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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland
March 30, 2025                                                    202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

PLASKETT HOSTS MARCH COMMUNITY EVENTS

US Virgin Islands – During the last week of March, Congresswoman Plaskett and her office hosted numerous community outreach events.

On Thursday, March 27^th and Friday, March 28^th, the Congresswoman and her team hosted U.S. Postal Service Town Hall Working Sessions where they received in writing various constituent complaints, inquiries, and testimonials regarding delayed or damaged packages and other issues. The US Postal Service initially agreed to have representatives from the regional and local offices present at both town halls, but then later declined the invitation, stating that travel demands were too great and would take too much time away from USPS staff and representatives’ work duties. Since the Congresswoman’s first term, the office has hosted at least four (4) town halls with postal service personnel in attendance—up to the Deputy Postmaster General has come—at the Congresswoman’s invitation—to speak to the Virgin Islands community as well as postal inspectors come to simply share how to make a claim. Despite the US Postal Service representatives’ inability to attend, the Congresswoman and her team received numerous complaints and shared information on additional topics regarding social security, immigration and veterans affairs.

On Saturday, March 29^th and Sunday, March 30^th, the Congresswoman’s office also hosted their 4^th annual V.I. History with Stacey events where Virgin Islands’ students were front and center with numerous displays of Virgin Islands history and culture through the performing arts and spoken word. Also, a part of the program were this year’s winners of the office’s Black History Month essay contest (winners’ names listed below).

“I would like to thank all of the members of our community who came out and supported our community events this week, and a special thank you to our students, their parents and teachers who participated in our V.I. History with Stacey presentations,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “Additionally, my team and I take very seriously our commitment to keeping Virgin Islanders informed and equipped with the appropriate information and resources regarding agencies like the U.S. Postal Service. I look forward to sharing the complaints and information gathered at our town halls with the USPS regional office and my team will share updates as we receive them.”

St. Thomas/St. John  – Middle School Category Winner

Khaden  Jn-Jacques
All Saints Cathedral School

St. Thomas/St. John – High School Category Winner

Mirza Baig
Charlotte Amalie High School

St. Croix Middle School Category Winner

Taejah S. Green
Eulalie Rivera School

St. Croix High School Category Winner

Knala  A.S. Hendrickson
St. Croix Education Complex High School

Honorable Mentions:

Video/Power Point Presentation

Kingston Walker
All Saints Cathedral School 

Artwork

Maddy Donnelly
Good Hope Country Day School

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Barry Moore (R-AL), and LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), as well as Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in reintroducing the bicameral Second Chance Month Resolution.

“In West Virginia, we know how important it is to provide everyone with opportunities to succeed. Recognizing April as Second Chance Month gives hope to those who are reentering the workforce after serving their time incarcerated. When we invest in our communities and put in place resources and support for people released from prisons and jails, we build stronger and safer communities,” said Congresswoman Miller. “This resolution will bring more visibility to Second Chance programs that are instrumental in helping people across the nation get back on the right path as they reenter their communities.”

“Recognizing April as Second Chance Month is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of creating pathways for the millions of Americans previously and currently incarcerated, who have paid their debt to society, and experience the innumerable barriers to re-entering their communities,” said Congressman Westerman. “Each of these Americans have an intrinsic value and are worthy of the dignity that comes with establishing hard-earned jobs and gaining sought-after respect. Everyone deserves a second chance, and Congress must work to break down the stigmas attached to incarceration and reducing recidivism rates. I’m honored to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on this resolution to restore the dignity of these reformed individuals.” 

“Since Prison Fellowship launched Second Chance Month in 2017, we are honored to lead this growing national movement that includes more than 1,000 partners committed to unlocking second chances for the 1 in 3 Americans with a criminal record who face nearly 44,000 barriers to building a productive future,” said Heather Rice-Minus, CEO and president of Prison Fellowship.

“We encourage Congress to pass this Second Chance Month resolution quickly because supporting second chances recognizes the God-given dignity and potential of every person and reinforces our nation’s commitment to creating pathways for new beginnings, healthy communities, and increased public safety,” said Kate Trammell, Prison Fellowship senior vice president of advocacy and legal.

Background:

• Millions of American adults with a criminal record face enormous obstacles to successfully re-enter society upon release. When legal and social barriers prohibit a formerly incarcerated person from finding well-paying jobs, this not only negatively impacts them, but also has lasting negative effects for their families. Beyond that, securing gainful employment and being accepted in society has been proven to reduce the likelihood of these individuals returning to prison in the future, ultimately decreasing crime and improving public safety.
• This resolution was endorsed by Prison Fellowship.
• This resolution is also supported by Brennan Center for Justice, Right on Crime, CPAC, Niskanen Center, FAMM, and National District Attorneys Association.

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Congressman Mike Carey (R-OH), Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), and Congressman Pat Ryan (D-NY), all members of the House Ways and Means Committee, in leading the reintroduction of their bipartisan Comprehensive Alternative Response for Emergencies (CARE) Act. The bill would allow seniors on Medicare to receive at-home emergency medical services to treat minor medical incidents by creating a model that reimburses Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers delivering treatment in place and not just reimburse when Medicare patients are transported to the hospital. 

Click here for bill text.
 
“Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers are at the frontline of delivering care and transportation in rural America. In West Virginia, many patients live hours from a hospital and must consistently rely on EMS for treatment. Our EMS personnel are equipped to provide care to patients that may not be in a dire medical situation, rather than spend precious time and resources on transporting non-emergency patients to a hospital emergency department. This commonsense legislation builds upon the Treatment-in-Place Model to provide timely care to our rural patients and empower EMS providers, and I will continue to work to improve access to quality health care for patients in West Virginia and across the U.S.,” said Congresswoman Miller.

“For some patients, an emergency room visit may not be necessary and can place additional burdens on our first responders and health care providers in the hospital,” said Congressman Carey. “For many, including seniors on Medicare, treatment in place is more viable, saves time and money, and increases the availability of first responders. These options also save seniors a trip to the emergency room that can result in long wait times, increased costs, and potentially life-threatening complications. I urge my colleagues to join me and pass this bill.”
 
“Treatment In Place (TIP) could save Medicare between $1.2 and $1.5 billion annually. In addition to the savings, TIP could be a solution to help EMS workforce and resiliency. The goal of all healthcare should be to provide patients with the right care, at the right time, and in the right place which should also be the most cost-effective manner. NAEMT applauds Congressman Carey and Congressman Doggett for their leadership in introducing the Comprehensive Alternative Response for Emergencies (CARE) Act to recognize EMS for the tireless work they do 24/7/365 and update the antiquated payment model for EMS. Right now, Medicare currently does NOT reimburse EMS practitioners for TIP. EMS is ONLY reimbursed for care when a patient is transported to a hospital ER. Passage of this measure will shorten task times for EMS agencies struggling with workforce shortages, help decompress overcrowded hospitals and emergency departments, meet patients’ needs without long waits at the hospital, and save the government money!” said Chief Christopher Way, President of National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT).

“We greatly appreciate Congressmen Carey and Doggett introducing the Comprehensive Alternative Response for Emergencies Act which will start the process toward reimbursement of the vital 9-1-1 emergency ground ambulance services provided to Medicare patients regardless of whether the patient is transported to a medical facility. Paramedics and EMTs are highly-trained medical professionals providing care under medical protocols and often arrive on the scene with an ambulance and either told by the patient not to be transported or additional medical care at a facility is not required. This important legislation will help correct long-standing policy and properly view ambulances services as health care instead of just medical transportation,” said Jamie Pafford-Gresham, AAA President.
 
Background:

• Adults aged 65 and older account for nearly 20% of all ER visits. This population contributes to the backlog in waiting rooms, even when they might not have an issue requiring inpatient treatment. In a 2021 study, patients who received at-home care had a lower risk for readmission by 26% and a lower risk for long-term care admission as compared to patients who received in-hospital treatment.
• In 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport (ET3) Model, which was originally set to run from 2020 to the end of 2023. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the model’s start was delayed until June 2021, and unfortunately, due to related challenges, CMMI ultimately ended the model 2 years early. This has not only harmed EMS providers, but also beneficiaries’ access to appropriate care.
• The CARE Act would create a five-year pilot payment program to test a treatment-in-place model under Medicare. This legislation will ensure Medicare collects comprehensive data to inform future reimbursement decisions for EMS services and treatment-in-place. Medicare beneficiaries make up about 40% of all patients treated by EMS, and between 12.9-16.2% of Medicare-covered 911 transports involve medical conditions that do not require a hospital ER visit. Ensuring EMS providers receive appropriate payment for the most effective and efficient care can improve quality outcomes for beneficiaries and reduce Medicare spending on unnecessary, expensive hospital care.
• The bill has received support from: American Ambulance Association, International Association of Fire Fighters, and the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.

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

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), and Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL) in reintroducing the bipartisan Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act. The legislation would extend a waiver issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for 5 years, which allowed Medicare patients to receive essential medications by mail or have caregivers and family members pick them up on their behalf.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act, a bipartisan bill that would reauthorize critical federal grants focused on improving rural health care. Congresswoman Schrier is joined in introducing this legislation by Representatives Carter (GA-01), Figures (AL-02), and Rulli (OH-06). 

“The Eighth District is nearly 10,000 square miles, with many of my constituents living in rural communities that depend on a scarce number of medical providers in their area. In Congress, I’m focused on supporting rural health care to ensure that Americans can get care close to home,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “As a doctor, I understand the importance of rural clinics and hospitals. Without them, patients, including those in my district, would have to drive even farther to seek medical care. That’s dangerous in an emergency. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to extend key federal grants that strengthen rural health care.”

Grants like the Rural Health Care Services Outreach, Rural Health Network Development, and Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement grants enhance health care access and quality for rural Americans. These grants are distributed across the United States to improve the quality and delivery of health care services in rural areas, and establish integrated health care networks. Funding for these grants is set to expire at the end of FY25. Congresswoman Schrier’s bill would reauthorize funding through FY30.  

Congresswoman Schrier has long worked with both parties to strengthen rural health care. Examples are the Rural Physician Workforce Production Act and the Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act.

“Health care outcomes should not be dependent on a patient’s zip code. We must ensure that vitally important health services are able to reach people in all communities, which is exactly what the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Programs do,” said Congressman Carter. “Reauthorizing these programs will continue President Trump’s legacy of supporting rural communities’ chronic health care needs through flexible, community-driven solutions.”

“Improving rural health care is one of my top priorities, and I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation,” said Congressman Figures. “This bill reauthorizes critical programs that will strengthen access to quality health care in my district and other communities across the country.” 

“Week after week, we hear ridiculous stories of taxpayer money being sent to shadowy organizations overseas. Meanwhile, rural communities here at home are left behind, struggling to access the care they deserve,” said Congressman Rulli. “That’s why I’m proud to stand with Congressman Carter today in sponsoring the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025. This reauthorization ensures that grants supporting healthcare in our underserved communities will continue—and taxpayer dollars will go where they’re needed most: to the American people.” 

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

Firings affect divisions that respond to disease outbreaks, approve drugs, and provide health insurance coverage

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)

Congressman Ben Cline is calling for an immediate ethics investigation into reports that members of the Virginia General Assembly have engaged in political coercion, attempting to strong-arm members of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Board by threatening to withhold funding if they do not extend the contract of VMI’s superintendent. These disturbing actions reveal a clear and troubling effort to exert undue influence over VMI’s governance.

“The idea that members of the General Assembly would use their positions of power to intimidate VMI Board members by conditioning funding on the extension of the superintendent’s contract is not just inappropriate, it is an outright abuse of power,” said Congressman Cline. 

VMI, one of the nation’s most storied military institutions, has long upheld a tradition of service, leadership, and honor. The men and women who serve on its Board of Visitors should be free to make decisions in the best interest of the school, its cadets, and its mission, without political interference from members of the General Assembly seeking to force ideological conformity.

In his letter, Congressman Cline highlighted that one VMI Board member reported that Senator Jennifer Carroll-Foy stated the following:

“I am just trying to help VMI. Cedric is African American. The leadership of the General Assembly is African American. Your board appointments and budget amendments are in peril. You can fix this by giving Cedric a four-year contract extension.”

“These comments, wholly unbecoming of a member of the General Assembly and completely inconsistent with the values of our nation, make plain the leadership of the General Assembly is attempting to exert undue influence on the decisions of the Board in exchange for funding priorities of VMI,” Cline continued.

Congressman Cline is demanding immediate accountability for those responsible and calling for an ethics investigation into this outrageous abuse of power. He will continue to stand with VMI against political intimidation and ensure that its mission remains intact, free from coercion and political interference.

Read the full letter here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)

Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) was appointed by Speaker Mike Johnson to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). 

“I am honored to be appointed to the House Intelligence Committee,” said Rep. Ben Cline. “Our world has become an increasingly dangerous place over the last four years, and I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to strengthen our national security and helping to keep the American people safe against ongoing and emerging threats. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I also hope to bring a fresh perspective that ensures the Constitution, and in turn, the rights of the American people are vigorously defended within our intelligence community.”

Created in 1977, HPSCI is charged with oversight of the United States Intelligence Community—which includes the intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the following eighteen elements of the U.S. Government—and the Military Intelligence Program.

Congressman Cline will continue to serve on the House Committee on Appropriations, the House Committee on Judiciary, and the House Committee on the Budget. 

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and as a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)

Today, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) reintroduced the Hearing Protection Act (HPA). This legislation reduces the overly burdensome barriers required to purchase a firearm suppressor to ease access for law-abiding citizens simply trying to obtain the hearing protection they need. 

“Americans who enjoy hunting and target shooting should be able to do so safely and legally without facing burdensome government regulations,” said Rep. Cline. “The Hearing Protection Act will reclassify suppressors, making it easier for law-abiding gun owners to protect their hearing while enjoying recreational activities. It’s time to ensure that our Second Amendment rights are upheld, allowing responsible citizens to enjoy their freedoms without unnecessary obstacles.”

Congressman Cline was joined by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS), Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV), Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL), Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL), Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), Rep. GT Thompson (R-PA), Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL), Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Michael Bost (R-IL), Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN), Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Rep. Fulcher (R-ID), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. John McGuire (R-VA), Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Rep. Addison McDowell (R-NC), Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), Rep. David Kustoff (R-TN), Rep. William Timmons (R-SC), Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO), Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR), Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX), Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT), and Rep. James Comer (R-KY) as original cosponsors.

The Hearing Protection Act is supported by the American Suppressor Association (ASA), the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the National Rifle Association (NRA), the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), and the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA). 

“The Hearing Protection Act is the epitome of commonsense legislation. Law-abiding citizens should not have to pay a tax to protect their hearing when they exercise their Second Amendment rights. The American Suppressor Association applauds Rep. Cline for his leadership and willingness to fight for the rights of gunowners across the United States,” said Knox Williams, ASA President and Executive Director. 

“Congressman Cline’s Hearing Protection Act will have the federal government recognize firearm suppressors for what they are. These are accessories to a firearm that make recreational shooting and hunting a safer experience,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “These safety devices reduce the report of a firearm to a level that won’t cause instant and permanent hearing damage. Despite Hollywood’s depictions, they do not mask the sound of a firearm. The focus should be on removing barriers to safe and responsible use of firearms and dedicating resources to ensuring firearms are safeguarded from those who should never possess them. Strict regulatory control of firearm accessories, and the parts of those accessories that have no bearing on the function of a firearm, is unnecessary and not the wisest use of federal resources. NSSF thanks Congressman Cline for his leadership for ensuring safe and responsible use of firearms and dedicating necessary resources where they are most needed.”

“Onerous and unnecessary government regulation shouldn’t prevent America’s hunters and recreational shooters from protecting their hearing while exercising their constitutionally protected freedoms,” said John Commerford, Executive Director of NRA-ILA. “Suppressors do not silence firearms, but they are proven to reduce the severity of hearing loss. On behalf of our millions of members, NRA thanks Representative Ben Cline for introducing the Hearing Protection Act.”

“The Hearing Protection Act has been a longstanding priority for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), and we are excited to see this legislation reintroduced. Suppressors are one of the fastest growing and most popular accessories for sportsmen and women, unfortunately, current law makes acquiring suppressors an overly burdensome process, which would be addressed by this legislation. CSF thanks Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Rep. Ben Cline for introducing this legislation, and we look forward to working with him in the 119th Congress to improve the suppressor purchasing process,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane. 

Read the full text of the bill here.

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)

On Tuesday, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) reintroduced the One Agency Act, a bill that proposes consolidating federal antitrust enforcement within the DOJ’s Antitrust Division. The Federal Trade Commission would remain an independent agency, focusing on its consumer protection mission. This consolidation aims to strengthen consumer protection law enforcement while streamlining antitrust oversight.

“For far too long, our antitrust enforcement has been plagued by bureaucratic infighting and delays that hinder competition,” Rep. Cline said. “These inefficiencies have allowed sophisticated entities to manipulate the system to their advantage, escaping accountability for their anti-competitive actions. It’s time we address these issues head-on. We need to streamline and reinforce our antitrust enforcement within the Justice Department. The Department is more directly accountable to the American people and is structured to deliver the decisive enforcement necessary to protect consumers and ensure a fair marketplace.”

Read the full bill text here. 

BACKGROUND: Under current law, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice Antitrust Division share the responsibility for enforcing the antitrust laws.

This shared jurisdiction results in turf battles between the two agencies and backroom deals to investigate certain companies or industries, ultimately causing delays in investigations and harming enforcement.

In addition, today’s FTC also looks and acts very differently from what Congress originally envisioned, and the agency is facing constitutional challenges that might result in a weakened agency.

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.

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