MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

Toledo, Ohio — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting it review whether a recent order issued by Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright that seeks to accelerate project execution might actually lead to more cost overruns, project delays and failures, and waste, fraud, and abuse at America’s national labs.

“We write to you today to raise concerns regarding the Department of Energy’s recent Secretarial Order titled ‘Strengthening National Laboratory Efficiency and Mission Execution,’ announced by Secretary Wright on March 27, 2025. The stated purpose of the Secretarial Order is to remove ‘red tape’ and accelerate mission execution. While the objective of enhancing efficiency is a laudable one,” Kaptur and Murray write, “the approach outlined in this order, curtailing oversight and regulatory processes, presents significant risks that warrant thorough evaluation.”

“Specifically, we are concerned that reducing oversight, rather than strengthening it, could lead to greater cost overruns and project delays, ultimately undermining the very mission objectives that this order intends to support,” they add.

Kaptur and Murray note that DOE oversees a wide range of sensitive, complex programs that require robust oversight to protect taxpayer dollars and prevent waste, delays, and hazards: “The Department is responsible for an extensive range of activities, including managing nuclear facilities, clean energy initiatives, and critical infrastructure. Each of these areas requires detailed oversight, rigorous financial controls, and transparent decision-making processes to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent effectively. Reducing these safeguards in the name of efficiency could expose these programs to a higher risk of financial mismanagement and project failure, as we have seen with past projects where inadequate supervision led to significant delays and budget overruns.”

Kaptur and Murray conclude by requesting GAO review the implications of Secretary Wright’s order: “Given these concerns, we respectfully request the GAO to review the potential implications of this Secretarial Order on the Department of Energy’s major programs and projects. Specifically, we ask that your office evaluate whether the removal of key oversight measures could increase the likelihood of cost overruns that cost Americans taxpayers and whether these changes provide sufficient safeguards to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse and protect taxpayer interests.”

The full letter is available by clicking here and reading below:

April 11, 2025

The Honorable Gene L. Dodaro
Comptroller General of the United States
Government Accountability Office
441 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20548

Dear Mr. Dodaro,

We write to you today to raise concerns regarding the Department of Energy’s recent Secretarial Order titled “Strengthening National Laboratory Efficiency and Mission Execution,” announced by Secretary Wright on March 27, 2025.  The stated purpose of the Secretarial Order is to remove “red tape” and accelerate mission execution.  While the objective of enhancing efficiency is a laudable one, the approach outlined in this order, curtailing oversight and regulatory processes, presents significant risks that warrant thorough evaluation. Specifically, we are concerned that reducing oversight, rather than strengthening it, could lead to greater cost overruns and project delays, ultimately undermining the very mission objectives that this order intends to support.

This new policy seeks to expedite the Department’s ability to carry out its projects and initiatives by scaling back existing government controls, particularly those related to procurement, contracting, and oversight. While streamlining processes can indeed be beneficial in certain contexts, the absence of proper federal oversight mechanisms often leads to unintended consequences—cost overruns, inefficiencies, and failures to meet project timelines. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has consistently highlighted the importance of strong project management and oversight in federal projects, particularly in areas as complex and high-stakes as those under the purview of the Department.

The Department is responsible for an extensive range of activities, including managing nuclear facilities, clean energy initiatives, and critical infrastructure. Each of these areas requires detailed oversight, rigorous financial controls, and transparent decision-making processes to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent effectively. Reducing these safeguards in the name of efficiency could expose these programs to a higher risk of financial mismanagement and project failure, as we have seen with past projects where inadequate supervision led to significant delays and budget overruns.

GAO’s body of work underscores the importance of maintaining a balance between the need for speed and the need for accountability. And the Department’s own tracking confirms the risk. For example, 53 percent – representing over $24 Billion – of the Department’s total project portfolio is currently at risk or expected to breach its performance baseline. Without sufficient oversight, there is a higher likelihood that projects will not meet their cost estimates or will fail to be completed within the allocated timelines. These issues can be especially pronounced in large-scale, long-term projects, where the absence of regular evaluations and assessments creates opportunities for waste, fraud, and abuse.

Furthermore, an “accelerated mission execution” culture risks prioritizing expediency over quality, safety, and long-term sustainability. For instance, the rush to move projects forward without adequate risk assessments or regulatory reviews could expose the Department to safety hazards, environmental risks, and long-term maintenance burdens that are costly to correct down the line. This risk is heightened given the high-hazard activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration, which involve nuclear weapons and radiation safety, and the Office of Environmental Management, which include addressing the cleanup and safe disposal of radioactive waste.

Given these concerns, we respectfully request the GAO to review the potential implications of this Secretarial Order on the Department of Energy’s major programs and projects. Specifically, we ask that your office evaluate whether the removal of key oversight measures could increase the likelihood of cost overruns that cost Americans taxpayers and whether these changes provide sufficient safeguards to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse and protect taxpayer interests.

We look forward to your insights on this matter and any recommendations your office might provide to mitigate these risks.

Sincerely,

# # #

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) introduced the Combatting Organized Retail Crime (CORCA) Act alongside Reps. Dave Joyce (OH-14), Susie Lee (NV-03), Dina Titus (NV-01), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Laurel Lee (Fl-15), Lou Correa (CA-46), and Michael Baumgartner (WA-05). This bipartisan, bicameral bill takes important steps to strengthen legal tools for law enforcement and crack down on interstate and transnational crime. The Senate companion bill is led by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV).

The CORCA Act builds off initiatives in the Safeguarding our Supply Chains Act, which was introduced by Congressman David Valadao and Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) in the 118th Congress.

“Organized retail crime and supply chain theft are hitting families and small businesses hard in the Central Valley and beyond,” said Congressman Valadao. “These crimes are largely run by sophisticated criminal networks that endanger public safety and drive-up costs for consumers. In the 118th Congress, I introduced the Safeguarding our Supply Chains Act to fight back against cargo theft, and I’m happy to see some of that language included in this bill. The CORCA Act gives law enforcement the tools they need to hold criminals accountable, and I’m proud to work with my colleagues to get this across the finish line.”

“Businesses throughout my district are facing the burdens of a rise in organized retail crimes and fraud schemes that are sweeping the nation,” said Rep. Joyce. “These criminal organizations are not only harming small businesses and retailers in our communities, but are also putting American consumers at risk of violence and fraud. These crimes also have more widespread consequences for public safety, as these organized groups often resell stolen goods to finance other illicit activities, including drug and human trafficking operations. Our bipartisan, bicameral legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to put a stop to these rampant crimes. I want to thank Senator Grassley for his steadfast leadership on this effort and all our House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their partnership in addressing this critical issue.” 

“Organized retail crime puts all of us in danger, while hurting consumers, taxpayers, and businesses of all sizes. And the stolen goods fund human trafficking and terrorism,” said Rep. Susie Lee. “Our local and state law enforcement are doing incredible work, but we need coordination at the federal level to investigate and prosecute these crimes. Our bipartisan legislation will support law enforcement with the tools they need to crack down on these criminal operations.”

“By establishing a coordinated federal response, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would target the criminals who endanger consumers, local businesses, and transportation networks, along with the nefarious transnational groups that fund their operations,” said Rep. Titus. “This legislation will help law enforcement better pursue and prosecute these bad actors, while protecting businesses and saving consumer dollars.”

“Organized cargo and retail theft are a real and growing problem in Illinois and across the country – it’s time Congress step in to counteract it,” said Rep. Schneider. “Cargo and retail theft are not just local issues — organized groups are stealing goods at all points in the supply chain, oftentimes well before products make it to shelves, and resell stolen items across state lines. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to safeguard commerce, consumer confidence, and national security.”

“The rise in sophisticated criminal activities targeting retail stores and the broader supply chain has become a critical threat to our national economy, consumer safety, and public security,” said Rep. Laurel Lee. “With retail theft surging by 93 percent over the last four years, the time to act is now. We must equip law enforcement with the necessary resources and tools to combat these criminals on a federal level, as they operate across state lines and international borders. I am proud to co-sponsor the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act to protect our businesses and keep our communities safe.”

“The damage of organized retail crime is real, and it hurts hard-working American taxpayers and businesses here in Orange County across the country,” Rep. Correa said. “Our state and local public safety officers work tirelessly to keep our communities safe from this crime, and they deserve the best possible tools to take down these criminal syndicates. Retail crime affects everyone—so I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act today to help stop this threat dead in its tracks.”

“Every time these criminals loot a store, fleece a supplier, highjack a trucker, shakedown a warehouse, honest Americans pay more. Prices go up, shelves go empty, and the working families in places like Spokane and Walla Walla get hit with a hidden tax — all because prosecutors are unable to prosecute, and thieves think they can get away with it,” said Rep. Baumgartner. “This bill hits back. It takes on the crime rings behind the theft, shuts down the online black market for stolen goods, and backs the blue with real support. Do you want to lower prices? Start by locking up the people who are robbing us blind.”

“The Home Depot applauds Congressman Valadao for committing to the safety of our associates and customers by introducing the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act,” said Scott Glenn, VP of Asset Protection, The Home Depot. “This legislation will help stop dangerous criminals from stealing from our stores.”

“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) strongly supports efforts to combat organized retail crime, and we appreciate the strong bipartisan support behind the reintroduction of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act,” said Megan Noland, MCSA Executive Director. “With provisions to strengthen penalties and the creation of a dedicated center for coordination and information sharing, this legislation is a vital step toward supporting law enforcement in our fight against organized crime. We look forward to working together to advance this important legislation during this Congress.”

“Organized cargo theft and fraud disrupt intermodal freight supply chains, risk the safety of our workforce, and harm the U.S. economy,” said Anne Reinke, President & CEO of the Intermodal Association of North America. “The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) applauds Senator Grassley (R-IA), Senator Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Reps. Joyce (R-OH), Lee (D-NV), Valadao (R-CA), Titus (D-NV), Baumgartner (R-WA), Schneider (D-IL), Lee (R-FL), and Correa (D-CA) for their leadership in championing critical legislation to address this urgent threat. The bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act will provide important resources to detect and fight organized crime throughout the supply chain, ensuring that our industry can continue delivering goods to American consumers safely and efficiently.”

“Organized criminal operations continue to evolve and escalate their targeted attacks against our nation’s supply chain and retailers,” said Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ian Jefferies. “This alarming trend affects every industry — including the nation’s largest railroads, which experienced a 40% spike in cargo theft last year. Rep. Valadao’s long-term leadership on developing a unified, federal response has been pivotal in shaping the legislation introduced today. CORCA’s economy-wide strategic framework will go a long way in disrupting these criminal networks and safeguarding our supply chain.”

“UPS supports the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act as it provides the necessary resources and coordination to protect the movement of American goods throughout our country while safeguarding the integrity of our national supply chain from rail to road, to retail,” said President of UPS Global Public Affairs Michael Kiely.

“Across the United States, communities small and large are facing an unprecedented number of Organized Retail Crime (ORC) incidents. The Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act would provide the necessary resources to bring the people and organizations behind this nationwide problem to justice by establishing formal coordination between law enforcement and the private sector,” said ICSC President and CEO, Tom McGee. “We applaud Reps. Joyce, Lee, Titus, and Valadao for reintroducing the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act. We believe the bill represents a huge step in the right direction towards addressing this growing issue.”

“The trucking industry takes great pride in delivering America’s freight safely and on time; however, the billions of tons of goods transported by trucks from coast to coast have increasingly become a prime target for organized crime rings, including transnational organizations, putting truck drivers at risk and raising costs for consumers,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear.  “ATA commends this bipartisan group of leaders for addressing this alarming trend and safeguarding our supply chain.  By empowering federal agencies to improve cooperation across jurisdictions and ramp up enforcement actions, this bill would strike an effective blow against organized crime.”

“Sophisticated criminal gangs are targeting retailers through brazen organized retail crime schemes, defrauding customers via gift card scams and attacking our supply chains by hijacking our rails and truck shipments. These criminal activities put retail employees, customers and supply chain partners in danger and allow criminal gangs to use ill-gotten profits to fund nefarious activities such as drug smuggling and human trafficking. Dismantling these organized criminal rings requires cooperation and collaboration. RILA thanks Reps. Joyce (R-OH), Lee (D-NV), Valadao (R-CA), Titus (D-NV), Baumgartner (R-WA), Schneider (D-IL), Lee (R-FL), and Correa (D-CA) for their leadership and commitment to enacting the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), which brings federal, state, and local law enforcement together to intercept and prosecute these criminal enterprises. RILA looks forward to working with them to get this critical piece of legislation signed into law,” said Michael Hanson, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Senior Executive Vice President, Public Affairs. 

“NRF applauds Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH-14) for his continued leadership to address one of retail’s biggest challenges, the rise of organized retail crime. ORC is a multibillion-dollar crisis impacting retailers, their associates and the customers they serve. ORC is occurring across the retail enterprise – supply chains, bricks-and-mortar stores, warehouses and online – with stolen product sold for a profit, oftentimes to fund other crimes. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 will align efforts within a new Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center to ensure that resources and information-sharing will be available across local, state, federal and private-sector partners to bring cases and prosecutions against organized theft groups. This legislation is an important step to help prevent ORC from infiltrating local communities across the country,” said NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French.

Background:

Sophisticated criminal organizations have been increasingly involved in theft, fraud, and other property crimes against retail stores and various components of the supply chain. These crimes have escalated in scope and impact, threatening the national economy, consumer safety, and public security. According to the National Retail Federation, retail larceny incidents increased by 93% from 2019 to 2023, and stores lost $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023. This surge in retail crime is often orchestrated by organized groups to resell stolen goods through physical and online marketplaces, further fueling illicit profits and financing additional criminal enterprises.

At the same time, product manufacturers and supply chains are experiencing a rise in organized cargo theft across rails, roads, and the various distribution points across the United States. CargoNet reported a 27% increase in cargo theft incidents in 2024 over 2023. These thefts range from large-scale physical theft of goods from containers and storage to sophisticated cybercriminal methods that divert shipments to illicit receivers. This causes significant financial losses and operational supply chain disruptions.

The CORCA Act would:

• Strengthen legal tools for law enforcement by allowing criminal forfeitures for interstate shipment, transportation of stolen goods, or sale of stolen goods convictions.
• Expand money laundering statutes.
• Enable prosecution of organized retail and supply chain groups using interstate or foreign commerce to facilitate crimes.
• Mandate the creation of the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) and the Department of Homeland Security.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act is also supported by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Reusable Packaging Association, DHL, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the National Milk Producers Foundation, the Transportation Intermediaries Association, the PASS (Protect America’s Small Sellers) Coalition, the International Downtown Association, Amazon, the World Shipping Council, Pirate Ship, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Walgreens Co., CVS Health, Kroger, Walmart, and Target.

Read the full bill here.

###

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support, and Randy Feenstra (R-IA) introduced the bipartisan Tax-Free Pell Grants Act to remove a financial and logistical barrier impairing students from securing higher education opportunities. 

Specifically, the legislation expands the usage of Pell Grants on a tax-free basis, improves coordination with the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), and ensures students do not lose out on any AOTC benefits. An incredibly timely solution as ongoing cuts to postsecondary institutions and research labs across the country result in lost revenue and financial gaps in operating costs, potentially leading to increases in tuition and fees for students and their families.

“Pell Grants are an important way for more lower-income Americans to get an education and work toward a successful career,” said Rep. Kelly. “More than 216,000 Pennsylvania students benefitted from Pell Grants last year. I’m again proud to join Congressman Doggett on this bipartisan legislation that will expand what these grants can be used for – including child care and computers — so many more Americans, particularly single mothers, have the ability to access higher education to achieve long-term financial stability for themselves and their families.”

“Everyone deserves a chance at success, and we should be simplifying our tax code to unlock more support for students interested in going to college but who may need a little financial help to get there,” said Rep. Doggett. “This legislation would also expand eligible expenses under the existing tax credit to include computers and childcare, which for many is essential to achieving their dreams and growing our economy.”

“Education is fundamental to our democracy,” said Rep. Davis. “I am proud to join Representatives Doggett, Kelly, and Feenstra in leading this bill that helps low-income students get the most from the American Opportunity Tax Credit. In my District, relatively few taxpayers use the AOTC because many attend community colleges and can’t claim their childcare and computer costs. Ensuring that students can fully benefit from the AOTC credit without worry about being taxed on the Pell grant helps educate our citizenry and strengthen them economically.”

“I have long supported Pell Grants because they offer academic opportunities to our students and ensure that Iowans who might otherwise skip higher education because of the cost can pursue advanced studies. These grants are an important investment in the next generation of leaders, farmers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who will support our communities and power our economy forward,” said Rep. Feenstra. “However, current law still requires some students to pay taxes on their Pell Grants, reducing the financial support that these grants are intended to provide. That’s why I’m glad to help introduce legislation to make Pell Grants completely tax-free so that our kids can focus on their studies without worrying about the cost.”

“The Tax-Free Pell Grant Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that ensures students—especially those at community colleges—can fully benefit from the financial aid they’ve earned without facing burdensome tax rules,” said Megan Coval, President of Butler County Community College (BC3). “As a proud member of the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges, Butler County Community College joins our colleagues across the commonwealth in supporting this important legislation. By making Pell Grants fully tax-free and aligning them with the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the bill removes barriers that disproportionately impact low-income students and those attending lower-cost institutions, like BC3. We applaud Congressman Kelly and Congressman Doggett for their leadership and strongly support this effort to expand opportunity, reduce financial uncertainty, and empower community college students in Butler County and across the nation.”

BACKGROUND

While Pell Grant awards used to pay for tuition and fees are already treated as tax-free income, any portion of a Pell Grant used for other education-related items like living expenses is taxed. Currently, using Pell Grants to cover tuition reduces potential AOTC eligibility and creates complications for students in maximizing their educational benefits. As a result, many students simply forgo the AOTC, leaving an estimated hundreds of millions of dollars unclaimed each year. By increasing compatibility with the AOTC, we can ensure that Pell Grants are not treated as taxable income, even if they are used for non-tuition education expenses.

The AOTC covers up to $2,500 in annual college tuition, fees, and other education-related expenses — 40% of the credit, up to $1,000, is refundable. With more than 3 million undergraduate students in the United States being parents—nearly one in five college students—access to affordable childcare can be the difference between completing a degree program or not. The Tax-Free Pell Grants Act meets this need by adding childcare and computer costs as qualifying expenses for the AOTC.

Endorsing organizations: American Association of Community Colleges, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Universities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

The bill text is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced the Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025 (SMRCA) to secure the United States’ preeminent position in commercializing and industrializing grid-scale small modular reactor (SMR) technology.

“We want the United States to be the nuclear energy manufacturing powerhouse of the world,” said Congressman Baird. “To get there, we must ensure the U.S. is uniquely poised to attract top SMR companies and get them to build their factories here. Last year, Congress passed the ADVANCE Act to support the initial deployment of advanced nuclear reactors. This legislation builds on the ADVANCE Act to tackle the next question of how our nation can compete on truly commercializing and manufacturing this technology at-scale.”

“I’m proud to co-lead this bill with Congressman Baird to make America the global leader in advanced nuclear manufacturing,” said Congressman Harrigan. “Small modular reactors are the future of clean, reliable power, and the country that builds them at scale will set the rules. This legislation ensures that country is the United States.”

The Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025 addresses the U.S. SMR industrialization competitiveness through:

• Creating an SMR Industrialization Competitiveness Working Group: This bill directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a long-term working group responsible for positioning the United States to compete for long-term SMR industrialization, beyond first-of-a-kind demonstrator production volumes.
• Modernizing SMR Electrical Output Thresholds, Reducing Cost-of-Electricity: This bill brings the definition of a Small Modular Reactor up to modern technology standards, in alignment with the ADVANCE Act. The new definition increases the electrical output threshold for “Small Modular Reactors” from 300MWe (enacted in 2005) to 500MWe. By increasing this figure, domestic (U.S.) industrialization and accelerated deployment of SMRs with higher electrical outputs become possible.

The 500MWe figure threshold encompasses all Small Modular Reactor designs currently undergoing pre-application or licensing activities with the NRC. The threshold also adheres to the definition of an Advanced Reactor set forth in the ADVANCE Act—whereby, it is below the lowest electrical output of a previous generation reactor in operation on December 27, 2020 (519 MWe).

Representatives Pat Harrigan (NC-10) and Claudia Tenney (NY-24) joined Congressman Jim Baird in the introduction of this legislation.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, DC –  Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) led New York’s entire Democratic Congressional delegation in writing to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy requesting a meeting to discuss the unprecedented attacks on New York State’s health funding. 

“We write regarding the Trump administration’s recent attempt to rescind more than $11 billion in congressionally authorized funding from state and local health departments across the country. Under these cuts, New York state health departments will lose an estimated $400 million in critical health funding, with $100 million of that being pulled from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene alone,” the lawmakers wrote. “As a result of these actions, the New York State Department of Health has laid off more than 200 public health workers, including 50 full time staff and 168 public health fellows… Every single one of our constituents will be impacted by these actions.” 

A total of 19 lawmakers signed the letter. In addition to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Nadler, the following members joined in signing: Representatives Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), George Latimer (NY-16), John Mannion (NY-22), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Grace Meng (NY-06), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Josh Riley (NY-19), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07). 

The letter details that at least 200 community-based organizations that provide mental health, maternal health, and other life-saving services have had their funding jeopardized, and that rescinding congressional mandated funding is illegal and has already been blocked by a federal judge. The lawmakers conclude by requesting a meeting with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and his staff no later than April 22, 2025. 

The full letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Member Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Ranking Member Richard Neal (MA-01), Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda Sánchez (CA-38), along with all Ways and Means Committee Democrats introduced the Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act, a bill to end the constant chaos created by President Trump’s trade wars and reclaim Congress’ authority over tariffs.

“Trade policy should support American families, workers, and small businesses and not be wielded as a political weapon. This legislation once again reasserts that the president does not have the power to unilaterally impose sweeping tariffs, and tightens existing loopholes to ensure no president can violate our constitution moving forward,” said DelBene. “For communities in Washington, where trade-dependent businesses drive our local economy, this bill brings much-needed stability and ensures our trade policy reflects long-term economic interests, not political whims.” 

“President Trump’s reckless abuse of tariffs has sparked nothing but chaos,” said Sánchez. “American families have been anxiously bracing for rising costs and small businesses are worried they won’t survive the economic strain – all while the president flip-flops on tariffs at a whim, doing backroom deals and keeping negotiations out of the public eye. It’s time to end this madness. Congress must step in and take the trade keys away from our rogue president and protect the American people.”

“Over the years, Congress has entrusted more and more authority over trade to the Executive Branch, and recent events have made it clear we must reclaim that authority,” said Neal. “This president is willing to call anything an emergency to justify his every chaotic whim. The American people deserve better—they deserve stability and forethought. That’s why I’m proud to support Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Sánchez’s legislation that will deliver just that.”

The Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act would:

• Turn off the global tariffs imposed on April 2: The bill would permanently turn off the new baseline tariffs of 10 percent for all countries as well as the massive increases in tariffs for 60 trading partners, such as Europe, Israel, Japan, South Korea and Kenya. This would return most rates to the levels they were before the president’s tariff spree.
• Turn off the tariffs imposed by executive order for Mexico and Canada: The president should not be able to use congressional trade authorities to extort our closest allies. If there are trade issues with those two countries, then there is a process in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that President Trump negotiated, and Congress authorized.
• Require congressional approval for all new tariffs: The Constitution gives Congress the authority over trade. Getting a vote on tariff actions should not be held hostage to political whim; votes would be treated as privileged measures that ensures that the American people get to have their say. Apolitical tariff actions – like trade remedies, safeguards and trade agreement dispute settlement – are already insulated from partisan abuse and would not require a congressional vote under the bill.

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Richard Neal (MA-01), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Mike Thompson (CA-04), John Larson (CT-01), Danny Davis (IL-07), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Don Beyer (VA-08), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Stacey Plaskett (VI-at Large), Tom Suozzi (NY-03) and Adam Gray (CA-13).

A copy of the bill text can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) reintroduced the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act alongside Reps. Julia Brownley (CA-26), Adrian Smith (NE-03), and Gabe Evans (CO-08). This bipartisan, bicameral bill makes critical reforms to improve access to supplemental oxygen for Medicare beneficiaries. The Senate companion bill is led by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-IL), Mark Warner (D-IN), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

“Supplemental oxygen is lifesaving, but many people struggle to get access due to burdensome Medicare requirements,” said Congressman Valadao. “The SOAR Act makes it easier for people to get the oxygen treatment they need to live healthy, active lives. I want to thank my colleagues for joining me in the fight to ensure the availability of this critical medical resource.”

“No one should have to struggle to breathe, yet millions of seniors face this difficult and frightening reality every day,” said Rep. Brownley. “This legislation will ensure that over 1.5 million Americans who rely on supplemental oxygen have access to the care and portable oxygen they need, helping them to lead healthier, more active lives.”

“Patients who need supplemental oxygen treatments face significant barriers to care, especially in rural areas like Nebraska’s Third District where long driving distances are required to access respiratory treatment,” said Rep. Smith. “This bipartisan bill would improve quality of life and outcomes for these patients by allowing Medicare coverage flexibility for beneficiaries who depend on supplemental oxygen. I thank Rep. Valadao and my other colleagues for working together to reintroduce it.”

“As a parent whose child has relied on supplemental oxygen in Colorado’s high-altitude environment, I know firsthand how critical access to it is,” said Rep. Evans. “I’m proud to cosponsor the SOAR Act to ensure patients in rural communities across Colorado District 8 and the nation get the care they need— without unnecessary barriers.”

“Thank you to the SOAR Act’s champions. For more than a million people living with chronic lung disease, access to the right type of supplemental oxygen is not just a necessity; it is their lifeline. It allows them to attend family gatherings, go to medical appointments and even complete daily activities like going to the grocery store. Unfortunately, too many people face challenges in getting the right type and levels of oxygen. The bipartisan, bicameral SOAR Act offers a critical solution by ensuring access to the appropriate supplemental oxygen for all who depend on it. This truly lifechanging legislation is needed now more than ever, and we urge Congress to swiftly pass the SOAR Act,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association.

“The reintroduction of the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act (SOAR) marks a critical step forward in ensuring Medicare beneficiaries have access to life-sustaining supplemental oxygen and the expertise of respiratory therapists in the home setting,” said Dana Evans, MHA, RRT, RRT-NPS, President of the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC). “This legislation addresses long-standing challenges caused by inadequate Medicare reimbursement and limited access to skilled respiratory care professionals. By establishing a new payment methodology for liquid oxygen and prioritizing patient access to respiratory therapists, the SOAR Act is essential for improving the quality of life and health outcomes for more than 1.5 million Americans who depend on supplemental oxygen. Together with our coalition partners, we remain committed to turning this legislation into law and ensuring that all patients receive the respiratory care they need to live fuller, healthier lives.”

“Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive, fatal lung disease that impacts individuals of every age, including children and young adults and is characterized by shortness of breath and fatigue. People with PH often need high-flow supplemental oxygen, more than is provided by a portable oxygen concentrator, to continue basic daily activities such as medical appointments, grocery shopping and family visits. The disappearance of liquid oxygen from the market leaves these already short-of-breath individuals burdened with larger oxygen tanks they may not be able to lift, effectively leaving them house bound. By maximizing medically appropriate access to all forms of supplemental oxygen, the SOAR Act allows people with pulmonary hypertension the freedom to return to their everyday activities and life healthier, happier, more independent lives,” said Matt J. Granato, LL.M., MBA, President & CEO, Pulmonary Hypertension Association.

“The COPD Foundation thanks Senator Cassidy for his sponsorship of the SOAR Act and his leadership on the urgent need for Medicare supplemental oxygen reform. Our advocates will work tirelessly with him to ensure this bill becomes law in 2025. The time is now to make sure people with COPD have access to this essential care,” said Jean Wright, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of the COPD Foundation.

“Filling an oxygen prescription should be as straightforward as picking up medication from the pharmacy, but for patients, it’s an uphill battle fraught with obstacles and delays,” said Scott Staszak, President and CEO of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to Senate and House co-sponsors for championing oxygen reform legislation, giving Americans the chance to breathe easier and live more fully.”

“It is important to see this bill brought back in front of Congress for approval,” says John Howington, MD, MBA, FCCP, President of the American College of Chest Physicians. “As an organization of pulmonary experts, we see firsthand the suffering of those with severe chronic lung diseases, like interstitial lung disease, who lack sufficient access to necessary oxygen therapies. We need the support of Congress to improve the quality of life of the 1.5 million patients who will benefit from access to supplemental oxygen through this bill.”

“As a California lung transplant pulmonologist based in the San Francisco Bay Area, I know from firsthand experience that the Medicare supplemental oxygen benefit is not serving my patients well.  The patients I care for have advanced lung disease, and in the pre-transplant period they frequently require much higher oxygen flow rates than portable oxygen concentrators can deliver. Due to a near collapse of the oxygen market, my patients now rely on very heavy and inefficient oxygen canisters when they leave their homes, putting them at constant risk of running out of oxygen. In essence, the current Medicare supplemental oxygen benefit entraps them at home and prevents them from leading productive lives.  The legislation introduced by Rep. Valadao, Rep. Brownley and colleagues will make essential changes to the Medicare supplemental oxygen benefit that will help my patients and will provide greater access to higher quality supplemental oxygen systems.  I am grateful for the leadership of Rep. Valadao and Rep. Brownley and urge Congress to quickly pass this legislation,”  said Nicholas A. Kolaitis MD MAS , California physician and member of the ATS Health Policy Committee.

“The CQRC applauds Senate and House sponsors for the prompt reintroduction of the SOAR Act in the 119th Congress to maintain and stabilize reimbursement rates for supplemental oxygen supplies and services. This legislation will also ensure enhanced respiratory and pulmonary care access, including increased access to high flow modalities for patients to improve independence and quality of life,” said Robin L. Menchen, President and CEO of Rotech Healthcare and a Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC) Board Member. “We look forward to continuing our advocacy for this important legislation to build upon the momentum the SOAR Act had in the previous Congress to ensure it is passed this year.”

Background:

Currently, Medicare covers oxygen as a durable medical equipment (DME) benefit for patients who experience oxygen desaturation, a lower level of oxygen in the blood due to lung disease or other chronic conditions. Supplemental oxygen can be delivered in several forms, including compressed or liquid oxygen, and portable or stationary oxygen. Since 2011, CMS implemented the competitive bidding process for supplemental oxygen, causing payment rates for all types of oxygen to drop substantially. Liquid oxygen is lightweight, portable and can deliver oxygen at higher levels for people with more advanced lung disease, but unfortunately it is almost impossible for patients to access.

The SOAR Act would:

• Remove all oxygen and oxygen equipment from Medicare competitive bidding.
• Establish a separate payment rate for liquid oxygen.
• Create a new add-on to the supplemental oxygen rate to reimburse respiratory therapist services to Medicare beneficiaries.
• Establish protections for Medicare beneficiaries who use supplemental oxygen.
• Ensure program integrity by strengthening fraud and abuse protections.

Read the full bill here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

Rep. Jack Bergman, joined by Michigan GOP colleagues Rep. John Moolenaar, Rep. Tim Walberg, and Rep. John James sent a letter to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker calling for him to reverse course on a recent politically charged decision that would jeopardize efforts to keep invasive Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes. The letter highlights that the delay is both unjustified and dangerous to the continued health of our Great Lakes.

Recently, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker halted the Brandon Road Interbasin Project – a critical piece of infrastructure being built to prevent invasive carp from migrating from the Mississippi River basin into Lake Michigan.

In a hard-hitting letter to Pritzker, the Members of Congress noted, “We write to express our profound dismay at your decision to unilaterally suspend Construction Increment IA of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP), administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island District. As you know, the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, has been identified as the critical chokepoint for preventing the upstream movement of invasive carp and other nuisance species from the Mississippi River basin into the Great Lakes through the Illinois Waterway. This unnecessary and unfounded obstruction trades responsible governance for partisan grandstanding, putting our Great Lakes, economy, and communities at needless risk.”

Additionally, the Members noted that Pritzker’s move reflected either a “fundamental misunderstanding or a deliberate disregard” of longstanding federal financial law.

You can read the full letter here or below:

Governor Pritzker:

We write to express our profound dismay at your decision to unilaterally suspend Construction Increment IA of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP), administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island District. As you know, the Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, has been identified as the critical chokepoint for preventing the upstream movement of invasive carp and other nuisance species from the Mississippi River basin into the Great Lakes through the Illinois Waterway. This unnecessary and unfounded obstruction trades responsible governance for partisan grandstanding, putting our Great Lakes, economy, and communities at needless risk.

On February 10, 2025, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources notified USACE that the State would be postponing the real estate closing agreement required for USACE to commence work on Construction Increment IA. Citing an “anticipated lack of federal funding for the Brandon Road Project,” the State has demanded assurances from the federal government that the funds allocated to BRIP through Pub. L. 117-58 will remain available.

This demand reflects either a fundamental misunderstanding or a deliberate disregard of longstanding federal financial law. Under 31 U.S.C. § 1501, federal funds can only be considered obligated – and thus legally bound for their designated purpose – once a formal commitment, such as a contract, is executed by an agency.2 However, USACE cannot take this step until the State of Illinois finalizes the real estate closing agreement – a prerequisite that your office is deliberately delaying. As a result, the very funds you claim to be protecting with the pause remain unobligated and at risk of rescission or reprogramming by Congress – an authority that has long rested with Congress concerning unobligated funds still at the U.S. Treasury.

Of course, you would recognize this if your decision to pause the project were not driven by partisan motives. In a February 7, 2025, memorandum shared with your office, USACE confirmed that $100 million in federal funds was available for the scheduled February 17, 2025, start of Construction Increment IA. Yet, the designated funds now hang in the balance over your insistence on receiving assurances from the Trump administration – assurances that are entirely unnecessary. The reality is that your office has the authority to finalize the real estate closing agreement and allow USACE to proceed, making your delay both unjustified and dangerous to the continued health of our Great Lakes.

The commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries of the Great Lakes generate between $5 and $7 billion annually for the economies of the United States and Canada, supporting more than 75,000 jobs.3 These waters sustain a world-class fishery built on native and naturalized species like whitefish, salmon, and lake trout – species that would be devastated by the spread of invasive carp from the Illinois Waterway. Allowing their introduction would be an irreversible economic and ecological disaster, jeopardizing industries, livelihoods, and entire communities that depend on the Great Lakes.

Safeguarding our lakes demands strong leadership that prioritizes responsible action over political posturing. Years of strategic planning and bipartisan collaboration between USACE Rock Island District and the States of Illinois and Michigan have brought us to the threshold of a historic preservation victory for our region’s economy and environment. Your obstruction not only undermines this progress but signals a reckless disregard for the long-term health of the Great Lakes and the millions of people who rely on them. We urge you, in the strongest terms possible, to abandon this self-serving interest, finalize the real estate closing agreement, and allow USACE to move forward with BRIP without further delay. The Great Lakes – and the future of those who depend on them – deserve nothing less.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Veronica Escobar (TX-16) sent a letter to President Donald Trump calling on him to end his administration’s use of detention for families and children. 

“The last Administration rightfully ended the use of family detention because it is well-documented that detaining children, regardless of the length of detention, causes lasting harm, and yet does nothing to deter migration,” wrote the Members.

The Biden administration recognized the harm of family detention and stopped relying on this outdated and expensive form of immigration enforcement. However, the Trump administration has brought it back despite numerous studies proving that family detention subjects children to significant psychological trauma and long-term mental health risks.

“Multiple administrations have tried to use family detention, only to find it does nothing to prevent families from seeking safety here and instead serves only to traumatize new generations of children,” the Members continued.

Detaining families with children is cruel and unnecessary. There are humane solutions to ensure families comply with immigration proceedings while saving taxpayers money. The Family Case Management Program (FCMP) used case managers to ensure clear assistance to those navigating the immigration system. It produced a 99 percent compliance rate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and immigration court requirements, without relying on detention. FCMP also costs taxpayers only $36 per day while detention can cost up to $319.

The full text of the letter can be read here.

The letter was also signed by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Gerald Connolly (VA-11), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Silvia Garcia (TX-29), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Al Green (TX-09), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sarah Jacobs (CA-51), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), David Scott (GA-13), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

It is also endorsed by Alianza Americas; American Immigration Council; American Immigration Lawyers Association; Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC; Bend the Arc: Jewish Action; Caring Across Generations; Center for Gender & Refugee Studies; Center for Law and Social Policy; Center for Victims of Torture; Children’s Defense Fund; Church World Service; Coalition on Human Needs; Global Refuge; Government Accountability Project; Human Rights First; Immigration Equality; Immigration Law & Justice Network; Innovation Law Lab; Instituto para las Mujeres en la Migración (IMUMI); International Refugee Assistance Project; Kids in Need of Defense; Kino Border Initiative; Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG); MPower Change Action Fund; National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum; National Education Association; National Immigrant Justice Center; National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice; National Partnership for New Americans; People’s Action Institute; Refugee Council USA; Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team; Stop AAPI Hate; T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; The Advocates for Human Rights; UndocuBlack Network; United We Dream; Witness at the Border; Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights; Al Otro Lado; AVAN Immigrant Services; Children’s Defense Fund-Texas; Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice Ventura County (CLUE VC); Colorado Asylum Center; East Bay Sanctuary Covenant; Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project; Free Migration Project; Immigrant Children Advocates’ Relief Effort (ICARE); Immigrant Defenders Law Center; Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy; Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity; Midwest Immigration Bond Fund; New York Immigration Coalition; Oasis Legal Services; Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA); Presbytery of the Pacific, PCUSA; Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network; Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN); Voices for Utah Children.

Issues: Civil Rights, Immigration

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today after the House voted to pass Senate Republicans’ budget resolution:

“Anyone who has ever promoted fiscal responsibility but supports this Republican budget resolution is defrauding the American people. This budget is unprecedented in its fiscal irresponsibility, upending decades of precedent to clear a path for Republicans to add $5.8 trillion to our national debt over the next decade. That’s more than the cost of the American Rescue Plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and Donald Trump’s original 2017 tax cuts for the rich combined.

“Republicans are exploding the national debt to pass their massive tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals and companies in America.  At the same time, this budget threatens the largest cut to Medicaid in history, while Trump’s tariffs continue to increase everyday costs for working Americans. The American people are already struggling economically. They should not have to bear additional costs to help the wealthiest individuals get even further ahead.

“Republicans threw out the rulebook to force this budget through. They ought throw out their budget proposal instead.”