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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

Full Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) are leading 74 lawmakers in calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to enact urgent reforms to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. As the Trump administration and Elon Musk look for ways to cut fraud and wasteful spending, corporate MA plans should be a major target to save billions each year.

Unlike Traditional Medicare, MA plans are administered by private insurers and have been found to be fraught with waste and abuse while sacrificing patient outcomes for higher corporate profit and threatening the overall solvency of Medicare. 

“Initially promoted as a way to save taxpayer dollars and improve quality of care, the Medicare Advantage program has continuously cost more than if the same enrollees were covered by Traditional Medicare and has not improved health outcomes. We strongly urge you to rein in the wasteful and harmful practices committed by corporate health insurers in MA,” wrote the Members.

The private insurance companies running MA plans mislead the public by claiming their plans save money and improve care. However, private insurers in MA overcharged CMS by at least $83 billion in 2024 without any improvements to the quality of care for patients. These overpayments to private insurers threaten the stability of the entire Medicare program for the 65 million Americans who rely on it. 

“At a time when Americans are paying nearly $26,000 per family in premiums per year, while the largest US insurer made $23 billion in annual profits, reining in profiteering could not be more important,” continued the Members. 

The Members are specifically calling on CMS and the Department of Health and Human Services to take the following actions: 

• Eliminate waste and abuse from overpayments by improving risk adjustment calculations in the proposed 2026 Medicare Advantage Rate Notice;
• Strictly enforce the overpayment regulations for Medicare Advantage Organizations outlined in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule;
• Strengthen enforcement against MA insurers that illegally deny care;
• Address additional barriers to care, including by enforcing statutory requirements compelling insurers to disclose the methodology behind algorithms used for coverage decisions, and;
• Enact reforms to reduce disparities in care.

“We cannot continue to allow Medicare Advantage to be a source of profit for greedy companies and suffering for seniors and people with disabilities. Medicare Advantage has never delivered on the promise of actually lowering the cost or improving the quality of care,” said Eagan Kemp, Health Care Policy Advocate for Public Citizen. “In the short term, there must be enhanced oversight of the Medicare Advantage program to ensure enrollees get the care they need and bring down unnecessary overpayments. In the long run, we must improve and expand traditional Medicare to guarantee it is around for decades to come.”

“Every day in my work as a gynecologic oncologist, I witness the harms inflicted on my patients by the profit-driven Medicare Advantage plans they were forced into by economic circumstances or their retirement plans. Care delays and denials decrease their chances of cancer cure and lead to needless suffering and hours of wasted healthcare provider time,” said PNHP President Dr. Diljeet K. Singh, M.D., DrPH. “I urge all members of Congress to fight for your constituents by taking the actions outlined in this letter to “Eliminate waste and abuse from overpayments, strengthen enforcement against MA insurers that illegally deny care, address additional barriers to care, and enact reforms to reduce disparities in care.”  Please support this effort to protect the health of all Medicare enrollees, extend the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund, and curb billions in taxpayer overpayments driven by for-profit insurers.”

The letter is cosigned by Alma Adams (NC-12), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Danny Davis (IL-07), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Al Green (TX-09), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Robert Scott (VA-03), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Lauren Underwood (IL-04), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05). 

It is also endorsed by Just Care USA, Social Security Works, Families USA, Consumers Council of Missouri, Physicians for a National Health Program, People’s Action, Center for Health Progress, Center for Health and Democracy, The People’s Lobby, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Progressive Maryland, Center for Medicare Advocacy, National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG), Physicians for a National Health Program of Minnesota, Public Citizen, Be A Hero, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), PSARA (Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action), Healthcare NOW, United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE), Michigan United, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and Citizen Action of New York. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

Full Text of Bill (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and introduced the Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act, legislation that would provide funding for clean water and wastewater utilities to become members of the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC). The WaterISAC is a critical source of information and best practices for water systems to protect against, mitigate, and respond to threats. 

“Every person should have access to clean water to meet their basic needs. As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increase and cyber security threats against our infrastructure emerge, we must work together to protect our nation’s water systems,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I am proud to join Senator Ed Markey in reintroducing the Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act. This bill will help assist local water systems in gaining access to the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC), a non-profit clearinghouse for information regarding threats to water safety. This kind of information sharing is critical to ensuring the health and safety of communities’ drinking water across the country.”

“The essential water systems that provide us with water to drink, cook, and clean are increasingly facing threats from extreme weather, cyber attacks, and even terrorism,” said Senator Ed Markey. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act will secure and protect our water systems against these threats by expanding access to the critical Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which helps water utilities of all sizes share information, best practices, and response techniques. I thank Congresswoman Schakowsky for her partnership on this important legislation.”

The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act is endorsed by American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, and Water Environment Federation.

“In recent years, our nation’s drinking water and wastewater utilities have faced mounting threats from cyber attacks and infrastructure vulnerabilities that pose national security concerns and public health hazards,” said Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act will enable more utilities to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to dangerous security threats by facilitating access to WaterISAC’s critical resources. AMWA is proud to support this legislation.”

“WaterISAC is a vital resource for public clean water utilities seeking to strengthen their preparedness and resilience against natural hazards, physical and cyber security threats,” said Adam Krantz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber (Water ISAC) Threat Protection Act will expand utility participation in WaterISAC, ensuring water systems of all sizes have access to its essential tools and resources.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust, released the following joint statement on President Donald Trump’s attempt to illegally fire the two Democratic commissioners at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

“President Trump’s attempt to unlawfully fire the two Democratic FTC commissioners is yet another direct assault on our democracy. Once again, Trump and his puppet master Elon Musk violate Congress’s laws and 90 years of legal precedent to carry out a partisan agenda as they continue their rampage of unchecked executive overreach.

“Just as alarming is the conspicuous lack of opposition from our Republican colleagues. Their silence in the face of this blatant power grab is not only an abdication of their duties, but suggests they only hold allegiance to Trump and Musk, rather than the American people they were elected to serve. It appears the GOP has willingly placed itself in the pockets of Trump and Musk, prioritizing the interests of ultra-wealthy billionaires over Americans.

“The FTC is one of the most crucial watchdogs for the American people, and today’s illegal decision cripples its independence. In 2024 alone, the FTC blocked a massive grocery store merger that would have raised prices for millions, eliminated junk fees from ticketed events, and fought to safeguard Americans’ privacy from corporate overreach. The agency secured lower prices for essential medications like insulin, EpiPens, and inhalers, making life-saving treatments more affordable. It cracked down on excessive corporate surveillance, defended Americans’ right to repair their own devices, and fought against Big Tech’s monopolistic practices.

“This unlawful activity imperils the FTC’s ability to stand up to corporate abuses and protect consumers. Trump and Musk want to transform a vital INDEPENDENT agency into yet another political plaything for their billionaire buddies as they continue to wage war on the rule of law itself, leaving Americans defenseless against skyrocketing prices, predatory practices, and the unchecked power of monopolies.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, along with fellow committee members Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Don Beyer (VA-08), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), today introduced the Repealing Outdated and Unilateral Tariff Authorities Act which would repeal Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, an outdated and dangerous tool that President Trump is threatening to use to destabilize global trade.

“Since taking office, President Trump has taken a reckless, arbitrary, and punitive approach to trade policy that will only hurt American consumers, American companies, and the entire U.S. economy,” said Rep. Schneider. “Tariffs, when used strategically, can be an important tool in defending U.S. economic interests – but that’s far from the sledgehammer and whipsaw approach President Trump has so far shown to be the only way he knows. Congress must exercise its constitutional responsibilities and step in to put a check on the President’s authority to punish our small businesses, retirement accounts, and economy. That’s what the Repealing Outdated and Unilateral Tariff Authorities Act will do – it removes a dangerous, never-before-used tool, Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, from President Trump’s arsenal and reclaims Congress’s trade authority.”

Recent media reports have suggested that President Trump may use Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose reciprocal tariffs on U.S. allies on April 2, 2025. Section 338 is a Great Depression-era provision that gives the President unilateral authority to impose up to 50 percent tariffs in response to “discriminatory behavior” by U.S. trading partners. Notably, Section 338 does not require the President to consult with Congress before imposing tariffs or publicly disclose the evidence supporting the decision. 

“President Trump has already exploited the law to ramp up his trade war with some of our closest allies and trading partners,” said Rep. DelBene. “This legislation would prevent him from imposing sweeping tariffs on American consumers through yet another previously unused and untested law without first getting a vote in Congress.” 

“Ensuring that our trade policies are fair and effective means removing outdated and unnecessary tariff authorities that could be misused,” said Rep. Panetta. “Our legislation would take a commonsense step to eliminate Section 338, an untested and excessive authority that is redundant to existing trade enforcement tools and potentially dangerous to our economy. I’m proud to support this effort to bring more certainty and balance to our trade policies.”

“In a few short months, President Trump has abused multiple trade authorities as he initiates trade wars with our allies,” said Rep. Sewell. “Congress must act to draw back trade authorities from this administration in order to protect American consumers, farmers, and manufacturers from President Trump’s reckless trade agenda. I am proud to join my colleagues in this effort to strengthen our checks against this administration.”

“The Trump administration’s economically and reputationally destructive abuse of existing trade authorities has made it plain that even as-yet unused executive authorities like Section 338 present an unacceptable risk to our economy. Repealing this authority is an important step in a necessary and overdue reassertion of Congress’ constitutional role in trade policy,” said Rep. Beyer.

Full text of the resolution is available here.

 

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

Washington, DC – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Cost-Share Accountability Act, introduced by Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA). This legislation would strengthen the Department of Energy’s accountability to Congress and the public when awarding funding grants.

While many Department of Energy projects require cost-sharing by their grant recipients, these requirements can be reduced or even eliminated in certain instances. This legislation would increase accountability by requiring the department to make public and submit to Congress quarterly reports on the use of its authority to modify or bypass the statutory cost-sharing requirement.

“For Congress to fulfill our oversight responsibilities, we must be able to access information on how our departments and agencies are operating,” said Foster. “Cost-sharing requirements help protect the use of federal funds at the Department of Energy. As the department continues their next-generation research and development, it’s critical Congress understands how cost-sharing is implemented in support of their projects.”

“The federal government has a responsibility to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” said Obernolte. “The Cost-Share Accountability Act ensures greater transparency in how the Department of Energy administers cost-sharing requirements, helping Congress and the public hold our institutions accountable. I’m proud to see this commonsense, bipartisan measure pass the House.”

A copy of the legislation can be found here.

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

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced the reintroduction of the Shareholder Political Transparency Act. This legislation would amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require publicly traded companies to make quarterly disclosures to their shareholders detailing the types and amounts of political spending they engage in, ensuring greater transparency for investors and the public.

“Political contributions from publicly held companies should not be a secret, especially to people who invest their hard-earned money in them,” said Foster. ”This legislation is a commonsense measure that would provide investors with all the facts necessary to make informed decisions about where to put their money.” 

The Shareholder Political Transparency Act is cosponsored by Reps. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Sean Casten (D-IL), Chuy García (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Jim Himes (D-CT).

A copy of the legislation is available here.

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

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education:

“Trump’s executive order dismantling the Department of Education is reckless, illegal, and destined to fail in the courts. Only an Act of Congress can abolish a federal agency that Congress itself created.

“Gutting the Department of Education would hurt children at all levels—particularly in rural and low-income schools, as well as students with disabilities. Teachers would be laid off, class sizes would increase, and access to college and job training would disappear. Chaos would ensue for students who rely on federal student loans.

“We also must not forget that the Department of Education was founded to ensure the protection of students’ civil rights in response to school segregation. My father wrote much of the enforcement language behind the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that desegregated southern schools. In Congress, I will keep fighting to ensure that our education system remains a tool for opportunity, not exclusion.”

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

Washington, DC – Tonight, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement: 

“Today, I voted against Republicans’ plan to reduce access to Social Security, reduce funding for veterans’ health care, slash infrastructure investments, and cut nutrition and rent assistance for families who need it most. Republicans had months to negotiate with Democrats to craft a bipartisan funding bill. Instead, they chose to set the stage for massive new tax cuts for Trump, Elon, and their billionaire buddies. 

“As Congress’ only PhD physicist, I’m also deeply concerned about the $185 million in cuts to our Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation programs in this bill. A funding gap of this size would substantially affect our national security, paving the way for countries like Iran, terrorist groups, and other adversaries to more easily get their hands on nuclear material. 

“At the end of the day, Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House. If they can’t put an end to their infighting, and still refuse to negotiate a compromise with Democrats, they alone will be responsible for a shutdown.”

 

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

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) announced that they led 37 Members of Congress in expressing their concern with the recent firing of 168 workers at the National Science Foundation (NSF).

In a letter to President Trump and NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan, the Members wrote:

“These rash decisions, alongside the Administration’s freeze on NSF grant funds and cancellation of all grant review panels, will not only cause our country to miss out on the scientific breakthroughs that cancelled research could lead to, but we could also lose a generation of scientists who cannot complete their NSF-supported graduate and postdoctoral training. A “brain drain” from the federal government, or from the STEM fields overall, would be catastrophic […]

“If our country fails to continue to make these advancements, we fear that China and our other research-focused adversaries will fill the gap and get ahead. This poses a threat to our national security not only because of the potential improvements in defense-related technologies, but also because more and more of the free world will become dependent on their inventions and economy, giving China the upper hand in world affairs.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

Today, Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas), joined by every Ways and Means Republican, reintroduced the Unfair Tax Prevention Act to discourage foreign countries from attacking U.S. jobs and tax revenues through the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Pillar 2 so-called Under Taxed Profit Rule (UTPR) surtax. The bill ensures that if a country moves forward with a UTPR surtax on American workers and businesses, the United States will impose a reciprocal tax measure that will apply as long as the foreign country’s unfair tax remains in place.
 
“When it comes to international taxes, the United States should put American businesses and the U.S. Treasury first – a departure from the Biden administration’s policies of putting America last,” said Rep. Estes. “The OECD and their so-called Under Taxed Profit Rule in Pillar 2 is a disgraceful surtax that disproportionately impacts U.S. job creators and our country’s economic competitiveness by targeting our companies for foreign treasuries’ gains. Ways and Means Republicans stand behind President Trump, who has clearly stated that he will protect American interests in any global tax negotiations, in defending our tax base from unfair extraterritorial taxes by foreign countries. Our allies and partners should take note – abandon the UTPR surtax.”
 
Background
The Unfair Tax Prevention Act defends Americans from unfair taxation by foreign countries with a reciprocal tax measure for any country that decides to target Americans under the guise of the OECD deal:

• Defines “foreign-owned extraterritorial tax regime entities” (FETR entities) as foreign-controlled entities connected with entities operating in jurisdictions with extraterritorial taxes aimed at U.S. business operations, including the UTPR surtax. 
• Strengthens anti-avoidance rules in the U.S. base erosion and anti-abuse tax (BEAT), by eliminating the 3% base erosion percentage floor and the $500 million gross receipts test for FETR entities.
• Revokes the ability of FETR entities to disregard certain service payments and payments subject to withholding taxes, and treats 50% of cost of goods sold as a base erosion tax benefit.
• Accelerates the scheduled BEAT rate increase and tax credit changes for FETR entities.

For years Rep. Estes has been sounding the alarm and pushing back against the OECD’s global tax scheme, and outside organizations, like the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, agree. Earlier this week, he commented on reports that Treasury delivered a memo to the White House in response to President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 executive action on OECD. In January, Rep. Estes praised President Trump’s executive actions rejecting the OECD tax deal. On that same day, he also joined Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) in introducing the Defending American Jobs and Investment Act. Earlier that month he published an op-ed in London’s Telegraph outlining U.S. opposition to the OECD deal. He previously published an op-ed with MP Priti Patel on the OECD Pillar Two tax scheme, led a letter to Treasury demanding accountability and traveled with Ways and Means colleague to Germany and France to discuss Pillar Two with European leaders. He also introduced legislation to impose reciprocal taxes on countries that use the OECD deal to impose unfair taxes on U.S. business and raid the U.S. tax base in the last Congress. Earlier, he penned an op-ed in The Hill outlining the concerns with the OECD deal and published a Bloomberg op-ed with Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) highlighting how the OECD tax deal would harm the United States.