MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)

Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) led their colleagues in the Texas Democratic Delegation in a letter to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Acting Director Dr. Susan Monarez expressing concern over the measles outbreak in Texas and across the country.  The lawmakers requested an urgent, detailed report on the CDC’s efforts to contain the outbreak, combat vaccine misinformation, and assess the impact of workforce reductions on the outbreak response.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported 279 confirmed cases of measles, including 34 hospitalizations and the tragic death of an unvaccinated school-aged child. The outbreak has disproportionately impacted school-aged children.

“As local pharmacies report shortages of MMR vaccine doses, the Administration has shipped doses of Vitamin A to Texas, endorsing its use in addition to cod liver oil to reduce the outbreak, neither of which are scientifically proven to reduce the spread of the disease,” the members wrote.  “We are concerned that, while the CDC has explicitly stated its efforts are “science-based” and “data-driven,” recent actions have suggested otherwise.

“We are further concerned that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has undertaken reckless actions that are obstructing the CDC’s public health response,” the members continued.  “On February 13, 2025, your agency announced the mass layoff of 1,300 CDC employees.10 To date, at least 750 employees have been laid off, which include key scientists tasked with helping state and local officials respond to outbreaks like the one Texas is experiencing right now.  We believe these indiscriminate mass firings have weakened the nation’s ability to contain the current measles outbreak. Despite a small number of CDC employees being asked to return, looming layoffs impart uncertainty for remaining CDC employees, which may cause officers to seek out other jobs, further reducing our capacity to respond in real-time to disease outbreaks.

“Additionally, we are deeply troubled by the CDC’s delayed and insufficient updates on the scope of the current measles outbreak,” the members concluded.  “On January 31, 2025, several critical CDC webpages were taken down.  The agency’s decision to temporarily provide monthly updates, rather than weekly, resulted in delayed information necessary to stop case spread.  While the agency has returned to weekly reports, a month of no information or guidance hampered local efforts to contain the outbreak. These delays and discrepancies are not merely technical failures; they reflect a broader problem of insufficient transparency.  Timely reporting is critical for controlling outbreaks, and the inability to respond in real time to the urgent needs of communities only delays crucial interventions.”

Congressmembers Al Green (TX-09), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), and Greg Casar (TX-35) joined Congresswoman Fletcher, Congressman Veasey, and Congressman Doggett in this letter request.

To view the full text of this letter, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)

Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) visited the HOPE Clinic for a roundtable discussion with health care providers about the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans’ proposed cuts to the Medicaid program. 

“People across our district, our state, and our country rely on Medicaid for essential health care.  Today, I met with health care providers to talk about what cutting the program would mean for their patients.  It is devastating—for patients who have health care coverage through Medicaid and for all patients in a health care system that relies on Medicaid payments,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “The proposed cuts would hurt children, seniors, people with disabilities, and hardworking Americans, reducing the quality and availability of health care services.  In the state with the highest uninsured rate in the country, and one of the highest uninsured counties in Texas, we should not be making it harder for people to get the care they need. 

“People may not realize that Medicaid covers 50 percent of births in Texas,” continued Congresswoman Fletcher.  “Cutting Medicare will block access to care for pregnant women across the state—both Medicaid beneficiaries and others who rely on the funds to keep hospital labor and delivery departments open. 

“The damage cutting Medicaid will cause for women, children, and people across Texas is almost too great to imagine,” concluded Congresswoman Fletcher.  “But if President Trump and Congressional Republicans get their way, this funding for essential health care will be cut to pay for a tax cut for Elon Musk and MAGA billionaires.”

In Texas’ Seventh Congressional District, 32 percent of children rely on Medicaid.  In Texas, 61 percent of people living in nursing homes rely on Medicaid.

In addition to payments for services provided to Medicaid managed care plan enrollees, Texas hospitals received nearly $8.3 billion in Medicaid payments in 2023.  Texas mental health facilities, nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities for people with disabilities received nearly $1.8 billion in Medicaid payments in 2023.

Since her first term in Congress, Congresswoman Fletcher has been a consistent advocate of expanding affordable health care access.  In 2021, she introduced the Expand Medicaid Now Act to incentivize states like Texas to expand Medicaid access.  Her bill was included in the American Rescue Plan Act, which President Biden signed into law.

Last month, she voted against House Republicans’ blueprint to guide Congressional action on budget-related legislation this year that calls for at least $1.5 trillion in government spending cuts, including $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid.  And, during a House Energy & Commerce Committee hearing, she asked an expert witness about the impacts these cuts would have on Texas and in states across the country. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)

Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) reintroduced the Pink Tariffs Study Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Treasury to conduct a study on potential gender bias and regressivity within the U.S. tariff system and report the findings to Congress.  The reintroduction of this legislation follows reports that the U.S. tariff schedule places higher import taxes on women than men for the same or similar products, including razors and clothes.

“While often hidden from public view, tariffs have a significant impact on the prices Americans pay in stores every day.  Women disproportionately pay, on average, three percent more in tariffs than men, but the difference is sometimes even greater,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “Now, as President Trump has imposed tariffs and started a trade war with our trading partners, it is even more important that we understand how higher tariffs will raise costs for everyone, and women in particular.  I am glad to reintroduce this legislation with Congresswoman Pettersen to help make sure we understand the impacts of tariffs and have the tools to ensure a fairer tax system.”

“Women continue to pay more than men when it comes to everyday needs like clothes, razors, and even personal hygiene products,” said Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen. “These costs can add up fast – especially for working moms and families – and Trump’s reckless trade war threatens to drive these prices up even more and hurt regular people who are already struggling to make ends meet. This legislation takes an important step forward in addressing gender inequalities in our tariff system and making sure women don’t unfairly face higher prices than men. I’m thankful for the partnership of Congresswoman Fletcher and will keep working to lower costs and end ‘pink tariffs.’”

“The New Dem Trade Task Force is proud to endorse the Pink Tariffs Study Act at a critical moment in the history of American trade policy,” said New Democrat Coalition Trade and Tariff Task Force Chair Don Beyer.  “At a moment when the nation reckons with the sweeping impacts of President Trump’s tariffs on consumers and businesses, it is all the more important to understand how these taxes disproportionately impact women.  We are grateful to our New Dem colleagues Representatives Fletcher and Pettersen for leading this effort, and for endeavoring to build a more equitable tax system on behalf of all Americans.”

“As Representatives Fletcher and Pettersen introduce the Pink Tariffs Study Act today, they are rightly going beyond pure – and fully justified – opposition to Mr. Trump’s tariff increases. By helping alert policymakers to unequal tariff taxation of American women, and tariff rates biased against lower-income families, their bill will help us design a better and fairer system,” said Ed Gresser, Vice President and Director for Trade and Global Markets at the Progressive Policy Institute.

“Economists have long known that tariffs are a poor form of taxation. As taxation of purchases of goods, they tax hourly-wage families more than wealthy households, and impose greater cost burdens on goods-using industries like retail, manufacturing, farming, restaurants, and homebuilding than on services- and investment-heavy industries,” continued Gresser.  “Even within this context, the U.S. tariff system is far more regressive than those of most of our trading partners – for example, by taxing polyester clothes more heavily than silks, and cheap stainless steel silverware more than sterling silver. And it appears to be unique in the world in taxing women’s clothes more heavily than directly analogous men’s clothes. This gender bias in the two clothing chapters likely costs women at least $2.5 billion per year.

“The Pink Tariffs Study Act directs the Treasury Department to conduct a formal study of the U.S. tariff system for gender bias and regressivity – something neither the Treasury Department nor other trade agencies with tariff powers, such as Customs and Border Protection or the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, have ever done,” concluded Gresser.  “This would give Congress the data and information it will need as it reasserts its Constitutional authority over tariff policy and begins to undo the harms Mr. Trump’s policies are causing. We are proud to applaud and endorse their work.”

The tariff system generates about $100 billion annually in U.S. federal tax revenue.  Apart from a few academic studies in recent years, the U.S. tariff system has received little scrutiny of its role as a form of taxation.  President Trump, however, has indiscriminately imposed tariffs on imported goods, which are expected to exacerbate existing gender inequalities. 

Research has also shown that tariff rates on U.S. consumer goods are systematically regressive, affecting underserved families the hardest, with tariffs higher on cheaper material, mass-market goods than on higher-end or luxury items.  The consequence is that as a form of taxation, tariffs fall most heavily on women and underserved communities.

To understand the compounding effects of President Trump’s tariffs, an analysis of the gender bias within the U.S. tariff system is needed.  The Pink Tariffs Study Act would require the U.S. Treasury to conduct a study on which types of products carry the highest tariffs, which segments of the population bear most of the system’s cost, and whether an important element of the U.S. tax code contains gender discrimination. 

The New Democrat Coalition Trade and Tariffs Task Force, the Democratic Women’s Caucus, and the Progressive Policy Institute have endorsed the Pink Tariffs Study Act.

To view the full text of the bill, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Votes Against Republican Resolution To Cut Medical Research, Flood Infrastructure Projects, and More

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

The Republican budget resolution paves the way for GOP to add $4 trillion to the national debt while ripping away health care from over 200,000 Granite Staters and ending Medicaid expansion in NH

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

The New Hampshire delegation is calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to direct the National Fire Academy (NFA) to resume training courses for firefighters that were cancelled due to the Trump Administration’s federal funding freeze. The letter to Acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton comes after the delegation received an outpouring of concern from Granite State firefighters who rely on the free programs offered by NFA to maintain and improve the skills they use to save lives. 

The delegation wrote, in part: “We are writing to express our concern that the National Fire Academy (NFA) has cancelled courses pending a review of agency programs. Firefighters and other stakeholders throughout New Hampshire have contacted us to express their disbelief that firefighters will not be able to receive the instruction and training they need to maintain and improve the skills they use to save lives.” 

They continued: “Since its establishment, the NFA has offered training and related programs to generations of firefighters and other first responders. We have heard from New Hampshire firefighters and first responders that these are specialized courses the NFA provides for free that are not available elsewhere in the U.S.” 

They concluded: “Denying or delaying crucial training for first responders, including firefighters, will put their lives at risk and the lives of the people across the U.S. who depend on firefighters to save their lives and livelihoods. We urge FEMA to immediately direct the NFA to resume training and related activities.” 

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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

This week Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Co-Chairs of the Hellenic Caucus, led Representatives Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Dina Titus (NV-01), Chris Smith (NJ-04), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Grace Meng (NY-06) and Gabe Amo (RI-01) in sponsoring a resolution to commemorate the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence. The resolution emphasizes the hard-fought struggle for independence of the Greek people, and the historic and dynamic relationship that defines the deep American-Hellenic ties.

“As we mark the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence, I join my fellow Greek-Americans and colleagues of the Hellenic Caucus in commemorating the beginning of the Greeks’ fight for freedom after nearly 400 years of occupation by the Ottoman Empire,” said Congressman Pappas. “Greece’s courage and determination for independence mirrors the United States’ own fight for sovereignty and further unites our nations with a shared commitment to freedom and to democracy. Today we recognize the anniversary of Greek Independence and honor those lost in the pursuit of freedom.”

“It is with great pride that I recognize the 204^th Anniversary of Greek Independence and celebrate Greek and American democracy. Like the American revolutionaries who fought for independence and established this great republic we call the ‘Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave’, Greek freedom fighters began an arduous struggle to win independence for Greece and its people 204 years ago. The lessons the Greeks taught us continue to provide strength to victims of persecution throughout the world today. By honoring the Greek struggle for independence, we reaffirm the values and ideas that make our nation great. Each time I perform my Constitutional duties, I am doing so in the legacy of the ancient Greeks and our American forefathers. We celebrate Greek independence to reaffirm the common democratic heritage we share. As Americans, we must continue to pursue this spirit of freedom and liberty that characterizes both great nations,” said Congressman Bilirakis.

“I’m honored to join Rep. Bilirakis and my colleagues in Hellenic Caucus in celebrating the 204th anniversary of Greece’s Independence from the Ottoman Empire. As a vital NATO ally, Greece plays a critical role in bolstering security in the Mediterranean region and its strong military and economic ties with the United States are essential and continue to grow,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis.

“The United States remains steadfast in our bipartisan support for Greece. With this bill, we congratulate the Greek people on their Independence Day, demonstrate our countries’ shared values, and commit to our strong partnership now and in the future. I look forward to many more years of friendship between our countries,” said Representative Pallone.

“On this meaningful anniversary, we recognize the special bond between the United States and Greece and celebrate the boundless spirit of the vibrant Hellenic diaspora,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus. “In Congress, I will ensure the United States remains a steadfast ally and continues to bolster stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.’”

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

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) introduced the Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act. This legislation would expand low-income seniors’ access to prescription drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program, also known as Medicare Part D.

Medicare Part D helps low-income seniors afford their prescription drugs despite sky-rocketing costs. However, current law does not automatically enroll eligible seniors who previously qualified under Medicaid Expansion, leaving thousands of eligible seniors unaware they are eligible for assistance. This legislation cuts through this red tape by automatically enrolling individuals who aged out of Medicaid Expansion and into Medicare in Medicare Part D.

“Granite Staters should never have to ration or go without life-saving prescription medications because of high prices. That’s why I’ve fought to pass reforms that are capping prescription drug costs for seniors and finally allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices. As House Republicans continue to push to undo the progress we have made on lowering these costs and cut Medicare benefits, I will keep fighting to lower the cost of health care and life-saving medications,” said Congressman Pappas. “I’m glad to introduce this legislation with Congressman Tonko to deliver savings to seniors on Medicare and ensure they do not see a lapse in their prescription drug benefits by cutting unnecessary bureaucratic red tape.”

“Amidst Republican efforts to exact devastating cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, shoring up and strengthening health care benefits for Americans is more critical than ever,” Congressman Tonko said. “Following Democrats’ powerful work to lower prescription prices under the Inflation Reduction Act, this bill further expands access to life-saving prescription drugs by ensuring that seniors can get the medications they need through their existing Medicare eligibility. I’m proud to join Congressman Pappas in championing this legislation that secures needed savings and care for our communities.”

Background: 

Congressman Pappas is a steadfast advocate for lowering health care and prescription drug costs, expanding access to care, strengthening the industry’s workforce and training programs, and protecting vital programs that Granite Staters rely on, including Medicare and Medicaid. Pappas fought to pass historic legislation that finally allowed the government to negotiate for lower drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, capped the cost of insulin at $35, and capped out-of-pocket medical expenses for those on Medicare. He has repeatedlyspoken in opposition to any efforts to cut Medicare or repeal reforms that lower drug costs. 

Earlier this month, Pappas helped introduce the Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act, which would make Medicare’s coverage of audio-only telehealth services permanent. In February, Pappas helped introduce the Rural Health Innovation Act, which would strengthen access to care in rural areas by establishing a competitive grant program for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to increase staff, equipment, technology, and more.

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

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) helped introduce the bipartisan Protect Postal Performance Act to prevent the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from downsizing facilities in underserved areas, provide more oversight over modifications to delivery schedules, and increase public transparency on proposed changes. The legislation is also co-led by Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (WY-AL), Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02), and Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01).

“New Hampshire seniors, families, and businesses rely on the U.S. Postal Service for their medications, mail, and packages. USPS must take actions that will improve service – not make it worse,” said Congressman Pappas. “By preventing harmful facility downsizing and strengthening on-time deliveries, this bipartisan legislation would safeguard mail service for communities across New Hampshire. I’ll continue to support efforts that strengthen transparency, protect our postal workers, and improve mail service.”

The Protect Postal Performance Act is endorsed by the United Postmasters and Managers of America (UPMA).

“UPMA is grateful for the bipartisan efforts of Rep. Budzinski, Rep. Hageman, Rep. Golden, Rep. Bergman and Rep. Pappas in Congress to protect the workers of the postal service from service cuts that would negatively impact the quality of mail delivery received by the American people. The Protecting Postal Performance Act will help ensure evidence, data, and sound management practices lead the USPS’s strategy going forward and will ensure that any changes to retail and postal facilities in the future are fully vetted. Sound financial management of the Postal Service means a sustainable postal service – and UPMA will be a partner in ensuring that the organization follows the data to be the best service provider to the American people,” said Tony Leonardi, National President United Postmasters and Managers of America.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

Nearly 7 million fentanyl laced pills and 4,000 pounds of fentanyl powder seized in California over six months 

More than 10,000 overdose deaths in California between 2023 and 2024

STOCKTON – Today, at the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that he and Rep. Nathaniel Moran (TX-1) have introduced bipartisan legislation to expand the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program to surge support for law enforcement’s battle combating the deadly rise in drug trafficking. Harder was joined by San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow at the event. The Ending Drug Trafficking in Our Communities Act authorizes $100 million in new funding for HIDTA to expand fatal overdose investigation teams and crime gun intelligence centers.

The fentanyl epidemic is a national crisis — fentanyl alone was responsible for nearly 75,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2023 — and Valley communities are on the front lines of this crisis. Both Sacramento and San Joaquin County are designated as HIDTA zones, and a recent report confirmed that more than 10,000 Californians died from overdoses between 2023 and 2024. 

Local law enforcement are also facing skyrocketing drug trafficking — last year, nearly seven million fentanyl-laced pills and 4,000 pounds of fentanyl powder were seized in just a six month period in California. More recently, local law enforcement seized enough fentanyl to kill a quarter of the state’s population.

“We are losing too many loved ones to drug overdoses, and we have to crack down on the criminals dealing these deadly drugs,” said Rep. Harder. “Expanding the HIDTA program will get law enforcement agencies in the Valley the tools they need to track down these drug dealers and stop the flow of fentanyl into our community.”

“The growing drug crisis in our nation is out of control, and it is taking too many American lives while draining untold sums of taxpayer dollars,” said Rep. Moran. “This legislation is a critical step forward in our efforts to combat the dangerous criminals who are putting all Americans at risk by smuggling fentanyl and other deadly drugs across our borders. By passing this legislation to strengthen support for our law enforcement in this fight, we can ensure the safety, security, and well-being of our citizens. It is time to protect our communities and put America first.”

“Central Valley HIDTA is crucial to our efforts to get fentanyl and other illegal drugs off the streets, bring drug traffickers to justice, and tackle the fentanyl crisis,” said San Joaquin County Sheriff Patrick Withrow. “Increasing funding for HIDTA will get law enforcement agencies like ours the tools we need to keep our communities safe and apprehend drug dealers. I’m grateful for Rep. Harder’s work to expand HIDTA and his commitment to supporting our local law enforcement agencies.”

The Ending Drug Trafficking in Our Communities Act would specifically allow Central Valley HIDTA to be able to expand their programs to include:

• Fatal overdose investigation teams – After a fatal overdose, the victim’s last phone call is usually the dealer who supplied the drugs. HIDTA overdose investigation teams are trained to respond to fatal overdoses and pull critical evidence to track down suppliers.
• Crime gun intelligence centers – These centers (CGICs) are staffed by federal agents, investigators, forensics experts, intelligence specialists, and other law enforcement members to prevent violent crime and get illegal guns out of communities.
• Youth-based prevention efforts – These initiatives have proven to be effective in other HIDTA regions of the country to prevent young people from ever getting involved in illegal drug activities.

Last month, Harder met with over 200 narcotics officers at the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC) 2025 Delegate Conference in Washington, D.C. to discuss drug trafficking prevention efforts and strategies. Harder also helped pass bipartisan legislation to close a deadly loophole in fentanyl regulation that allows traffickers to evade prosecution.

###