MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last night, the Senate passed an appropriations package that will bring $6,316,000 in community project funds back to our community. The president will likely sign these into law within the coming days, bringing federal funding to important initiatives on environmental protection, public safety, and economic opportunity locally. 

See below for the statements of support from community leaders:

“I want to thank Representative Smith for securing these vital federal funds to expand our post-overdose response team. Seattle’s Fire Department is a national leader in this work, and this support will both help people struggling with addiction and free up police and fire resources for other emergency calls. Seattle is building a coordinated, modern, approach to public safety and public health to make our city safe for everyone of every background, and this work is essential to that vision.”
— Katie Wilson, Mayor, City of Seattle

“Protecting our environment and preserving community resources is a top priority for Renton. The Kennydale Lakeline Sanitary Sewer and Water Quality Preservation Project safeguards Lake Washington and ensures our residents continue to enjoy this beautiful resource. When we address future environmental issues, we secure a safe and thriving future for our city and the entire region. Our thanks to Congressman Adam Smith on his support in securing federal funding for this project.”
— Armondo Pavone, Mayor, City of Renton

“We know that people can and do change, and it is possible to permanently break cycles of crime and crisis. We are grateful to Congressman Smith for the opportunity to demonstrate that better support for individuals in jail and exiting jail translates to better outcomes, dollars saved, and lives saved.”
— Amy Barden, Chief, City of Seattle Community Assisted Response & Engagement

“We can’t thank Congressman Smith enough for his support of our water district as we’ve worked to ensure our ratepayers have access to reliability clean water. Modernizing our water treatment facility will not only improve water quality but also reliability, reducing health disparities and ensuring public trust of our water supply.”
 — King County Water District 54 Commission President Kris Van Gasken

“Digital funding is revolutionizing how we support community creators and empower underrepresented communities. Through our Innovation Lab and trusted partnerships, we are building an inclusive and vibrant creative economy in Washington state, one that invests in training, mentorship, education pathways, and job creation so the next generation of creatives can lead, innovate, and thrive.”
— Angela Ngiangi Diansasila, MSA, Senior Program Director / Data Manager, Congolese Integration Network

“For years, CID community leaders have been attempting to generate a community-based public safety response that addresses issues with complex origins, including income inequality, inadequate resources to care for people with profound mental illness, mass homelessness, the residual effects of pandemic closures, and the fentanyl epidemic. We appreciate Representative Smith’s office for supporting a project that will enable such a response.”
—  Purpose Dignity Action
 

BackgroundCommunity Project Funding allows Members of Congress to direct federal resources to specific projects with demonstrated public benefit. These investments were requested by local governments and community organizations and are designed to deliver measurable results across Washington state.

The CPF projects included in this funding package reflect locally driven priorities, from protecting water quality and environmental resources to improving public safety outcomes and expanding economic opportunity for underserved communities.

Descriptions of the Community Project Funding requests included in the recent bill are listed below:

Water Infrastructure and Environmental Protection

• City of Renton — Kennydale Lakeline Sanitary Sewer and Water Quality Preservation Project
  Amount: $1,092,000
  The City of Renton’s Kennydale Lakeline Sewer System is more than 50 years old and faces significant challenges for replacement due to it’s location underwater, limited accessibility, and deteriorating condition. The City plans on creating a new sewer system outside of the lake to replace the aging cast iron pipes. Modern materials, construction techniques, and engineering standards will be employed to ensure the system’s resilience against aging, climate-related challenges, and future growth in demand.
• King County Water District 54 — Water Treatment Modernization
  Location: Des Moines and Normandy Park
  Amount: $1,092,000
  The King County Water District No. 54 (District) serves the drinking water needs of approximately 5,200 residents of the City of Des Moines, Washington, and a southern portion of the City of Normandy Park, through 755 connections. The quality of the District’s water is excellent, with the caveat that manganese is present at or above the secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) of 0.050 mg/L. While not a current health concern, it’s presence is a concern since it sometimes precipitates in the water causing it to turn brown. Manganese may become what’s known as an emerging contaminant, making the level present more of an issue as further risk assessments are completed. The Project will install a manganese treatment system, which will use an appropriate treatment technology, such as oxidation/filtration, determined during the predesign phase (ongoing) to remove manganese, iron, and any other associated contaminants.

 
Public Safety, Overdose Response, and Reentry for Incarcerated Individuals

• City of Seattle — Post-Overdose Opioid Response Program
  Amount: $1,031,000
  The City of Seattle is launching a specialized emergency response team to provide an integrated, wraparound, and evidence-based response for people overdosing. The team will be staffed by specially trained firefighters and EMTs as well as a case manager with training in crisis intervention. They will work in conjunction with Seattle Police and Fire to take over at the scene when first responders are called, thus freeing up resources for emergency response. The team will also provide follow-up services to ensure that patients have access to resources and services to put them on the path to long term recovery.   
• Purpose Dignity Action — CID Public Safety Team
  Amount: $1,039,000
  PDA is replicating a street team model to counter open-air criminal activity and safety concerns in the Chinatown-International District (CID). Funding will go to deploy a team to de-escalate disruptions and conflict in the neighborhood on a daily basis. They will be trained to de-escalate conflicts, connect individuals to housing and behavioral health services and coordinate with the Seattle Police Department and other emergency services as needed. The team will also be tasked with identifying individuals and networks in the neighborhood who need a targeted response from community partners like housing organizations and law enforcement.
• City of Seattle — WELD King County Jail Pilot Housing and Successful Reentry Program
  Amount: $1,031,000
  This pilot program will expand housing stability and reentry support for individuals transitioning out of incarceration, by giving them resources to sustain a job, build our economy, and live within Puget Sound.

 
STEM Education and Workforce Opportunity

• Congolese Integration Network — STEM Education Program
  Location: SeaTac
  Amount: $1,031,000
  Funded through NASA-related Community Project Funding, this program will expand STEM education access for immigrant and refugee youth. The Congolese Integration Network (CIN) is building a program to address the digital disparity prevalent within refugee and immigrant communities through a comprehensive basic and coding class initiative. The program is strategically designed to not only equip participants with essential digital literacy skills but also to ignite their interest and involvement in STEM fields, fostering pathways to economic independence and professional growth. In recognizing the critical importance of technology proficiency in contemporary society, CIN aims to empower individuals within these communities with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate the digital landscape effectively.

 
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) released the following statement in support of Articles of Impeachment filed against U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The articles of impeachment were introduced earlier this week by Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) and have been co-sponsored by more than 80 Members of Congress.

“Kristi Noem has repeatedly violated her oath of office by denying due process, disregarding the rule of law, and placing both citizens and immigrants in grave danger. Rather than enforcing the law responsibly, DHS has weaponized immigration enforcement to sow chaos, intimidate families, and terrorize entire neighborhoods — all with Secretary Noem’s full knowledge and approval.

“Last year marked the deadliest year on record for ICE detention, with 32 individuals dying in custody. More recently, Renee Good, a mother of three and beloved community member, was murdered by an ICE agent whose excessive use of force resulted in the most horrific outcome. These are not isolated incidents. They are the predictable result of a Department operating without meaningful oversight, transparency, or accountability. 

“Kristi Noem oversees this lawlessness with blatant disregard for the Constitution and for the basic rights of the people she is sworn to protect. ICE agents have been emboldened to use excessive force, forcibly separate children from their families, deport veterans who served our nation in uniform, and detain people — including pregnant women and other vulnerable populations — under deplorable conditions. These actions undermine constitutional protections, erode public trust in law enforcement, and make our communities unsafe.

“To make matters worse, Noem has refused to condemn ICE’s misconduct or take steps to restore order and accountability. Instead, she has doubled down on false and inflammatory rhetoric that fuels fear, escalates tensions, and perpetuates violence nationwide.

“Noem has also obstructed congressional oversight by preventing Members of Congress, including myself, from carrying out our constitutional duty to investigate abuses within the Department of Homeland Security. She has repeatedly failed to answer for DHS’s misconduct, delayed lifesaving FEMA assistance to communities devastated by natural disasters, and abused taxpayer dollars.

“Kristi Noem’s reckless leadership has hollowed out DHS, normalized lawlessness, and placed lives at risk. She is wholly unfit to serve, which is why I will continue working with my colleagues to advance these Articles of Impeachment and demand accountability, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law.”

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Issues: 119th Congress, Disaster Relief, Immigration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Full video of the hearing can be viewed HERE.

ST. PAUL, MN — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) today hosted a shadow hearing titled Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump’s Deadly Assault on Minnesota. Twenty-seven Members of Congress attended from across the country to conduct oversight.

“Today, I hosted the the sixth hearing in my series Kidnapped and Disappeared, to continue my congressional fact-finding duties at a time of intense trauma and terror for Minnesotans who are being subjected to the lawlessness and violence of ICE and Border Patrol agents,” said Jayapal. “We heard from incredibly powerful witnesses — members of the community who are standing up for their neighbors, and even who have been detained and had their rights violated for no reason. Instead of making us safer, Trump is deliberately escalating tensions in a city where crime rates have been declining. And the tactics are only accelerating. Let me be clear: this pattern of reckless, even lethal, use of force cannot continue, and we will do everything in our power to hold this Administration accountable and stop this lawlessness.”

“I was honored to host this crucial hearing with Rep. Jayapal,” said Omar. “The Twin Cities is under attack from the Trump administration. There is no modern precedent for this level of federal overreach, violence, and lawlessness carried out in the name of immigration enforcement. I’m grateful to my congressional colleagues from all across the country who joined us to raise the alarm and learn what has been happening on the ground.”

“Every Minnesotan has the right to feel safe and welcome. The actions of the Trump administration and Kristi Noem’s DHS are an attack on our state that is making our community more dangerous. ICE and DHS agents have threatened and assaulted workers in their workplaces, families on the way to day care, and students outside their schools. These actions must end,” said Representative Betty McCollum (MN-04). “At our hearing today, we heard from Minnesotans whose lives have been impacted by the Trump administration’s actions. I thank every one of our witnesses for sharing their testimony. I also want to thank my House Democratic colleagues for traveling to Minnesota’s Fourth Congressional District to stand in solidarity against Trump and Kristi Noem’s assault on our state. The appalling conduct at ICE and DHS starts with its leadership. Kristi Noem needs to go, and ICE must cease operations in Minnesota.”

This hearing featured testimony from a slate of local elected leaders, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, followed by a panel of witnesses including Executive Director of the ACLU of Minnesota Deepinder Mayell, Executive Director of Unidos MN Emilia González Avalos, Executive Director of Minnesota Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) Jaylani Hussein, Chief of Police of Mendota Heights Police Department Kelly McCarthy, and community members Patty and Mubashir. 

“Our work aims to vindicate the rights of Minnesotans who have been victimized by their own government simply for exercising their First Amendment rights, to end the false sense of impunity that fuels the worst of federal agents’ misconduct, and to ensure that Minnesotans can assemble, observe, document and criticize – without fear of retaliation,” said Deepinder Mayell, Executive Director of the ACLU of Minnesota.

“I was made to feel scared and humiliated throughout the arrest process, and at the detention center, I was made to feel intimidated and as though my constitutional rights and biological needs didn’t matter,” said Patty, a community member. “After all that, I was released without charges, which makes it clear to me that this is more of a campaign to spread fear and terror than it is to enforce the law. My neighbors and I are collateral damage to the Trump administration’s political theater — a campaign to paint Black and brown people, and ‘liberals,’ as villains to distract from an unprecedented reign of corruption and criminality at the federal level, while at the same time making it clear to all of us — even U.S. citizens — that this administration does not and will not honor the basic constitutional rights to which we are all entitled.”

“At no time did any officer ask me whether I was a citizen or if I had any immigration status,” said Mubashir, a community member. “They did not ask for any identifying information, nor did they ask about my ties to the community, how long I had lived in the Twin Cities, my family in Minnesota, or anything else about my circumstances.”

“We have to acknowledge that the tactics being used by some ICE agents during Operation Metro Surge are reducing the public’s trust in local police, making the jobs of our cops harder, and making us all less safe,” said Chief of Police of Mendota Heights Police Department Kelly McCarthy.

This was the sixth shadow hearing in this series, each of which has focused on a different aspect of immigration oversight. The others have focused on detention abuses, Trump’s assault on Chicago, families that have been torn apart, unlawful third-country deportations, and efforts to undermine due process.

Jayapal and Omar were joined by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) and Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Ted Lieu (CA-36), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Chellie Pingree (ME-01),  Emily Randall (WA-06), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and James Walkinshaw (VA-11).

Issues: Immigration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

Headline: Amata Highlights Appropriations, COFA Implementation, and Veterans’ Disability Hearing

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming House passage of the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, H.R. 7006, with a bipartisan vote of 341 to 79. 

This bill, which requires final Senate passage before it can be signed into law, is the funding bill for Executive and Judicial branches of the U.S. government, the State Department, and more. It follows the prior week’s House passage of a bill that would fund several departments and agencies, including the Department of the Interior. The yearly appropriations work has a few bills remaining in the 12-bill total, including funding for Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, which require further negotiations.

COFA Implementation Oversight

On Wednesday, Congresswoman Amata took part in an oversight hearing of the Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs focusing on the implementation of the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024. Congresswoman Amata served as Chairman of the Task Force examining and completing that legislation in the 118^th Congress.

The United States renewed its 20-year Compacts with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau, collectively known as the Freely Associated States (FAS), in March 2024. The COFA agreements ensure strategic advantages for the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, as the U.S. provides services and defense guarantees.

“These agreements, and their thorough implementation, are important parts of U.S. commitment to the Pacific region, signaling strength and reliability throughout the Pacific Islands,” said Congresswoman Amata. “It’s essential to keep our commitment to our many U.S. veterans from these three Freely Associated States, services guaranteed by COFA, and I’m also happy to be an original cosponsor of H.R. 6652, the U.S. Vets of the FAS Act.”

Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearings

On Wednesday, Congresswoman Amata took part in an oversight hearing of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s (HVAC) Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, which examined the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VARSD). Members discussed how to best modernize the outdated system to effectively serve veterans based on current medical evidence. The rating schedule was created in 1945, and testimony centered on difficulties for veterans to be evaluated for disabilities based on current medical evidence.

“We have a lifelong commitment to our veterans, especially for service-connected disabilities,” said Congresswoman Amata. “The VA must complete their updates of this essential process so these important evaluations can best serve our veterans.”

Video clips of Congresswoman Amata and the witnesses in this hearing are available HERE and HERE. 

Notices of Funding Opportunities

On Wednesday, the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance announced the following Notices of Funding Opportunities.

FY25 Preventing Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability (VALOR) Initiative

Eligible Applicants: Government entities, educational organizations, nonprofit organizations, and public housing organizations. Application Deadlines: February 5, 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and February 12, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants.

FY25 The Kevin and Avonte Program: Reducing Injury and Death of Missing Individuals with Dementia and Developmental Disabilities

Eligible Applicants: Government entities, educational organizations, nonprofit organizations, and public housing organizations. Application Deadlines: February 20, 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and February 27, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants.

The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is pleased to announce the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) below:

BJS FY25 Consolidated National Criminal History Improvement Program

Eligible Applicants for NCHIP, NARIP, NCHIPSF-BSCA

• State governments
• Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized)
• The state central administrative office or similar entity designated by
  statute or regulation to administer federal grant funds on behalf of the
  jurisdiction’s court system.

State Government Entities: For the purposes of this NOFO, “state” means any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Application Deadlines: February 24, 2026, 5:00 pm Eastern for submission to Grants.Gov and March 3, 2026, 5:00 pm Eastern for submission to JustGrants.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

Headline: Amata Highlights Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day:

“Martin Luther King Jr. gave our nation a lasting example of moral courage rooted in faith, love of neighbor, and respect for human dignity. His leadership demonstrated that meaningful change is achieved not through division or force, but through persuasion, perseverance, and peaceful action.

“Dr. King’s speeches and writings continue to speak clearly across generations because they appeal to our highest ideals — equality under the law, opportunity for all, and unity grounded in mutual respect. His life reminds us that standing for what is right requires both conviction and compassion.

“As we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., we are reminded that the work of building a stronger nation is never finished. His example calls each of us to act with integrity, to treat one another with kindness, and to pursue justice in a way that brings people together, not apart.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

Headline: Amata Announces Nominees to the Service Academies for 2026

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is delighted to announce the nominations of six excellent students from American Samoa for consideration by the prestigious military service academies this year, following the applications of 16 interested students to Congresswoman Aumua Amata. Some students applied to more than one academy, so there are nine nominations in all. 

Congressional nominations are only possible if the student’s completed application is on file at the Service Academy. 

This year, the U.S. Air Force Academy has the most nominees with five applicants, the U.S. Naval Academy has two nominees, the U.S. Military Academy (Army) has one, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has one nominee. 

“Congratulations to each of our nominees to the Service Academies!” said Congresswoman Amata. “Each student has reached this point with commitment throughout high school. They’ve put time and effort into their studies and achieved excellent grades. The academies will also consider their community involvement, volunteer work, activities, interests, and good reputations. It’s important to remind future applicants that a completed application on file with the academy is an absolute requirement for a nomination.”

Nominations each year are based on the quality of the students’ combined academic records; essays; letters of recommendation from their teachers, church leaders, and local community leaders; and verification that they have already applied separately to the academy or academies of their choice. 

The service academies are fully funded federal colleges whose mission is to train future officers and leaders that will serve in each respective armed service. The admissions process is extremely competitive, as the academies seek candidates with high potential to become leaders as commissioned officers in the United States Armed Forces. The outcome depends on the upcoming decisions of the academies. Any students who are offered an appointment for the class would then be able to enter that academy in the summer.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination as part of its competitive application process, however, if known, Congresswoman Amata is always pleased to include any accepted applicants from American Samoa in announcements each year, as well as highlight any presidential academy nominees if they were to occur from American Samoa.

“It’s a thrill to announce those who are accepted into Service Academies, and all of these students have outstanding educational opportunities due to their high grades and test scores,” concluded Amata. “Thank you to the families of these students. Parents and educators are rightly proud of these students.”

Congresswoman Amata has submitted the following nominations:

NAME	HIGH SCHOOL	NOMINATED TO:
Arianna Ta’atasi	ASCC		US Air Force Academy
Alek West	Samoana HS		US Air Force Academy	US Naval Academy	US Merchant Marine Academy
Fa’aeteete Molesi	Leone HS		US Air Force Academy
Isaac Porter	James O’Neill HS, West Point, NY	US Military Academy
Lisa Pedro	Pacific Horizon		US Air Force Academy
Micah Lanki	Samoana HS		US Air Force Academy	US Naval Academy

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

WASHINGTON, DC –  Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, and Congressman David Valadao (R-CA-22) reintroduced the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act, bipartisan legislation to formally recognize “essential health systems” in federal law and unlock new pathways for federal funding and support for safety net hospitals that care for large numbers of uninsured and low-income patients.
 
“The hospitals that care for our most vulnerable neighbors are doing more with less every single day,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “By reintroducing the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act, we’re reaffirming our commitment to ensuring these hospitals are better positioned to receive the resources they need to keep their doors open and their communities healthy. This bill gives Congress a smarter, fairer way to direct support to the health systems that serve as lifelines in cities and towns across the country.”

“Central Valley hospitals play a vital role in caring for our communities, but they can’t do that without the resources they need,” said Congressman Valadao. “The bipartisan Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act helps better identify rural and underserved hospitals that require critical investments, making it easier to direct federal resources where they’re needed most. Ensuring Central Valley families have access to affordable, quality healthcare is my top priority, and I’ll continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance commonsense solutions to meet that goal.”

Essential health systems are foundational to local health care infrastructure, particularly in communities where access to care depends on hospitals that shoulder a disproportionate share of Medicaid, low-income Medicare, and uninsured patients. Despite providing, on average, five times more uncompensated care than other hospitals, these facilities remain chronically underfunded and face ongoing challenges maintaining services and meeting community needs.

To better support these hospitals, the Reinforcing Essential Health Systems for Communities Act would establish a new “essential health systems” designation in federal law. This designation would allow policymakers to more effectively target federal funding, health equity initiatives, and public health resources to nonprofit hospitals that serve historically under-resourced communities.

Hospitals would qualify as “essential health systems” by meeting one of the following criteria for at least two out the past three years:

The hospital’s patients are at least 35% low-income, based on Medicaid use and low-income Medicare patients.

The hospital provides at least 0.05% of all unpaid hospital care in the entire country, making it one of the hospitals delivering the most uncompensated care nationwide.

The hospital is in the top 16% of providers in their state that serve low-income and/or unpaid care.

Under this definition, 17 hospitals in Massachusetts would qualify as essential health systems and become eligible for additional federal support, including Lowell General Hospital, Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital, and UMass Memorial Medical Center.

“We applaud Congresswoman Trahan’s leadership in advancing a federal ‘essential hospital’ designation to recognize hospitals that anchor our health care safety net,” said Amy Hoey, RN, President of Tufts Medicine Lowell General Hospital. “Safety net hospitals operate on razor-thin margins while serving our most vulnerable neighbors, including patients that are low-income and uninsured, and sustaining critical community programs. This designation rightly acknowledges their indispensable role in public health.”

“As a regional community health system and a vital safety-net provider in the Merrimack Valley, we strongly support the proposed legislation to establish an Essential Health Systems designation,” said Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital President & CEO Diana L. Richardson. “By recognizing essential providers through this legislation, Congress can ensure that Essential Health Systems like Merrimack Health remain open, resilient, and able to meet growing patient needs now and in the future. We are grateful to Congresswoman Trahan for leading this important effort in our region and the nation.

“UMass Memorial Health is proud to serve all patients across Central Massachusetts, regardless of their insurance status, income level, or ability to pay. As an Essential MassHealth Hospital, our dedicated caregivers work every day to address systemic barriers to care and provide the high-quality health services our communities deserve,” said UMass Memorial Health President and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson. “Creating a federal essential health systems designation would help protect access to care for our communities’ most vulnerable residents and ensure that systems like UMass Memorial Health have the resources to continue providing life-saving services long into the future.” 

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

Today, 86 Congressional Democrats demanded the Trump administration withdraw four proposed rules that would blow massive holes in the Endangered Species Act — the law that has saved 99 percent of listed species from extinction. 

In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, ESA Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA) warned the changes would gut environmental review, strip protections from hundreds of vulnerable species, and let politics override science in listing decisions—all while the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service face unprecedented staffing and budget shortfalls thanks to the Trump administration.

“These sweeping changes would fundamentally weaken our nation’s most important wildlife conservation law at a time when one million species face extinction globally,” wrote the lawmakers. “We urge the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service to withdraw these proposed rulemakings and instead work to implement the ESA as Congress intended: any regulatory changes should further the objectives of the ESA to conserve species and prevent extinction.”

The ESA has prevented more than 99 percent of listed species from going extinct and has helped hundreds move toward recovery. Section 7 consultations typically take just two weeks for informal review and two months for formal review—contrary to conventional wisdom, the ESA does not stop projects from moving forward. According to one peer-reviewed study, the ESA did not halt a single project between 2008 and 2015. 

The lawmakers highlighted how the proposed rules would:

• Gut Section 7 consultation requirements by letting agencies claim project impacts “would occur regardless of whether the proposed action goes forward” — a loophole that could exempt highways, pipelines, and development projects from meaningful scrutiny;
• Strip protections from threatened species — by rescinding the “blanket 4(d) rule” that extends baseline protections to all threatened species, creating dangerous years-long protection gaps that resource-agencies can’t fill. The blanket 4(d) rule provides automatic protections to species such as the piping plover and the West Indian Manatee, species listed as threatened in the future would not receive those same baseline protections; and

• Let politics override science by injecting cherry-picked ‘economic’ considerations into listing decisions. Congress explicitly required that listing decisions be based solely on the best available science, not on arbitrary evaluations of certain impacts or political pressures.

“With reduced staff and resources, the Services should prioritize addressing the backlog of species awaiting protection and advancing recovery efforts for those already listed, rather than redirecting attention to rewriting long-standing and effective regulations,” continued the lawmakers. “Habitat destruction and climate change are accelerating species extinction to alarming rates, and we should be working to uphold and strengthen the ESA, not weaken it.”

The letter notes that roughly 90 percent of listed species are threatened by habitat loss, making the proposed restrictions on critical habitat designation particularly damaging to recovery efforts.

Full text of the letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

“Our communities are stronger and braver than the sadistic criminals that they have unleashed on us.”