MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the 340B PATIENTS Act, legislation that would protect and strengthen the 340B program by codifying 340B providers’ ability to use contract pharmacies to dispense 340B discounted drugs. This would ensure that 340B patients are able to pick up their prescriptions at any local pharmacy, and that safety-net providers are able to continue providing expanded medical and social services to their communities using their 340B discount savings.

“After Republicans cut almost $1 trillion from our health care safety net, it’s more important than ever that we preserve and strengthen the remaining lifelines keeping our providers afloat,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “That’s why I’m reintroducing my legislation to protect the 340B program today. For more than 30 years, the 340B program has been a lifeline for our nation’s most vulnerable patients – providing free or discounted prescription drugs and important services at no cost to taxpayers. Unfortunately, Big Pharma is increasingly finding ways to undercut this mission and reduce patient access to lifesaving services. The 340B PATIENTS Act sets clear ground rules to prevent manufacturers from continuing these practices and strengthen the 340B program for years to come.”

“Rural America is hit by two crises: affordability and access to care. Programs like 340B are vital tools to address this problem, helping rural patients and communities access the affordable medical and social services they need. President Trump and Republicans’ tax bill has already threatened access to rural care, which makes protecting tools like 340B all-the-more critical,” said Senator Welch. “I’m all for making sure the 340B program is working the way it’s intended, but Big Pharma has been trying for years to get rid of it altogether. This commonsense bill secures access to this funding stream and supports rural and vulnerable patients.” 

Under the 340B program, drug manufacturers agree to provide outpatient drugs at a discount to safety-net providers that serve our most vulnerable Americans, including low-income Medicare, Medicaid and Supplemental Security Insurance patients. These providers include Medicare disproportionate share (“DSH”) hospitals, children’s hospitals, free-standing cancer hospitals, and rural hospitals. Providers use the savings from the 340B program to stretch federal resources further, providing critical services to underserved communities without any additional federal spending.

Many 340B providers use contract pharmacies to provide the widest possible range of services to their patients. However, since 2020, drug manufacturers have started denying or restricting access to 340B discount prices for drugs dispensed through contract pharmacies.

Specifically, this legislation would:

• Clarify that manufacturers are required to offer 340B discount prices to covered entities regardless of the manner or location in which a drug is dispensed, including if a covered entity uses a contract pharmacy to dispense 340B drugs to the entity’s patients.
• Ensure that manufacturers cannot place conditions on the ability of a covered entity to purchase and use 340B drugs, regardless of the manner or location in which the drug is dispensed, including through contract pharmacies.
• Impose civil monetary penalties on manufacturers that violate these statutory requirements and prohibitions.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

This legislation is cosponsored in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Lori Trahan (D-MA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Kathy Castor (D-FL). 

This legislation is cosponsored in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR).

Endorsing organizations: 340B Health, America’s Essential Hospitals, American Hospital Association (AHA), Advocates for Community Health, 340B Hallway, National Rural Health Association, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Catholic Health Association of the United States of America, Children’s Hospital Association, ASHP, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, AIDS United, 340B Matters, the Craneware Group, University of California Health, California Hospital Association, and Bi-State Primary Care Association.

“The safety-net hospitals participating in the 340B drug pricing program applaud Congresswoman Matsui and Senator Welch for being 340B champions and for introducing this vital legislation,” said Maureen Testoni, President and CEO, 340B Health. “This bill would end the drug industry’s harmful efforts to block 340B covered entities from partnering with community and specialty pharmacy partners on dispensing outpatient drugs to their patients. These actions have stripped billions of dollars in 340B savings from the health care safety net and have hurt patient access to care. 340B hospitals deliver 77% of Medicaid hospital care and 67% of unpaid care, and they need these protections in the face of a wide array of financial challenges to their patient care missions. We call on congressional leaders to support this vital legislation for the sake of patients living with low incomes and those in rural areas.” 

“The American Hospital Association thanks Representative Matsui and Senator Welch for their leadership in protecting the 340B drug pricing program and the patients and communities that benefit from it. Their important bill — which the AHA strongly supports — would put an end to drug companies’ harmful restrictions on the ability of 340B hospitals to provide critical medications to their patients through partnerships with community and specialty pharmacies,” said Aimee Kuhlman, AHA’s vice president of advocacy and grassroots. “For far too long, these restrictions have made it more difficult for patients to access their medications while multinational drug companies have enjoyed record financial success.”

“ASHP strongly supports the 340B PATIENTS ACT, which will ensure pharmaceutical manufacturers honor their obligations to covered entities and contract pharmacies under the 340B Drug Pricing Program,” said Tom Kraus, Vice President of Government Relations, ASHP.

Congresswoman Matsui has long led efforts to support the 340B Program. In May 2021, she introduced a bipartisan bill to provide temporary waivers for certain 340B program eligibility requirements due to the COVID-19 health emergency. She has also led a series of letters highlighting the issues addressed by this legislation, most recently in March 2021.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WATCH PRESS CONFERENCE HERE

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the 988 LGBTQ+ crisis support line has been shut down as previously ordered by the Trump Administration. In response, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) joined a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers and national mental health advocates to speak out against the harmful decision and call for its immediate reversal. 

Since its launch in 2022, the LGBTQ+ subline under the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has been a critical, life-saving resource for LGBTQ+ youth and adults facing mental health crises. The line has handled nearly 1.3 million calls, texts, and chats from LGBTQ+ individuals seeking support. Its closure comes at a time of growing need — just last year, nearly 40 percent of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide, according to national surveys.

“For the past three years, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has been a lifesaving resource for millions of Americans,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The Trump Administration’s cruel decision to shut down the 988 Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ youth option will cost lives. One of every twelve callers to the general 988 crisis line is an LGBTQ+ youth. These calls aren’t just statistics. These are real kids, with names, with families, and with dreams. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to demand that this critical funding continue.”

“The 988 LGBTQ+ line is not just a phone number — it’s a lifeline,” said Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS). “This resource has helped save lives and connect LGBTQ+ youth with trained counselors who understand their experiences. It’s deeply disturbing that the Trump Administration is choosing to dismantle this service at a time when so many young people are in crisis. Ending it now is dangerous, and I’m proud to stand with colleagues from both parties to fight for its restoration.”

“We all know someone with a mental health condition because it’s just as common as heart disease or diabetes in America,” said Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA). “That is true in every corner of the country, in red states as well as blue. That’s why mental health should never be political, especially when it comes to kids.  It’s alarming that the Trump administration would rather leave LGBTQ+ youth at risk instead of simply keeping the Trevor Project line of 988 funded. We are going to keep pushing back until the funding is restored – lives depend on it.”

“The Trump Administration is once again attacking the LGBTQI+ community by terminating the 988 lifeline. This is cruel, and this is unacceptable,” said Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR). “Mental health is not a partisan issue, and our children should not be used as pawns in President Trump’s purely political game. I’m committed to expanding access to specialty mental health care, and I won’t stop fighting until everyone can access the affordable, high-quality care they deserve.”

“Stripping away specialized crisis services for LGBTQ+ youth is an act of cruelty, not cost-cutting,” said Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY). “This was a lifeline for nearly 1.3 million young people, many of whom had nowhere else to turn. We should be expanding this support, not dismantling it to appease homophobic extremists.”

“LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. It should not be a political issue, but a matter of basic human decency to restore the 988 hotline’s specialized services that have been proven to save LGBTQ+ children’s lives,” said Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH). “We all know someone who struggles with their mental health. We will continue to call on the administration to right this wrong and make them see why they must fund these critical services for LGBTQ+ youth.”

The decision to shut down the LGBTQ+ subline has drawn widespread concern from mental health experts and civil rights organizations, including The Trevor Project, which helped establish the dedicated line in partnership with the federal government. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ own data shows the subline has significantly expanded access to crisis care for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially youth in underserved communities.

The press conference also included Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), and representatives from The Trevor Project, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The group emphasized that the LGBTQ+ subline is not duplicative or political — it is a proven, specialized tool that meets a real and growing public health need.

“The 988 Lifeline’s ‘press 3’ option represents a landmark, bipartisan achievement that has connected more than 1.5 million LGBTQ+ youth in crisis with life-saving care during their darkest moments,” said Jaymes Black, CEO, The Trevor Project. “Ending our country’s suicide crisis is about people, not politics — and we are devastated that the federal government has prioritized a political agenda over saving the lives of at-risk young Americans. Even in the wake of this difficult news, we express our enormous gratitude to the champions in Congress and across the mental health space who have fought to protect these life-saving services — and who continue to fight for a country that supports the health, happiness, and safety of LGBTQ+ young people everywhere. For any LGBTQ+ young person who needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s counselors are still here for you 24/7 – no matter what. Visit TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help.”

“LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges — including stigma, discrimination, and elevated stress — that contribute to a suicide attempt rate more than four times higher than their non-LGBTQ+ peers,” said Robert Gebbia, Chief Executive Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Recognizing the urgent need for culturally competent support, Congress established a dedicated crisis line for LGBTQ+ youth in 2022. Since then, usage has grown steadily, with over 1.4 million contacts as of June 2025. We are grateful to Representatives Moulton, Krishnamoorthi, Davids, Matsui, Salinas, Tonko, Pappas, Fitzpatrick, and Lawler for championing continued support for this life-saving resource. At a time when youth, including LGBTQ+ youth, are facing a mental health crisis, eliminating specialized services would endanger lives.”

“Since its launch, over 1.3 million individuals have reached out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. The importance of talking to someone who understands your experience or has a shared experience with you is invaluable, and it has saved countless lives,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “NAMI urges the Administration to immediately reverse its decision eliminating these specialized services and to support resources for the mental health of our LGBTQ+ friends and family, who are tragically at a higher risk of suicide.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, released the following statement in response toRepublicans passing the Trump administration’s $9 billion rescission package, including clawing back $1.1 billion in funding for public radio and television.

“By ripping away funding for local radio and television stations, Republicans are jeopardizing Americans’ ability to access free, community-supported access to news, educational programming, and lifesaving emergency alerts,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “This is an attack on the over 1500 local stations nationwide—and the millions of Americans who rely on them—all to satisfy President Trump’s obsession with silencing dissenting voices and bullying our press into becoming his personal mouthpiece. Stations, especially those serving our most rural and remote communities, will be forced to cut back on programming, lay off staff, and even go off air.”

“I will keep fighting against President Trump’s deliberate and dangerous assault on our free press,” Matsui continued. “Congress must fully restore funding to public media and protect it from political interference. We must stand up for Americans’ ability to access no-cost, trusted educational resources, nonpartisan journalism, and public safety content that connect the local communities they serve.”

The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) as a private, non-profit corporation to provide non-commercial educational programming to the public. For 50 years, Congress has provided advance appropriations for CPB to protect public media from political interference and provide the essential lead time to plan and develop high-quality programming. CPB provides grants to 1,216 public radio stations and 365 public television stations across the country, to provide nearly 99 percent of the U.S. population with free programming and services.

Congresswoman Matsui has actively pushed back against the Trump administration’s attacks on a free and independent press. In March, Congresswoman Matsui introduced the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act, legislation that would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from revoking broadcast licenses or taking action against broadcasters based on the viewpoints they disseminate. The legislation would reaffirm the importance of the independence of the FCC, including that the President should not mandate the FCC’s agenda.

That same month, Congresswoman Matsui, along with Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, opened a probe into the Trump FCC’s sham investigations into media outlets. Congresswoman Matsui also led a bipartisan letter emphasizing the importance of federal funding for public radio and television.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), released the following statement in response toRepublicans passing the Trump administration’s $9 billion rescission package, including clawing back $1.1 billion in funding for public radio and television. 

“Republicans are going back on the promises America has made. This package cruelly guts funding that was already signed into law—meant to help people around the world and here at home. By withdrawing foreign assistance and rescinding support for public broadcasting, Republicans are undermining America’s credibility,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Our local NPR and PBS stations are vital for American families to access trusted news, educational programming, and lifesaving emergency alerts. This bill is a direct attack on the over 1500 local stations nationwide—and the millions of Americans who rely on them. All to satisfy President Trump’s obsession with silencing dissenting voices in our media. These cuts are unacceptable, and I will continue to stand up for public media and the critical service it provides.”

Congresswoman Matsui has led efforts to push back against the Trump administration’s attacks on a free and independent press. In March, Congresswoman Matsui introduced the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act, legislation that would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from revoking broadcast licenses or taking action against broadcasters based on the viewpoints they disseminate. That same month, Congresswoman Matsui, along with Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09) opened a probe into the Trump FCC’s sham investigations into media outlets. Congresswoman Matsui also led a bipartisan letter emphasizing the importance of federal funding for public radio and television.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) voted against a bill that would take back $9.4 billion in funds that were already Congressionally approved and signed into law. These funds were approved by Congress and signed into law earlier this year. H.R. 4 was previously considered by the U.S. House but was since modified by the U.S. Senate to restore $400 million in funds for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, A George W. Bush-era program which has helped prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths a year.

“Despite restoring of PEPFAR funds, this bill remains a gut punch to rural America and underserved communities. It cripples public broadcasting which jeopardizes coverage of local news, emergency information like severe weather alerts and other natural disasters. It undermines access to educational programming like PBS KIDS children’s Sesame Street. It gives up American leadership and influence on the world stage by gutting life-saving programs that help prevent pandemics, provide clean water, and help America’s agricultural producers be a part of the fight against hunger around the world,” said Congressman Bishop.

“And it must not be lost among the discussion of cuts and costs that the Administration has been illegally impounding funds that they are obligated to distribute,’ added Congressman Bishop. “It is also important to remember why this is happening. This bill rubber-stamps unconstitutional withholding of funds so that Republicans in Congress can redistribute it as tax cuts to billionaires.”

The Recissions Act of 2025 (H.R. 4) would:

• Eliminate $1.1 billion from public broadcasting, cutting off local PBS and NPR stations that provide children’s programming like Sesame Street and emergency alerts to rural communities.
• Cancel nearly $8 billion in foreign aid, including:
  • $2.5 billion in development assistance abroad, including clean water, agricultural support, and food aid.
  • Nearly $500 million in global health programs such as maternal health and infectious disease control.
  • $800 million in refugee assistance, cutting support for displaced families worldwide.
  • $496 million in disaster aid.  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, voted against H.R. 4106, the bill to fund the U.S. Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2026.

“This bill fails to protect our service members and undermines our ability to recruit the best and brightest from all communities that comprise our great country. It alienates our trusted allies while simultaneously emboldening our adversaries. It fails to secure our sensitive intelligence from those who would exploit it,” said Congressman Bishop. “Georgia’s Second Congressional District includes three major military installations, Fort Benning, Robins Air Force Base, and the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany. These are communities built on military families, civilian workers and support staff, and the training programs as well as hardware that are the cornerstone of our nation’s defense. This bill lets them down.”

Last month, during debate on the bill in the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Bishop voiced his opposition to the bill.

WATCH: Congressman Bishop Raises Concerns About FY26 Defense Funding Bill

H.R. 4106, the Fiscal Year 2026 funding bill for the U.S. Defense Department:

• Weakens Ukraine and empowers Russia by eliminating support for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
• Undermines democracy at home and abroad by allowing disinformation and extremist views to flourish.
• Limits servicemembers ability to travel for reproductive health care.
• Harms our military readiness with divisive provisions that undermine morale, fail to support servicemembers, allow DOGE and the Administration to cut vital civilian positions.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) announced today that he signed on as a co-sponsor of House Resolution 577, which calls on the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and other relevant agencies to release all unclassified records, flight logs, and investigative materials related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The resolution also affirms Congress’ “constitutional authority under Article I to conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, and expose criminal misconduct and institutional corruption.”

“Justice Louis Brandeis once said that ‘sunlight is the best disinfectant,’” said Congressman Bishop. “The American people deserve to know the full truth of Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activity, his client network, and his business interests.  Anything less would be a grave miscarriage of justice.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

Legislation would incentivize gun owners to securely store their firearms, practice safe storage

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on recent violence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip:

“I was horrified by the murder of 20‑year‑old Palestinian‑American Sayfollah ‘Saif’ Musallet in the West Bank. There must be an independent investigation into Saif’s murder, and those responsible must be held accountable.

“I am a proud cosponsor of the West Bank Violence Prevention Act to bring an end to violence in the West Bank and ensure that any perpetrators are brought to justice. Amid their grief, Saif’s family has asked only for an end to the violence in the West Bank. Congress must do our part to provide them that justice.

“Over the weekend, I was equally horrified by the 94 Palestinians who were killed while seeking food aid and at least 33 people, including 12 children, who died of starvation. The time for Israeli reassurances about food aid has long passed. The United Nations must resume full control of humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip. More than 80 children have died of malnutrition since the war began, and 90,000 women and children are now in urgent need of treatment. These conditions are unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“As Israel’s closest ally, we have an obligation to hold our friends to the same standard we would any other international actor. That is why I am urging an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to immediately reinstate UN control over humanitarian aid distribution.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) exposed the truth about Republicans’ most significant betrayal of our seniors to date: the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill.” 

Full remarks can be watched here.

Transcript below: 

GONZALEZ: Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of every senior citizen in Texas and across America.  

Unfortunately, it’s not with celebration, but with outrage and disgust. I’m here to shed continued light to the damage this institution has caused seniors by the recent passage of this Big, Beautiful Bill, which was anything but. It is the most significant betrayal of our senior citizens yet. A betrayal of our values and our nation’s promise.  

Folks, let’s not be fooled by the branding. This bill wasn’t beautiful. It was brutal. It slashed Medicare funding under the guise of reform. It wrapped its cruelty in buzzwords like “efficiency” and “modernization” and “fiscal responsibility.”  

But beneath the surface, it is a cold and calculated attempt to strip millions of Americans of the dignity they have earned over a lifetime of work.  

This bill tells our parents and grandparents, thank you for building this country. Now, go fend for yourself.  

It says to the most vulnerable: health care is a luxury in this country, not a right. And they dare to call it beautiful.  

Let’s be clear Medicare is not a handout. It is a sacred promise paid by workers every day their entire lives. And it is a lifeline for seniors choosing between food and prescriptions, for families relying on home health care, for Americans who believe that aging should not come with abandonment. Cutting Medicare was not fiscally responsible. It was a moral failure.  

All of this was done at the bequest of their master. A master who wants tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy billionaires and multinational corporations, and empty slogans for the rest of Americans. It has sacrificed the well-being of American retirees on the altar of political theater.  

In fact, they were so diabolical about it that they purposely set a start date for these policies: December 2026, right after midterm elections, trying to poke seniors’ eyes.  

They want to fool voting senior citizens by making these painful policies kick in right after November elections. They’re not fooling anyone, folks. 

Americans are smarter than this. We need health care policies that uplift older Americans, not undermine them. That care for them, not cast them aside.  

That honor our social contract to American senior citizens.   

So, to those who voted for this bill, don’t call it beautiful. Own what it is: a betrayal to older Americans who helped build this country.  

To every senior who is watching today to every caregiver, to every grandchild and child caring for an older American, to every worker in Texas and across this great nation in hopes to retire with peace and dignity: we see you, we hear you, and we will not stop fighting.  

And I yield back.

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