MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today called out President Trump and Republicans during a Ways and Means Committee hearing, dismantling their claim that Medicare fraud is a problem unique to Democratic-led states.

Sánchez put the question directly to the witnesses, asking whether Medicare fraud occurred only in “blue states” or in every state. Every single witness, including those invited by the Republican majority, agreed by a show of hands that it happens in every state.

Witnesses agreeing that Medicare fraud occurs in every state, not just Democratic-led states.

“By a quick show of hands, very quickly, how many of you think that Medicare fraud only happens in blue states?” said Congresswoman Sanchez.

“Let the record reflect that nobody raised their hands.

“And how many you, by a show of hands, think that it happens in every state. 

“Let the record reflect that everybody agrees it happens in all states.

“There are many unscrupulous actors all over the United States. Texas is one example. The HHS [inspector general] found a hospice executive was guilty of falsely enrolling Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, telling them they had mere months to live. End-of life care is very personal to me because I was a caregiver for both my father and mother who died from Alzheimer’s. It’s unfortunately one of the most common diagnoses for patients who have elected the hospice benefit. And I can tell you that the hospice benefit is a critical support not just for the patient, but for their caregivers who have a huge burden. But that benefit needs to be updated because over the past 10 years, public trust in that benefit has eroded.”

Video of the congresswoman’s full remarks is available HERE.

Sheila Clark, president and CEO of California Hospice and Palliative Care Association, and a witness invited by Chairman Jason Smith, supported Sánchez’ bill, the Hospice CARE Act. The bill is the only comprehensive federal legislation that would reform the hospice benefit, and address rampant hospice fraud in Medicare, while modernizing the benefit for patients and caregivers.  

Medicare’s hospice benefit has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 1982. However, the hospice industry has changed dramatically both in terms of the types of providers delivering and patients receiving end-of-life services. At the same time, documented and burgeoning fraud and abuse have raised questions about how to ensure the benefit continues to promote patient access while safeguarding the Medicare Trust Fund.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Blake Moore (UT-01), Rudy Yakym (IN-02), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lori Trahan (MA-03), and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) led a bipartisan letter urging Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy and Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Oz to take action on improving Medicare coverage for FDA-designated breakthrough medical devices. 

The Breakthrough Devices Program is an accelerated FDA review process that gives patients access to innovative technologies, while ensuring they are safe and effective. Several groundbreaking technologies have benefited from this program, including blood tests, cancer therapies, and bone grafts. However, there is often a multi-year delay for Medicare to cover these devices even after FDA approval. This negatively impacts seniors’ access to innovative technologies and harms overall health outcomes.

“Seniors should not be forced to wait years for cutting-edge, safe, and effective treatments that could change or even save their lives,” said DelBene. “Guaranteeing Medicare coverage of breakthrough medical devices would encourage future innovation and investment in next-generation medical technologies while improving the quality of life for millions of seniors. We can’t let the coverage approval process be a barrier to life-saving treatments or care.”

“When the FDA designates a device as a breakthrough technology, that means that there is nothing similar already available to patients having the potential to change or save lives,” said Yakym. “Seniors on Medicare shouldn’t have to wait years to access it simply because of bureaucratic processes. This letter makes clear that Congress expects action, and I will keep pushing until patients in Indiana and across the country can get the care they need without unnecessary delays.” 

“There is no reason that Medicare patients should have to wait to access breakthrough medical devices already cleared by the FDA. The Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act ensures patients receive the most advanced treatments on the market as soon as possible,” said Moore. “Easing the pathway for Medicare approval has long been a bipartisan priority, and I look forward to working with Secretary Kennedy to ensure this crosses the finish line for our seniors.”

“All Americans deserve access to life-saving, breakthrough therapies and devices,” said Sewell. “This letter takes a critical step in the right direction to ensure that the review and approval process for breakthrough therapies does not inhibit patient access to innovative and effective technologies for our seniors.”

“When the FDA designates a device as a breakthrough, it means it has the potential to change or even save a patient’s life,” said Trahan. “Medicare seniors shouldn’t have to wait years to access treatments that have already cleared that bar. This bipartisan effort is about making sure our coverage policies keep pace with medical innovation, so patients here in Massachusetts and across the country can get the care they need without unnecessary delays.” 

This effort has earned broad support from industry leaders and patient advocacy organizations across the healthcare community, including MDMA, AdvaMed, Alzheimer’s Association, Roche Diagnostics, National Health Council, HealthyWomen, Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, Siemens Healthineers, and Indiana Life Sciences Association.

The letter was signed by 82 Members of Congress and received support from leading health and industry organizations.

The full letter can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON – Thursday, April 23, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (D-OR) introduced the Prevent the Misuse of Federal Law Enforcement Act, to address federal law enforcement overreach, reinforce local authority, and uphold Americans’ First Amendment right to peacefully protest.

“Nobody should be intimidated by law enforcement while exercising their right to peacefully protest,” said Rep. Lieu. “The Trump administration unnecessarily deployed federal agents to peaceful protests in cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, Portland, and Los Angeles – often without coordination with local officials and in ways that escalated tensions rather than protected public safety. Local communities should have a say in how policing is carried out in their jurisdictions. We must ensure all Americans can safely exercise their right to protest without fear of those sworn to protect them.”

“The First Amendment’s protection of peaceful protest is foundational to the health of our democracy. Oregonians exemplified this last fall when Trump tried to federalize the National Guard over a manufactured crisis. Our communities visually matched the absurdity of federal government actions with their creative protests—and the National Guard was not deployed. This is exactly the kind of free speech we must protect with everything we have. Without it, we risk losing our republic. I’m proud to support the right to speak out, organize, and hold those in power accountable,” said Rep. Dexter.  

Background:

The Prevent the Misuse of Federal Law Enforcement Act would:

1) Prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using any officers or agents to protect federal property where a protest is occurring, excluding the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Protective Service, unless a chief executive of the state requests it.  

2) Prohibit the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) from deputizing local, state, or other federal law enforcement without approval from the relevant state or local jurisdiction.  

3) Prohibit the use of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officers to enforce non-drug related laws.

READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE BILL HERE

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) cosponsored Representative Delia Ramirez’s (IL-03) Block the Bombs Act and Representative Sean Casten’s (IL-06) Ceasefire Compliance Act. He has released the following statement:

“After witnessing the horrific actions of the Israeli government in Gaza, the West Bank, and now the illegal and ill-conceived war with Iran, I have decided to cosponsor both the Block the Bombs Act and the Ceasefire Compliance Act. It’s time we evolve how we provide military aid to Israel to ensure civilian lives are protected and international laws are applied consistently. We can do this while still ensuring defensive weapons, such as the Iron Dome, are protected. Israel and Palestine’s future must be rooted in a two-state solution, but current U.S. policy is making that future increasingly impossible.

“On October 7, Hamas committed a horrifying series of terrorist attacks on Israel. Hamas must be eradicated, but how Israel achieves that goal matters greatly. Along with many Americans, I have been alarmed by the scale of destruction and violence in Gaza. The Israeli government must be held to the same standard as other allies who receive U.S. security assistance: Humanitarian aid cannot be blocked, and human rights must be protected. To date, U.S. laws on military aid to Israel have not been enforced consistently.

“I have always supported Israel’s right to defend itself, and I will continue to do so. But the Israeli government under Prime Minister Netanyahu has overseen the killing of tens of thousands of civilians, cut off humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, and allowed settler violence and expansion in the West Bank. The increased level of violence in the West Bank and the extent of illegal settlements enabled by Israel’s current leadership are deliberately engineered to put a future two-state solution out of reach. This is not only inconsistent with American laws but also our values and morals.

“The Block the Bombs Act could be strengthened, including by providing clearer incentives for Israel to change its behavior by conditioning aid, rather than withholding it. But the bill is an important step toward rethinking how we provide military aid to Israel. I’m also cosponsoring Representative Casten’s Ceasefire Compliance Act to restrict Israel from using U.S.-origin weapons if they break the terms of the October 2025 ceasefire agreement. It will limit U.S. weapons if Israel restricts humanitarian aid, annexes the West Bank, or fails to combat settler violence against Palestinian civilians.

“I also have serious concerns about the tone of this debate at home. Throughout the past two and a half years, my staff and I have met with organizations and constituents with a broad range of views on this war and how to end it. The vast majority of these meetings were passionate and respectful, allowing for open dialogue and differences of opinion. My discussions with AIPAC were the exception to this rule. The message from AIPAC was clear: You must support Netanyahu’s government, regardless of credible reports of abuses in Gaza and the West Bank. We have also seen AIPAC pour millions of dollars into elections to defeat any candidate who has dared disagree with them, highlighting both their hardline views and the ongoing problem of Super PAC money in campaigns.

“We are at a turning point in the U.S.’s relationship with Israel. I’m cosponsoring the Block the Bombs Act and the Ceasefire Compliance Act for the same reasons that called for the recognition of a Palestinian state and voted for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. While these actions have been met with frustration by some, I believe they are all important steps towards reaching a two-state solution that allows both Israelis and Palestinians to live freely and securely. We must ensure U.S. military aid to Israel is not used to harm innocents. We must also continue to support defensive aid, like support for the Iron Dome, to protect the Israeli people.

“We must also take the terrifying rise of antisemitism across the US seriously by speaking out when we see it and by providing critical funding to synagogues, mosques, churches, and other houses of worship so that congregants can gather without fear.

“We can no longer write Israel—or any of our allies—a blank check. We must hold Netanyahu accountable to move toward a world where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist peacefully—and where antisemitism and Islamophobia are eliminated. I have stood up for a two-state solution since coming to Congress, and I’m not going to stop now.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Cameron, Kenedy, Kleberg and Willacy Counties among the beneficiaries.