MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Riley M. Moore’s amendment to address the the drinking water crisis in the Southern Coalfields of West Virginia passed the House Appropriations Committee. Congressman Moore worked in conjunction with Congresswoman Carol Miller on this important amendment.

Specifically, the amendment directs the EPA to brief Congress on the federal resources available to communities, including Wyoming and McDowell Counties, that have high prevalence of violations of drinking water regulations.

Rep. Moore and Rep. Miller issued the following statement:

“Clean drinking water is a necessity, but tragically, some communities in West Virginia struggle to access this basic need. Our amendment that passed the House Appropriations Committee today will help us identify and deliver real solutions to this water crisis in the Southern Coalfields. No parent should ever have to wonder how they’re going to ensure their kids have water to drink or bathe in. We are committed to doing everything in our power to help these communities dealing with this terrible situation.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, during a joint hearing of the Ways & Means Subcommittees on Health & Oversight, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), a member of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health, renewed calls for Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization reform and highlighted his highly popular legislation, the bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act.

“More than 33 million Americans, including more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians, rely on Medicare Advantage as a part of their coverage. Patients, practitioners, and policymakers all agree — modernization of the prior authorization process is long overdue, and my legislation does just that,” said Rep. Kelly. “I am proud to reintroduce the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025, which would move the health care sector into the 21st century by giving doctors and Medicare Advantage plans the tools to make health coverage decisions in a timely manner.”

During Tuesday’s hearing, which focused on Medicare Advantage, Kelly highlighted how the legislation would improve both patient costs and patient outcomes. Kelly’s legislation has 145 co-sponsors in the U.S. House during the 119th Congress.

You can watch his remarks from Tuesday’s hearing here.

BACKGROUND

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would:

• Establish an electronic prior authorization process for MA plans including a standardization for transactions and clinical attachments.
• Increase transparency around MA prior authorization requirements and its use.
• Clarify HHS’ authority to establish timeframes for e-prior authorization requests including   expedited determinations, real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services, and other prior authorization requests.
• Expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes.
• Require HHS and other agencies to report to Congress on program integrity efforts and other ways to further improve the e-PA process.
• Previously, Rep. Kelly led similar legislation in the 118th Congress. The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act unanimously passed the House in the 117th Congress and was cosponsored by a majority of members in the Senate and House of Representatives. 

You can read the full bill text here and a section-by-section here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01), now in his sixth full term in the U.S. House, will host another live virtual Tele-Talk Story with constituents on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. The event will be broadcast live on his Facebook page at @repedcase and on his official web site at https://case.house.gov/events/.

“It is critical to my representation of a very diverse district in Congress that I communicate openly and frequently with my over 700,000 constituents in all possible ways,” said Case. “My regular in-person and virtual live districtwide events, at which I report back from Congress, listen to concerns and guidance and answer questions, have been a central part of my connection with my district throughout my time on Capitol Hill.”

Since returning to Congress in 2019 representing Hawaii’s First Congressional District (Honolulu from Makapu’u to Mililani and Kapolei), Case has held 55 live districtwide in-person and virtual Talk Story meetings with his constituents, including throughout COVID-19. Case also served in Congress representing Hawaii’s Second Congressional District (Windward, North Shore, West O’ahu and all other islands) from 2002 to 2007, during which he hosted 172 live in-person Talk Story community meetings throughout the islands in order to reach a far more dispersed constituency.

To broaden his 1^st Congressional community outreach, Case also this year initiated his Walk Stories, in which he spends a week home from Capitol Hill randomly walking communities throughout his district, talking with his constituents where they live, work and play. He has completed two Walk Stories, as follows:  

1.   In July, Case walked the communities of Pālolo, Kaimukī , Mō‘ili‘ili, Kalihi, Salt Lake, Āliamanu, Foster Village, Moanalua, Hālawa and ‘Aiea.

2.   In April, Case walked parts of Kalama Valley, Niu Valley, ‘Āina Haina, Wai‘alae, Nui Valley, McCully, Pearlridge, Waimalu, Pearl City, Pacific Palisades, Mililani Mauka, Waipi‘o Acres, Waipahu, ‘Ewa Beach, ‘Ewa Villages, Kalaeloa and Kapolei.

To join Case’s July 29^th Tele-Talk Story, constituents can call during the Talk Story at (855) 274-9528 or go to https://case.house.gov/live/ or https://www.facebook.com/RepEdCase/ for a live broadcast or anytime during the Talk Story.

Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing the Congressman at ed.case@mail.house.gov or, during the Talk Story, on his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RepEdCase/.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Votes for Responsible Land Management, Unleashing Natural Resources

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement upon committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. 

“In my four years as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, I worked hard to counter the Biden administration’s top-down regulations that threatened our public lands and natural resources across the West. This legislation is a course correction from the previous administration to unleash the resources we have under our feet, protect public lands for all who enjoy their benefits, and prioritize conservation over preservation across the United States. I also secured critical funding for three water infrastructure projects in Othello, Winthrop, and Oroville to address the water supply and distribution challenges these communities face,” said Rep. Newhouse. 

Newhouse added, “I thank Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson and Full Committee Chairman Tom Cole for their leadership and commitment to funding priorities that support our rural way of life.” 

The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $37.971 billion, which is $2.54 billion (6%) below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level. 

The bill fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, estimated at $550 million, and prioritizes funding for Tribes and Wildland Fire Management.  

Champions American energy dominance and reduces regulatory burdens by: 

• Providing the OMB requested increase of $13.6 million for offshore oil and gas development at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the OMB requested increase of $15 million for onshore oil and gas development at the Bureau of Land Management.
• Requiring the Secretary of the Interior to conduct onshore and offshore oil and gas lease sales.
• Prohibiting the use of the social cost of carbon, which has stymied new development.
• Prohibiting the EPA from imposing the methane fee on oil and gas producers created by the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act.
• Prohibiting multiple U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rulings used to weaponize the Endangered Species Act against land users and energy producers.

Protects access to public lands by: 

• Blocking restrictions on hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting on federal lands.
• Preventing additional regulations on ammunition, ammunition components, or fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act or any other law.
• Prohibiting restrictions on where standard lead ammunition and fishing tackle can be used on certain federal lands or waters unless conditions are met.
• Stopping the Bureau of Land Management’s Conservation and Landscape Health rule to ensure continued access to public lands for grazing, recreation, and energy development.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:  

• Reducing our reliance on foreign countries for critical minerals by promoting access to resources here at home through blocking certain lease withdrawals in Minnesota and reinstating mineral leases in the Superior National Forest.
• Promoting domestic mining by ensuring ancillary mining activities can be approved, which is a fix to the Rosemont decision that created additional red tape and regulatory uncertainty for mining operations.
• Ensuring chemical and pesticide manufacturers are not overburdened with requirements that would drive businesses overseas and threaten American competitiveness.
• Prohibiting funds for the National Park Service to provide housing to an alien without lawful status.
• Providing $771.84 million for Tribal Public Safety and Justice programs, which is a 39% increase over the FY25 enacted level.

Newhouse secured funding for the following projects in Washington’s Fourth District in this legislation:

City of Othello 

Amount Secured: $1,000,000  

The City of Othello is 100 percent reliant on a rapidly depleting groundwater supply and after several years of data collection, study completions, and pilot test studies, the City of Othello has developed an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) strategy to mitigate declining water levels in the Wanapum Basalt aquifer. The ASR method has proven to be effective, and the City has progressed to the stage of predesign. The City is requesting funding assistance with the next phase of “design” to build a permanent solution that will result in a sustainable, reliable, environmentally responsible water supply plan for the Othello region.

City of Winthrop 

Amount Secured: $1,500,000 

The proposed project will improve the reliability of the Town of Winthrop’s water source and distribution system. The town only has one functioning well (Well #1). If that well goes down, the town only has a day or two of water available in its three reservoirs. Well #2 has been approved as an emergency water source by Department of Health, but it needs to be rehabilitated to be in regular use. 

Scope of work includes: 

• Rehabilitation of Well #2, including new pump, motor, piping, electrical/controls, generator backup, and a new well house.
• Repairs to the Town’s East Reservoir, including waterproofing, concrete repairs, and altitude valve replacement. 

Community benefits include public health and safety, fire protection, and water conservation. Winthrop is ranked #6 on the Washington DNR’s burn probability list. Given the community’s vulnerability to wildfire, ensuring a resilient and redundant water supply system with reliable fire flow capacity is critical for public safety. 

City of Oroville 

Amount Secured: $1,400,000 

The project will result in new, upgraded water pipes that ensure safe and reliable drinking water to Oroville’s north end area. The City of Oroville requests $1,750,000 for construction of the first phase of the project which consists of approximately 3,500 lineal feet of aging and undersized water transmission main piping serving the “North End” of the City’s water system. The existing water t-mains consist of 4-inch and 6-inch deteriorated PVC pipe, which cannot provide adequate fire flow or service pressure and are prone to leaking. The project will replace these existing, undersized transmission mains with 12-inch transmission mains along 20th from Main St to Juniper St, and along Juniper St and Main St from 20th St to 23rd St. The project will also replace existing, undersized water transmission mains with 8-inch transmission mains along Deerpath Dr from 21st St to 23rd St, and along 23rd St from Deerpath Dr to Westlake Ave. 

Bill text before amendments can be found here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Pressley First Met Khalil in April During a Visit to ICE Facility Where He Was Unlawfully Detained

Photos | Video

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) met with Mahmoud Khalil in her office in Washington, DC. This is their second meeting after Congresswoman Pressley visited Mr. Khalil in April while he was unjustly detained at an ICE detention center in Basile, Louisiana. She issued the following statement after their meeting:

“Mahmoud is a kind, gentle soul who cares deeply about others’ humanity, and his abduction, detention, and ongoing persecution by the Trump Administration is egregious,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I am deeply relieved that he has been reunited with his wife and his infant son. Our meeting today was fortifying and productive. I look forward to remaining in contact with Mahmoud as we continue work to center the humanity of families in Gaza, address the unjust and unlawful targeting of students exercising their right to free speech, and protect the fundamental, constitutional rights of everyone who calls this country home.”

In their meeting, Congresswoman Pressley and Mr. Khalil discussed a range of topics, including:

• how lawmakers can work towards peace in the Middle East;
• how Congress can address the targeted persecution and doxxing of students by the Trump Administration and right-wing groups;
• Mr. Khalil’s legal proceedings and the implications of his case for U.S. citizens and others; and
• how Congress can protect the constitutional rights of everyone in America.

Congresswoman Pressley also presented Mr. Khalil with a gift for his infant son, Deen.

Photos from their meeting are available here and a short video clip is available here.

In April, Congresswoman Pressley visited the ICE detention facilities in Basile and Jena, where Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil are being unlawfully detained, respectively. Joined by House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Congressman Troy Carter (LA-02), Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Congressman James P. McGovern (MA-02), the Congresswoman’s visit included direct meetings with Ms. Öztürk and Mr. Khalil, two students who have been unlawfully detained by ICE and transported to Louisiana from their homes in retaliation for their protected speech. 

In Louisiana, the lawmakers held a media availability outside of the Basile facility to speak about their meetings, renew their calls for their release, demand accountability, and conduct oversight over the ICE facilities they are being held in. Full video of that media availability is available here.

In Boston, Rep. Pressley, Senator Markey, and Congressman McGovern held a press conference to recount their harrowing visit to Louisiana where they met with Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil, who were being unlawfully detained and subjected to inhumane conditions in retaliation for their protected speech. Full video of that press conference is available here.

Rep. Pressley, along with Sens. Warren and Markey, have pushed for answers and action since Öztürk’s March arrest. Last month, they led over 30 lawmakers in writing to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Acting Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons, demanding information about Öztürk’s arrest and detention as well as similar incidents across the country.

Earlier this year, the lawmakers sounded the alarm on Öztürk’s medical neglect in DHS custody and renewed urgent calls for her release. Last week, Pressley, Warren and Markey demanded Secretary of State Rubio released any documents related to her arrest after a recent report indicated that an internal State Department memo concluded that the key premise underlying Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk’s arrest and detention was false. Last month, Congresswoman Pressley issued a statement condemning reports that ICE arrested and detained Rumeysa Ozturk, an international student with legal status in a graduate program at Tufts University. Earlier in the week, Rep. Pressley issued a statement following reports of ICE activity in Boston and other municipalities in Massachusetts.

During her time in Congress, Congresswoman Pressley has been a leading advocate for a just and humane criminal legal system, and has visited prisons in Texas, California, and Massachusetts to hear from detainees, advocate for them, and conduct oversight on the conditions in which they are being detained. Rep. Pressley’s visit to Louisiana is a continuation of her advocacy for a People’s Justice Guarantee, her comprehensive, decarceration-focused resolution that outlines a framework for a fair, equitable and just legal system.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has awarded SWVA Biochar LLC, based in Floyd County, Virginia, a $3,032,736 grant. The funding supports the purchase of a site for an additional facility in Floyd County. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Biochar is a unique type of charcoal that improves soil fertility, yielding immense dividends for farmers.

“This grant for more than $3 million helps SWVA Biochar continue producing local biochar and expand its operations in Floyd County.”

BACKGROUND

This grant was made available through the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program (FPEP). 

According to USDA Rural Development, FPEP grants are provided to boost manufacturing and processing of fertilizer and nutrient alternatives and their availability in the United States.

Biochar is black carbon produced from biomass sources, such as manure or agricultural waste, that can improve soil fertility.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has awarded the Wise County Public Service Authority, based in Wise, Virginia, a $1,905,000 grant and a $791,000 loan. The funding supports the final phase of constructing water system improvements. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“The Wise County Public Service Authority is dedicated to making needed improvements to the County’s water infrastructure.

“These funds for more than $2.6 million helps the Service Authority deliver a reliable water system to Wise County citizens.” 

BACKGROUND

These funds were made available through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan & Grant program.

According to USDA Rural Development, this project will address pressure fluctuations and reduced water storage and flow capacities.

In August 2023, Congressman Griffith announced nearly $4.8 million to the Wise County Public Service Authority for water system improvements.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

ICMYI: Estes Joins Fox & Friends

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) reintroduced the bipartisan Honest Elections and Campaign, No Gain Act (HEC No), bipartisan legislation requiring former lawmakers and others no longer seeking office to close their campaign accounts within two years, instead of living on as zombie campaigns.

“Campaign accounts should never be allowed to become personal slush funds for ex-lawmakers and former candidates to personally benefit from and enrich themselves, as has become all too common,” said Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14). “Our bipartisan HEC No Act will finally put an end to the misuse of leftover campaign cash. This is a straightforward reform to build trust and ensure campaign contributions are used as intended — to support public service and serve the public interest, not private gain. It’s time Congress passed the HEC No Act to put Zombie Campaigns in the grave once and for all.”

“Elected officials have a duty to uphold the public trust,” said Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12). “Unfortunately, we’ve seen troubling cases where former members keep their campaign accounts open indefinitely and use the funds for personal benefit. While these actions may not technically violate the law, they clearly defy its spirit — and that’s unacceptable. It’s time to close this loophole and restore public confidence.”

“As elected representatives of the people, members of Congress must preserve public trust, even after they leave office,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08). “The Honest Elections and Campaign Act stops zombie campaigns, requiring former lawmakers and others no longer seeking office to close their campaign accounts within two years. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan legislation with Representatives Castor and Bilirakis.”

“It’s wrong for former members of Congress to finance extravagant lifestyles with leftover campaign funds. It only serves to further erode the public’s faith in their elected officials. We applaud Rep. Castor for her bipartisan legislation to tackle this issue and commitment to fighting corruption and restoring trust in our system,” Tiffany Muller, President, End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund.

“Both parties should agree: campaign accounts weren’t meant to be retirement plans. It’s time to close the loophole that lets former candidates hang on to leftover campaign cash indefinitely, often using it to boost lobbying careers. Congress can take a commonsense step toward restoring public trust by passing this long-overdue reform.” – Issue One.

“Campaign donors give money for the express purpose of helping promote the candidacy of a specific candidate. They are not handing over their generous donations to be used for other purposes by the candidate, such as funding a post-election lobby career or doling the funds out to other candidates in future elections. When a candidate decides not to run for federal office again, the campaign accounts should be properly closed. Public Citizen heartily endorses Rep. Castor’s ‘HEC No Act,'” said Craig Holman, Ph.D., Public Citizen.

Supporters of HEC No include Campaign Legal Center, Common Cause, End Citizens United, Issue One, Let America Vote Action Fund and Public Citizen.

For the past four sessions of Congress, U.S. Rep. Castor has introduced similar legislation after explosive reports by the Tampa Bay Times and WTSP Channel 10 detailing how several former members of Congress continued their campaign accounts years after their campaigns ended, using the funds to pay personal expenses and employ family members. New reporting, published last week, details the “lavish spending” of campaign dollars by a former lawmaker on music festivals, winery visits, ski trips, hotel stays, airfare, and more.