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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Amodei issued the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: 

“The House of Representatives delivered on its promise to rein in out-of-control spending, unleash American energy dominance, drive economic growth, and secure our borders after 4 years of mismanagement under the previous administration,” said Rep. Mark Amodei. 

“While the talking heads will try to have you believe that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is only a handout to the wealthy, the truth is this historic piece of legislation was crafted with everyday, working-class Americans and their families at the forefront. Let me set the record straight on what is really being delivered for the American people: 

• Without this bill, the average taxpayer would see a 22% tax hike. Instead, this bill makes the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, which have benefited Americans over the last 8 years. 
• Small businesses and Made-in-America investments are also supported by new incentives in domestic manufacturing and investments in research and development to shore up our nation’s supply chain needs. 
• This bill also provides additional tax relief for seniors and delivers on President Trump’s promises of no tax on tips, overtime pay, and U.S. manufactured car loan interest. 
• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also strengthens the long-term viability of Medicaid for those who truly need it by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse and requiring able-bodied adults without young dependents to meet common sense work requirements. 
• Americans are made safer under this bill, which provides over $175 billion to secure the border, which is the largest border security investment in our nation’s history. This will allow completion of the southern border wall and hire 8,000 people to support border and customs security. Further, the bill invests nearly $150 billion to modernize our military and strengthen our national defense. 
• Claims that this bill harms veterans are nothing more than political scare tactics and gaslighting. The legislative text contains no provisions explicitly targeting veterans, and veterans receiving VA benefits will continue to do so without interruption. Veterans who are over 64, physically or mentally disabled, caring for a dependent under 14, supporting a disabled child or aging parent, in school, enrolled in a job training program, or participating in a substance abuse program remain fully exempt from SNAP and Medicaid work requirements. Shame on those who distort the facts to mislead the public for political gain.  

“As with any major reform bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill is a balancing act. I have long believed that we can’t let perfect be the enemy of good, and our work won’t stop here in getting Nevadans the relief they need. As you may know, discussions surrounding Medicaid have been a key focus of this bill. While this bill takes a significant step in helping modernize our healthcare system, I believe that more work will be done this Congress on the issue.” 

Medicaid in Reconciliation  

When Medicaid was initially established in 1965, the program was intended to cover a smaller, more vulnerable part of the U.S. population including children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and low-income families. Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid has shifted away from its original mission of serving the traditional low-income population, evolving instead into a de facto state-run universal healthcare system. During COVID-19, Medicaid growth exploded by adding 23 million people to the program in just three short years from 2020 to 2023, which cost American taxpayers approximately $184 billion per year.  

Prior to the passage of ACA in 2010, only 21% of the U.S. population under the age of 65 was covered by a form of government-funded health insurance. In 2023, the number dramatically increased to 37.4% of the population. 

Specific to Medicare and Medicaid, about 15% of the U.S. population was enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) in 2009. By 2023, the percentage has nearly doubled to 28%. 

There are currently 20 states and the District of Columbia that operate their own state-based health insurance marketplaces including Nevada. In 2025. More than 7 million individuals enrolled in health coverage through state-based marketplaces, including more than 1.2 million new enrollees.  

In general, Medicaid accounts for a significant portion of state spending, with averages around 18% of total state expenditures, and even higher percentages of general fund spending. Some states spend even more, with figures reaching 29.8% of total state expenditures. In FY23, the State of Nevada spent $5.6 billion to fund state Medicaid expenditures, or approximately 30% of its entire budget. 

Between the rapid expansion of the Medicaid population and the growth of state-based health insurance marketplaces, Medicaid costs have nearly doubled every decade over the last 50 years. In 2023, the program cost taxpayers a whopping $870 billion, up 8% from the year before. 

The One Big Beautiful Bill addresses and reins in these excessive Medicaid costs by establishing commonsense work requirements for able-bodied adults without young dependents. In addition, the bill strengthens program integrity measures that protect Medicaid resources for the most vulnerable such as children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and low-income families. 

With that said, this has become a balancing test between reining in out-of-control Medicaid spending and protecting Nevada’s Hospitals and Health Clinics. The bill currently gives us two more years for the State to help prepare for adjustments to the Medicaid Provider Tax. The Rural Hospital Stabilization Fund will provide $50 billion in relief from 2028 through 2032 for rural hospitals.  

A perfect solution to healthcare costs has eluded us again, but it will be interesting to see what the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) do with implementation of these new Medicaid policies and future rules and regulations. I look forward to continuing to work with CMS, the Nevada Health Authority, and our local stakeholders on these issues.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today condemned Speaker Mike Johnson’s refusal to follow the law requiring display of a memorial plaque honoring law enforcement personnel who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Democratic Members of the New Jersey delegation placed replicas of the memorial plaque outside their offices to protest the Speaker’s willful disregard of the law and called on their New Jersey Republican colleagues to force the Speaker’s hand. 

The official plaque – which is produced and ready to be placed – specifically names the New Jersey State Police alongside the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department of D.C. and others. Pallone again denounced former President Trump’s mass pardons of more than 1,500 individuals convicted for their violent roles in the attack, including the man who assaulted New Jersey native Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who later died following the attack. 

“The New Jersey’s Democratic delegation has taken action to honor the officers who defended our democracy and to condemn the disturbing wave of pardons that have let violent offenders walk free,” said Pallone. “Officer Brian Sicknick, who grew up in Middlesex County, died after being attacked while defending this institution. The refusal to hang this plaque as required by law, combined with the pardons of his assailants, is a stunning insult to his sacrifice and to law enforcement officers everywhere.” 

Photo of replica plaque hanging outside every member of NJ Democratic Member office

Despite overwhelming bipartisan votes in both the House and Senate and a law signed by President Biden in March 2022, Speaker Johnson continues to defy the law and block the installation of the plaque on the western front of the Capitol as mandated. The plaque honors the hundreds of officers who risked their lives, with more than 140 suffering serious injuries during the insurrection.

At the same time, former President Trump’s mass pardons including the release of Julian Khater, who assaulted Officer Sicknick with chemical spray have drawn bipartisan condemnation from national law enforcement groups, including the Fraternal Order of Police.

Trump’s $5 million settlement paid earlier this year to the family of a woman who breached a secure area of the Capitol only underscores the moral double standard at play, as the perpetrators of violence against law enforcement are released while their victims’ families continue to wait for accountability.

“Republicans’ hypocrisy is staggering,” Pallone added. “The same party that claims to ‘back the blue’ is now blocking a simple plaque that honors officers’ heroism while granting pardons to the very people who beat, assaulted, and hospitalized those officers that day. You cannot call yourself the party of law and order when you are the one letting the criminals off the hook.”

Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Mikie Sherrill, Josh Gottheimer, Donald Norcross, Herb Conaway, LaMonica McIver, Rob Menendez, and Nellie Pou all have placed replicas of the plaque in front of their offices.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) issued the following statement:

“Today’s arraignment of Congresswoman McIver is a dangerous escalation in the Trump Administration’s ongoing assault on democratic institutions. She was performing lawful oversight at a federal facility – something every Member of Congress has the right and responsibility to do. Instead, she was met by masked ICE agents and is now being prosecuted by a Trump loyalist who has made no secret of her political agenda.

“This isn’t about justice. It’s about power. It’s about sending a message that if you question this administration or expose misconduct, they will come for you.

“I stand with Congresswoman McIver and my New Jersey colleagues who were targeted during this oversight visit. And I will continue to speak out as Trump and his enablers try to dismantle the rule of law to protect themselves and punish their critics.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement today in response to Senate Republicans’ updated tax and health care legislation:

“This bill is an outright disaster for New Jersey. Republicans in Congress are pushing the largest health care cuts in American history just to hand massive tax breaks to billionaires, and they’re doing it at the expense of working families in our state.

“According to new estimates, 363,000 New Jerseyans stand to lose their health care under this plan. That means hundreds of thousands of people in our state will no longer be able to afford to see a doctor, get their prescriptions filled, or receive preventive screenings. It will raise premiums, gut Medicaid (New Jersey FamilyCare), and force hospitals, especially those serving low-income communities, to close their doors.

“And it doesn’t stop there. The bill would defund Planned Parenthood, sabotage the Affordable Care Act by making hard to sign up for health care and drive-up medical debt across the country. Meanwhile, Republicans are using those same health care cuts to give away $5 billion to Big Pharma and extend tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. It’s a reverse Robin Hood scheme – taking from those who need care just to reward those who already have more than enough.

“On top of the health care sabotage, the bill undermines our progress on climate change by repealing investments from the Inflation Reduction Act that are lowering energy bills and creating clean energy jobs in New Jersey. It guts funding for the Inflation Reduction Act programs at the Environmental Protection Agency. All while giving more handouts to polluters.

“New Jersey families deserve better than a cruel, backroom deal that sells out their health and their future to pay off corporate interests. I’ll keep fighting this bill with everything I’ve got.”

Trump’s Big, Ugly bill is expected for a vote in the U.S. House today July 2.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

NJ 6th District Congressman’s new letter follows unanswered June 9 request about lifeguard staffing at Sandy Hook to Trump’s Interior Secretary

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today demanded the immediate release of $162 million in federal funding that the Trump Administration is illegally withholding from New Jersey’s public schools. In a letter sent to Trump Budget Director Russell Vought, Pallone called the move a direct attack on the state’s 1.3 million students and over 100,000 educators.

The $7 billion in federal education funding, which was appropriated by Congress and signed into law, was due to be allocated by July 1 and is legally required to be distributed. Instead, Trump’s Office of Management and Budget is unlawfully withholding the funds from K-12 schools across the United States, creating financial chaos for New Jersey’s more than 600 school districts as they plan for the 2025–2026 academic year.

“Your willful refusal to distribute these funds on July 1 and the administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education are brazen attempts to undermines the rule of law. In effect, the Trump Administration has stolen taxpayer funds from America’s students and our public education system. Unless these unlawful actions are immediately reversed, New Jersey’s schools and the families they serve will suffer,” Pallone wrote.

Pallone warned that the impact will be felt across the state – through teacher layoffs, overcrowded classrooms, and cuts to critical programs like afterschool services, STEM education, and professional development.

The $162 million in frozen funds includes:

• Support for afterschool programs through 21^st Century Community Learning Centers.
• Teacher training and recruitment through Title II-A.
• STEM and technology education through Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants.

Pallone’s letter also raises constitutional concerns, pointing out that the Trump Administration’s actions violate Article I, which gives Congress – not the Executive Branch – the power to direct federal spending.

“Instead of working with Congress to implement a strategy that strengthens and improves our public education system, your actions exacerbate ongoing, nationwide problems like overcrowded classrooms and overstretched teachers. The American people deserve full transparency as to how the federal government is spending their tax dollars, especially when it concerns the education of our nation’s children. Your failure to submit a detailed spending plan for each agency to the Appropriations Committee – as required by law – further complicates matters and raises significant concerns about accountability and governance,” New Jersey’s 6^th District Congressman wrote.

A copy of the letter is available here and below: 

Director Vought: 

I write to express my grave concern regarding your illegal withholding of $7 billion in funds from K-12 public schools across the country, including $162 million intended for New Jersey. Your willful refusal to distribute these funds on July 1 and the administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education are brazen attempts to undermine the rule of law. In effect, the Trump Administration has stolen taxpayer funds from America’s students and our public education system. Unless these unlawful actions are immediately reversed, New Jersey’s schools and the families they serve will suffer. 

As millions of school aged children complete another academic year, schools and teachers are already busy preparing for the 2025-2026 academic year. The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) withholding of resources is creating senseless uncertainty for New Jersey’s 600 school districts, 1.3 million students, and more than a hundred thousand educators. The illegal withholding of federal education funding will mean massive budget shortfalls for local school districts leading to teacher layoffs, increased classroom sizes, diminished services for millions of students, and higher property taxes. Public schools already face immense struggles, and your utter disregard for our children’s future will only intensify the challenges they are facing.

In New Jersey, over $162 million in Department of Education funding is being withheld from school districts across the state. This disruption will undoubtedly harm educational outcomes, particularly for vulnerable students. The continued withholding of federal funds disrupts critical services, including afterschool programs from 21^st Century Community Learning Centers, professional development for educators through Title II-A, and STEM education support through Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants. Ultimately, these actions put further strain on America’s overburdened education workforce and deprive students of the high-quality education they deserve, while unlawfully ignoring Congressional intent. In doing so, you demonstrate the Trump Administration’s complete and total disregard for Article I of the Constitution, which clearly states that Congress, not the President, dictates federal spending.

Instead of working with Congress to implement a strategy that strengthens and improves our public education system, your actions exacerbate ongoing, nationwide problems like overcrowded classrooms and overstretched teachers. The American people deserve full transparency as to how the federal government is spending their tax dollars, especially when it concerns the education of our nation’s children. Your failure to submit a detailed spending plan for each agency to the Appropriations Committee – as required by law – further complicates matters and raises significant concerns about accountability and governance. 

Millions of Americans, including over a million students in New Jersey, are already feeling the negative impacts of your agency’s unlawful overreach. This is unacceptable, and I demand that you immediately release the $162 million in approved education funding for my state and for every local school district across the country.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your prompt response.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s mass firing of State Department personnel.  

“The mass firing of civil service and foreign service employees at the State Department is a reckless and unilateral disarmament of our national security toolbox. It is a gift to our adversaries and the way Secretary Rubio carried out this process further underscores the chaos and disregard for the rule of law that defines this administration.  

“Republicans claim to put ‘America First,’ but gutting our diplomatic and development corps does the opposite. These public servants have put America first their entire careers, advancing U.S. interests in some of the world’s most dangerous and complex environments. These firings — compounded by the administration’s unilateral shuttering of key bureaus and offices — effectively guts the institutional knowledge and expertise of the State Department that will take years to rebuild. 

“Despite Secretary Rubio’s claims, hollowing out the State Department does not make the U.S. more ‘agile.’ It puts us on our heels at a time when global threats are on the rise. This is not reform — it is sabotage. 

“By firing the very experts who keep us safe, Secretary Rubio is squandering decades of taxpayer investment in a world-class diplomatic force. These professionals deserve better. He should immediately reverse course and consult with Congress on a smarter way forward.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today sent a letter to Kari Lake, senior advisor for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), requesting she provide detailed information related to the decision to unilaterally shutter and alter USAGM operations, including withholding of funds to USAGM grantees and the drastic reduction of the USAGM workforce. USAGM and its broadcasters were reaching a record 427 million people weekly before the cuts, delivering objective news to China, Iran, Russia, and other repressive states.   

In a June 25 testimony before the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ms. Lake pledged to share documentation of her evaluation and assessment process that justified the reduction USAGM’s operations to statutory minimums. She has so far failed to do so. 

Text of the letter is below. A PDF copy of the letter can be found here.

Dear Ms. Lake,

Congress requires the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to provide objective and credible information to millions of people in repressive environments. The Voice of America and the other broadcasters and grantees that USAGM supports are critical for countering misinformation and anti-American propaganda and advancing U.S. values and leadership in some of the most truth-starved regions of the world.

During your testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on June 25, you made clear that the Trump Administration’s plan for USAGM is to dismantle, effectively surrendering the global information space to America’s adversaries. This reckless decision comes at a time when authoritarian regimes like China and Russia are ramping up misinformation about the United States and cracking down on independent media and an open, free Internet. You predicated this decision on false narratives and long debunked conspiracies. As part of your opening statement, Chairman Mast noted that you had, “provided binders and binders of information” to justify your actions. However, I understand that you did not leave those binders with the Committee as part of the official hearing record.

In your exchange with Members, furthermore, you committed to providing the Committee with additional information. Specifically, you pledged to Members that you would share documentation of your evaluation and assessment process that led to your decision to reduce USAGM’s operations to statutory minimums. I write today to follow up on your commitment to Members of the Committee and to request the following documentation by July 25, 2025:

1. Written analysis, including meeting minutes, and other documents related to your consultations on and assessments of potential changes prior to March 15, 2025;
2. Emails and other documentation of your meetings with USAGM staff or staff from the broadcasters and entities it supports;
3. The binders of documentation that Chairman Mast said that you provided the Committee; written documentation relevant to the shuttering and altering of USAGM operations, including withholding of funds to USAGM grantees and reduction in workforce plans.

USAGM and the broadcasters and grantees it supports have a storied history of success in reaching critical audiences around the world, yet this administration has unilaterally decided to withdraw from this legacy. I strongly urge you to provide a thorough and timely response to my requests. Thank you for your attention to these vital matters.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) issued the following statement:  

“Today, Republicans failed the American people by passing their Big, Ugly Bill that delivers the largest cuts to health care and food assistance in American history. House Democrats used every tool possible to persuade our Republican colleagues to do the right thing – from offering amendments to protect SNAP and Medicaid to Leader Jeffries 8+ hour “magic minute.” Republicans refused to listen. Now, millions will pay the price.

“Nearly 17 million people will lose their health care. Up to 300 hospitals and a quarter of nursing homes will close or cut services. Millions of children, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities will be kicked off of SNAP at a time when families are already struggling with rising grocery costs. They did all of this, including adding $4 trillion to the national debt, just to fund permanent tax breaks for billionaires. Working families, our children, and our grandchildren will be left to foot the bill. 

 “By bowing to the whims of the wannabe King, Donald Trump, Republicans have misled the American people. This reckless bill doesn’t cut wasteful spending and lower costs for working families. It punishes the vulnerable.

“Let’s be clear: Democrats won’t stop fighting. We’re standing up every day to protect access to health care, safe communities, quality education, good jobs, and secure retirements.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Gregory Murphy, M.D., today introduced the Strategy to Address Key Priorities Affecting Security and Empowerment in Haiti Act—the SAK PASE Act—bipartisan legislation which requires the State Department to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to confront the deepening crisis in Haiti and support a Haitian-led path to stability.

“The level of human suffering in Haiti is completely unacceptable, and we need a comprehensive strategy to address it,” said Ranking Member Meeks. “Today’s legislation represents a bipartisan commitment in the House of Representatives to adopt a comprehensive strategy that will support the Haitian people during the ongoing dire humanitarian and security crisis. I thank Dr. Murphy, whose work in Haiti as a medical missionary speaks to his deep understanding and compassion, for partnering in this effort to support the Haitian people.” 

“Haitian and Caribbean security are in the interest of American security,” said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. “As a medical missionary, I spent a great deal of time in Haiti and understand first-hand the issues that are plaguing the country and the need for stability. I am proud to support the bipartisan Sak Pase Act with Ranking Member Meeks and look forward to exploring ways the U.S. can bring peace to Haiti.”

The SAK PASE Act would: 

• Require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a comprehensive strategy to counter gang violence and advance stability in Haiti within 90 days of enactment;
• Require the State Department to consult with key stakeholders in developing the comprehensive strategy, including Haitian civil society, international partners such as the EU, Canada, and CARICOM, as well as the United Nations and other international bodies;
• And require the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a report describing progress made in implementing the strategy no later than 120 days after the submission of the strategy and annually thereafter for five years. 

A PDF copy of the legislation can be found here.