MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) are leading members of the California delegation in urging House Democratic leadership to oppose any Farm Bill provisions that would overturn or weaken California’s Proposition 12, a voter-approved animal welfare law.The members are calling on leadership to reject any language that would preempt state standards like Proposition 12, arguing that such provisions would override the will of millions of Californians, disrupt a market that has already adapted, and penalize farmers and producers who have invested to comply.
“More than 7.5 million Californians voted in favor of Proposition 12, and Congress should not use the Farm Bill to override that clear will of the voters,” said the Members. “The law has been upheld by the Supreme Court and the market has already adapted. A federal override now would punish farmers and producers who followed the rules and create even more uncertainty. We urge Democratic leadership to reject any effort to undermine this law.”Proposition 12, approved by California voters in 2018, established minimum space requirements and humane housing standards for certain livestock products sold in the state. The law has since been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, affirming states’ authority to set such standards.The members emphasized that previous efforts to overturn state animal welfare laws have been blocked and urged leadership to continue that approach.
Read the full letter HERE.

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

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced a resolution in support of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) role in the promotion of nuclear security. The resolution reasserts the agency’s position as an essential partner in ensuring international nuclear safety, and it encourages the United States to play an active role to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons.

“As the only Ph.D. physicist in Congress, I am proud to introduce this resolution to reaffirm the US’s commitment to preventing nuclear proliferation,” Foster said. “The IAEA played an integral role in the success of the U.S.-brokered Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by monitoring Iran’s uranium enrichment program and verifying their stockpile. Now that Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from that agreement and the IAEA is not able to conduct verification in Iran, the world is in a more dangerous position than before. If at some point Trump does succeed at reaching a new nuclear agreement with Iran, the IAEA will be essential for monitoring that agreement. Congress must therefore recommit to supporting the IAEA’s work to reduce the spread of nuclear weapons and materials.”

Founded in 1957, the IAEA is the organization tasked with verifying that countries comply with their commitments under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and other non-proliferation agreements.

The House resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Dina Titus (D-NV).

A copy of the resolution can be found here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14) announced he is joining the Gulf South Business Caucus, a new bipartisan caucus focused on strengthening economic competitiveness, energy leadership, and industrial growth across the Gulf Coast region.

The caucus, launched April 23, 2026, brings Members from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas together to advance policies that support workforce development, infrastructure investment, and long-term economic expansion across one of the most productive regions in the country.

“I’m proud to be an inaugural member of the Gulf South Business Caucus,” said Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14). “In Texas’ 14th District alone, our seven ports support over 200,000 jobs, move tens of billions of dollars in economic activity, and anchor a region that drives more than $1 trillion in trade each year while producing a massive share of America’s fuel supply. The Gulf Coast is the backbone that keeps America moving. This caucus is ready to set the bar high and keep this country charging toward its next era of greatness.”

The Gulf South region contributes more than $3.7 trillion to the U.S. economy and serves as a national hub for energy production, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and chemical production. As a member of the caucus, Rep. Weber will work alongside colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure the Gulf Coast continues to lead in powering America’s economy and supporting its workforce.

Read more here. 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), reintroduced the bipartisan Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act, which would strengthen the Vaccines for Children Program by expanding the program and reducing barriers to routine vaccinations. Congresswoman Schrier is joined in introducing this legislation by Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13).

“As a pediatrician, I’ve seen how immunizations keep children safe and healthy,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “At a time when our public health infrastructure is under threat, it is more important than ever that we work to protect access to lifesaving vaccines. In its three decades, the Vaccines for Children Program has ensured that all children, regardless of their family’s financial situation, can be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. This bill will improve this program, increasing access to vaccines and keeping our kids safe.”

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program was first established in 1994 to ensure that all children could receive their recommended vaccines, regardless of their family’s financial status. Since its creation, the program has helped prevent approximately 508 million illnesses and has saved over 1.1 million lives. 

However, it can still be a challenge for children to access primary care. This legislation would address this issue by bolstering the pediatric vaccine delivery system and supporting primary care physicians who participate in the program.  

The Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act will:

• Improve patient access and care by expanding program eligibility to cover more children at more locations
• Expand vaccine counseling and education reimbursement to combat vaccine hesitancy
• Track immunizations to better understand disparities and find pockets of under-vaccination

“This legislation represents a critical opportunity to improve payment to frontline physicians and healthcare providers and better incentivize the physician-patient relationship when making sensitive decisions about children’s health. For the past thirty years, the VFC Program has provided eligible families across the United States with access to life-saving immunizations at no cost. This bill will expand necessary counselling services to ensure that families are well informed about their approach to their children’s health,” said Congressman Joyce.

“Seattle Children’s is proud to support this bill and believes vaccines are the simplest, most effective way to keep kids healthy and in the classroom,” said Seattle Children’s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Christopher Longhurst. “We’re grateful to Congresswoman Schrier and her commitment to cutting through the bureaucracy that often stands between a child and their health. By making vaccines more accessible and ensuring pediatricians have the support they need to guide parents through those decisions, we are protecting the health of the entire community.”

“Vaccines have changed our lives. And we know that most parents value the opportunity to protect their children through vaccination. Since 1994, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program has been instrumental in ensuring that all families have that opportunity. Yet, we also know that for many reasons, children can be missing one or more vaccinations. By further improving access to and efficiency of the VFC program, not only will more children be protected, but our communities will be healthier as well. Thank you to Congresswoman Schrier and Congressman Joyce for working to protect our children, our families, and our communities against these life-altering tragedies of the past that, without ready access to vaccines, will become tragedies of the present, “ said Director Paul A. Offit and Co-Director Charlotte A. Moser, Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

“Vaccines work to keep children and our communities healthy. The Vaccines for Children Program was designed to ensure all children can have access to vaccines, but the program must be strengthened so that it can better meet the needs of children and families across the country. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is proud to support the Strengthening the Vaccines for Children Program Act at a time when families deserve clear, evidence-based guidance about their health, the opportunity to have any of their vaccine questions answered and consistent access to lifesaving vaccinations. The AAP applauds Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) and Rep. John Joyce (R-Pa.) for their leadership on this bipartisan legislation, and calls on Congress to advance it without delay,” said American Academy of Pediatrics President Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, FAAP. 

“As a family physician, I see every day how vaccines protect children from serious, preventable diseases. This bill takes important steps to make vaccines more accessible, support the time we spend counseling families, and ensure more children get the care they need. Expanding and supporting immunization programs like Vaccines for Children is one of the most effective ways we can keep our communities healthy,” said Sarah C. Nosal, MD, FAAFP, President, AAFP.

This legislation is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. 

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

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), alongside U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), introduced the bicameral Climate Change Education Act, which would establish a Climate Change Education Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to provide grants and technical assistance to state and local education agencies, institutions of higher learning, professional associations and academic societies, and youth corps organizations. The legislation would help ensure that graduating students are trained to live, work, and lead in a world increasingly impacted by climate change.

“We cannot fully confront the existential threat of climate change without a thorough understanding of the impact it will have on our lives and the steps we must take to combat it. Students learning these lessons today will be on the frontlines of the fight to save our planet. With this legislation, we will ensure our students and teachers are equipped with the knowledge and support they need to help us address this challenge today and in the future,” said Congresswoman Dingell.

“The climate crisis has left no corner of the globe unscathed, especially not my home state of California,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26). “From longer wildfire seasons to rising sea levels to increasingly frequent and deadly natural disasters, climate change is already wreaking havoc on our communities, ecosystems, infrastructure, and economy. As this crisis worsens, younger and upcoming generations stand to suffer the most. That is why we must invest in education opportunities that will equip students with a thorough understanding of climate change and the skills needed to curb its effects, safeguard public health, and secure a competitive clean energy economy. Climate literacy is a critical solution to a problem that will disproportionately impact today’s youth, and it is our moral imperative to help them build a climate-resilient future for generations to come.”

“Young people today are inheriting a hotter and more dangerous planet, and they deserve to have the knowledge and technical skills necessary to solve and survive the climate crisis,” said Senator Markey. “The Climate Change Education Act is an investment in students, teachers, and a sustainable future. As extreme weather, rising seas, and climate-fueled health risks are increasingly obvious in our day-to-day lives, this bill would empower students with information and support the next generation of scientific champions. I thank Congresswomen Dingell and Brownley for this partnership on legislation that builds power and a better future.”

The Climate Change Education Act would support climate literacy by authorizing $50 million per year between fiscal years 2027 and 2032 for grants and cooperative agreements between NOAA and education entities. The bill stipulates that 40 percent of the funds for higher education institutions and youth corps organizations would be directed to environmental justice communities.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced that Kansas will receive a major boost in its manufacturing sector, with the U.S. Department of Commerce awarding Kansas Manufacturing Solutions (KMS) $2.2 million in renewed funding through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program. The new investment follows Davids’ vote to guarantee MEP funding after the Trump Administration attempted to cut it last year.

“Manufacturing is a cornerstone of Kansas’ economy, and strengthening it starts with supporting the workers and small businesses who make it possible,” said Davids. “Kansas Manufacturing Solutions has been a critical partner in helping local manufacturers modernize, expand, and stay competitive while creating good-paying jobs. That’s why I fought for this investment, which ensures KMS can keep helping Kansas manufacturing grow, strengthening our supply chains, and supporting American-made production right here at home.” 

“On behalf of Kansas Manufacturing Solutions, we are grateful to Representative Sharice Davids for her continued support and for being a strong ally for Kansas manufacturers in Congress, as well as Senator Jerry Moran for his ongoing support of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and the manufacturers who drive our state’s economy,” said Tiffany Stovall, CEO, KMS. “This funding ensures we can continue delivering the resources, expertise, and workforce initiatives Kansas manufacturers need to grow, compete, and strengthen our communities.”

Last year, the Trump Administration cut off MEP funding, forcing KMS to lay off nearly half its staff and putting local jobs and economic growth at risk. In response, Davids introduced the Defend American Manufacturing Act, legislation to restore and protect critical funding for MEP programs like KMS. Following Davids’ advocacy and bipartisan pressure from Congress, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) temporarily restored funding to the MEP program.

KMS has made a tremendous impact on the state’s economy, where 86 percent of yearly exports are manufactured goods. In 2024, KMS created or retained 2,339 jobs, spurred $122 million in new investment, saved local businesses $14.3 million, and generated $328 million in sales. In Kansas’ Third District alone, KMS assisted 552 manufacturers and more than 30,000 manufacturing employees in 2024.

For nearly 40 years, the MEP program has helped small and mid-sized manufacturers improve efficiency, strengthen supply chains, and expand into new markets. Through 51 public-private centers operating in every state and Puerto Rico, MEPs provide services such as workforce training, cybersecurity assistance, and market expansion support. In 2024 alone, the program helped create or save more than 108,000 manufacturing jobs nationwide, generated $15 billion in sales, and saved businesses $2.6 billion.

Federal funding for this grant was secured through an FY2026 appropriations package, which Davids voted for earlier this year. The law also incorporates exact language from her Defend American Manufacturing Act, ensuring continued funding for the MEP program in the coming year.

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Pushes ED to Protect Students in Workforce Pell Expansion

Without increased guardrails, the ED risks botching the implementation of Pell Grant expansion to short-term postsecondary programs

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Democratic Health Leaders Urge EBSA to Go Further to Increase Transparency for Health Care Middlemen

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Today, Democratic House health leaders urgedthe Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) to further strengthen its proposed rule regarding pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). PBMs are middlemen who manage prescription drug benefits on behalf of health plans. The proposed rule partially implements longstanding recommendations of Committee Democrats to require middlemen disclose their direct and indirect compensation.

The letter was sent by Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, and Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

The members emphasized that while the proposed rule is a meaningful step forward, it does not address a vast array of middlemen and service providers whose hidden fees and conflicts of interests raise costs for workers and their families. The members argued that the rule should be expanded to include fully insured plans and to require transparency from other service providers, such as third party administrators. The members also insisted that the Department take into consideration privacy protections in the final rule.

“The Proposed Rule is a significant step forward that incorporates several ideas to increase transparency that were previously included in legislation supported by Democrats on the Committee on Education and Workforce,” wrote the members. “We encourage the Department to move forward with these aspects of the Proposed Rule, while taking additional action to further strengthen its provisions to lower costs for workers and their families.”

The proposed rule is another step in efforts to improve PBM transparency and lower drug prices. In 2022, Representatives Scott (VA-03) and Foxx (NC-05), sent a letter urging the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) to issue guidance to ensure PBMs and other service providers disclose their compensation and potential conflicts of interest.

And last year, Representatives Courtney (CT-02) and Houchin (IN-09) reintroduced the Hidden Fee Disclosure Act to shine a light on the opaque prescription drug pricing system and the fees charged by health plan service providers to ensure patients get a fair deal. In 2023, the House passed a previous version of this bill (320-71) as part of the Lower Cost, More Transparency Act.

To read the full letter, click here.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Fairfax Family Tragedy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement: 

“I am shocked and saddened by this senseless and horrific tragedy. I am praying for the entire Fairfax family and their loved ones, most especially Justin and Cerina’s children.

“This heartbreaking situation is a painful reminder that mental health challenges and personal crises, when left unaddressed, can have devastating and irreparable consequences. Seeking help must be encouraged, supported, and free of stigma.” 

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available at 988 and the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

Republicans Reject Congresswoman McCollum’s Effort to Evaluate Economic Damage Caused by Trump’s Surge