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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) issued the following statement today after Senate Republicans passed President Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a massive giveaway to the ultra-wealthy that slashes Medicaid and health care, makes the largest cuts to food assistance in American history, reverses clean energy investments, and more. 

“The Senate’s version of Trump’s One Big Ugly Bill is even more extreme than the House bill. It includes the same historic cuts to SNAP—gutting food assistance for millions of children, seniors, and people with disabilities—but somehow manages to sink even lower on health care,” said Congressman Cohen. “It slashes over $1.1 trillion from Medicaid and the ACA, threatening to eliminate coverage for 17 million Americans. They’re not even pretending it’s about the deficit anymore—this bill explodes the debt by $4 trillion, all to finance massive tax breaks for Trump’s Mar-a-Lago base: the millionaires, the billionaires, the AI and tech elite, the multinational corporations funding his military parades. It’s indefensible. This is likely the worst bill that has ever been presented for the citizens of Memphis and Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District, and I will vote a resounding ‘no’ when it comes before the House this week.”

The Senate passed its version of the One Big Ugly Bill today in a party-line vote of 51-50, advancing legislation originally approved by House Republicans in May. Congressman Cohen voted against the House version previously and plans to oppose the bill again when it returns to the House for final consideration.

The Senate-passed version of the One Big Ugly Bill would make even deeper cuts to essential programs than the House’s, slashing SNAP, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies by more than $1.3 trillion. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and independent health experts, the Senate’s bill would end health care coverage for 17 million Americans and impose new out-of-pocket costs on low-income Medicaid recipients. It also includes a backdoor abortion ban and eliminates all federal funding for Planned Parenthood. 

The bill would also eliminate clean energy tax credits for working families and gut American investments in climate resilience. Despite all the cuts, the CBO estimates that the bill would add $4 trillion to the national debt—a result of tax giveaways to millionaires, billionaires, and individuals earning more than $500,000 each year, wealthy multinational corporations, and others in President Trump’s donor base. 

The Senate’s One Big Ugly Bill would: 

• End health coverage for millions — Slashes over $1.1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, resulting in at least 17 million Americans losing their insurance, according to CBO projections.
• Cut SNAP at historic levels — Cuts more than $190 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the largest in cut in the program’s history, wiping out nutrition assistance for millions of children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
• Impose new costs on the poor — Requires Medicaid recipients earning as little as $16,000 per year to pay out-of-pocket co-pays of up to $35 for each doctor visit.
• Put rural hospitals and clinics at risk — Cuts funding for community health centers, nursing homes, and rural hospitals that rely heavily on Medicaid to serve low-income and elderly patients.
• Strip access to care from low-income communities — Defunds Planned Parenthood and decreases access to women’s health services such as contraception and other reproductive care, cancer screenings, and more, especially in low-income communities.
• Punish clean energy while rewarding Big Oiland Gas — Strips tax incentives for wind and solar, imposes new taxes on clean energy projects, and redirects climate program funds to give oil and gas companies new tax breaks and subsidies.
• Kill clean energy tax credits and raise costs — Eliminates clean energy tax credits for working- and middle-class homeowners and small businesses (e.g. rooftop solar, efficiency upgrades), phases out clean energy incentives for wind, solar, and EVs, and slashes investments in climate resilience, reversing critical sustainability gains.
• Divert national security funds to Trump’s private benefit — Allows national security funding to be used for retrofitting the luxury Qatari jet procured by Donald Trump, which some experts estimate could cost taxpayers up to $1 billion—for a plane he is unlikely to use while in office, but which could become a taxpayer-funded centerpiece of his presidential library to boost visitor traffic.
• Boost military spending while slashing social safety net programs — Hikes the Pentagon budget by $150 billion—a 15% increase—while slashing health care, nutrition assistance, and other critical services for working families.
• Give billionaires a massive inheritance tax break — Eliminates the estate tax for the wealthiest 0.2% of Americans, delivering $211 billion in tax breaks on inheritances over $30 million
• Shower big corporations with tax breaks — Delivers $918 billion in tax breaks to large corporations, including those that ship jobs overseas or replace American workers with AI.
• Explode the national debt to benefit the wealthy — Adds $4 trillion to the federal deficit, according to the Congressional Budget Office, to finance tax breaks for billionaires, Big Oil, and multinational corporations. 

The bill must now return to the House for a final vote, which is expected to take place later this week, before it can head to the President’s desk. Click here for more information from the House Ways and Means Committee Democrats. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Representatives Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) introduced the Access to Claims Data Act – a bipartisan bill that will strengthen medical research and improve overall patient care by providing physician researchers with access to Medicare claims data. 

“Many physicians do research to improve our practice of medicine, which is always evolving,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “The massive quantity of data that Medicare can provide to those physician researchers will help them guide the rest of us in how to deliver the best care and outcomes to our patients.” 

“As a physician, I understand that the practice of medicine must continue to evolve so patients receive the highest quality care,” said Congressman John Joyce, M.D. “By introducing the bipartisan Access to Claims Data Act, we can ensure that clinical data is driving future innovations within the practice of medicine to ensure better outcomes for patients.”

The legislation would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a program that allows clinician-led clinical data registries access to Medicare claims data for research, quality of care measurement, and reporting. Clinician-led clinical data registries are data repositories operated by physician groups that collect information about particular diseases and therapies.

“Access to robust, longitudinal claims data is essential to improving the quality and value of surgical care,” said Joseph F. Sabik, III, MD, President of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). “The Access to Claims Data Act gives physicians access to a broader view of patient care. When combined with existing specialty-specific data, it can help us better understand outcomes, close gaps in care, and deliver more effective treatment for our patients.”

“AAOS is grateful to Representatives Kim Schrier and John Joyce for their leadership in introducing the Access to Claims Data Act,” saidAdam Bruggeman, M.D., FAAOS, chair of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons Advocacy Council. “As the operator of five musculoskeletal clinical data registries, we know firsthand how critical access to Medicare claims data is for evaluating long-term outcomes and driving meaningful improvements in patient care. This bipartisan legislation will help clinician-led registries like ours overcome current barriers and empower orthopaedic surgeons to continue innovating and improving healthcare for their patients.”

“Improving patient care starts with better data—and the Access to Claims Data Act is a critical step forward. For more than 25 years, the ACC’s National Cardiovascular Data Registry has helped transform cardiovascular care through real-world evidence and outcomes research,” said American College of Cardiology President Christopher M. Kramer, MD, FACC. “But the ability to track long-term effectiveness is hampered by regulatory barriers that block access to critical federal claims data. Without full access to Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children’s Health Insurance Program claims data, it is more difficult to understand how our therapies work over time. This bill cuts through the red tape, allowing clinician-led registries the ability to deliver more accurate insights, improve patient safety, and drive value-based care across the nation.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), released the following statement after voting against the Republicans’ sweeping budget package, which will rip away healthcare from 17 million Americans, force rural hospitals to shut down, crowd emergency departments, eliminate critical food assistance, raise costs for millions of Americans, and add trillions of dollars to our nation’s debt, all to give a giant tax break to billionaires. 

 “As a pediatrician, I have seen firsthand how access to Medicaid can protect and even save the lives of children. Today, as I voted against this horrific bill, I thought of a constituent of mine, Ayla, a four-year-old who is alive today because the rural hospital where she was born, Kittitas Valley Healthcare (KVH), could afford to have an Obstetrics Department and a Labor and Delivery unit. Support for those services is only possible because of support from Medicaid (Apple Health). 

 

Congresswoman Schrier shared the story of Ayla, a four-year-old who is alive today thanks to Medicaid, during a May 2025 Energy and Commerce Markup on the GOP Budget Package.

“The passage of this Republican bill means that essential healthcare will be ripped away from hundreds of thousands of people in Washington State who rely on Apple Health. The bill will shutter hospitals, close nursing homes, slash food assistance programs, and raise prices – all to give billionaires a tax break. 

“I will keep showing up and fighting back with everything I’ve got because Washington seniors, families, and children deserve better than this cruelty.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) led 3 members of the Washington delegation on a letter demanding answers from President Trump regarding his recent decision to deny Washington State’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and assistance following November’s bomb cyclone. 

 “Washington State is still reeling from the damages caused by last November’s storms,” said Representative Kim Schrier. “My colleagues and I have consistently asked for assistance, and our constituents and communities deserve answers.” 

 The storm marked one of the most severe weather events in the region, leaving approximately 650,000 residents without power and causing a devastating impact on the state’s critical infrastructure. A disaster declaration would provide Washington State with access to federal funding to make necessary public infrastructure repairs and support communities where budgets are strained from emergency response and recovery efforts.

 Representative Schrier is joined by Representatives Jayapal, Larsen, and Randall. The full letter sent to President Trump can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Today, moments after House Republicans voted in favor of H.R. 1, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Speaker Mike Johnson and her fellow Republican members in celebrating its passage. 

Congresswoman Miller released the following statement on social media following the press conference: 
 

“I was proud to join my House colleagues in passing this historic piece of legislation that will usher in America’s Golden Age. There is no better way to kick off our nation’s 250th Birthday than by sending this One, Big, Beautiful Bill to President Trump’s desk.”

Background:

• Over the past two years, Ways and Means Republicans have held hearings across the country to understand the benefits of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
• The first field hearing was held in Parkersburg, West Virginia in February 2023, where committee members heard from small business owners.
• In April 2024, as part of Ways and Means Republicans preparation for passage of a tax package, Congresswoman Miller was chosen to lead the Supply Chains Tax Team.
• On May 14, 2025, the Ways and Means Committee held an 18-hour-long markup to advance the One Big Beautiful Bill to the floor of the House of Representatives.
• On May 22, 2025, the House of Representatives voted to send the One Big Beautiful Bill to the United States Senate.
• On July 1, 2025, the United States Senate passed an updated version of the One Big Beautiful Bill and sent it back to the House of Representatives for final passage.
• With today’s vote, the One Big Beautiful Bill will go to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

 
Wins for Southern West Virginia:

• Makes permanent the 199A Small Business Deduction, which will benefit the small businesses that make up over 98% of West Virginia’s economy.
• Includes Congresswoman Miller’s Saving Gig Economy Taxpayers Act, which reverts the 1099-K reporting threshold to $20,000 and 200 transactions. This will keep gig workers like hair dressers, uber drivers, and craftsmen selling products online from being harassed by the IRS if they don’t owe taxes.
• Adds metallurgical coal as a critical mineral within the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (45X), which will bolster coal production.
• Extends the Hydrogen Tax Credit (45V) until January 1, 2028, which will help West Virginia’s ARCH2 project and keep investment and jobs in the state.
• Creates a $50 billion Rural Hospital Stabilization Fund to ensure rural hospitals are able to provide high-quality care to patients.
• Increases the Child Tax Credit by $200 and increases the credit to inflation and expands the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to support parents.
• Preserves and boosts the standard deduction by up to $1,500 for working families. In West Virginia, over 97% of filers utilize the standard deduction.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – This morning, the House of Representatives passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act. The bill’s passage in the House of Representatives means it will now be sent to President Trump to be signed into law. Congresswoman Miller voted in favor of the legislation, and spoke in support of the bill’s passage on the House floor. Her speech can be viewed by clicking the image and is transcribed below:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this Big, Beautiful Bill. 

In 2017, President Trump signed the largest tax cut in history into law. Today, thanks to the hard work of the Ways and Means Republicans, we will make those tax cuts permanent and prevent an end of the year tax hike. 

This bill gives the average working family a $1,300 tax cut and makes permanent the 199A small business deduction to keep our economy humming. 

This is a big win for our West Virginia businesses. It provides relief to gig workers by ending the Democrats’ absurd $600 1099K reporting threshold and reverts back to the time-tested standard of $20,000 and 200 transactions.

It will provide economic relief, secure our borders, and ensure American energy dominance.

This legislation will make the life of the average American better, and I support getting it to President Trump’s desk. I urge all my colleagues to do the same. 

Thank you, and I yield back.”

Background:

• Over the past two years, Ways and Means Republicans have held hearings across the country to understand the benefits of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
• The first field hearing was held in Parkersburg, West Virginia in February 2023, where committee members heard from small business owners.
• In April 2024, as part of Ways and Means Republicans preparation for passage of a tax package, Congresswoman Miller was chosen to lead the Supply Chains Tax Team.
• On May 14, 2025, the Ways and Means Committee held an 18-hour-long markup to advance the One Big Beautiful Bill to the floor of the House of Representatives.
• On May 22, 2025, the House of Representatives voted to send the One Big Beautiful Bill to the United States Senate.
• On July 1, 2025, the United States Senate passed an updated version of the One Big Beautiful Bill and sent it back to the House of Representatives for final passage.
• With today’s vote, the One Big Beautiful Bill will go to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

 
Wins for Southern West Virginia:

• Makes permanent the 199A Small Business Deduction, which will benefit the small businesses that make up over 98% of West Virginia’s economy.
• Includes Congresswoman Miller’s Saving Gig Economy Taxpayers Act, which reverts the 1099-K reporting threshold to $20,000 and 200 transactions. This will keep gig workers like hair dressers, uber drivers, and craftsmen selling products online from being harassed by the IRS if they don’t owe taxes.
• Adds metallurgical coal as a critical mineral within the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (45X), which will bolster coal production.
• Extends the Hydrogen Tax Credit (45V) until January 1, 2028, which will help West Virginia’s ARCH2 project and keep investment and jobs in the state.
• Creates a $50 billion Rural Hospital Stabilization Fund to ensure rural hospitals are able to provide high-quality care to patients.
• Increases the Child Tax Credit by $200 and increases the credit to inflation and expands the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to support parents.
• Preserves and boosts the standard deduction by up to $1,500 for working families. In West Virginia, over 97% of filers utilize the standard deduction.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01), House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost (IL-12), Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01), Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06), and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) introduced H.R. 3999, the American Flags to Honor Our Veterans Act.  This legislation recognizes our veterans and servicemembers by amending the U.S. Flag Code to allow American flags to be placed next to their graves year-round.

Municipal and private cemeteries will often remove American flags from the graves of veterans and servicemembers due to conflicting guidance in the U.S. Flag Code. When these flags are removed, they can sometimes be disposed of in an undignified and disrespectful manner. This can cause frustration and anger among Americans who believe they should be allowed to honor deceased servicemembers and veterans year-round. This legislation will allow U.S. flags to be placed in an upright position next to servicemembers’ graves throughout the year, ensuring families’ efforts to honor their deceased loved ones are respected by cemeteries.

“Veterans, servicemembers, and their families made sacrifices for our country that must be honored and remembered,” said Steil. “Families should be able to honor our veterans and fly our nation’s flag at the gravesites of those who have defended our freedom year-round. Thank you to each of my colleagues for supporting this legislation.”

“As Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and a proud Marine, I believe honoring our veterans should never be limited by the squares on a calendar,” said Bost. “The American Flag is a symbol of sacrifice, and families should have the right to place one on their loved one’s grave year-round. I’m proud to support this commonsense bill ensuring our heroes receive the respect they’ve earned.”

“Families and loved ones shouldn’t have to fight to keep an American flag at the grave of someone who wore the uniform. The American Flags to Honor Our Veterans Act ensures that servicemembers can be honored with our nation’s flag 365 days a year, no matter where they’re laid to rest. It’s a respectful way to preserve the memory of those who served and protect a tradition that means so much to so many Americans,” stated Fitzgerald.

“Family members often honor their memories of their veterans and service members with an American flag at their gravesite. Rep. Steil’s bipartisan bill will ensure this can happen every day, which is why I’m proud to support such a meaningful effort for those who have served our country,” said Moore.

Background:

H.R. 3999 amends the U.S. flag code (4 U.S.C. §6) to expressly state that if the American flag is displayed in a secured, upright position directly adjacent to the grave site of a deceased servicemember or veteran it should not be removed. 

The Flag Code provides guidance provides cemeteries and officials with appropriate discretion to manage their facilities as they see fit.

CLICK HERE to read the bill.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Muskego, WI – Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) joined Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) and community leaders for the dedication of the Colonel Hans Christian Heg Post Office in Muskego, Wisconsin. Steil joined Fitzgerald in sponsoring H.R. 7199, which was signed into law renaming the post office to honor Col. Heg, a noted abolitionist and civil war hero, following the destruction of his statute during riots in 2020.

“Colonel Heg was an abolitionist, patriot, and military leader who died fighting to end slavery,” said Steil. “The destruction of his statue in Madison was a sad chapter of the 2020 riots. I’m proud to have helped lead legislation that will honor Col. Heg for generations to come. Thank you to Rep. Fitzgerald, our local officials, and my colleagues in Wisconsin’s congressional delegation for their work to preserve Col. Heg’s legacy.”

Representative Steil speaking at the ceremony

 

The plaque dedicating the post office after Col. Heg

 

“Colonel Hans Christian Heg exemplified courage, patriotism, and selfless service to our nation,” said Fitzgerald. “It’s only fitting that the Muskego Post Office will bear his name as a lasting tribute to his leadership in the Civil War and his deep ties to Wisconsin. This dedication honors not just a local hero, but the enduring values he fought to defend.”

   

Background:

• During the June 2020 riots in Madison, the statue of Colonel Heg that stood on Wisconsin Capitol grounds was destroyed by protestors.
• Col. Heg was a Norwegian immigrant who spent his childhood in Muskego, Wisconsin and Norway, Wisconsin. The Heg family immigrated to America and settled on the shores of Lake Muskego. Heg led his community and state as an anti-slavery activist. A staunch abolitionist throughout his entire life, Heg also led an anti-slave catching militia in effort to protect escaped slaves.
• In 1861, Heg was appointed Colonel of the 15th Wisconsin Infantry, a Scandinavian regiment. The 15th was recruited to fight for the Union against the Confederacy. The regiment shipped out from Camp Randall to the South in 1862. Heg and the 15th quickly gained attention for their bravery on the battlefield.
• In 1863, Heg was mortally wounded in Chickamauga, Georgia leading a charge against the Confederate lines. After his death, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that “The State has sent no braver soldier, and no truer patriot to aid in this mighty struggle for national unity, than Hans Christian Heg.” Col. Heg was the highest-ranked Wisconsin officer killed in combat during the Civil War.
• Congressman Steil originally introduced this proposal in 2020.
• The legislation was led by Congressman Fitzgerald and cosponsored by Steil, and the rest of Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to honor the sacrifice and service of Col. Heg. 

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

July 2, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), former Chairman of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, released the following statement on news the Trump Justice Department has hired a January 6 defendant and rioter who encouraged the murder of law enforcement: “News that a disgraced FBI agent and right-wing extremist charged with encouraging the murder of police officers on January 6 is now working at the Department of Justice is not only an insult to every honorable law enforcement officer across the country – it is an insult to our democracy and all those that have fought to preserve it.   It also makes it clear that political violence won’t just be excused under this administration, it will be celebrated and awarded.  Mr. Wise should have faced justice and served time in jail for his crimes. He should be nowhere near DOJ – let alone on the so called “weaponization” task force – plotting revenge on behalf of President Trump.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

July 3, 2025

BOLTON, MS – Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced two federal grants awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support critical airport infrastructure improvements in Mississippi’s Second Congressional District. The City of Kosciusko has been awarded $600,000 under the FY25 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to enhance operations at the Kosciusko-Attala County Airport (OSX). The funding will support multiple infrastructure projects, including: Reconstructing 200 feet of existing hangar access taxilane pavement that has reached the end of its useful life; Constructing a new 2,500 square foot sponsor-owned hangar for aircraft storage, helping the airport generate revenue and remain self-sustaining; Extending the existing hangar access taxilane an additional 35 feet to provide access to a non-exclusive hangar development area, bringing the airport into compliance with current FAA standards. Additionally, the City of Winona and Montgomery County will receive $139,320 for improvements at the Winona-Montgomery County Airport (5A6). This grant will fund: Construction of a new 3,600 square foot sponsor-owned hangar to support aircraft storage and generate revenue; Reconstruction of the precision approach path indicator systems for Runway 03/21 at both ends, ensuring continued safety and reliability as the systems have reached the end of their operational life. The grants are part of the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program, which provides funding for the planning and development of public-use airports across the United States.