MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), voted against H. Con. Res. 14, a partisan budget resolution that would result in cuts to Medicaid, student loans, and nutrition assistance for American families to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. At the same time, implementation of the budget resolution will add trillions of dollars to the national debt which even extremist, Republican critics of the legislation have pointed out. 

“I have never seen a more partisan and fiscally irresponsible budget,” said Congressman Bishop. “This measure will result in millions of Americans losing their health insurance. Seniors, children, people with disabilities, and working families will bear the brunt of this budget’s harmful cuts. Public schools across the country – from rural to urban communities – will lose billions of dollars that help them afford teachers, textbooks, and supplies. Cuts to nutrition programs will see families, school children, seniors, disabled persons, and even young active-duty military families and veterans go hungry.”

Among the cuts in the Republican budget resolution are:

• $880 billion in cuts from the budget covering healthcare, interstate commerce, conservation, energy, public health and healthcare, including Medicaid;
• $330 billion in cuts in the budget sections that support America’s students and schools across the country, including school lunch and breakfast programs;
• $230 billion in cuts from agricultural and rural development programs, which support our farmers and other ag producers as well as food banks and other programs that help feed America’s families – especially during this period of astronomically high food prices; and
• Additional cuts to the budget covering infrastructure programs that help improve and make our roads, railways, bridges, and airports safer as well as other investments that help lower costs for Americans everywhere.

The U.S. House Budget Committee estimates if the budget proposed by H. Con. Res. 14 is enacted, Georgia’s Second Congressional District will see:

• Nearly 200,000 people on Medicaid will lose coverage, including an estimated 133,300 children under the age of 19 and 30,000 senior citizens over the age of 65;
• More than 200,000 people will lose SNAP and be at risk of going hungry;
• 320,000 school children will lose school meals; and
• 26,000 students will lose Pell Grants that makes it possible for them to get their education.

The Congressman has also highlighted that the Trump Administration fired department and agency Inspectors General, within days of taking office. 

The Congressman concluded, “The Administration says they want to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse and reduce the deficit – which we all support – but this budget resolution does neither. What they are doing is eliminating transparency and dismantling the government, as outlined last year in Project 2025. This is a reverse Robin Hood scheme that steals the federal resources needed to adequately meet the needs of the American people, in order to pay for tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit billionaires.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) and House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (NY-12) and 53 of their colleagues sent a letter to President Trump and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Andrew Ferguson strongly opposing Trump’s unlawful attempt to fire Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Slaughter and urging the agency to use its authorities to address the “cost-of-living crisis” and “deliver emergency price relief” to working families. 

The Members underscore in the letter how the attempted firing of Mr. Bedoya and Ms. Slaughter undermines the Commission’s ability to protect workers and consumers, as they provided crucial votes for cases and investigations that held pharmacy benefit managers accountable for artificially inflating insulin prices and stopped agricultural equipment companies from denying farmers the right to repair their own agricultural equipment. The Commissioners were also instrumental in the FTC’s regulatory efforts to end junk fees, abusive subscription practices, and ban non-compete agreements that limited workers’ employment opportunities.

“President Trump ran a campaign promising to lower costs of living for working families, but instead he is illegally terminating leaders at the FTC, an independent agency whose mandate could be used to hold predatory corporations accountable, while the prices of food, housing, and services continue to rise,” said Congressman García. “I am proud to have partnered with Ranking Member Nadler on this effort; Commissioners Bedoya and Slaughter must be permitted to do their jobs, and the FTC should prioritize workers and consumers, not billionaires.”

“The illegal attempted firing of Federal Trade Commissioners Bedoya and Slaughter is an affront not only to our Constitution but also the economic power of individuals, families, and small businesses across the country. The FTC is the body that ensures we have a fair market and it should not be politicized as President Trump has done. I am proud to join my colleagues in urging the President to reinstate the Commissioners and ensure that the FTC is focused on driving down costs for the American people,” said Ranking Member Nadler.

“Following the Trump administration’s erratic policymaking and whipsaw tariff announcements, it’s more important than ever that Commissioners Bedoya and Slaughter get back to work to lower prices for working Americans that will bear the brunt of any economic fallout,” said Morgan Harper, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the American Economic Liberties Project. “In times of economic uncertainty, robust enforcement from the FTC is absolutely necessary to defend the interests of consumers, small businesses, and workers who are already struggling under a cost of living crisis. We’re pleased to join these Members of Congress in urging the administration to get the full Commission back to work as fast as possible.”

“By illegally trying to fire Commissioners Bedoya and Slaughter, President Trump and Andrew Ferguson deliberately hobbled the FTC, one of the government’s most effective defenses against Big Tech and Wall Street abuses,” said Emily Peterson-Cassin, Corporate Power Director at Demand Progress. “Especially now when Americans are worrying about their retirement accounts and the price of household goods, we need a fully functional FTC to look out for Main Street. Chair Ferguson has talked a big game about standing up to the big fish and now is the time to actually use his power to curb corporate abuse and lower costs for everyday Americans.”

“The out-of-control cost of housing is the number one economic issue facing most Americans and the number one driver of homelessness,” said Jesse Rabinowitz, Communications and Campaign Director at the National Homelessness Law Center. “That’s why it’s crucial to have a functional FTC with Commissioners who are committed to addressing corporate consolidation and other issues in the housing market that are driving up costs for families. When we solve homelessness and make housing affordable for all, we will be a safer, healthier, and more prosperous country.”

A copy of the letter can be found here.

Congressmen García and Nadler were joined by 53 colleagues: Reps. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-31), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jimmy Gomez (CA- 34), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), John B. Larson (CT-01), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05). 

The letter is endorsed by: American Economic Liberties Project, Americans For Financial Reform, Center for Digital Democracy, Demand Progress, Groundwork Collaborative, Institute for Local Self-Reliance, National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), National Homelessness Law Center, P Street, and Revolving Door Project.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined her colleagues in expressing serious concerns that the Administration may be using trade policy to enrich the President’s inner circle.

In a letter to President Trump and top cabinet officials, the Members of Congress noted that Cabinet Members and top officials connected with the Administration are in positions to directly benefit from stock market volatility, while everyday Americans stand to suffer financially. 

“Our concern stems from the fact that Cabinet Members and top officials connected with the Administration—including members of the President’s family—are in positions to directly benefit from any manipulation of the stock market, while its volatility puts the financial security of everyday Americans at risk,” the Members wrote. “The volatility in the stock market has devastated the financial security of Americans… These are real losses from retirement accounts, 529 college savings plans, and Health Savings Accounts that families depend on for essential expenses.”

They also raised questions about the President’s choice to post on social media encouraging his followers to buy stocks only hours before reversing his decision to impose sweeping tariffs on America’s trading partners.

“This sequence of events raises serious concerns about the timing of public communications by the President and the use of executive authority in trade matters,” the Members continued. “The lack of transparency in decision-making—especially when so closely tied to significant market movements—undermines public trust and raises red flags about potential manipulation or self-dealing.”

The Members also requested information to better understand the role of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in overseeing trade policy decisions. 

“The appearance that trade announcements or reversals may be timed in coordination with statements that influence markets—even implicitly—warrants immediate and thorough scrutiny,” the Members wrote. “If individuals within the Administration had advanced knowledge of trade actions or reversals and used that information for personal or political gain, such conduct would be deeply troubling —and potentially unlawful.”

Representative Craig has led the charge to clean up Washington and prohibit Members of Congress from profiting off their service. She recently re-introduced her Halt Unchecked Member Benefits with Lobbying Elimination (HUMBLE) Act, which would ban Members of Congress from owning or trading individual stocks, prohibit the use of taxpayer funds for first-class airline tickets, prevent Members from serving on corporate boards while they are in Congress and eliminate access to Members-only perks for former Members. The bill also includes a new provision to eliminate automatic pay raises for Members of Congress.  

You can read the full letter here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

In case you missed it, the Kansas City Star reported on Representative Sharice Davids’ new legislation to reverse devastating cuts made by the Trump administration to Kansas Manufacturing Solutions (KMS), a nonprofit that supports hundreds of Kansas manufacturers, including more than 500 in Kansas’ Third District alone.

The decision to cut the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) contract — despite bipartisan support for bolstering domestic manufacturing — has already forced KMS to lay off over half its staff and threatens Kansas’ manufacturing ecosystem at a time of rising economic uncertainty and global supply chain challenges. 

Davids’ bill, the Defend American Manufacturing Act, would ensure future MEP contracts are renewed and shield the program from politically motivated cuts, helping small and medium-sized manufacturers access the support they need to expand, improve operations, and create good-paying jobs.

Read more in the Kansas City Star: Trump cut help for Kansas manufacturers. Sharice Davids wants to restore funds

“KMS had been a part of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a nationwide federal program run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The institute, housed in the U.S. Department of Commerce, chose not to renew MEP contracts in Kansas and nine other states with program agreements that ended on March 31. 

The non-renewals come even as Trump and his allies publicly emphasize the importance of American manufacturing and luring manufacturers into the country from overseas.

[…]

‘It was really a gut punch,’ Stovall said in an interview, adding later that tariffs don’t work without a strong manufacturing base to meet demand. ‘Cutting MEP now is like building a runway and then grounding the plane.’ 

Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat who represents the Kansas 3rd Congressional District, will introduce legislation on Thursday to effectively reverse the cuts.

[…]

Davids, who represents southern Wyandotte County, Johnson County and rural areas southwest of the Kansas City metro, said the measure, called the Defend American Manufacturing Act, would free the program’s funding from politically-motivated decision making. 

‘I’m very frustrated right now, actually, about this because we’re at this time where people are dealing with supply chain issues. By the hour, the economic uncertainty seems to grow,’ Davids told The Star in an interview on Tuesday. 

‘And I will say that having a president literally say he’s focused on bringing more manufacturing home to the United States, while nearly simultaneously imposing these tariffs, announcing these tariffs – this is an example of a politician saying one thing and doing another.’ 

[…]

Roughly 4,400 manufacturers operate in Kansas, and 84% are owned by small and medium-sized enterprises, according to KMS’ 2024 annual report. Those small and medium-sized businesses represent the nonprofit’s target client – businesses who want assistance but aren’t large enough to afford high-end consulting. Kansas manufacturers employ some 173,000 people statewide, including over 30,000 in the 3rd District. 

[…]

‘Nationally, part of the point of the tariffs is to, in fact, drive more manufacturing back into the U.S.,’ Kindle said. ‘But if we tear down the structures that help make that happen, then it’s not helpful. We’re not going to have the result we anticipated if we aren’t ready when those companies come knocking.’ 

[…]

The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, in a 2023 report, recommended privatizing the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. While Trump sought to distance himself from Project 2025 during his most recent campaign, his administration has taken steps to implement a number of its recommendations. 

[…]

Davids said KMS acts as ‘boots on the ground’ patterns for small and medium-sized manufacturers. The businesses were already dealing with economic uncertainty. But the federal decision to cut the Manufacturing Extension Partnership was ‘absolutely the rug being pulled out from under them.’ 

Davids’ legislation faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled U.S. House. Davids said she plans to seek Republican support, adding that many lawmakers may not yet be aware of the cuts to the MEP program. 

At a time when cuts to Medicaid are on the table in Congress and significant job losses are possible at the Social Security Administration and other federal agencies, Davids said, “we shouldn’t have to worry about whether Donald Trump is going to continue to support our ability to have a strong economy.’” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (CA-08) and Ken Calvert (CA-41) introduced the “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act,” which would help permanently conserve privately owned working forestlands. They are joined by U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21), Josh Harder (CA-09), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01).

The “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act” (H.R.2771) would give States the option to designate accredited, nonprofit land trusts to hold conservation easements purchased with federal funding from the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program. Current law requires that federal or state governments hold conservation easements purchased under the Forest Legacy Program.

“As the former Deputy Secretary of the Interior to President Clinton, I know that our national conservation goals cannot be achieved through public land ownership alone. Federal and state governments can, and must, do a better job of working with private landowners who want to conserve their land, as my family did for our cattle ranch in 1998. My bill would unlock millions in federal funding to help states conserve working forestlands, create good-paying jobs, and support sustainable forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk,” said Congressman Garamendi.

“The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act will provide new tools to help achieve our conservation, forest management, and economic goals. This bipartisan bill is an important step in strengthening partnerships between private landowners and public stakeholders interested in conserving forestlands,” said Congressman Calvert. 

“We applaud Congressmen Calvert and Garamendi for introducing this bill.  This commonsense, practical, no-cost enhancement to the Forest Legacy Program will make it easier for private landowners and states to fulfill their goals of voluntarily conserving working forestlands for all their public benefits while maintaining private ownership. The flexibility provided in this bill will help many states, like California, Oregon, and Washington, leverage private-public partnerships to get better outcomes while saving money and resources,” said Laurie Wayburn, Pacific Forest Trust President. 

Allowing States participating in the federal Forest Legacy Program the flexibility to partner with accredited, nonprofit land trusts will help permanently conserve more land by working with private landowners who want to choose conservation but do not want to sell the federal or state governments an easement on their property. The “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act” would save states money and time, increasing the impact and reach of the Forest Legacy Program.

Endorsements: Partnership of Rangeland Trusts, American Farmland Trust, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Pacific Forest Trust, California Rangeland Trust, North Coast Land Conservancy, American River Conservancy, Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, Georgia-Alabama Land Trust, Northeast Wilderness Trust, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Oregon Agricultural Trust, Placer Land Trust, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Natural Lands, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Forest Society of Maine, Lookout Mountain Conservancy, Saratoga PLAN.

Garamendi previously served on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources (2011-2012) and the Committee on Agriculture (2012-2014), which oversee both the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest System. Garamendi served as the first Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998 during the Clinton Administration. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Ro Khanna (CA-17), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Summer Lee (PA-12), introduced the Drain the Swamp Act, that includes bans on lobbying activities for former government officials and reinstates cooling-off periods and merit-based hiring requirements. 

When President Trump returned to office, he rescinded key ethics rules that had been established by President Biden through executive order. These included restrictions on gifts from lobbyists and rules designed to reduce conflicts of interest. Nearly 70% of Americans view corruption as a major issue in the federal government. The Drain the Swamp Act is a response to this rollback, aiming to rebuild public trust and enshrine these ethics provisions into law so they cannot be undone by future executive actions.  

“President Trump promised to drain the swamp, yet one of the first things he did in office was reverse President Biden’s executive order that banned White House officials from accepting gifts from lobbyists. The American people should feel confident that administration officials are working for them, not for special interests. Today, I’m introducing the Drain the Swamp Act to reestablish key ethics rules, including a ban on White House officials accepting gifts from lobbyists, not just for this administration, but for all administrations going forward,” said Rep. Ro Khanna. 

“The American people are sick and tired of watching corporate lobbyists and political insiders trade public service for private gain while our communities are still fighting for the basics like housing, health care, clean air, safe schools, fair wages, and clean drinking water,” said Rep. Lee. “This bill is about putting people first and making sure our government answers to the people — not to the highest bidder, and not to the biggest check. If we’re serious about justice, about democracy, about restoring trust in our institutions, then we have to start by cleaning up the corruption that’s been allowed to rot it from the inside. Our communities deserve leaders who serve them — not themselves. We’re not here to protect power. We’re here to shift it back where it belongs: with the people,” said Rep. Summer Lee. 

“In the Trump Administration, self-dealing and pay-to-play are not a bug, they’re a feature. Since being sworn in, Donald Trump has signed more than 110 executive orders, but the only action he’s taken on anti-corruption and lobbyist restrictions is to repeal them.  Public Citizen strongly supports this bill to put back in place the ban on gifts from lobbyists to presidential appointees, limits on the revolving door between lobbying and government, and strong ethics enforcement to ensure that our government serves the needs of the American people rather than enriching lobbyists, cronies, and corrupt officials,” said Jon Golinger, Democracy Advocate with Public Citizen.

“Every day, we see new examples of how Donald Trump and his cronies are dismantling safeguards meant to protect our democracy – dissolving ethics rules on the executive branch and handing power over to billionaire donors. The Drain the Swamp Act codifies White House ethics rules that used to be standard practice, preventing any president from erasing them with the stroke of a pen. Nearly 7 out of 10 Americans believe corruption in our government is a critical issue. Without these ethics protections, we open the door to backroom deals, conflicts of interest, and corruption. We are grateful to Representatives Khanna, Tlaib, and Lee for leading this important legislative effort to restore ethics in the Oval Office,” said Brett Edkins, Managing Director, Policy and Political Affairs at Stand Up America. 

“We are witnessing an unprecedented and dangerous unraveling of ethics rules and norms in an effort to profit off the presidency. We need meaningful guardrails to ensure the White House is never for sale. The Drain the Swamp Act codifies key ethics standards followed by previous administrations, like banning gifts from lobbyists and establishing cooling-off periods to curb the revolving door between industry and government. These are common-sense reforms to prevent corruption and safeguard our democracy. CREW applauds Rep. Khanna for his leadership on this issue and urges Congress to pass this bill without delay,” said Debra Perlin, Vice President for Policy of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). 

The Drain the Swamp Act codifies previous White House ethics rules, preventing any president from weakening them through executive action. Specifically, the bill will:

• Lobbyist Gift Ban: Prohibits appointees from accepting gifts from registered lobbyists or lobbying organizations.
• Revolving Door Ban – Entering Government: Appointees cannot participate in matters related to former employers or clients for two years.
• Revolving Door Ban – Former Lobbyists & Foreign Agents: Prohibits former lobbyists or foreign agents from working on issues they previously lobbied on or within agencies they lobbied for two years before appointment.
• Revolving Door Ban – Leaving Government: Former appointees must adhere to a two-year cooling-off period restricting agency communications.
• Senior & Very Senior Officials Ban: Senior officials cannot assist lobbying efforts for one year after leaving government.
• Lobbying Ban – Post-Government Service: Appointees cannot lobby executive branch officials or foreign entities for the remainder of the administration or two years post-service, whichever is longer.
• Golden Parachute Ban: Prohibits appointees from accepting special payments or benefits from former employers as incentives for entering government service.
• Merit-Based Hiring Commitment: Ensures hiring decisions are based on qualifications, competence, and experience—not political connections.

For the full text of the bill, click here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) voted along with a majority (216 to 214) of the House of Representatives to pass the Senate Amendment to H. Con. Res. 14 – the FY25 Budget Resolution. The passage of the resolution activates the budget reconciliation process, which will allow subsequent tax and spending legislation to be passed by a simple majority vote in the Senate.
 
“Today’s vote moves us one step closer to preventing a massive tax increase on American families and job creators,” said Rep. Calvert. “The last thing Riverside County families can afford is a huge tax increase, which is exactly what will happen if Congress fails to extend the tax cuts that are expiring this year. In addition to increasing disposable income, Republicans intend to use the reconciliation process to enhance our national security by providing critical resources to equip our military and secure the southern border. Democrats who want to raise taxes on families and oppose our efforts to secure the border continue to lie and mislead Americans about this budget process. Let me be crystal clear – nothing approved by the House today changes any benefits for our safety net programs, including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans’ benefits.”

 
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) issued the following statement as Donald Trump and Elon Musk dismantles the Social Security Administration’s infrastructure: 

“Donald Trump claimed he would not cut Social Security. He’s lying. The same gangster tactics Donald Trump and Elon Musk have used to disrupt other federal agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education, are now being aimed at Social Security Administration (SSA). Musk has proposed slashing 7,000 employees and closing field offices across the country — jeopardizing access to critical services. As a result of DOGE infiltrating the agency, retirees are struggling to access their accounts, phone lines are jammed, and the Social Security website is frequently crashing. 

“Let me be clear: this has absolutely nothing to do with improving efficiency. It’s sabotage. Trump and Musk have devised a plan they claim will eliminate “waste and fraud” within the agency. However, they have not provided any legitimate evidence of widespread fraud. In fact, this agency is one of the most efficiently run agencies in government. This is nothing more than an excuse to fully dismantle the agency. 

“70 million retirees, widows, children, and disabled workers — including over 98,000 in my district — rely on Social Security as a lifeline to pay for food, medicine, and other essentials. Trump is putting them in a position where many will be waiting for Social Security checks that may be delayed or never arrive. Where many seniors will have to choose between putting food on the table and getting their medications.

“I refuse to stand by while Trump and Co-President Musk destroy our country. We must protect Social Security at all costs.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) sent a letter to the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. demanding answers regarding the reported complete elimination of $700 million in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding for HIV prevention.

In the letter, Congresswoman Waters slams the agency’s drastic and irresponsible actions that would have catastrophic consequences for public health, including critical prevention and screening services in our battle against HIV/AIDS. 

“This decision is not just reckless — it is deadly. By eliminating HIV prevention funding, lives will be lost. People who rely on outreach programs for testing will go undiagnosed. Individuals who depend on prevention services will be left unprotected. Health systems that have worked tirelessly to combat this epidemic will be overwhelmed with preventable cases. This is an unconscionable abdication of responsibility by the federal government,” wrote Congresswoman Waters.

“NMAC is deeply grateful to Congresswoman Waters for her unwavering commitment to protecting HIV funding. The proposed cuts to HIV prevention would be catastrophic, threatening decades of progress in the fight against HIV. The community is deeply concerned by these potential reductions, but we take solace in knowing that Congresswoman Waters is on the frontlines, fiercely advocating for these critical resources,” said Harold Phillips, Deputy Director of Programs for NMAC.

Read the full letter HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued a statement following his vote against the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.

“Today, I voted against Republicans’ attempt to disenfranchise millions of Americans. Republicans claim that the SAVE Act makes it illegal for non-citizens to vote, but federal law already prohibits non-citizens from voting. Instead, this bill imposes unnecessary barriers to voter registration by requiring birth certificates or passports instead of driver’s licenses, state IDs, or military IDs. 

“The SAVE Act would also eliminate mail and online voter registration services, instead requiring Americans to present their documentation in person to an election official. This places an unfair burden on the millions of Americans who rely on these services to vote, including members of the military stationed overseas, residents of rural communities, and seniors.

“To maintain fair and secure elections, we need to protect voting rights—not create additional barriers for eligible U.S. citizens. I will continue to fight against these attacks on our democracy and work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure equal access to the ballot box.”

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