgins. “This legislation strengthens our defense industry businesses and supports our military bases. I worked closely with my colleagues in committee and on the House floor to secure provisions that build on our budget reconciliation bill and protect Louisiana’s interests. We were quite successful in that endeavor, and the final NDAA text reflects many of our priorities.”
Throughout the course of the year, Congressman Higgins helped secure these provisions in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act that will directly benefit Louisiana:
Ensuring that the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Southern Command report on the requirements needed for the rapid fielding of multi-mission small-unmanned surface vessels.
Authorization for a DoW-led pilot program partnering with regional universities and medical centers to support surge medical capacity.
$50.72 million for the procurement of 40-foot patrol boats.
$320 million for the Ship-to-Shore Connector program.
$140 million for the Yard, Repair, Berthing, and Messing (YRBM) barges. The NDAA also gives the U.S. Navy multiyear procurement authority for the YRBM program to facilitate and maintain an accelerated schedule.
Requiring that all F/A-18E aircraft procured by the DoW in FY2022 and FY2023 be delivered to the Navy Reserve to support our nation’s deployable strike fighter capability at Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans.
Requiring a report from the U.S. Navy on efforts to transition separating Navy personnel to the dredging industry.
Urging the Department of Defense to prioritize investment in domestic hydrazine production enhancements, including facility improvements.
$32 million for the acceleration of the production of modern dump trucks for the U.S. Army, replacing outdated vehicles.
$80 million for the Platform Supply Vessel pilot program for U.S. Navy Pacific logistics.
Requiring the DoW to examine ways to promote cost savings on building resiliency projects including traditional and modular protective buildings.
$18 million for a Weapons Generation Facility dormitory at Barksdale Air Force Base.
$2.2 million for the design of a new Child Development Center at Barksdale Air Force Base.
Establishing Air Force Global Strike Command as an Air Force Major Command, solidifying Barksdale Air Force Base as a national leader.
Congressman Higgins also worked with his colleagues to align this year’s NDAA with President Trump’s agenda, securing the following conservative victories:
Permanently ending all existing DoW DEI offices, programs, activities, and trainings and prevents any new DEI activities from taking place.
Saving taxpayers over $1 billion with cuts to climate-change related spending.
Fully funding the deployment of National Guard and active-duty troops in support of Border Patrol activities at the southwest border.
Fully funding the U.S. commitment to Israel through joint U.S.-Israel cooperative missile defense programs, including the Iron Dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling.
Making significant reforms to Defense acquisition systems to shift the focus of the DoW to cost-effective rapid fielding of new capabilities and remove barriers to adopting commercial innovation.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)
Congresswoman Urges Congress to Pass Her AI Civil Rights Act to Eliminate AI Discrimination
WASHINGTON – Yesterday, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) discussed the need for new civil rights protections in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Congresswoman Pressley highlighted how AI innovation without proper regulation could exacerbate discrimination, and called for passage of the AI Civil Rights Act, her bill with Senator Ed Markey and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke to help eliminate AI discrimination.
The AI Civil Rights Act would prevent companies from using biased and discriminatory AI-powered algorithms to help make critical decisions in Americans’ lives, ensure algorithms are tested before and after deployment, and increase transparency of complex algorithms used for critical decisions.
A transcript of the Congresswoman’s question line and exchange with witnesses is available below, and the video is available here.
Transcript: Pressley Calls for New Civil Rights Protections in the Age of AI
December 10, 2025
House Financial Services Committee
REP. PRESSLEY: AI is everywhere, our phones, our classrooms, our hospitals, our bank loans and job applications, every facet of our lives.
And that is why we must ensure that AI works for everyone, and that instead of deploying biased AI, which can create harm or compound existing harms.
It needs to benefit everyone—all people, regardless of race, gender, income level, medical conditions, or other parts of our identity.
Mr. Stevens, should we prohibit the use of AI that discriminates on the basis of race, gender or other factors? Just a yes or no.
MR. NICHOLAS STEVENS: Especially in housing, I believe yes. Fair housing, make sure that we eliminate all forms of racism, different, disparate impact, that kind of thing.
REP. PRESSLEY: Okay, I’ll ask the question of everyone, just for the purposes of the record. So just yes or no, should we prohibit the use of AI that discriminates on the basis of race, gender, or other factors? Yes or no?
MS. JEANNETTE MANFRA: Yes.
MR. TAL COHEN: Again, we apply three principles. We try to promote transparency, liquidity….
REP. PRESSLEY: Yes or no?
MR. COHEN: ..integrity in our markets and as a highly regulated institution, we are making sure that we prevent that in our in our algorithm.
REP. PRESSLEY: Mr. Stevens, yes or no. Again.
MR. STEVENS: Yes.
REP. PRESSLEY: Ms. Whitmore?
MS. WENDI WHITMORE: Yes.
REP. PRESSLEY: And Mr. Branch?
MR. JOSHUA BRANCH: Yes.
REP. PRESSLEY: Okay. Thank you. We need, urgently, civil rights laws for the 21st Century in the age of AI, which is why I’ve joined with Senator Markey and also with Congresswoman Yvette Clark to introduce the AI Civil Rights Act.
It’s urgent, because the truth is that we are already behind. People are already being exploited and discriminated against with the use of algorithms.
Now let’s take an issue like housing, for example, which, in my opinion, is a human right. Everyone deserves more than just shelter. They deserve to have a home. It’s safety, it’s dignity, it’s health, it’s mobility.
In 2025 the Trump administration has gutted the key agencies that protect against housing discrimination, the CFPB and HUD Fair Housing enforcement offices. They are even trying to undo consent orders that are already in place, like the Townstone discrimination case in Chicago.
This gap in civil rights protections is an opening for continued discrimination. One study found that mortgage lenders are 80% more likely to reject Black applicants compared to white applicants with the same qualifications.
Mr. Branch, should we have additional oversight tools, such as assessments to test the algorithms out before companies can use AI on the public? Yes or no?
MR. BRANCH: Yes.
REP. PRESSLEY: Do any of our witnesses other than Mr. Branch disagree with that? Okay, let the record reflect that no one disagreed.
We know that bias exists in our nation. We see the inequities all around us.
I represent the Massachusetts 7th—a vibrant, diverse, dynamic district and one of the most unequal in the country, where in a three-mile radius from Cambridge, home to MIT, Harvard and AI advancement, to Roxbury, the Blackest part of my district, life expectancy drops by 30 years, and median household income by $50,000.
Now that is the result of intentional lawmaking, which is why I believe we have to be just as intentional in undoing the harms and charting an equitable path forward. Because AI is trained on data that is already biased and by humans that have biases, it can replicate and exacerbate these harms unless we have oversight and prevent it.
We must not allow AI innovation without AI protections.
In a world of artificial intelligence, we really cannot lose sight of what is real, and that is the people, the people and their livelihoods and their lives.
If Republicans are serious about protecting our elders from fraud and consumers from discrimination, then Congress must pass the AI Civil Rights Act.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke on the House Floor in support of the Protect America’s Workforce Act, emphasizing that Republicans have failed to deliver on their promises to deliver for working class Americans and that Democrats are committed to protecting their right to negotiate.
LEADER JEFFRIES: I rise today in strong support of the Protect America’s Workforce Act, legislation that will restore the collective bargaining rights of more than a million hardworking federal employees, patriotic public servants who’ve been targeted viciously by the Trump administration from the very beginning of his time in office, unnecessarily and in ways that undermine some of the core promises, Mr. Speaker, that Donald Trump made to the American people last year. Donald Trump and Republicans promised that you would focus on lowering costs on day one. But costs haven’t gone down in the United States of America, costs have gone up, inflation on the way up, housing costs out of control, child care costs out of control, electricity bills out of control, grocery costs out of control and healthcare costs skyrocketing out of control, including because of the Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
Instead of Donald Trump and Republicans, Mr. Speaker, keeping your core promise to the American people to make their life better, instead, you’ve been focusing on a variety of other things that relate simply to jamming your extreme right-wing ideology down the throats of the American people, including by targeting organized labor, hardworking men and women, including those who are part of the federal workforce. What is it that federal employees do each and every day to make sure that they’re providing services to the American people? Well, the list is too numerous to mention, but we know that hardworking federal employees are public servants each and every day, are working hard to make sure that hard-earned Social Security benefits are delivered to the American people, that Medicare benefits are delivered to the American people, that the food that we eat is disease-free, that we can enjoy our national parks all across the country, that aviation safety and the ability to get from your point of departure to your point of destination flying airplanes in order to see your loved ones, that that’s safe. Of course, our hardworking federal employees are working hard to make sure that veterans receive their earned benefits. These people, instead of being targeted by Donald Trump and Republicans, should be supported for the work that they do on behalf of the American people.
We also know that when it comes to improving the quality of life of everyday Americans that there’s a lot of repair work that must occur to restore the American dream that is disappearing from folks all across this country. The American people know that the Trump administration and Republican policies have been a disaster. In this great country, as Democrats, we believe that when you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to live an affordable life, a comfortable life, live the good life. What exactly does that mean? Good-paying job, good housing, good healthcare, good education for your children and at the end of the day, a good retirement. That’s the good life. That’s the American dream. And for far too many people, it’s out of reach. But we know that perhaps no force has been more proactive in delivering access to that American dream than the men and women of organized labor, decade after decade after decade.
Why would Donald Trump and Republicans focus, Mr. Speaker, on targeting hardworking public employees, targeting unions and targeting the men and women of organized labor? Is it because my Republican colleagues are too consumed with enacting massive tax breaks for your billionaire donors, which is what the One Big Ugly Bill was all about, but have zero interest in lifting up the quality of life of hardworking American taxpayers, including but not limited to the men and women of our federal workforce. It was my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that my Republican colleagues believed in freedom. Well, collective bargaining essentially is the freedom to negotiate the best possible work environment to allow these public employees to continue to deliver services that are effective and efficient for the American people. And yet, instead of focusing on driving down the high cost of living in America, which is out of control. Yes, there is an affordability crisis in the United States of America, notwithstanding the fact, Mr. Speaker, that Donald Trump apparently believes it’s a hoax. The American people know it’s not a hoax. Instead of focusing on trying to find common-sense solutions to make life better for the American people, Donald Trump and my Republican colleagues continue to just jam their extreme ideology down the throats of the American people while working overtime to benefit your billionaire donors. That’s why I’m thankful for this bipartisan effort to restore collective bargaining rights for more than a million public servants who are part of the federal government, and I urge a yes vote.
Do the right thing by the federal workforce, do the right thing by the men and women of organized labor and do the right thing when it comes to ensuring that everyone has a path to experiencing the American dream. I yield back.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)
Yesterday, Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) published an op-ed in The Washington Times discussing air ambulances and the lifesaving impacts it makes on rural health care.
You may scroll below to see excerpts from the op-ed. You may click HERE or on the image above to read the full op-ed.
“Living in rural America comes with great benefits – a simpler way of life in picturesque countrysides where neighbors can be miles away physically but deeply close personally.
“It also means more miles between conveniences.”
“Growing up on my family farm in rural Kansas where my mom still lives today, we were just a few miles outside our town of 2,500, but we were 40 miles from the big city of Topeka, which back then had a population just shy of 80,000.”
“Air ambulances have been providing lifesaving services for decades. I’ve visited with the pilots and EMTs; they are dedicated professionals who fly into sometimes dangerous situations to give emergency treatment and transport our friends and neighbors to doctors and nurses tens or hundreds of miles away.”
“And it’s not just for folks living in rural parts of the country, but those traveling through those regions as well. One pilot shared with me a story involving a bad accident in rural Kansas. It was dark, and the air ambulance had to land near power lines. The pilot and flight medics took a risk to save the life of someone badly injured driving through our state, and those selfless men and women are ready to do it again today.”
“Ensuring that this critical service is available to all Americans is why I reintroduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act.”
“While the medical tools and aircraft have all advanced over the years, the Medicare reimbursement rate has not changed since the fee schedule was established in 2002, leaving some air ambulances running in the red. And with nearly 40% of all air medical transports being Medicare patients, it’s easy to see why the reimbursement must reflect today’s realities. Sadly, this and other factors have forced closures across the country.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)
Congresswoman Dina Titus today sent a letter to the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee asking him to expedite a hearing for the Fair Accounting for Income from Betting Earnings and Taxation (FAIR BET) Act to fully restore the 100% income tax deduction for gambling losses.
The Senate version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July reduced the amount of gambling losses gamblers could deduct from their taxes from 100 percent to 90 percent, in effect taxing gamblers on money they did not win.
“While the change may appear minor, it will have significant and harmful consequences,” Rep. Titus said in her letter to Rep. Jason Smith, Chairman of the House Way and Means Committee, and Rep. Richard Neal, the Democratic Ranking Member of the Committee. “It unfairly burdens professional gamblers and casual players alike and will inevitably drive players toward offshore and unregulated markets where consumer protections are non-existent, thereby undermining responsible gaming efforts nationwide.”
Rep. Titus asked Chairman Smith to consider the FAIR BET Act at its next committee meeting. “I hope that you will work with me to move this legislation expeditiously during the 119th Congress,” she said.
Rep. Titus introduced the FAIR BET Act on July 7 as the first piece of legislation to repeal the reduction in gambling loss deductions. Since then, it has attracted strong and bipartisan support from 21 co-sponsors and backing from the American Gaming Association, MGM, Draft Kings, FanDuel, Caesars, Wynn, the Nevada Resort Association, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. In addition, there has been an outpouring of support for the legislation by gamblers on social media.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) issued the following statement after the House voted to block consideration of a resolution to impeach President Donald Trump:
“Today I voted to advance the impeachment resolution. Unfortunately, a majority of my colleagues voted to block its consideration. We should have allowed it to proceed and given it the serious debate it deserved.”