MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

San Francisco — Last week, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joined House Democrats in their continued efforts to push back against President Donald Trump’s unlawful executive directives by signing onto an amicus brief in defense of the essential constitutional principle of birthright citizenship in the matter of State of Washington, et al. v. Trump, et al.

The brief was signed by 208 members of the House Democratic Caucus, including leads and Litigation Task Force Co-Chairs Assistant Leader Joe Neguse and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, along with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Representatives Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, and Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement.

Also at the forefront of the endeavor are Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Yvette Clarke, Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Adriano Espaillat, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Grace Meng, and Congressional Jewish Caucus (CJC) Co-Chairs Jerry Nadler and Brad Schneider.

In their argument, the amici curiae (or friends of the court) presented overwhelming evidence that Trump’s day-one order to nullify birthright citizenship violates not just the Constitution and over a century of Supreme Court rulings, but also laws passed by Congress that have repeatedly guaranteed citizenship to children born in America.

The full amicus brief is available HERE. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. —  Today, Senate and House Democrats filed an amicus brief opposing President Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to fire members of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). FTC Commissioners Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya are duly appointed, Senate-confirmed Commissioners at an independent federal agency created by Congress. Trump’s illegal attempts to terminate them threaten the integrity of independent federal agencies and the FTC’s ability to enforce civil antitrust law and protect the public from fraudsters and monopolists.

The brief was led in the Senate by Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee Ranking Member Cory Booker (NJ), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (NY), Judiciary Ranking Member Dick Durbin (IL), Commerce Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (WA), Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA), and Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN). Co-Chairs of the House Litigation and Rapid Response Task Force, Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02), in conjunction with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), and Antitrust Subcommittee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (NY-12) are leading the brief in the House of Representatives. 251 Congressional Democrats signed the amicus brief. 

“Donald Trump and Elon Musk are crippling the independent Federal Trade Commission, which is entrusted with protecting American consumers and ensuring a fair and competitive marketplace. These purported firings violate the law and a century of Supreme Court precedent, but they are no mistake. The FTC has been at the frontlines of holding to account the very billionaires and Big Tech CEOs who have donated millions to Trump and sat in the front row at Trump’s inauguration,” said Ranking Member Raskin. “That’s why Democrats are joining the fight to protect the FTC which has helped all Americans by stopping junk fees, ensuring prices are fair for American consumers at the grocery store, and preventing big business from stifling competition from small business owners.”

“The unlawful firing of FTC Commissioners is yet another example of the Trump administration’s continued executive overreach, and threatens the agency’s ability to carry out its mission,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse. “House Democrats won’t stand for it, and will continue to defend the constitution and rule of law.”

“House Democrats are united in our overwhelming opposition to Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to fire members of the Federal Trade Commission appointed by Democratic Presidents. Congress created this commission and required it to be bipartisan to protect consumers and we will not stand by while Donald Trump rips it apart. I thank my Senate Democratic colleagues, Rep. Raskin, Rep. Pallone, Assistant Leader Neguse and the entire Litigation Working Group and Rapid Response Task Force for leading our effort to push back on this unprecedented takeover,” said Leader Jeffries.

“Trump’s attempt to fire the two FTC Commissioners—one of whom he himself appointed—is unlawful. Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya must be reinstated to their rightful positions, and I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in fighting to restore an independent FTC that protects consumers,” said Ranking Member Pallone.

“The law is clear–the President of the United States does not have the power to fire an FTC Commissioner without cause,” said Senator Booker. “The FTC catches scammers, breaks up monopolies, protects children’s privacy online, and encourages competition to keep prices low at the grocery store, pharmacy, and gas stations. Donald Trump’s illegal attempt to fire these Commissioners for no reason is a blatant attempt to strip the agency of transparency and accountability, at great cost to Americans. His actions violate nearly a century of Supreme Court precedent and Congress’ well-established constitutional practice of providing removal protections to members of the FTC and other independent agencies like the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Federal Reserve. I’m proud to lead this effort in the Senate and be joined by over 250 of my congressional colleagues to ensure the FTC continues to work for the American people and not for Trump’s billionaire friends.”

“It is disgusting – but not surprising – that the Trump administration is working overtime to dismantle the agency that handles antitrust law and enforces consumer protections,” said Leader Schumer. “Lawlessness has been a hallmark of the first few months of this administration, and firing Senate-confirmed FTC commissioners is just one example. This reckless decision will lead to higher prices for American families by giving a green light to businesses across the country to gouge consumers. Senate Democrats will continue to fight against this corporate handout with every tool possible.”

“President Trump is yet again abusing the power of the presidency by unlawfully removing two FTC Commissioners.  The law and Supreme Court precedent are crystal clear: Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya cannot be removed without good cause,” said Senator Durbin. “I’m joining Senator Booker in filing this amicus brief to underscore that the President, whoever he may be, must follow the law.”

“The FTC for 100 years has protected consumers—from stopping predatory scams to blocking illegal mergers.  You can’t just fire commissioners because you don’t like them, you can only fire them for cause.  The FTC should be an independent, bipartisan consumer watchdog that puts consumers ahead of politics,” said Senator Cantwell.

“Rebecca Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya are talented, dedicated public servants who stand up for consumers and workers against big corporations’ abuse. Their illegal firings are a gift to corporations who want a free pass to gouge and scam American families,” said Senator Warren. “We’re fighting back to make sure the Federal Trade Commission stays independent and fights for working people.”

“President Trump’s firing of Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya was not only illegal, it also undermines the critical, bipartisan work that the FTC has carried out for over a century,” said Senator Klobuchar. “We stand with the Commissioners and urge the court to immediately reinstate them so they can continue to take on monopoly power and protect consumers from fraud, scams, and corruption.”

In Slaughter v. Trump, a case filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the unlawful attempted firings of FTC Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya, the congressional amicus brief argues: 

1. The Supreme Court’s 1935 decision in Humphrey’s Executor makes clear that Congress has the power to create independent multimember agencies like the FTC and provide removal protections for FTC Commissioners;

2. Throughout our nation’s history, Congress has created independent agencies with multimember boards or commissions whose members enjoy removal protections, like the Commissioners of the FTC, and this established practice has been consistently upheld by the Supreme Court; and

3. Constitutional text and history support Congress’ constitutional authority to temper the President’s exercise of removal.

The full brief is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Following his pointed questioning during an April 9th Oversight Committee hearing, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) renewed his call for urgent federal action to combat the youth vaping epidemic, warning that flavored e-cigarettes continue to drive nicotine addiction among children and teens.

At the hearing, Congressman Krishnamoorthi challenged tobacco industry-backed witnesses who dismissed the ongoing crisis as “disputable,” despite over 1.6 million children still using e-cigarettes.

“I assure you that the parents of the 1.6 million youth vapers do not believe this is somehow a disputable crisis,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “When companies market candy-flavored vapes like ‘Strawberry Super Strudel’ and ‘Sour Skittles,’ they are targeting our children—not adults trying to quit smoking.”

During his questioning, Congressman Krishnamoorthi underscored how tobacco companies continue to frame their products as tools for adult cessation while using kid-friendly branding to expand their market.

“There is no legitimate public health case for products like ‘Rainbow Road’ or ‘Sour Skittles,’” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “These products exist to hook children, and defending them as beneficial is both absurd and dangerous. I’m the father of three school-aged kids. We have a responsibility to protect this generation from another wave of addiction marketed in candy wrappers. The time to act is now.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi has been a leading voice in the fight to end youth vaping, co-founding the bipartisan Congressional Caucus to End Youth Vaping and spearheading legislation to regulate flavored e-cigarettes. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, Congressman Krishnamoorthi launched the first Congressional investigation into the youth vaping epidemic in 2019, spearheading subsequent legislation to crack down on e-cigarette makers and to close the synthetic nicotine loophole. In December, Congressman Krishnamoorthi, through his role as Ranking Member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), announced a new investigation into illicit vaping products from China with advertising targeted at children.

The clip of the Congressman’s question line is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release                                          Contact: Tionee Scotland
April 14, 2025                                                    202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

PLASKETT MEETS WITH VIRGIN ISLANDS PHYSICIANS AND LOCAL HOSPITAL BOARD ON STATE OF VI HEALTHCARE

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Plaskett released the following statement:

“Last week, I and my office met with key stakeholders in our healthcare sector.  Given the heightened concerns related to our hospitals in the Virgin Islands- including staffing shortages, supply deficits, and operational challenges, meeting with those responsible fr the hospitals was very relevant. On Thursday, we met with the Juan F. Luis Hospital physicians and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Regina Flippin, as well as the Schneider Regional Medical Center physicians and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. George Rosenberg, and on Sunday, I met with the Virgin Islands Government Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation Territorial Board Executive Committee (Corporation). I appreciate the responsiveness of the physician community and the Corporation, and value the respective, collaborative discussions.

“We discussed the difficulties that the Virgin Islands hospitals are presently facing, including the problems listed above, and we discussed long term funding gaps which continue to plague our healthcare system.  There have been decades-long attempts to change multiple federal programs and funding formulas.  During the Biden Administration, I was able, in legislation, to change the percent of Medicaid payment by the federal government from 55% to 83% and raise the Medicaid cap. Medicare payments for the Virgin Islands are calculated using the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA). Under TEFRA, the respective base years are 1982 for the Schneider Regional Medical Center (SRMC) and 1996 for the Governor Juan F. Louis Hospital (JFL). The base year reimbursement system, which relies upon an inflation adjustment, does not accurately capture the expenses of patient care services. I have introduced legislation for healthcare equity in each Congress and included in annual appropriations legislation language to urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to update the payment data and formulas for the hospitals in the Virgin Islands.  Additionally, I have met with CMS leadership to urge the use of their administrative scope to assign a new base period, which is more representative of the reasonable and necessary cost of inpatient services.

“Additionally, during the calls we discussed Medicare and Medicaid payment systems that allow rural and geographically isolated hospitals an increased reimbursement rate. I have been a longstanding advocate to extend and permit Medicaid and Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments to U.S. territories.  We also discussed during the meetings other programs and creative mechanisms to create larger funding for the hospitals, which we will pursue.

“We also discussed in our Sunday meeting the Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center and the Morris De Castro Clinic on St. John and the vital support they provide to the community. I understand that the Request for Proposals for the construction contracts for both centers are now closed, and I am hopeful that they are reconstructed in short order, to ensure that providers and community members on St. John have the necessary infrastructure for their healthcare spaces.

“My office is committed to working with everyone in the Virgin Islands healthcare space to ensure that our providers and community have the necessary support to ensure both short- and long-term stability. I am grateful for the commitment and passion of our doctors and healthcare professionals.  They have made a lifetime commitment to our community, and I respect their dedication to their patients.  I was also happy for the transparency of the hospital Board in discussing their ongoing work to stabilize and create positive change in the hospital. The hospitals provide essential care to everyone in the Virgin Islands, and I will collaborate with the federal and local government to protect our healthcare system.”

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

Letter also demands that Trump Administration End the Purge of Diverse Servicemembers and Veterans from Military Records

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

April 14, 2025 | Press ReleasesVENICE — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today joined a U.S. Chamber Roundtable in North Venice, Florida, to discuss the importance of extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017.

Hosted at the Ajax Paving Industry complex in North Venice, the U.S. Chamber Roundtable focused on the benefits of the TCJA and the risks posed to small businesses and local industries in the Suncoast if Congress fails to renew the law.“There is a reason small business owners and entrepreneurs look to Southwest Florida to pursue the American dream. No community better represents and embraces the values of free enterprise than the Suncoast,” said Rep. Steube. “Since its passage in 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) has delivered unprecedented prosperity for employers and employees alike. From streamlining corporate taxation to providing a critical tax deduction for small business development, the TCJA has delivered on its promise. Failing to renew the law would be catastrophic for not only Southwest Florida but the entire nation. Extending the TCJA will ensure our businesses and local industries prosper and remain competitive in the global economy for years to come.”From the 20% deduction for qualified business income to the reduction in the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, the TCJA delivered a major boost to both employers and employees alike. In the first two years following the passage of the TCJA, median household income rose by nearly $7,000, the largest increase in income for working families since the late 1990s. Americans earning an adjusted gross income of $15,000 to $50,000 per year received tax relief of as much as 26% of their annual income. A recent study by the National Federation of Independent Business also estimated the TCJA’s 20% deduction for qualified business income will free up an additional $75 billion for small businesses and create one million new jobs per year over the next decade.After his remarks, Representative Steube was recognized by the National Asphalt and Paving Association. He concluded his visit with a tour of the Ajax Paving Industries’ facility followed by a meet-and-greet with employees. 

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

Massachusetts has received more than 181,000 requests for heating assistance so far this fiscal year.

Critically, Massachusetts is still waiting on HHS to release the remaining estimated 10 percent of FY2025 LIHEAP funds.

Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joins Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation – Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Representatives Richard Neal (MA-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09)—in writing to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., on the sudden termination of the federal staff responsible for administering the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and the impacts to Massachusetts families who depend on the program to stay safe, healthy, and housed.

Massachusetts has received more than 181,000 requests for heating assistance so far this fiscal year, with more than 110,000 households already served through March 31. First-time applicants have also surged: more than 27,000 Massachusetts households applied for LIHEAP for the first time this fiscal year, 8 percent more than last year at this point. More than 58 percent of households served so far include at least one elderly member, more than 33 percent include individuals with disabilities, more than 6,500 include a veteran or active-duty military member, and more than 11,500 include young children under age five. Critically, Massachusetts is still waiting on HHS to release the remaining estimated 10 percent of FY2025 LIHEAP funds.

In the letter, the lawmakers write, “Over the past decade, Massachusetts energy prices have risen two to three times more than the national average. This winter alone, rate increases in Massachusetts hit families hard, with some energy bills doubling over the heating season. In Boston, residents face some of the highest heating costs among cities nationwide. This means that many Massachusetts families are struggling to pay their utility bills.”

The lawmakers continue, “Although LIHEAP is structured as a block grant administered primarily by states, federal staff provide essential technical assistance—from calculating the complicated allocation formula and distributing block grant funds, to guiding new state LIHEAP directors, reviewing and approving state plans, and monitoring state program implementation. This is not red tape, it is essential governance. Despite serving more than 5 million households nationwide, the entire federal LIHEAP team consisted of only 25 staff—an example of efficient, high-impact federal support.”

The lawmakers request answers by May 1, 2025, to questions that include:

• How does HHS plan to preserve the continuity of LIHEAP operations nationwide?
• How does HHS plan to ensure that states such as Massachusetts can timely access the remaining FY2025 LIHEAP funds appropriated by Congress?
• With the termination of the LIHEAP staff, who within HHS is now responsible for the program’s operation?
• Does HHS intend to restore the terminated positions or provide an equivalent staffing structure before the 2025–2026 heating season begins?
• What measures will HHS implement to ensure communications with state program administrators on vendor enrollment, rule changes, and reporting compliance?
• Has HHS consulted — formally or informally — with state LIHEAP administrators or community action agencies about these staff terminations, either before or after they occurred?

A copy of the letter is available here.

Congresswoman Pressley has been a leading voice in Congress speaking out against Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s unprecedented assault on our democracy and federal agencies, and she has been a steadfast advocate for protecting the essential services that federal workers and agencies provide.

• On April 9, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined the Massachusetts delegation in sending a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding answers after the abrupt shuttering of the entire HHS Regional Office in Boston.
• On April 9, 2025, Rep. Pressley led lawmakers in sending a letter to Trump’s trade official demanding he resign from holding multiple positions with clear conflicts of interest that would further harm federal workers.
• On March 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming Trump’s executive order to end collective bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
• On March 21, 2025, Rep. Pressley led Massachusetts lawmakers in a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) sharply criticizing and demanding answers about the impact of the Musk-Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal workers in Massachusetts.
• On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley spoke out against the U.S. Department of Education’s mass layoffs of over 1,300 workers, which effectively guts the agency.
• On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley voted against Republicans’ shameful government budget bill, which would harm vulnerable families and provide a blank check for Elon Musk and Donald Trump to continue their unprecedented assault on our democracy. She later issued a statement condemning its final passage in the Senate.
• On March 11, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined 13 of her colleagues on a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding answers and the immediate release of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, whose illegal abduction is an attack on his constitutional right to free speech and due process.
• On March 4, 2025, Rep. Pressley walked out of the House chamber in protest during Donald Trump’s presidential joint address to Congress.
• On March 4, 2025, Rep. Pressley welcomed Claire Bergstresser, an Everett constituent, dedicated public servant, AFGE union member, and former HUD worker who was unjustly terminated as part of Musk and Trump’s assault on federal agencies as her guest to the presidential joint address to Congress.
• On February 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley led 85 lawmakers in a letter urging the Office of Special Counsel to immediate reinstate and expand protections for all unfairly fired federal workers.
• On February 28, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined over 200 Democrats in filing an amicus brief defending the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before a U.S. District Court.
• On February 26, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed what true government efficiency looks like and denounced Elon Musk and Donald Trump for utilizing DOGE to gut the essential services that keep people safe, fed, and housed.
• On February 25, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley condemned Elon Musk’s abuse of government efficiency through the fraudulent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
• On February 25, 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she railed against Republicans’ cruel budget resolution that would slash Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion.
• On February 20, 2025, Rep. Pressley and her Haiti Caucus Co-Chairs issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti.
• On February 13, 2025, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley emphasized the critical role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in safeguarding consumers and sharply criticized Donald Trump and Elon Musk for halting the critical work of the agency.
• On February 10, 2025, Rep. Pressley rallied with Senator Elizabeth Warren, Ranking Member Maxine Waters, and advocates to protest Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s unlawful takeover of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
• On February 11, 2025, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley criticized the Trump-Musk administration for halting the critical work of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) with crypto scams on the rise.
• On February 10, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming the Trump Administration’s harmful cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to support hospitals, universities, and research institutions conducting lifesaving research.
• On February 10, 2025, as Trump and Musk threaten to dismantle the essential work of the U.S. Department of Education, Rep.  Pressley delivered a powerful floor speech to affirm the role of public education in American democracy.
• On February 6, 2025, in a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful rebuke of Republicans’ efforts to gut diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and eliminate essential services for vulnerable communities.
• On February 5, 2025, Rep. Pressley rallied outside the U.S. Department of Treasury to protest Elon Musk’s unlawful assault on federal agencies and our democracy.
• On January 30, 2025, Rep. Pressley slammed Donald Trump for blaming the tragic plane crash at Reagan National Airport, which killed over 60 people, including some families from Massachusetts, on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
• In January 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming Trump’s illegal freeze on federal grants and loans and its harmful impact on vulnerable communities.
• On January 23, 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned floor speech condemning Republicans’ cruel anti-abortion bill that criminalizes providers and denies families care.
• On January 23, 2025, Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues to reintroduce the Neighbors Not Enemies Act, a bill to repeal an outdated law that has been used to target innocent immigrants without due process rights.
• On January 22, 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Trump Administration’s harmful executive actions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered remarks at a press conference with U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD-04) outside of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland following a tour of the facility and a briefing from officials on its missions. Below is a full transcript of his opening remarks:
 

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) speaking at a press conference outside of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

“Thank you very much, Senator. I had the great privilege of representing Goddard for 42 years, so I’ve been here a while, [and] I know the extraordinary work that goes on here. The extraordinary work that we cannot predict the specific advances that this will make in science and technology and the economic effect that it will have, but we do know from the many past years of NASA that they will occur, even though we may not know the specifics of it. I am pleased to join Glenn Ivey, who now represents this area, but he and I think of Prince George’s County as a unit, not as a single or two units, and we represent them together. And I’m so glad to be on Team Ivey, with respect to Goddard Space Flight Center.

“Let me say, I was a colleague of Bill Nelson. Some of you may remember Senator Nelson. Senator Nelson served in the United States House of Representatives, and I served with him. He then went to the United States Senate, and then he went to space. He was the ‘Senator in Space.’ He came back and he was one of the great proponents, not only of Goddard Space Flight Center, but all of the NASA components. And then, of course, he became the administrator of NASA in the last administration. He heard about this proposal, and here’s what he said: ‘They’re going to run NASA into a very deep ditch if they proceed with this kind of savagery.’ His words, not mine. He went on to say, ‘If you savaged NASA science, you have savaged our entire exploration program. And that will affect the human exploration program as well,’ which was essentially, Senator, what you said.

“We’ve seen, over the last three months, an effort to essentially disassemble American enterprise, American government, and American progress by a group that knew everything about how they were going to do it and do it quickly. But as in this instance, in almost every instance in which they’ve undertaken, they do not know the consequences, and the consequences will be dire, as Senator Nelson said, with respect to Goddard Space Flight Center.

“This center is the envy of one of our greatest competitors: China. This enterprise is going to be critical as we compete with China in science and in space and in technology. To disassemble this, to cut it in half, and Senator Van Hollen made the point that we were going to abandon the investment that’s already been made. Now, let me say what that investment is: $3 billion has gone into the Roman telescope and to look for habitable worlds, Senator. What they’re cutting is $600 million, which is the completion of this program, as Senator Van Hollen said, our budget. What a penny wise and pound foolish that decision would be.

“I am going to urge, Senator Van Hollen’s going to urge, and Glenn Ivey is certainly going to be leading the pack for the Congress not to do this. And I predict that Congress is not going to do this because it makes no economic sense, it makes no competitive sense, [and] it makes no national security sense for them to do this.

“The people who are doing this know the cost of everything and the value of nothing. We need to make sure that America continues to be a leader: a leader in space, a leader in culture, a leader in economics. This center is absolutely critical to be able to make the further investment to complete a project, which, as you said, is on budget, so far on time.

“So, I’m pleased to join my two colleagues, Senator Van Hollen and Congressman Ivey. And we are going to fight this with every fiber in our bodies, because America’s future success and national security depend upon it. Now let me yield to my dear colleague Glenn Ivey, who, while a new Member of Congress as a Member, worked for the Congress for many, many years. He has extraordinary experience in our state and around the country, and he was an extraordinary partner of mine as we represent, not only with Senator Van Hollen and Senator Alsobrooks, our districts, our state, and also the national interest. Congressman Ivey.”

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

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) met with members of Martin’s Pharmacy and other community pharmacists in Dublin, Virginia. Mr. William Hale, owner of Martin’s Pharmacy, invited Representative Griffith and led the discussions.

“Community pharmacies face unique challenges when serving their local populations with critical medicines and drugs. I am grateful for the dedicated workers of Martin’s Pharmacy and all community pharmacies in the region who tend to the medical needs of their community. I thank Mr. Hale, his staff and all the pharmacists in attendance for bringing to my attention issues important to them,” said Representative Griffith.

“We appreciate Representative Griffith taking the time to stop by the pharmacy and check in with us, Mr. Griffith has always been an avid supporter of independent community pharmacies.  Representative Griffith’s fight to hold the Pharmacy Benefit Managers accountable for their actions and bring transparency to their tactics is essential to keep community pharmacies open and serving their communities,” said Mr. Hale.

BACKGROUND

Representative Griffith sits on the House Energy and Commerce’s Health Subcommittee, which oversees health care policy and Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) reform.

The Health Subcommittee held a hearing in February on PBM reform entitled “An Examination of How Reining in PBMs Will Drive Competition and Lower Costs for Patients.”

Representative Griffith’s questions from that hearing can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 14, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

NEW YORK, NY – Last week, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Co-Chair of the Smart Cities Caucus, toured the Cornell Tech Campus at Cornell University. Rep. Clarke met with faculty leaders, including Dean and Vice Provost Greg Morrisett and Founding Director of the Urban Tech Hub Michael Samuelian, who debriefed her on their latest advancements in smart city technologies, provided insight into their revolutionary Urban Tech program, and highlighted the direct impacts their program has had on New York City. Since its founding in 2012, Cornell Tech has stood as a leading institution in the smart cities space. In the 118th Congress, Rep. Clarke introduced the Smart Cities and Communities Act to expand smart city technologies and improve governmental coordination of these programs.

“Every American should have the right to call a clean, safe, and climate-resilient community their home, and it’s overwhelmingly clear smart city technologies represent the best, most practical path to making that aspiration a reality. As a leader in Congress’ efforts to shepherd the widespread adoption of smart cities, it was a privilege to tour Cornell Tech and learn from its many experts on the revolutionary research and work they are doing to make our cities run smoother,” said Congresswoman Clarke. “These visionaries are truly paving the way forward in smart city technology, which I am confident will benefit communities in New York and other cities across the nation. We know overcoming the climate crisis will demand bold, creative solutions to the myriad of challenges that lie ahead, and that is why I find great comfort in knowing Cornell Tech is a leader in this existential fight. I am honored to have had the opportunity to learn about their work firsthand, and I look forward to witnessing what they can achieve in the years ahead.”

“We were honored to welcome Congresswoman Yvette Clarke to the Cornell Tech campus to discuss how our campus, faculty, students, and staff are creating and fostering technological solutions and advancements that enhance daily life for New Yorkers and beyond. Congresswoman Clarke’s leadership in advancing smart cities, digital equity, and innovation aligns closely with our mission to build a more inclusive, robust, and sustainable tech ecosystem,” said Greg Morrisett, Jack and Rilla Neafsey Dean and Vice Provost of Cornell Tech. “Shaping a future that supports all members of society and drives economic growth requires that policymakers, academia, and the tech and business communities work together. As co-chair of the Smart Cities Caucus, the Congresswoman shares our optimism for the catalyzing and positive role technology will continue to have in the world and we want to be a partner and resource in endeavors to improve communities through innovation and power New York forward.”

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