Schakowsky, Warren Press Trump Admin on Whether Big Tech Lobbyists Are Scheming to Use Major Trade Deal to Stop Regulation

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

Full Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and opened a new investigation into whether Big Tech companies are lobbying to avoid new AI rules using the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a new letter to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer, the lawmakers raised concerns that Big Tech trade associations may be trying to use the USMCA to prevent the U.S., Mexico, and Canada from developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) standards and holding them accountable for hurting consumers.

“U.S. trade policy should focus on creating jobs, strengthening supply chains, and lowering costs for American families — not advancing the interests of Big Tech CEOs by letting their companies run amok,” wrote the lawmakers

Big Tech companies have long lobbied against regulations that protect consumers, promote competition, and safeguard data security and privacy. In recent years, the industry has spent $100 million lobbying against AI regulation, including in support of a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulation. They are now attempting to use trade deals to preempt even the federal government from effectively regulating AI.  

The USMCA already prohibits signatories — including the United States — from requiring companies to share source code outside of open investigations, making it harder to proactively regulate these companies. 

“This language is far broader than what is necessary to protect companies from intellectual property theft or infringement,” said the lawmakers

Now, according to an analysis by Public Citizen, Big Tech trade associations — representing companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook — are lobbying to keep harmful rules and further prevent the governments of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada from regulating the digital ecosystem, including AI. If Big Tech is successful, they could even circumvent state laws that limit exports of sensitive personal data or guarantee protections to allow AI models to be trained on copyrighted materials.  

“(T)his digital trade strategy would limit — or even potentially bar — federal and state governments’ ability to enact or enforce domestic policies to counter Big Tech’s influence and protect consumers from harm,” noted the lawmakers

The lawmakers warned that restrictions on regulating these companies are especially concerning as AI plays a larger role in Americans’ lives. In particular, they point to employers’ use of AI to replace workers and AI chatbots engaging in inappropriate conversations with minors and possibly leading youth in crisis to self-harm. 

“It is crucial that governments have the tools they need to effectively protect their citizens against these harms,” said the lawmakers.

The members urged Mr. Greer to ensure that any revised version of the USMCA eliminates “source code secrecy provisions that allow Big Tech companies to escape regulatory scrutiny.” 

“Congress and state legislatures must work to ensure the safe, responsible deployment of AI, and special AI source code secrecy protections make it virtually impossible for regulatory bodies at home and abroad to secure AI accountability from Big Tech,” concluded the lawmakers

The lawmakers asked Mr. Greer to explain whether and to what extent the Trump administration is allowing Big Tech companies to influence USMCA negotiations by August 5, 2026.

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Dingell Introduces the Childhood Disability Benefit Fairness Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Dingell Introduces the Childhood Disability Benefit Fairness Act

Washington, D.C. , July 23, 2026

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) introduced the Childhood Disability Benefit Fairness Act, a bill that would fix the issue where disabled adult children are denied crucial Medicaid and related medical benefits because they never received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) before becoming eligible for Social Security’s Childhood Disability Benefit (CDB). 

“Individuals living with a disability already face too many barriers without arbitrary administrative hurdles getting in the way of essential healthcare. This legislation addresses that so individuals with childhood disabilities receive the full benefits and Medicaid coverage they deserve, no matter their family’s circumstances,” said Congresswoman Dingell. 

Certain children with disabilities are placed in financial hardship and may forgo essential support and services due to the sequencing of federal program eligibility. Disabled individuals go without needed Medicaid services that help them stay in the community, thousands of hours of unnecessary paperwork are conducted by families and government officials each month, and there is more unnecessary health care spending due to higher acuity from forgone care.

Currently, under Section 1634 of the Social Security Act, an individual must receive SSI before receiving Social Security’s Childhood Disability Benefits in order for the CDB income to be disregarded for Medicaid qualification. This statutory requirement creates an unintended trap where individuals with disabilities may be subject to a Medicaid deductible if their parents die young, are older and retire, become disabled themselves, or fail to apply to SSI in time. Depending on the state, these faultless individuals with disabilities may not be able to afford or receive Medicaid benefits simply by being unlucky in their uncontrollable personal life circumstances.

Congressman Neguse, Senator Luján Introduce the Local Input Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — Today, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the Federal Lands Subcommittee, and New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Luján introduced the Local Input Act. This bicameral bill seeks to protect the right of local communities to provide input into proposed oil and gas lease sales on national public lands, and would restore the Department of the Interior’s discretion to incorporate public comments and defer nominated parcels that conflict with the public interest.

The bill’s introduction comes at a critical moment for the country, particularly for communities in the American West. Changes enacted by Congress in 2025 effectively stripped local communities, landowners, and state and local officials of a meaningful voice in leasing decisions on public lands by eliminating the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) authority to defer lease parcels even if legitimate conflicts are identified, including when proposed leases threaten water supplies, wildlife habitat, hunting and fishing, recreation, tourism, and cultural resources. The Department of the Interior is also currently proposing changes to the BLM’s oil and gas leasing rule that would further reduce public input in this process to a mere 10-day protest period.

“In Colorado, we’ve seen the value of giving local communities a seat at the table. From farmers and ranchers to conservationists, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, and Tribal communities, the people who live, work, and recreate on these lands should have a meaningful say in how they’re managed. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Local Input Act. Together with Senator Luján, we’re working to put public lands back in public hands,” said Congressman Neguse.

“In New Mexico and across the country, our public lands belong to the people, and everyone deserves a meaningful voice in how they are managed,” said Senator Luján. “That’s why I’m introducing the Local Input Act, commonsense legislation that ensures local communities are not sidelined when decisions affecting their water, lands, livelihoods, and way of life are made. I’m proud to partner with Representative Neguse on this bill and will continue fighting to ensure every voice is heard when it comes to managing our public lands.”

The Local Input Act is a common-sense, targeted fix that restores balance, accountability, and community input to the management of America’s public lands. It reestablishes the Bureau of Land Management’s authority to meaningfully consider public feedback and defer oil and gas lease parcels when legitimate conflicts are identified, reversing unintended consequences created by Congress. By ensuring that local communities, landowners, hunters, anglers, ranchers, Tribal Nations, and other stakeholders once again have a meaningful voice in public lands decisions, the bill helps protect water supplies, wildlife habitat, tourism and recreation, private property rights, ranching and grazing operations, and other economic, ecological, and cultural values that are vital to Western communities. 

The bill is endorsed by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Conservation Colorado, Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, Montana Wildlife Federation, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Nevada Conservation League, Nevada Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Voices for Children, New Mexico Wild, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Nuestra Tierra, Public Land Solutions, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Save The Aurora Reservoir, Taxpayers for Common Sense, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited, Western, Colorado Alliance, The Wilderness Society, Wilderness Workshop, Wild Montana.  

Statements of support can be found HERE

View the full bill text HERE.

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MATSUI LEADS EFFORT URGING FCC TO STOP AT&T LANDLINE SHUTDOWN

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07),Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Mike Thompson (CA-04) led a bipartisan group of 28 total members of the California Congressional Delegation in urging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr to stop AT&T’s effort to discontinue landline services and uphold its obligation to serve California communities.

The push comes just days after a federal court rejected AT&T’s request to temporarily block California from enforcing its Carrier of Last Resort requirements while the company’s lawsuit proceeds.

“This continued attempt by AT&T to cease operations of critical networks in areas that are prone to wildfires, landslides, massive snowstorms, and earthquakes would leave approximately 200,000 California residential and business customers without alternative communications in the event of a cellular outage,” wrote the Members. “Relatedly, as has befallen AT&T in the recent past, these outages could last for days, weeks, and in some cases, months. We urge the Commission to deny AT&T’s various applications because the negative consequences for the public far outweigh any benefits, and the proposed replacement is wholly inadequate.”

AT&T has sought federal approval to discontinue legacy landline service affecting California residents and businesses, relinquish its Eligible Telecommunications Carrier status, and override California’s Carrier of Last Resort protections. Its proposed wireless replacement relies on electrical grids and cellular towers that may be damaged or unavailable during disasters.

“We recognize the importance of modernizing our networks and expanding fiber-optic infrastructure to underserved communities,” the Members continued. “However, these efforts must be carried out in a manner that protects public safety and preserves resilient access for vulnerable communities during emergencies and outages.”

The letter follows a bipartisan 2024 effort by members of the California delegation opposing AT&T’s previous attempt to abandon its Carrier of Last Resort obligations. The California Public Utilities Commission later denied that request after significant public opposition.

The lawmakers call on the FCC to protect California’s authority to set local utility and public safety standards and prevent customers from losing reliable access to emergency communications. At minimum, they request protections for communities prone to wildfires, extreme weather, and locations where indoor cellular coverage is unreliable.

The full letter is available HERE.

STATEMENT: Rep. Haley Stevens Votes No on Cynical Voter Suppression Effort; Demands Congress Pass Stock Trading Ban

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following today’s vote series, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens released the following statement: 

“Let me be very clear: Members of Congress should be banned from owning individual stocks. The bill Republicans put forward today does not do that. I should know—I’ve been fighting for this for years, I don’t own individual stocks, and I wrote one of the toughest bills to ban stock trading in Congress and the White House. Public office should never be about personal profit, period.

“As I’ve said before, Donald Trump is turning the Oval Office into a stock trading floor. We should be putting a stop to that corruption, not exploiting it for political games. Instead, in a cynical effort, Republicans poisoned the bipartisan goal of banning congressional stock trading by attaching unrelated voter suppression legislation, forcing a false choice. No matter what, I will never vote to make it harder for Americans to exercise their fundamental right to vote. 

“If Republicans want to pass a real stock trading ban, bring my bill to the floor, or any other serious bipartisan proposal. I’ll vote yes.”

 

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Rep. Austin Scott Applauds House Passage of H.R. 8884

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) released the following statement after the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 8884, the Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act by a vote of 232-188:

“The Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act is about helping disabled Americans pursue opportunities without the fear of losing the benefits that help them live with dignity. This bill would allow the Social Security Administration to pursue scoped demonstration programs while ensuring voluntary participants’ overall income is not reduced, giving disabled Americans the chance to build the future they want,” said Rep. Scott. “I had the opportunity to take a constituent hunting several years ago who was a double amputee purple heart recipient. He shared with me the defeat as a husband and father wanting to work and take care of his family but being limited on what he can do without losing all benefits and hurting his family more.”

“The massive discrepancy between the 60 percent of Americans receiving Social Security Disability Insurance who say they want to work and the less than 1 percent who actually enter the workforce and successfully exit the program each year shows just how much the Social Security Administration’s complex rules and regulations are failing to deliver for Americans living with a disability,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08). “Representative Scott, in particular, has been a champion for so many Purple Heart veterans who could return to work if there were relief from the current restrictive work compensation rules. I commend him for restoring a pathway for millions of disabled individuals, including Purple Heart veterans. The Social Security Administration had this authority to test new pathways in the past, and it desperately needs it again, so we can slash the bureaucratic red tape and empower more individuals with disabilities to achieve the dignity of work. With passage of this bill, we can ensure government programs are lifting people up, not inadvertently holding them back.”

H.R. 8884 will reauthorize, through 2031, the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) authority to carry out demonstration projects within the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. The bill also imposes requirements related to beneficiary income, project funding, and SSA reporting.

Under the bill, SSA must ensure that an individual’s participation in a demonstration project does not reduce their total income. Further, the bill specifies that administrative expenses related to demonstration projects must be paid from funds appropriated for administration.

Read the full text of the legislation here.

Bonamici Introduces Legislation to Redirect $70B from ICE, CBP to Child Care

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON, DC [7/23/26] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced the Daycare Not Detentions Act to redirect $70 billion of funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to federal child care programs.

A year ago, Republicans passed H.R.1 and gave the Department of Homeland Security $170.7 billion for immigration enforcement. We have seen how that funding has been used to carry out mass deportations, terrorize communities, and incarcerate thousands of people, many with no criminal records, in detention centers. Earlier this year, instead of lowering costs or improving public safety or the lives of American families, Republicans gave an additional $70 billion of funding to ICE and CBP. 

The terror from immigration enforcement actions will have lasting effects on children for generations to come. At the same time, Congress has continued to underinvest in programs that serve our nation’s children. 

“It’s shameful that the Trump administration and their allies in Congress are spending billions of dollars on ICE and CBP to tear apart and terrorize families,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Communities will be much safer and stronger if we instead made a generational investment in children and redirect this funding to federal programs that provide care and education for our youngest learners. I will continue doing all I can to fight against funding for dangerous immigration enforcement and advocate for our nation’s children and a brighter future.”

The Daycare Not Detentions Act would provide needed funding to support access to the following early childhood programs:

  • $25.5 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (nearly triple current funding);
  • $20 billion for the Child Care Entitlement to States (double current funding);
  • $24 billion for Head Start (double current funding); and
  • $500 million for the Preschool Development Block Grant (nearly double current funding).

The text of the Daycare Not Detentions Act can be read here

The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Dwight Evans (D-PA), Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Emily Randall (D-WA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

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Pappas Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Speed Up Distribution of Cost-Saving Weatherization Funding

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced bipartisan legislation that would ensure grant funding from the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and State Energy Program (SEP) are distributed without delay to state agencies and local partners that implement these cost-saving energy initiatives. The bill comes as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) continues to delay the distribution of more than $400 million in grant funding from both WAP and SEP despite the rising cost of energy. Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) is a cosponsor of the legislation, and the Senate companion legislation is led by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH). 

“Energy prices are way too high right now, and Granite Staters are feeling the pinch. I’m working hard to find every way we can put money back in people’s pockets,” said Congressman Pappas. “The Investing in State Energy Act will speed up the delivery of cost-saving weatherization funding to help bring down energy costs and save families and states money. I will continue fighting to deliver federal dollars back to First District residents as quickly as possible to meet their needs and lower their energy bills.”

“We are grateful for the continued support and recognition of the important role the Weatherization program plays in the lives of New Hampshire residents. Our ability to respond to no heat emergencies is completely dependent on our funding and delays mean our community members go without heat during the winter months,” said Betsey Andrews Parker, CEO of Community Action Partnership of Strafford County. “This legislation will enable our agency to respond quickly to help the most vulnerable, at risk residents. Not only will homes be energy efficient, saving hundreds of dollars a year which can now be used for food, gas, and other essential items, but it also creates safe, stable housing.”

“Tri-County Community Action Program serves upwards of 9,000 households every year through our LiHEAP and Weatherization Programs. Legislation ensuring that funding for these vital programs is not delayed will provide much needed assurance to the households who depend on the assistance. We are so pleased with this bipartisan effort to ensure that vulnerable Granite Staters have what they need to help them in the coldest months of the year,” said Jeanne Robillard, CEO of Tri-County Community Action Partnership.

For nearly 50 years, WAP and SEP have provided technical and financial assistance to states, tribal governments, and U.S. territories to encourage the adoption of clean energy and energy efficiency practices and technologies. WAP enables income-eligible families, older adults, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, freeing up limited resources for other essentials like food and medicine. SEP provides cost-shared resources directly to the states for allocations by the governor-designated State Energy Office to support energy projects, such as energy emergency planning and response, private sector innovation in clean energy, and state-driven energy infrastructure modernization.

Specifically, the Investing in State Energy Act would direct the DOE to provide application guidance and publish expected WAP and SEP allocations to states within 60 days of enactment of appropriations for the programs and distribute funding to states and other recipients within 30 days of receiving a completed plan from the applicant. By requiring the publication of expected WAP and SEP awards, the Investing in State Energy Act will ensure states, tribes, and other entities have the information they need in order to effectively plan for expected funding. The ability to conduct such planning encourages local high-impact projects that serve families in need and allows states to continue to make good use of critical resources to meet their energy goals.

“New Yorkers deserve timely access to the resources Congress has already approved to help lower energy costs, improve efficiency, and make our communities more affordable. This legislation cuts through the red tape by setting clear deadlines to ensure funding gets out the door on time and supports the communities that need it most,” said Congressman Lawler.

“I’m proud to support the bipartisan Investing in State Energy Act, which will ensure the timely distribution of funding from the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program. As a former state energy official, I have seen firsthand how vital these programs are to ensuring that Americans across the nation can afford their energy bills. Unfortunately, President Trump’s DOE has regularly delayed and withheld critical funding from these programs, denying Americans access to resources that help state governments in their efforts to lower energy costs. With utility bills continuing to rise, it is more important than ever that these funds are made available as quickly as possible,” said Congressman Tonko.

The bill text is here.

The Investing in State Energy Act is endorsed by the National Association of State Energy Officials, the Building Performance Association, and the National Association for State Community Services Programs.

“The National Community Action Foundation, on behalf of the nation’s 1,000 Community Action Agencies, wholeheartedly endorses the Investing in State Energy Act of 2026. When enacted, it will help ensure that vital Weatherization funds, which are so important in our low-income communities, will be released in a timely manner. This legislation will also ensure that work can be completed without delay, a trained Weatherization workforce will be retained, and that thousands of low-income families will be able to stay in their homes and withstand the pressures from rising energy costs. We at the National Community Action Foundation look forward to working with the sponsors, Representatives Chris Pappas and Mike Lawler, to get this vital piece of legislation enacted into law,” said David Bradley, CEO of the National Community Action Foundation.

“The states appreciate the leadership of Rep. Pappas and Rep. Lawler in promoting this sensible bipartisan legislation.  When Congress acts to fund the State Energy Program and the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program, families, consumers, and businesses should not have to wait a year to have these funds dedicated for useful purposes helping Americans. This legislation will require the Department of Energy to speed the release of the funds,” said David Terry, President of the National Association of State Energy Officials.

“The Weatherization Assistance Program and State Energy Program are critical to energy affordability, reliability and security,” said Steve Skodak, CEO of the Building Performance Association. “BPA member contractors perform home upgrades for WAP projects across the country, lowering energy bills and improving home health, safety, and comfort. Ensuring the prompt delivery of these funds through the Investing in State Energy Act will benefit both low-income American households and the home performance contractors who serve them.”

Background:

Pappas is a fierce advocate for efforts that lower energy costs for Granite Staters and programs that help low-income families pay their bills. He also leads the bipartisan Heroes Home Energy Savings Act, which would reauthorize and increase funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement and Innovation Grant to spur innovation in weatherization and provide active duty and reserve military families with grants to help lower their energy costs. Pappas is a cosponsor of the bipartisan Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025, which would reauthorize and improve WAP and guarantee the program can continue to provide weatherization services to tens of thousands of homes every year and save households hundreds on their energy costs. Last year he led the New Hampshire delegation in calling on the DOE to immediately release $9 million in funding for New Hampshire from WAP.

He has also previously introduced, cosponsored, or called for the passage of the following legislation: his bipartisan Energy Burden Tax Credit Act, his bipartisan Transmission Facilitation Program Reauthorization, his bipartisan Bolstering Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve Act, the bipartisan Banning Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act, and the Energy Independence and Affordability Act. He also helped launch the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus.

Trahan, DeLauro, Larsen, Walkinshaw, Gillen Introduce Right to IVF Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

Today, Representatives Lori Trahan (MA-03), Rosa DeLauro (CT-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), and Laura Gillen (NY-04) led the introduction of the Right to IVF Act of 2026. Introduced ahead of World IVF Day on July 25th, the sweeping legislative package that would make it easier to access in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) for the millions of hopeful parents who depend on it to build their family. This pro-family legislation would establish a nationwide right to access IVF, lower the costs of IVF treatment, expand IVF coverage for military families and require all employer-sponsored insurance programs to cover IVF.
“Like so many people in our country facing fertility challenges, my husband and I turned to IVF as our last hope to have kids. After years of appointments, injections, and setbacks, and thanks to our remarkable physicians, we have two beautiful daughters,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “No one should lose the chance to start or grow a family because of their zip code. The Right to IVF Act guarantees the right to family-creating fertility care in every state and puts it within reach for the millions of families who need it.”
“There are few experiences as hard as wanting to start a family and not being able to,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “That is why I am fighting to ensure Americans have access to IVF treatments when they want to start one. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Right to IVF Act – because building a family in the United States should never be difficult.”
“For many Americans, fertility treatments like IVF are essential to start families of their own,” said Congressman Larsen. “This comprehensive legislation will guarantee access and expand coverage for IVF and other fertility services. The legislation also includes my bill with Senator Murray, the Veteran Families Health Services Act, to ensure fertility treatments are included in servicemembers’ and veterans’ health benefits. I will keep working with my colleagues in the House and the Senate to make sure that women and men in uniform and working families do not have to sacrifice their dreams of having a family.”
“Deciding when and how to build a family is a deeply personal choice that belongs to families, not politicians,” said Congressman Walkinshaw, Co-Chair of the Federal Workforce Caucus. “For millions struggling with infertility, IVF offers hope and a path to parenthood. I’m especially proud the Right to IVF Act includes my legislation requiring IVF coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, ensuring the federal government leads by example. I’m honored to join Senator Duckworth, Congresswoman Trahan, and this coalition to protect IVF nationwide and expand access for servicemembers, veterans, federal employees, and working families.”
“I am proud to help lead this critical bill ensuring millions of Americans can access IVF to build their families, no matter where they live,” said Congresswoman Gillen. “Families struggling to conceive go through indescribable heartbreak and stress. The last thing they should worry about is legal challenges to IVF delaying or outright halting procedures. Infertility is not a partisan issue. I will continue to work across the aisle in Congress to protect access to IVF and adjacent reproductive technologies that have helped countless individuals experience the joy of parenthood.”
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, fertility care has been threatened in states where sloppily written laws, including Republican abortion bans, have swept up standard medical practice. In some states, lawmakers and judges have moved to redefine legal personhood to include frozen, extrauterine embryos, turning standard IVF practice into potentially criminal activity. In 2024, IVF services were halted in Alabama after a state court ruled that embryos lost before implantation could trigger the state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act, effectively exposing IVF providers to wrongful death liability. Care only resumed after lawmakers rushed through an emergency fix to a mess of their own making.
The Right to IVF Act of 2026 is comprehensive, bicameral legislation that would establish an enforceable nationwide right to access and provide IVF and other fertility treatments and ensure every family can receive affordable insurance coverage of fertility care. Specifically, the bill:

Creates a statutory right for an individual to access, a provider to provide, and an insurer to cover assisted reproductive technology (ART), including IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI), without prohibition, limitation, or interference.

Ensures coverage for ART, including IVF and IUI, for servicemembers, veterans, government employees, and people with employer-sponsored insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA plans.

“Every person deserves to build their family on their terms. For millions, including several Members of our caucus, that journey includes use of fertility care,” said Representative Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “Across the country, extreme Republican legislators are doubling down on dangerous abortion bans, and the consequences only continue to grow. But these bans were never going to stop at abortion. The truth was put on display for all to see in Alabama: that they will not stop until they eliminate access to all reproductive health care, including birth control and IVF. The Reproductive Freedom Caucus is proud to support this critical bill and to stand with Representative Trahan in the fight to safeguard your right and access to the fertility care you need.”
A Senate companion bill was introduced by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
“Almost two years after promising free IVF for all Americans if he were elected, Donald Trump has still failed to deliver,” said Senator Duckworth. “Trump and Republicans’ ‘support’ for IVF is nothing but lip service. They want us to have more babies, yet they’ll do nothing to actually help make it easier for the millions who struggle with infertility to start and grow their families. The Right to IVF Act would immediately make IVF treatment more affordable for millions of hopeful parents across the country. From middle class families, to our brave servicemembers and Veterans, to federal employees and more—every American deserves the right to access the treatment and tools they need to build the family of their dreams without burning through their savings. If Republicans really support IVF, then let’s get this done. No more delays.”
“Republicans are not pro-family and they won’t lift a finger to help families get IVF—the Texas Republican Party just recently made banning IVF a part of their official party platform,” said Senator Murray. “I have fought for a long time to make sure at least servicemembers and veterans , especially wounded warriors, can get the IVF care they need to build a family. But the reality is that we have a Republican Speaker of the House who believes an embryo should have the same rights as an adult woman with children who count on her. America’s pro-IVF majority should wake up to the fact that Trump could not care less about IVF—he broke that promise and he is happy to let Republicans attack IVF and all of our reproductive rights. Meanwhile, Democrats are standing with families and fighting to make sure can access and afford health care to build their families.”
“No one chooses infertility,” said Senator Booker. “It’s a medical condition that leaves too many families and individuals feeling alone long before they ever seek treatment. When people turn to IVF, they’re choosing hope. They’re choosing the chance to build the family they’ve always dreamed of. But that hope comes with a price tag that is simply out of reach for far too many. The medications, procedures, and cycles can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Families and individuals already carrying the emotional weight of infertility are then hit with financial barriers that no one should have to face trying to bring a child into this world. We have to change that. We have to remove those barriers and make IVF affordable and accessible to everyone who needs it. Because the ability to build a family should not be reserved for the wealthy or the lucky, it should be within reach for us all.”
“For millions of American families, IVF isn’t politics—it’s hope,” said Leader Schumer. “Donald Trump ran on a promise that he would make IVF free, and yet he has done nothing but attack women’s reproductive rights and undermine access to fertility care—another lie in his long list of broken promises to American families. Our Right to IVF Act is essential to putting a deeply personal health care decision back in the hands of American families. While Donald Trump and Republicans erect barriers between hopeful parents and IVF, Democrats will never stop fighting to protect access so that every family can build the future they dream of.”
The legislation introduced today was cosponsored by 119 House members and 46 Senators. A copy of the bill can be accessed HERE.
The Right to IVF Act is supported by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), RESOLVE: The National Infertility and Family Building Association, Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD).
“The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) welcomes the bicameral reintroduction of the Right to IVF Act, which would achieve accessible and affordable fertility care for all Americans,” said ASRM Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer Sean Tipton. “This visionary and comprehensive effort would protect patients’ ability to build their families through safe, evidence-based treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF). By safeguarding access to assisted reproductive technology (ART), preserving the physician-patient relationship, and expanding coverage for the individuals and families who need it most, this legislation reflects the standard of care that all patients deserve.”
“No one should have to wonder whether they’ll be able to access the care they need to build their family,” said Danielle Melfi, CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility and Family Building Association. “By safeguarding the right to IVF and expanding insurance coverage for veterans, federal employees, and the individuals and families who need it most, this legislation reflects a comprehensive commitment to helping more people build the families they dream of. RESOLVE applauds Senator Duckworth and the bill’s sponsors for continuing to put patients and families first.”
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Castro Statement on New Housing Planned for JBSA-Fort Sam Houston

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

July 23, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement:

“My office has been informed of the Department of Defense’s plans to replace five barracks at Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston that have been plagued by mold and faulty construction. Replacing these barracks, which hold 6,000 medical trainees for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, will cost well over a billion dollars. It’s critical that the Pentagon not repeat the construction mistakes of the past and provide quality housing that meets the needs of our servicemembers.”

Background:

The Department of Defense (DoD) Barrack Task force identified 5 barracks on JBSA-Ft. Sam Houston as a priority to demolish and replace due to severe mold, humidity, and construction issues. They plan to demolish these barracks in September and begin construction by end of the year. The DoD expects the project to cost over $1.4 billion in fiscal years 2027 and 2028. To accommodate construction, the DoD is moving the medical trainees from these barracks into other housing facilities on the base.