Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)

Washington D.C. — U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) joined Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24) to introduce the bipartisan Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act to ensure that rural and underserved communities have access to critical emergency services. This legislation aims to provide adequate Medicare reimbursement for emergency service providers, helping them hire and retain EMT staff and modernize their equipment to continue delivering lifesaving care.

“When medical emergencies happen, we should feel confident that our first responders have the resources they need to deliver life-saving care,” said Rep. Sewell. “Unfortunately, inadequate Medicare reimbursement rates are putting a strain on ambulance service providers in the most vulnerable communities. The problem is particularly severe for rural communities like the ones I represent. This bill would adjust Medicare reimbursement practices so that vital ambulance services are available and accessible to all Americans.”

“Access to emergency services is critical in rural areas across the country, including NY-24, which spans 14 counties. However, lifesaving ambulance transports are often costly, placing a burden on patients and providers alike. The Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act will help reduce these costs while ensuring that emergency care providers can continue delivering vital medical services to rural communities nationwide,” said Rep. Tenney.

Additional cosponsors include Reps. Carol Miller (WV-01), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Mike Carey (OH-15), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Marie Gluesenkemp-Perez (WA-03).

“Many of my constituents in West Virginia live hours away from their nearest hospital, so it is critical that emergency ground ambulance providers can deliver quality care in a timely manner. In efforts to support our communities’ medical responders, I am joining my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act. This bill will give ambulance service providers the appropriate Medicare reimbursement needed for them to continue providing adequate life-saving treatment to vulnerable patients without worrying about high costs,” said Rep. Miller.

“Our emergency responders are on the frontlines every day to provide our communities with lifesaving care,” said Rep. Tonko. “Their work is even more essential for our nation’s rural and underserved regions, where hospitals and access to medical care are many miles away. Our legislation supports ambulance services and helps ensure that Americans are delivered affordable care, regardless of where they live.”

“Rural Americans shouldn’t have to pay a premium for ambulance services because of where they live. EMTs provide essential, life-saving care that can be expensive in rural areas. This bill provides an avenue to keep costs low for patients and retain EMT talent so they can continue to serve rural communities in Ohio,” said Rep. Carey. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)

Washington D.C. — U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) released the following statement:

“It wasn’t enough for this administration to go after our seniors, our health care, and our veterans. Now, Trump and Musk want to steal from America’s most vulnerable children to fund their tax cuts for the wealthy. 

“Let’s be clear. The Department of Education DOES NOT control what our students learn. It DOES provide resources and support to help poor and disabled students get the education they deserve, and it serves as a watchdog to protect our students from discrimination in schools.

“One-third of Alabama’s public schools rely on Title I funding from the Department of Education. Without it, teachers will be laid off, class sizes will grow, and students will see fewer opportunities to get ahead.

“I am a proud daughter of two public school educators. I have seen what’s possible when students are given the resources and opportunities to reach their God-given potential. Trump’s illegal executive order will only widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots. House Democrats will be legislating, litigating, and mobilizing to stop it.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)

Washington D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) voted against President Trump and Speaker Johnson’s partisan continuing resolution which deprives Alabama’s 7^th Congressional District of $14.1 million worth of community project funding and inflicts devastating cuts on the programs that Alabama families rely on.

“I came back to Washington this week to negotiate a bipartisan measure to responsibly keep the government open,” said Rep. Sewell. “But instead of working with us, House Republicans have put forward a partisan spending bill that cuts cancer research, kicks families out of their homes, and even slashes funding to preserve our civil rights history. Alabama families shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill for Trump’s billionaire tax cuts. I voted NO.”

House Republicans’ partisan spending bill deprives Alabama’s 7^th Congressional District of $14.1 million that were previously approved for 15 local projects. 

The bill also:

• Cuts millions from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which will directly impact UAB and other research institutions in Alabama. 
• Cuts rental assistance for working families, putting low-income Alabamians at risk of eviction.
• Slashes the National Park Services’ Historic Preservation Fund, which is used to protect and preserve the sites of the Civil Rights Movement.
• Cuts essential funding for the Election Assistance Commission, which helps make sure the ballot box is accessible to all Americans.
• Reduces support for homeless shelters and services.
• Fails to reign in the chaos and uncertainty created by funding freezes, cancelled contracts, and closures of Social Security offices, Taxpayer Advocate offices, and GSA buildings in Alabama.
• Cuts the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) by 57%. The CDMRP is a hub for some of the most innovative research into cancer therapeutics, treatments that stand to disproportionately help Veterans and active-duty military personnel.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Janesville, WI – Congressman Bryan Steil announced he would be holding a telephone town hall on Monday, March 24^th, at 5:00pm CT. This will be Congressman Steil’s third telephone town hall of the year.  He has also hosted four in-person town halls this year.   

“One of my top priorities as a Member of Congress is to be available and accessible, which is why I’ve hosted four in-person listening sessions this year in Janesville, Beloit, Racine and Kenosha and regular telephone town halls,” said Steil. “I look forward to hearing directly from Wisconsin families about the challenges they are facing and how we can move our nation forward.”

Residents of the 1^st Congressional District can sign up for Congressman Steil’s Telephone Town Hall by going to Steil.House.Gov/Live or calling his office at (608) 752-4050.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) announced the introduction of two pieces of legislation aimed at providing support and fairness to veterans and their families: the No Veteran Falls Through the Cracks Act and the Survivor Benefits Fairness Act.

 “Our men and women who have worn the uniform deserve the benefits they have fought for and earned,” said Steil said “Whether it is ensuring timely follow up from healthcare providers or protecting grieving families from bureaucratic overreach, I will continue to work to provide meaningful support to veterans and their families.”

Background:

The No Veteran Falls Through the Cracks Act

Under current law, if a veteran cancels a mental health appointment online, the VA is not mandated to follow up and reschedule as they would with a phone cancellation. While some cancelations may be routine scheduling conflicts, these can also be signs of a broader mental health crisis. 

This bill would require the VA to connect with veterans and reschedule his or her mental health appointment, standardizing VA policies for cancelations across the board. 

Congressman Steil previously introduced this legislation in the 117^th Congress.

To read the full text of the legislation, click HERE.

The Survivor Benefits Fairness Act

Under current law, if a deceased veteran’s family receives benefit checks and dies during the month they received a payment, the VA is permitted to request the entire month’s payment back. This has led to circumstances where families are asked to remit a month’s benefit check when their family member passes away just hours before the end of the month. 

This bill would ensure that the VA cannot demand the families of beneficiaries pay back their monthly benefits in the event of a surviving spouse’s death.

Congressman Steil previously introduced this legislation in the 118^th Congress.

To read the full text of the legislation, click HERE. 

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bryan Steil issued the following statement in response to Senator Bernie Sanders visit to Kenosha: 

“Democratic socialist Senator Sanders’ fear mongering tour comes to Wisconsin today to try to sell open borders, reckless spending and boys in girls’ sports,” said Steil. “In Wisconsin we want secure borders, control of spending and boys out of girls’ sports. I will continue working to deliver meaningful results for Wisconsin families who are still struggling from the policies that President Biden and Senator Sanders pushed over the last four years.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) joined Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06) in introducing the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which will ban government bureaucrats from issuing Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to individuals. Congressman Steil issued the following statement in response to the introduction of the legislation:

“Financial privacy and independence is the bedrock of America’s financial system,” said Steil. “Government mandated CBDCs provide an opening for government digital tracking and overregulation that would violate the rights of Americans. I am proud to join Majority Whip Emmer in introducing this important legislation, codifying President Trump’s recent Executive Order into law.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Janesville, WI – Congressman Bryan Steil released the following statement in response to President Trump’s Address to the Joint Session of Congress:

“After four years of runaway government spending, a wide-open southern border, and bureaucratic red-tape that drove up costs, Americans voted for a change. President Trump and Congress are already delivering,” said Steil. “I look forward to working with President Trump to continue lowering costs for Wisconsin families, securing our border, and unleashing American energy.”

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Robin Kelly (IL-02), along with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), led a bicameral letter with 97 of their colleagues to President Trump urging him to maintain CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention. If the Division is shuttered, the United States can expect to see thousands of new cases of HIV, billions of dollars of government spending on lifetime HIV-related healthcare, and unnecessary deaths nationwide from this preventable condition. In his first Administration, President Trump declared an ambitious and commendable goal of ending the HIV epidemic in the United States, and over the last eight years, the US has reduced HIV incidence.

“On February 5, 2019, you declared a commendable and ambitious goal of ending the HIV epidemic (EHE) in the United States,” the Members wrote. “One of the pillars of your initiative, as shown on CDC’s website, is prevention. It is imperative that you uphold this commitment. As CDC has currently identified, we must prevent new HIV transmissions through proven interventions, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), if we are to achieve a 90 percent reduction in new infections by 2030.”

“Prevention provides a large return on investment for the federal government – adjusted for inflation, a lifetime of medical costs for a person with HIV can be over $500,000,” the Members continued. “Losing the CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention would be an enormous loss to HIV providers.”

“As Members who serve the public, it is our duty to not only protect Americans from avoidable disease and early death, but to also avoid unnecessarily spending billions in taxpayer dollars down the line when HIV rates eventually skyrocket due to this potential action,” the Members concluded. “Just last week, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution, which continues funding levels from Fiscal Year 2024, that appropriated funding to CDC for carrying out HIV/AIDS programs. Accordingly, we expect CDC will continue to carry out those programs.”

A full copy of the letter can be found here.

The list of signers includes: Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (NY), Jeff Merkley (OR)

Senators Tammy Baldwin (WI), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Cory Booker (NJ), Chris Coons (DE), Tammy Duckworth (IL), Dick Durbin (IL), Ben Ray Lujan (NM), Chuck Schumer (NY), Raphael Warnock (GA), Ron Wyden (OR)

Representatives Alma Adams (NC-12), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Troy Carter (LA-02), Sean Casten (IL-06), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Jim Costa (CA-21), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Danny Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Bill Foster (IL-11), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), William Keating (MA-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Frederica Wilson (FL-24)

Endorsing organizations include: AIDS Institute, AIDS United, American Academy of HIV Medicine, amfAR, AVAC, Fast-Track Cities Institute, Heptatitis B Foundation, Hep B United, HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, HIV Medicine Association, Human Rights Campaign, International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, NASTAD, NMAC, Positive Women’s Network – USA, PrEP4All, SAGE, Treatment Action Group, Vivent Health, Equality California, Silver State Equality, AIDS Foundation Chicago

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) released the following statement after he voted against the Partisan Republican government funding bill: 

“Today’s vote was not even Congress doing the bare minimum. The House Republican Caucus has ceded all of their constitutional authority to Donald Trump and his unelected billionaire side kick, Elon Musk. This bill gives Trump and Musk a blank check to continue gutting congressionally appropriated funds and dismantling essential government services – removing all guard rails on where American taxpayers’ money goes. This bill also underfunds veterans’ healthcare, cuts housing assistance, slashes medical research, and does nothing to lower the cost of living for Americans. I hope the Senate rejects this bill and forces Congressional Republicans to the negotiating table to pass appropriations bills that include congressional directives to ensure funds are spent as Congress intends.”

The Republican funding bill cuts critical programs, while increasing funds for the Department of Defense (DoD) and immigration enforcement.

• Veterans: Fails to provide nearly $23 billion in advance funding for the VA’s Toxic Exposures Fund created by the PACT Act. 
• Medical Research: Cuts over $1 billion from medical research, including NIH by $280 million and medical research funded by DoD by $860 million. This includes research for Alzheimer’s, autism, childhood cancer, breast cancer, Parkinson’s, and traumatic brain injury.
• Farmer Programs: Cuts $30 million from conservation programs that help farmers improve their operations and protect the local environment.
• Food Assistance: Underfunds the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) by $20 million at a time of rising food costs, and would leave 25,000 seniors unable to participate in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
• Housing: Cuts rent subsidies for low-income and working Americans by more than $700 million, threatening evictions for 32,000 households

A fact sheet on how the Republican continuing resolution is hurting hardworking Americans is here.

A fact sheet detailing how this continuing resolution gives a blank check to Elon Musk and President Trump is here.