MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)

Washington, DC – On Friday, Congressman Neal Dunn (Florida-02) introduced the Block Organ Transplant Purchases from China Act, or BLOCK Act, to prohibit federal reimbursement for organ transplants and related medical services when the organ’s origins cannot be verified. The bill would prohibit any organ transplant procedure that is not procured from an entity participating in the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) from receiving federal reimbursements to ensure that organ donation does not originate from illegal Chinese organ markets.

“The Chinese Communist Party has a long track record of human rights violations stemming from illegal organ harvesting in their own country,” said Congressman Dunn. “Communist Party authorities regularly target Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in China for this barbaric practice. The United States must do everything in its power to ensure that we are not participating in illegal Chinese organ harvesting. The BLOCK Act is an important step toward ensuring that healthcare providers are not complicit in this atrocity and hold anyone who knowingly participates in this practice accountable.”

“Forced organ harvesting in China is an atrocity that demands immediate action,” said Congressman John Moolenaar. “The BLOCK Act is a critical step in ensuring that no federal funds are used to support the illegal and inhumane procurement of organs tied to China’s brutal, state-sponsored campaign. This bill holds healthcare providers accountable, preventing any complicity in the trafficking of organs from innocent victims in China—many of whom are political prisoners, Uyghurs, and religious minorities. As we confront this horrific abuse, the United States must send a clear message: we will not be complicit in this appalling crime. Americans who participate in this violation of human rights will face severe penalties.”

“There is overwhelming evidence that China has systemically targeted ethnic and religious minorities for forcibly acquired organ donation and that the country regularly violates internationally-accepted rules regarding organ donorship,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. “We cannot remain silent in the face of these gross human rights violations and perpetuate the practice by offering a marketplace for the ill-gotten organs.”

Background:

In its 2023 annual report, the bicameral Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) covered a wide range of topics related to Beijing’s human rights violations and offered a list of recommendations to Congress and the Biden Administration. A top recommendation was to pass legislation to combat forced organ harvesting and sanction those involved in human trafficking.

Multiple reports indicate that China is a major harvester and trafficker of forcibly acquired organs. An exhaustive study in the American Journal of Transplantation found incriminating evidence suggesting that physicians in China participated in executions by organ removal.

Experts estimate that the human organ trafficking industry in China is worth $1 billion a year and is fueled by harvesting organs from China’s 1.5 million concentration camp inmates.

The BLOCK Act would prohibit federal reimbursement for organ transplants and related medical services if the transplanted organ cannot be verified as being procured from an entity participating in the OPTN and create civil penalties for healthcare providers who knowingly take part in a prohibited organ transplant.

Congressman Dunn is joined by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) and John Moolenaar (MI-02), who serves as Chairman of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

Read the full text of the BLOCK Act here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Neal Dunn (Florida-02) introduced the Ending China’s Unfair Advantage Act, a bill that would stop the People’s Republic of China from exploiting international trade loopholes, a common tactic of the Chinese Communist Party. The bill would prohibit American taxpayer dollars from funding the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) until China is no longer designated as a developing nation.

The Ending China’s Unfair Advantage Act seeks to address the growing concerns that China, despite having the world’s second-largest economy, continues to benefit from special status as a “developing nation” within international organizations like the Montreal Protocol and the UNFCC. This designation allows China to receive financial assistance and extended deadlines meant for developing countries, all while enjoying significant economic and military advantages.

“China is the world’s second-largest economy. It has no business benefiting from international trade and environmental policies designed to benefit developing nations,” said Congressman Dunn. “American taxpayers should not be sending their hard-earned money to organizations that underpin China’s unfair advantage on the world stage. This bill will stop the flow of American tax dollars to entities that allow China to exploit their rules and pressure both the UN and Montreal Protocol to fix their mislabeling of China’s status.”

“It is an absolute disgrace the UN allows China to dodge its dues as a so-called “developing nation,” despite having the world’s second-largest economy, said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02). “The U.S. should not be funding programs that China takes advantage of using this ploy, and this critical bill will ensure China cannot play by a different set of rules on the global stage. It’s time to stop allowing our own resources to be used against us and end this America-last scam.”

Background:

Both the Montreal Protocol and the UNFCC have provisions that allow developing countries to receive financial support and extended deadlines for environmental commitments. China’s classification as a developing country under these agreements has allowed the Communist Party to benefit disproportionately, receiving nearly $1.4 billion from the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund. The U.S. is the largest contributor to the fund, giving almost $1 billion. The Ending China’s Unfair Advantage Act would ensure that U.S. taxpayer funds are not used to support these international agreements until China’s status is appropriately reclassified.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)

PANAMA CITY, FL – Today, Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (Florida-02) announced he is hosting a United States Military Service Academy Day for students in Florida’s Second Congressional District. Informational sessions will be held in Leon and Bay counties on Saturday, March 22^nd, 2025. High school and eighth grade students who are interested in attending a service academy are invited to come, along with their parents.

Dr. Dunn has invited representatives from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, as well as the Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and Naval Academies, to attend. Students will have the opportunity to meet with Cadets, Midshipmen, ROTC staff, and parents of current and past cadets. The academy nomination process will be explained. This is an excellent opportunity for high school students to explore these outstanding higher education choices.

No RSVP is required.

For more information, please contact Craig Williams at FL02.Academy@mail.house.gov or call 850-785-0812.

 

Leon County

Date: Saturday, March 22^nd, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM- 11:00 AM ET

Location: Tallahassee City Hall, 300 South Adams Drive, Tallahassee, FL

 

Bay County

Date: Saturday, March 22^nd, 2025

Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM CT

Location: Gulf Coast State College Student Union, 5230 US-98, Panama City, FL 32401

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)

Washington, DC – Yesterday, Congressman Neal Dunn (Florida-02) led a letter with Florida Republicans to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr, asking agencies under his jurisdiction to prevent Florida from being subjected to Biden-Era regulatory standards in the context of a Medicaid Section 1115 waiver for the state of Florida.

In 2022, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved a new supplemental payment program for Florida. However, shortly after approving the program, CMS abruptly announced a sweeping audit of the financing of that program. Disturbingly, while Florida faced scrutiny, similar programs in states led by Democratic governors like California avoided such oversight. CMS’ recent updated amendment to special terms and conditions in the largely unrelated Florida Section 1115 waiver attempts to impose related regulatory interpretations that further target Florida and burden hospitals and patients.

“This latest action by CMS is part of a larger, troubling saga of CMS playing games with my home state while leaving similar programs in Democrat-led states untouched,” said Congressman Dunn. “For the last three years, CMS has subjected Florida to undue scrutiny and hardship despite having previously approved the state’s supplemental payment program to assist Medicaid providers. This effort would force Biden-era policies into the language of the waiver and are inconsistent with President Trump’s conservative agenda. I respectfully urge Secretary Kennedy to intervene by revoking this Biden-era guidance in the waiver and end the targeting the state of Florida.”

In response to CMS’ financing scrutiny, including guidance and audits, both Texas and Florida filed lawsuits against CMS. A federal court agreed with the Texas position, enjoining CMS from enforcing the new interpretation that was “distanced” from the statutory text. CMS seemingly backed down after the lawsuits and promised not to take action against states like Texas and Florida until 2028. However, 72 hours after President Trump’s election, CMS renewed its interest in Florida, informing the state that additional audit questions were imminent.

Congressman Dunn is joined by Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03), Rep. Aaron Bean (FL-04), Rep. John Rutherford (FL-05), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15), Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17), Rep. Byron Donalds (FL-19), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), Rep. Maria Salazar (FL-27), and Rep. Carlos Gimenez (FL-28).

Read the letter to Secretary Kennedy here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Neal Dunn (2nd District of Florida)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Neal Dunn (Florida-02) introduced the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act or the “REPAIR Act,” a bill that would ensure vehicle owners have access to important repair and diagnostic data needed for auto repairs. Currently, automakers are restricting vehicle owners and automotive repair shops from accessing repair data and tools, resulting in higher repair costs, fewer service options, and longer wait times for vehicle maintenance. The REPAIR Act would affirm that this data belongs to the vehicle’s owner, not the manufacturer.

“American consumers deserve full control over their vehicle repair and maintenance data to ensure they can find the best service for their vehicle at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, vehicle manufacturers are standing in the way of American consumers accessing their own data to use the repair shop of their choosing, limiting consumer choice,” said Congressman Dunn. “For far too long, manufacturers have championed anti-competitive practices by withholding crucial maintenance information, squeezing their customers and independent repair shops.

“Your vehicle belongs to you, not the manufacturer. I am introducing the REPAIR Act to provide a binding, workable solution to anti-competitive behavior in the auto repair industry to reaffirm consumer control over their vehicle maintenance data and empower them to work with repair shops big and small.”

“Americans are tired of lip service about lowering prices or respecting the trades. We want to be able to fix our own stuff and to be stewards of our stuff and not reliant on a stream of cheap disposable crap. But auto manufacturers have made it increasingly difficult to have real agency,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “It’s time for Congress to listen to ordinary Americans and pass right to repair legislation.”

“We sincerely thank Dr. Dunn for his leadership in tackling this existential threat to consumers and standing up for the rights of vehicle owners and vital businesses,” said Bill Hanvey, President and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “The REPAIR Act gained significant support and momentum in the previous Congress, demonstrating the broad, bipartisan recognition of the need to protect consumers’ right to repair their vehicles. Lawmakers, industry leaders, and everyday drivers understand that fair access to vehicle repair data is essential for competition, affordability, and consumer choice. With its reintroduction, we have an even greater opportunity to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”

“Americans want a car repair market that guarantees choice and protects accessible, affordable, and safe vehicle repairs,” said Justin Rzepka, Executive Director of the CAR Coalition. “We commend Rep. Neal Dunn and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for their leadership in upholding consumer rights and promoting a free and fair car repair market. Today’s reintroduction of the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act marks an important step forward in limiting unfair repair restrictions and empowering consumers to fix their vehicles on their own terms.”

“NFIB is excited to work with and support Rep. Dunn on this important legislation. The REPAIR Act is a much-needed piece of bipartisan legislation to increase competition in the automotive repair industry,” said Andrea McGee, Principal of Federal Government Relations at NFIB. “Almost 90 percent of NFIB members support right to repair, making it one of NFIB’s top ten priorities. NFIB thanks Rep. Dunn for his tireless work on this issue that impacts so many small businesses across all industries.”

“MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers thanks Congressman Dunn for reintroducing the REPAIR Act. This bill is a critical step toward protecting consumer choice, competition, and innovation in the automotive aftermarket. Ensuring fair access in a cybersecure way to critical repair and maintenance data allows aftermarket manufacturers to continue innovating and providing high-quality, affordable parts to consumers. Without this access, competition is stifled, costs will rise, and consumer choice will be diminished. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers strongly supports this legislation to protect a vibrant and competitive aftermarket that benefits drivers, repairers, and manufacturers alike,” said Paul McCarthy, President of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers.

“PAMA’s member companies and independent automotive maintenance shops around the country play a vital role, ensuring that consumers have access to timely and cost-effective repair options for their automobiles,” said Justin Cialella, former PAMA President and Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. “We commend and applaud Congressman Dunn for his leadership on the REPAIR Act, a critical milestone in our industry’s effort to protect consumers rights, preserve a fair marketplace with regard to vehicle telematics, and combat deceptive marketing practices.”

Background:

• On February 11^th, a federal judge in Massachusetts dismissed a lawsuit from the Alliance for Automotive Innovation against the state’s Right to Repair law, which passed by a state ballot with 74.97% of the vote. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation represents a significant portion of vehicle manufacturers selling cars in the United States.

• Vehicle Manufacturers resisted the Massachusetts ballot measure through another group, the Coalition for Safe and Secure Data, which raised over $26.4 million to campaign against the initiative. Top donors to the Coalition for Safe and Secure Data include General Motors, Toyota Motor North America, Inc., Ford Motor Company, and American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

• On July 11^th, 2023, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation released a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between vehicle manufacturers and two automotive repair industry groups, the Automotive Service Association and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, claiming to have reached an agreement to share crucial diagnostic information.

• It is notable that the MOU omits the size and scope of the membership of the two groups named in the agreement. The vast majority of groups representing independent aftermarket repair businesses oppose the MOU, including the Auto Care Association, Consumer Access to Repair (CAR) Coalition, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and the Preventative Automotive Maintenance Association (PAMA).

Read the full text of H.R. 1566 here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) and Austin Scott (GA-08), alongside U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock, reintroduced the bipartisan Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act (H.R. 2345), which would establish the Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding areas in Middle Georgia as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve.

“I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this bipartisan bill. By establishing the Ocmulgee Mounds as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve, we are highlighting over 17,000 years of history and culture as well as welcoming people from across the country to enjoy Georgia’s natural beauty,” said Rep. Bishop. “Elevating the status of and expanding this site to a national park and preserve will raise awareness about it, increase public hunting and fishing grounds, encourage more visitors to our area, and boost the local economy.”

“Establishing the Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding areas as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve remains a top bipartisan initiative for all lawmakers and stakeholders involved,” said Rep. Austin Scott. “The Ocmulgee Mounds are of invaluable cultural, communal, and economic significance to our state, and I am committed to keeping this initiative moving forward.”

“We made unprecedented progress last Congress toward creating Georgia’s first ever National Park,” Senator Ossoff said. “I look forward to working alongside Congressman Scott, Senator Reverend Warnock, Congressman Bishop, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and local leaders to successfully establish Georgia’s first national park.”

“Ocmulgee Mounds is a living testament to our intertwined histories and a robust source of economic and cultural vitality, so I’m proud to continue supporting the bipartisan, bicameral efforts to establish Ocmulgee Mounds as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I want to thank Congressmen Scott and Bishop for their yearslong efforts on this in the U.S. House, as well as Senator Ossoff for his leadership. Local leaders and everyday Georgians have been waiting for Congress to act and now is the time. Working together, we can prove what is possible when we put politics aside to serve the people of Georgia.”

The House bill is cosponsored by 11 other members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation: Representatives Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01), Brian Jack (GA-03), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Mike Collins (GA-10), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Rick Allen (GA-12), David Scott (GA-13), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14).

The area is the ancestral home of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and has been inhabited continuously by humans for over 12,000 years. American Indians first arrived in the area during the Paleo-Indian Period hunting Ice Age mammals. Around 900 CE, the Mississippian Period began, and Muskogean people constructed mounds for meeting, living, burial, agricultural, and other purposes, many of which remain today and would be encompassed in the new U.S. National Park and Preserve.

“The Muscogee (Creek) Nation remains steadfast in our support of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Bill. The opportunity to make the historic Ocmulgee Mounds a national park is so important to us because we have been included, we have been shown the respect of collaboration, and because of that we can feel confident that the living history that will be told here is authentic and has the power to elevate Georgia forever. We are thrilled to continue offering our support for this legislation every step of the way,” said David Hill, Principal Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

“I cannot overstate the importance of this legislation to our region, state, and country. Tens of millions of private dollars have been leveraged to conserve the precious cultural and ecological resources of the Ocmulgee Corridor and this bipartisan legislation allows us to continue to grow the middle Georgia economy, protect our national security interests at Robin Air Force Base, expand hunting and fishing access, and authentically preserve some of the most culturally significant sites in the country,” said Seth Clark, Macon Mayor Pro Tempore and Executive Director of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative. “We’re grateful for the continued bipartisan dedication of the Georgia delegation. And call for the swift passage of this legislation this year so that we can continue our stewardship of this landscape and our economy.” 

“Preserving the undeveloped lands within the Ocmulgee River Corridor is critical to safeguarding Robins Air Force Base from incompatible land use, ensuring we can sustain our national security missions,” said Brig. Gen. John C. Kubinec, USAF (ret), President/CEO of 21st Century Partnership. “This park and preserve will also provide our military members and their families with valuable opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure, enhancing their quality of life while strengthening the economic vitality of Middle Georgia.”

“Establishing Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve at Ocmulgee Mounds will serve as a robust form of economic development for Middle Georgia while conserving the site’s important series of ecological and cultural assets. Representatives Austin Scott and Sanford Bishop with their bipartisan leadership and admirable partnership with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation have assembled a broad statewide coalition including chambers of commerce, hunters and anglers, and conservation organizations working to pass this legislation. The formal process of creating a National Monument out of the Ocmulgee Old Fields formally began in 1933, when the Macon Junior Chamber of Commerce purchased the sites and requested their protection. Today, through the leadership of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and other local leaders, we are one step closer to making that a reality. The Georgia Chamber is proud to support Representatives Scott and Bishop’s legislation to create Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve, after almost a century of civic advocacy,” said Chris Clark, CCE, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber.

“The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce has long seen the national and park and preserve designation as a top congressional priority. Getting this done this year is vital to the economic viability and stability of middle Georgia. Being home to Georgia’s first and only national park and preserve will create a better business climate, allow for lower taxes, and create thousands of good paying, sustainable jobs. Our members have marshaled tens of millions of dollars in preparing middle Georgia for the passage of this legislation and as we have for almost a century, we and the greater middle Georgia business community fully support and call for getting it done this year,” said Jessica Walden, President and CEO of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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