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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) and Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) introduced the End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act, legislation that would ban prescription drug advertising in all forms.

“Prescription drug ads are a symptom of a deeper illness in our healthcare system, one where corporate marketing has more influence than public health. Big Pharma has built a system where they spend billions in marketing costs, which is raising the costs of drugs,” said Representative Omar. “These ads exploit fear and make our healthcare system even more profit-driven. Banning them is a necessary step toward putting people before profit and restoring trust in medical care that centers patients, not corporations.”

“Pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars on ads that drive up the cost of their already expensive prescription drugs,” Representative Nadler said. “The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act will lower pharmaceutical drug prices for Americans by putting a stop to these wasteful ads that are banned in all but one other country in the world. It will also protect our most vulnerable by ensuring they get the best information about medical treatments from their doctors and providers, not from misleading prescription drug advertisements.” 
 
“I have spent my career delivering life-saving care to people in moments of crisis as well as those with chronic conditions,” said Representative Dexter. “Big Pharma spending billions on direct-to-consumer ads makes needed medications more expensive and erodes trust in the healthcare system. It is unethical and must be stopped. This legislation is an important step toward ensuring medical decisions are made between patients and their doctors, not by Big Pharma’s marketing machine.” 

The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act would ban drug manufacturers from using direct-to-consumer advertising to promote their products. Direct-to-consumer is defined as any promotional communication targeting consumers, including through television, radio, print media, digital platforms, and social media, for the purposes of marketing a prescription drug. Prescription drug ads increase drug costs and mislead patients.  
 
Last year, the top 10 drug companies made more than $100 billion in profits while the pharmaceutical industry spentover $10 billion on television ads. Prescription drug ads now account for more than 30 percent of commercial time on evening news programs on major television networks. In the first half of this year, Big Pharma spent over $1 billion on direct-to-consumer advertisements for just ten drugs. Additionally, in 2020 more money was spent on ads for prescription drugs with a lower added clinical benefit than those with a higher added benefit. 
 
Banning prescription drug ads is a commonsense reform. The United States is one of just two countries in the world that still allow direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. The American Medical Association endorsed a ban a decade ago. The ban is endorsed by numerous health-related organizations, including Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health, MedShadow, National Center for Health Research, TMJ Association, USA Patient Network, Washington Alliance for Patient Safety, and WoodyMatters.
 
The text of the legislation can be found here.

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

This week the House of Representatives approved H.R. 4275, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 399 to 12. This legislation strengthens, supports, and authorizes funding through 2029 for the United States Coast Guard and its critical missions to safeguard our nation’s borders, facilitate maritime commerce, ensure maritime safety, and more.

New Hampshire priorities secured by Pappas in the legislation include an allocation of $18.5 billion for procurement, funding that will be vital for Coast Guard repairs and upgrades, including at the Portsmouth Harbor Station. Pappas has been working alongside the Commander of the Portsmouth Harbor Station and the USCG Acting Commandant, Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, to prioritize these critical repairs. Pappas also worked to ensure the legislation directs the Coast Guard to make publicly available information on the interdiction of illicit drugs at sea, in order to track the quantity of drugs being interdicted in U.S. waters and determine what future steps need to be taken to strengthen interdiction efforts. 

“The Coast Guard is a key pillar of our national defense and plays a critical role in ensuring maritime safety and security. I’m glad this reauthorization package includes critical resources I advocated for to support the Coast Guard as it carries out its mission, repair and modernize the Coast Guard’s infrastructure and safety systems, and enhance nationwide drug interdiction efforts,” said Congressman Pappas, member of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. “This bill delivers for New Hampshire and our Coast Guard, and I urge the Senate to quickly bring it up for a vote so we can reauthorize this critical branch of our armed forces.”

Background:

The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes appropriations for the Service through FY 2029. These authorizations will support Coast Guard operations and the continued recapitalization of its historically underfunded cutter fleet, aviation assets, shoreside facilities, and IT capabilities. The bill modernizes the Coast Guard’s acquisition process, increases transparency and accountability in the Service’s recapitalization efforts, and opens a pathway to the adoption of next-generation autonomous technologies. 

The bill also creates greater parity with the other armed services, including the establishment of a Secretary of the Coast Guard and stronger protections for members of the Coast Guard from sexual assault and harassment, based on legislation the T&I Committee introduced last Congress following the Service’s Operation Fouled Anchor. 

Furthermore, the legislation strengthens U.S.-Build requirements and improves accountability to better ensure a healthy, robust U.S. shipbuilding industry, while also making changes to maritime safety laws, amending requirements for merchant mariner credentials to facilitate an increase in the pool of qualified U.S. merchant mariners, increasing vessel safety, and improving regulatory processes.

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

Trump’s proposed cut, which Pappas fought to overturn, would have slashed more than one-third of the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program’s entire budget from FY2025.

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

Today during a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee markup, a bipartisan bill led by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC) advanced out of the Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support. The Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act would cut red tape for veteran truckers by allowing VA to streamline the approval of certain apprenticeship programs to partner with VA.

“It’s unacceptable that veterans are losing employment opportunities due to unnecessary and redundant bureaucratic hurdles,” said Congressman Pappas. “Today the Veterans’ Affairs Committee advanced my bipartisan legislation with unanimous support to streamline the approval process for interstate trucking companies’ apprenticeship programs to partner with VA, easing the pathway for veterans to become truck drivers and supporting the trucking industry. I urge House leadership to swiftly bring this bill to the floor for a vote to get this done for our veterans.”

Background:

Currently, interstate trucking companies must get approval from every state they operate in for veterans to use their VA education benefits for apprenticeship programs at that company. VA has reported that some trucking companies are opting out of offering apprenticeships to veterans due to the bureaucratic hurdles of having to gain approval from over 20 different State Approving Agencies (SAAs). This legislation would help address this problem by allowing interstate commercial carriers to get one approval for all of their apprenticeship programs from VA, simplifying the administration of these programs for motor carriers and allowing them to accommodate more veterans as truck drivers.

Pappas introduced this legislation with Congressman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) in April.

This bipartisan legislation is endorsed by the American Trucking Association and Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

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

As Republicans continue their assault on health care, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) helped reintroduce the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH) Act today, legislation to guarantee women access to abortion coverage—regardless of how a patient gets their health insurance. The lawmakers’ bill follows the enactment of Trump and Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill, which will gut Medicaid, defund Planned Parenthood health centers, and push essential reproductive care further out of reach for millions of people. Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) is also an original cosponsor of this legislation.

“While extreme politicians and judges continue trying to turn back the clock on women’s rights, we must continue to push back and fight to guarantee all women access to the essential health services they need. I remain committed to doing all I can to restore and defend the right to safe and legal abortion and access to reproductive health care for all Americans,” said Congressman Pappas. “That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues today to introduce legislation to guarantee all women access to the health care they need when they need it, regardless of how they get their health insurance or where they get their care.”

Specifically, the EACH Act ends the discriminatory Hyde Amendment and lifts abortion coverage restrictions for those who receive care through Medicaid and other government-sponsored plans. The bill helps ensure everyone can get the reproductive health care they need, regardless of income, insurance, or zip code.

The EACH Act is endorsed by the following organizations: National Women’s Law Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL), Guttmacher Institute, Center for Reproductive Rights, Physicians for Reproductive Health, National Abortion Federation, National Partnership for Women & Families, American Civil Liberties Union, Catholics for Choice, and more.

Background:

Pappas helped reintroduce two pieces of legislation vital to protecting access to reproductive care earlier this year: the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would enshrine into law vital protections previously guaranteed by Roe v. Wade and secure the right to reproductive care for everyone across America, and the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, which would reaffirm the right to travel for abortion care, including traveling across state lines. He has helped pass these bills through the House in prior Congresses.

Pappas also helped introduce the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act earlier this year, legislation that would safeguard and increase funding for Title X—the nation’s only federal program dedicated to providing comprehensive family planning and preventive health services. He has continually advocated for resources to support New Hampshire family planning services and health providers in the face of both state and federal efforts to cut or freeze Title X funding and defund these providers.

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

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), in introducing the Military Learning for Credit Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation that aims to help more veterans translate their military training and experience into college credits. Senator Chris Coons (DE) and Senator Joni Ernst (IA) lead the Senate companion legislation. Specifically, this bill expands the Veterans Education Benefits program, which offsets the cost of prior learning tests that affect placement in degree programs. This change will help cover a wider range of certifications to allow more veterans to prove their skillset and prevent duplicative coursework, saving the government money and veterans and military families time.  

“When veterans want to use their educational benefits after service, their prior professional experiences and military training should be recognized as they move on to their next opportunity,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation would allow veterans to use their VA educational benefits for nationally-recognized career tests that certify the skills and knowledge they acquired from their service, freeing up benefits for college credits and allowing them to make the most out of the benefits they’ve earned. I’ll continue working to increase opportunities for veterans and ensure their benefits work for them.”

“My dad always said he got his education from the United States Navy. Our veterans go through intensive training during their service to our country, and they should be able to benefit from that experience if they apply to college,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “I am proud to introduce the Military Learning for Credit Act, commonsense legislation to fix an existing gap and deliver for our veterans.” 

“Too many student veterans are forced to pay out of pocket to translate prior learning such as military training and experience into college credit, creating a financial hurdle that delays graduation and slows their transition into the civilian workforce,” said Tammy Barlet, Vice President of Government Affairs for Student Veterans of America. “The Military Learning for Credit Act would direct VA to use veterans’ educational assistance to cover those examination and assessment fees, cutting education costs, shortening time to degree and helping veterans bring proven skills to high‑demand jobs faster. SVA applauds Representative Goodlander and Representative Stefanik for their leadership in advancing this important legislation to ensure more student veterans are recognized and credited for their military experience in the classroom towards their employment.” 

Under current law, veterans are able to use a portion of their benefits to cover the costs associated with prior learning assessments, or higher education placement tests. However, not all tests that demonstrate prior learning are covered, such as the National Career Readiness Certificate and portfolio assessments. The Military Learning for Credit Act will correct this inequity and could save the federal government money by shortening the time to degree for student veterans who are able to pass and earn credits. Most importantly, granting college credit for prior military training can be an important lever for increasing veteran graduation rates. The Council for Adult and Experiential  Learning (CAEL) has found that credential completion was 22 percentage points higher for students with credit for prior learning. 

This legislation is endorsed by Veterans Education Success, Student Veterans of America, Today’s Students Coalition, and Southern New Hampshire University. 

The bill text is available here.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) has introduced bipartisan legislation to protect public health by addressing critical public health and infectious disease workforce shortages.

Over the last two decades, state and local health departments have lost 15% of their essential staff and nearly 80% of U.S. counties have no infectious disease physician. These workforce shortages leave communities underprepared to respond to public health emergencies and weaken the ability of public health departments to provide screenings and treatment; maternal and child health services; primary health care prevention services; and inspection or licensing to ensure food safety. Additionally, communities without infectious and HIV health care professionals are less equipped to respond to threats like antimicrobial resistance, diseases associated with the opioid epidemic, and efforts to end the HIV epidemic.

Congressman Crow’s bill would reauthorize two federal loan programs that help incentivize Coloradans and Americans to work to protect public health and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Both the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program and the Bio-Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program offer student loan repayment opportunities for individuals who choose careers in qualifying communities.

“In Colorado and across the country, many local health departments don’t have enough workers. These workforce shortages mean worse care for Americans and leave communities unprepared to respond to public health emergencies,” said Congressman Crow. “I’m introducing new bipartisan legislation to help attract, recruit, and retain public health and infectious disease professionals nationwide so our families and communities can be safe and healthy.”

Congressman Crow is introducing the legislation along with Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01), Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01).

“As a physician and former director of a state public health department, I know firsthand how critical a strong public health workforce is to the health and safety of our communities,” said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. “From containing infectious disease outbreaks to ensuring families have access to basic preventive care, these professionals are on the front lines. This bipartisan bill provides much-needed incentives to recruit and retain skilled public health workers and infectious disease experts where they’re needed most.”

“To stay ahead of the next public health crisis, we need to invest in the workforce that protects us,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Reauthorizing the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program and the BIO Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program will help us fill critical gaps in infectious disease response – from doctors and lab scientists to epidemiologists and emergency personnel. By relieving student debt, these programs make it possible to recruit and retain the talent needed to keep our communities safe and healthy.”

“The Infectious Diseases Society of America is deeply grateful to Reps. Crow, Miller-Meeks, Trahan and Fitzpatrick for their commitment to public health and the infectious diseases workforce. Their bill is crucial to address major workforce shortages and ensure that all communities have access to the ID experts necessary to prevent and respond to outbreaks and infections that complicate cancer treatment, surgeries and other complex medical care,” said Infectious Diseases Society of America president Tina Tan, MD, FIDSA, FPIDS, FAAP.

“The National Association of County & City Health Officials thanks Reps. Crow, Miller-Meeks, Trahan, and Fitzpatrick for their support of the public health workforce. Local public health professionals are on the frontlines of the unique challenges facing their communities and this bill will provide an important tool to attracting qualified professionals to health departments across the nation,” said  Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County & City Health Officials.

Congressman Crow led the fight to promote the recruitment of public health officials nationwide. Crow successfully introduced and passed legislation in the 117th Congress to establish the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program. Additionally, he voted to pass the BIO Preparedness Workforce Act. However, both programs expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2025. Congressman Crow also leads an annual letter urging Congress to fully fund both programs.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Lafayette, CO — On Saturday, July 26, 2025, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse will host two town halls in Larimer County. Neguse will be joined by local leaders, provide an update on his work for the people of Colorado’s 2nd District, and take live questions from audience members.

Red Feather Lakes Town Hall

• When: Saturday, July 26th at 12:30 pm MT (Doors open at 12:00 pm MT)
• Where: Red Feather Lakes, Colorado 

Please register for this community gathering HERE.

Laporte Town Hall

• When: Saturday, July 26th at 2:30 pm MT (Doors open at 2:00 pm MT)
• Where: Laporte, Colorado 

Please register for this community gathering HERE.

Media availability will be provided. Please email Grace.Martinez@mail.house.gov for further details. 

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

$18 million for hiring teachers, STEM education, and after-school programs was locked up
 

STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that the U.S. Department of Education is releasing $18 million in federal funding promised to San Joaquin County for local Valley school programs in response to Harder’s push for a reversal. Last month, Washington attempted to freeze local school funding just weeks away from the first day of school, and in response, Harder demanded the immediate release of funding promised to the Valley.

The frozen funds would have effected:

• Funding for homework assistance and after-school clubs.
• Investments in STEM education and digital learning services.
• Hiring and training more teachers — one local school district has a 100+ shortage.

“These funding freezes would have been disastrous for our kids’ educations. Teachers already don’t get enough support, and threatening this so close to the first day of school was completely uncalled for. I’m incredibly relieved the Department of Education heeded our calls and reversed course.” said Rep. Harder. “This kind of brinksmanship needs to stop – our kids cannot become political pawns in politicians’ idiotic games. Our kids, and our community, deserve better.”

In his letter Harder urged Washington to:

• Immediately release the $18 million promised to San Joaquin County.
• Restore funding for hiring teachers and providing education programs.
• Prioritizekids’ education and career futures.

Read the full letter here.

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

Shortage made worse by firefighters being forced to skip time off, deprived of earned benefits

WATCH ABOVE: Harder secured new support from Interior Secretary Burgum
 

WASHINGTON – Today, during peak wildfire season, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that bipartisan legislation is advancing in Congress to fix dangerous firefighter shortages made worse by unfair benefit rules. Harder unveiled two new bills to protect firefighters’ retirement benefits and casualty assistance for their families with Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18), and his bill to quickly reimburse local fire departments passed unanimously through committee on its way to becoming law.

Unfair rules are withholding key benefits and exacerbating California’s firefighter shortage:

• Wildland firefighters lose their retirement benefits if they leave service for more than three days, no matter why they need the leave.
• Department of Interior wildland firefighters and their families do not have a casualty assistance program to help in the event of injury, illness, or death, despite other agencies offering these resources.
• Right now, local departments often wait over a year to be paid back after responding to fires on federal lands.

“This is about keeping our promise to the people who stand between us and disaster,” said Rep. Harder. “Firefighters shouldn’t be punished for taking time off or responding to federal emergencies, and their families shouldn’t be abandoned during the hardest moments of their lives. These bills fix unfair rules that are making our firefighter shortage worse, and I won’t rest until we get these common sense solutions signed into law.”

Valley priorities that Harder is advancing in Congress:

• Protecting retirement benefits by allowing wildland firefighters to take more time off without threatening their retirement.
• NewCasualty Assistance Program in the Department of Interior.
• Quickly repay local departments by establishing better cost agreements with the federal government.

“This bipartisan bill ensures wildland firefighters aren’t unfairly penalized for off-season time away from service,” said Rep. Franklin. “By extending the allowable break in service from just 3 days to up to 24 months, we’re recognizing the realities of seasonal work and protecting the retirement credit these brave men and women have earned. It’s a commonsense fix that honors their service and helps strengthen our wildland firefighting workforce.”

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