Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined a bipartisan group of over 150 House and Senate colleagues in calling for the U.S. Department of Education to not make changes to post-baccalaureate nursing degrees that would saddle nurses with more student loan debt.

The lawmakers submitted public comment in response to a notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Education regarding changes to federal student loan programs that declassifies nursing degrees as “professional” and puts them in the same category as “graduate degrees.”

“We write with disappointment over the Department’s decision to omit post-baccalaureate nursing degrees from the regulatory definition of ‘professional degree,’” the bipartisan group of 160 lawmakers wrote. “This will make it harder for nursing students to access the loans that they need.”

“Nurses and nurse faculty make up the backbone of our health system, and post-baccalaureate nursing degrees lead to demonstrated outcomes,” the lawmakers continued. “As such, post-baccalaureate nursing degrees should be treated equally to other accredited post-baccalaureate health profession degrees.”

The lawmakers’ comment outlines their concerns over the rule’s omission of post-baccalaureate nursing degrees from the regulatory definition of “professional degree,” meaning they would be classified as a “graduate degree.” If this omission is adopted during this rulemaking, the proposed definition threatens more debt for post-baccalaureate nursing students, as student loans are currently capped for new borrowers at $20,500 annually and $100,000 in the aggregate for “graduate” programs and $50,000 annually and $200,000 in the aggregate for “professional” programs.

The bipartisan public comment is supported by 60 organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing; American Association of Nurse Practitioners; American Nurses Association; American College of Nurse-Midwives; Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; National Council of State Boards of Nursing; and the National League for Nursing. A full list of supporting organizations can be found by clicking here.

The full text of their bipartisan comment can be read HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rule Committee and a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, delivered the following opening statement at the full committee markup of House Republicans’ hyper-partisan farm bill:

[As prepared for delivery.]

Mr. Chairman, I want to speak directly to the MAHA movement—to the millions of Americans who voted to Make America Healthy Again.

I’m a Democrat. I know we don’t agree on everything. But I think we share some common ground. Because I share your outrage.

I think it’s wrong that ultra-processed junk is cheaper than fresh food. I’m sick and tired of Big Ag profiting off pesticides while small family farms get squeezed out of business. I’m disgusted by corporations pumping toxins into our air and water—chronic disease and cancer are skyrocketing while our government cheers them on.

And I believe the direction this farm bill is going— the direction this country is going under Republican leadership—is a betrayal of MAHA. I can point to example after example.

PFAS—toxic forever chemicals. They’re linked to endocrine disruption—decreased fertility—lower sperm counts. I’ve been working on eliminating PFAS for years after my constituent got cancer from PFAS in his firefighting gear. MAHA moms and influencers thankfully helped propel PFAS into public debate. And instead of siding with MAHA, what did this administration do? They delayed setting limits for PFAS in our drinking water! Who knows why! Maybe ask the chemical companies—a lot of people don’t know this, but a lot of pesticides have PFAS in them!

How about glyphosate? For years, many of us have been sounding the alarm. It’s another toxic chemical sprayed on our food—it’s the main ingredient in Round Up. There’s dozens of class action lawsuits because we now know that for decades, chemical companies hid the fact that Round Up causes cancer.

Again, many in MAHA have rightly spoken out. So can a single Republican on this Committee tell me why Donald Trump issued an Executive Order to expand production of glyphosate? And now, big surprise: we have a farm bill that doubles down—this bill grants corporate immunity to the chemical companies! Look it up! Title 10, Section 10205.

Section 10206 prevents localities from regulating pesticides. Section 10207 goes on to allow more toxic chemicals to get dumped into our water.

Section after section of this bill—one giveaway after another to the pesticide companies.

What lobbyist asked for that? Was it drafted in the Monsanto boardroom or something? Follow the money! Big Ag and the chemical companies are two sides of the same coin—all part of the same corrupt corporate machine. One makes the chemicals. The other profits from driving family farms out of business. Both sides buy off politicians, and both sides profit when the rules are rigged against the little guys. And that’s exactly what this farm bill does.

And by the way, the chemical giveaways are tied at the hip to a larger, more structural problem with this farm bill. It does nothing to improve our food system.

Let’s move on to nutrition—because I only have five minutes.

Seniors who take pills on an empty stomach wind up in the emergency room. Working people who can’t afford to buy healthy food end up with chronic disease. Kids who are hungry don’t learn. So clearly—clearly—hunger and health are intricately linked. Which is common sense. You can’t be healthy if you’re hungry. But this farm bill—instead of addressing our hunger crisis in this country—42 million Americans who can’t afford food—this bill makes the crisis worse!

Last year Republicans made the largest cut to nutrition assistance in American history—veterans, families with teens, seniors, people aging out of foster care, all kicked off food assistance. In Massachusetts, thousands of people are losing access to food this month because Republicans took their food assistance away in order to give billionaires another tax break! And by the way, when it comes to students—I’ve introduced a bill to boost school meal reimbursement rates. That would mean more scratch cooked meals, more local foods in our cafeterias.

Not a single Republican will cosponsor it. So to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle—never, ever lecture us again about making America healthy.

Your farm bill rewards the same broken system that made America sick in the first place. Your farm bill empowers Big Ag and enables them to keep dumping toxins on our food. Your farm bill tells local farmers to get big or get out. Your farm bill makes food less healthy and more expensive.

In short, your farm bill is a betrayal of MAHA.

And I’m not here to pretend Democrats are perfect on every issue. But when it comes to standing up against Big Ag and chemical companies, combating hunger, and fighting for healthier food—we are a hell of a lot better on these issues. A hell of a lot better.

This farm bill is corporate control with a wellness label slapped on top.

And to be blunt, it sucks.

End the pesticide loopholes. End the cuts to nutrition assistance. And oppose this Republican farm bill—it’s a blank check to those who want to protect the broken status quo, and none of us should be complicit. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Today, Adrian Smith (NE-03) released the following statement after learning of the death of United States Army Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens of Bellevue, Nebraska who was killed in Kuwait during Operation Epic Fury:

“I am heartbroken to learn of the death of Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens, who was killed in the line of duty over the weekend. This is a devastating loss for his family, friends, fellow service members, and for our entire state.

“Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens answered the call to serve with courage and selflessness. He gave his life in defense of the freedoms we cherish, and we will forever be grateful for his service. 

“Please join me in keeping his loves ones in your prayers. May they feel the strength, support, and gratitude of a community that mourns with them and honors his service.”  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) released the following statement following the conclusion of a Congressional briefing regarding Operation Epic Fury. This briefing was presented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine.

“I am grateful for the Trump Administration’s briefing regarding the ongoing military strikes in Iran. For nearly 50 years, the Iranian regime has been the world’s largest state sponsor of terror, utilizing direct action and proxy militias to destabilize the Middle East, all while actively pursuing the development of a nuclear weapon. This barbaric regime is directly responsible for the deaths of nearly 1,000 Americans, thousands of our allies, and the murder of countless innocent Iranians.

“As a graduate of West Point and former officer in the United States Army, I saw firsthand the way in which peace through strength led to the downfall of the Soviet Union and a more secure and stable world. I am optimistic Operation Epic Fury will see similar ends.

“I applaud President Trump’s actions to immediately end Iran’s nuclear capabilities and remain confident in the President’s leadership on the world stage to protect our national security interests. May God protect our troops.”

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement after Republicans on the Energy & Commerce Committee sent partisan Medicaid fraud investigation letters to Democratic-led states, including Colorado.

“It’s so good to see that the blatant partisanship has seeped down to the Energy & Commerce Committee where Republicans are now seeking Medicaid information from nine blue states (and Nebraska). I am looking forward to what I am sure will be the imminent letters to Republican-led states, like Mississippi, because we should investigate alleged wrongdoing regardless of how a state voted. 

“But this effort from the Majority is not about fraud, it’s about punishing Democratic states. Maybe the Republicans would be better off investigating why the Trump administration fired the federal prosecutors and inspectors general responsible for going after fraud.”  

The letter to Colorado can be found here. 

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on DOL’s Radical Independent Contractor Rule that Robs Workers of Overtime Pay and Fair Wages

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule on the classification of independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). DOL’s rule would narrow its interpretation of who is considered an employee under the FLSA.

“Today, the Department of Labor proposed a rule that will make it more difficult for workers who have been misclassified as independent contractors to receive overtime pay, fair wages, and other basic rights under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

“By codifying the pervasive trend of employers misclassifying their employees as independent contractors, the proposed rule will strip workers of their basic wage and hour protections and leave law-abiding businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Unlike employees, independent contractors do not get essential protections, such as minimum wage, overtime, unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation, access to employee healthcare and benefits, pensions, or OSHA protections.

“The Economic Policy Institute previously estimated that a similar rule would cost workers more than $3 billion each year. This is a devastating consequence for working families who are already struggling in the Trump-Vance economy and are now dealing with devastating health and food assistance cuts from Republicans’ ‘One Big, Ugly Law.’ Too many people who work hard cannot afford basic expenses to have a good life – like owning a home, taking your family on vacation, or going out to eat every once in a while. This new proposal will put those things even further out of reach.”

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: House Democrats Slam Proposals to Exacerbate the Student Loan Crisis

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), led over 85 House Democrats’ opposition to the Department of Education’s proposed rule on federal student loans. The proposed rule, titled “Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE),” implements changes that Republicans’ “Big Ugly Law” made to the federal student loan program in the Higher Education Act of 1965, including new graduate loan limits and the elimination of affordable repayment options.

“We are concerned that this new structure of federal graduate lending will further restrict higher education access, particularly for low- and middle-income borrowers,”wrote the Members.“It is crucial that the Department prioritize providing all students with access to federal student aid to finance their education, regardless of economic status, and protect students from unaffordable debt.”

“[Republicans’ ‘Big, Ugly Law’] destabilizes our higher education system and harms students struggling to afford college by restricting access to federal student aid and eliminating affordable loan repayment plans,”continued the Members.“We urge the Department to put students and borrowers first and consider how each decision will impact a student’s ability to afford their education.”

As of September 2025, over 3.6 million federal student loan borrowers were in late-stage loan delinquency on their federal student loans, and over 5 million have defaulted on their loans. According to a recent survey, 42 percent of borrowers reported having to choose between covering their basic needs and making a loan payment.

The changes to student loan repayment initiated in ED’s proposed rulemaking threaten to worsen the affordability crisis that working families are already facing.

The letter was signed by Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Donald S. Beyer (VA-08), Sanford D. Bishop (GA-02), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle S. Bynum (OR-05), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Judy Chu (CA-28), Steve Cohen (TN-09), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Lois Frankel (FL-22), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Daniel S. Goldman (NY-10), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Val T. Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), John W. Mannion (NY-22), Lucy McBath (GA-06), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Christian D. Menefee (TX-18), Grace Meng (NY-06), Dave Min (CA-47), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard E. Neal (MA-01), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Janice D. Schakowsky (IL-09), Hillary J. Scholten (MI-03), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Marc A. Veasey (TX-33), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

To read the full letter, click here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) led Arizona’s Republican Members of Congress in submitting a formal comment letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum expressing serious concerns with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Post-2026 Operational Guidelines for Lake Powell and Lake Mead. The proposed alternatives in the DEIS would place reductions exclusively on the Lower Basin, despite the fact that the Lower Basin represents 75% of the Basin’s population and economy, 76% of its jobs, and 78% of its crop sales.

For decades, Arizona has been a good steward of its water allocation, employing innovative methods to save, store, and reduce overall water use. These efforts have allowed the state to flourish, doubling in population while using less water. Along the way, the state has been a true partner among the seven basin states, taking prudent reductions to ensure the viability of the Colorado River for decades to come. The proposals included in the DEIS are unnecessarily punitive on the Lower Basin states and will have a drastic impact on Arizona’s future. The proposals are also in direct contradiction to the Colorado River Compact of 1922, solidifying them as unworthy of consideration.

“The Colorado River is foundational to Arizona’s economy and our national security,” said Congressman Biggs.“Yet the alternatives outlined in this draft plan would force disproportionate and devastating water cuts on Arizona and the Lower Basin, while allowing the Upper Basin to increase its use.”

“Arizona has done the hard work. We have and continue to save every possible drop of water so that our population can grow, our economy can thrive, and our state can serve as a hub for agriculture and technology in the nation. We cannot accept a framework that punishes responsible stewardship while ignoring long-standing legal obligations under the Compact and the Law of the River. The Department must go back to the drawing board and produce a revised plan that is balanced, lawful, and sustainable.”

“Arizona and our Lower Basin partners have sacrificed to contribute nearly 9 million acre-feet of water to help save the river system, and we have offered to do more. Now it’s time for our Upper Basin neighbors who benefit from the river to show responsibility and step up with real reductions. If no agreement is reached among the parties, the United States must implement a decision that is consistent with the Colorado River Compact of 1922, the Law of the River and wise water policy. We thank our congressional delegation for their continued support,” said Brenda Burman, CAP General Manager.

The Arizona Republican delegation reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with the Department of the Interior and fellow Basin States to secure a durable and fair agreement that protects both the Colorado River system and the communities that depend on it.

The letter may be read here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson released the following statement on the Democrat Department of Homeland Security shutdown:

“Regarding the Democrat DHS shutdown, the time has come to make a few things clear:

“It is inexcusable that Democrats continue to shut down the American government over and over, hurting American citizens and jeopardizing the security of our homeland — on purpose — to protect illegal aliens.

“In the fall, Democrats shut down the government to try to give American taxpayer funded health care benefits to illegal aliens.

“Now, they have shut down the government again for the expressed purpose of making sure known criminal illegal aliens including child molesters and murderers can continue living in American neighborhoods. These are truly the worst of the worst.

“House Republicans already did our job and passed the bicameral, bipartisan-negotiated bill providing full-year funding to the Department of Homeland Security, which also includes crucial agencies like TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, Secret Service, and many others.

“The insanity of the Democrat DHS shutdown comes at the expense of our own American citizens who pay taxes and demand and deserve safe and efficient travel at our airports, assistance when natural disasters occur, and secured borders for safe communities.

“And yet, thanks to the ongoing Democrat DHS shutdown, FEMA operations are disrupted following a historic season of winter storms on the East Coast, TSA agents are working another week without pay, the Secret Service is going unfunded while another armed attempt was made recently on President Trump’s life, and our nation witnessed an act of terrorism in Texas over the weekend.

“Perhaps most crucially of all, the military action in Iran makes it all the more urgent and crucial to have a fully staffed, fully funded Department of Homeland Security across all departments.

“Democrats withholding funding for the department in the midst of rapidly mounting crises is the definition of irresponsibility.

“Republicans in the House and Senate continue to demonstrate over and over that our Number One priority is to serve and protect the American people. And we will do so again this week, when we bring the House-passed full-year DHS funding bill to the floor of the House again for a vote.

“If the Democrat Party ever wants to begin correcting the impression that they prioritize the welfare of illegal aliens over the welfare of the American people, this will be the week to start.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will receive a $573,500 Outstanding Investigator Award grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for a project entitled “Understanding Phase Separation in Biology and Disease.” The grant is being awarded to Dr. Richard W. Kriwacki, a member of the St. Jude faculty in the Department of Structural Biology.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“I congratulate St. Jude and Dr. Kriwacki on this substantial and prestigious grant award. The work St. Jude does every day saves lives and it’s encouraging to see members of its faculty being singled out nationally for their ‘outstanding’ scientific research.”

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