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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Leads Legislation to Increase Market Access for Local Breweries, Wineries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the bipartisan USPS Shipping Equity Act alongside Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) to allow the United States Postal Service (USPS) to ship alcoholic beverages to consumers. 

“The wine, beer, and spirits industries are at a real disadvantage in delivering their high-quality products across the country,” said Rep. Newhouse. “While other carriers deliver alcohol, current law prohibits the United States Postal Service from doing so. This legislation supports small craft breweries and wineries in rural areas like Central Washington and offers new opportunities for market access through the USPS. I thank Rep. Subramanyam for joining me in introducing this bipartisan legislation as we work to unlock the USPS for our local producers.” 

“This prohibition era restriction on the Postal Service is unnecessary and imposes on consumers and our small businesses,” said Rep. Subramanyam. “I’m thrilled to partner with Congressman Newhouse on a bipartisan fix to expand opportunities available to our local breweries, vineyards, and distilleries and provide a new source of revenue for USPS.” 

The legislation allows the USPS to ship directly from licensed producers and retailers to consumers over the age of 21, in accordance with state and local laws at the delivery location. It levels the playing field and increases consumer and manufacturer choice while bringing in millions of dollars in revenue per year.

The legislation is supported by industry partners including the American Craft Spirits Association and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association.  

Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO of the American Craft Spirits Association, said, “We thank Representatives Newhouse and Subramanyam for their bipartisan legislation. As our small, domestic businesses have grown over the past 15 years, allowing the USPS to ship craft spirits will provide access to another important delivery option for small distillers in the U.S.  Many of those distilleries are located in rural areas where support of their local Main Street matters. Access to the thirty-one thousand post offices in the U.S. would be a game changer, helping their small businesses to succeed and grow. We hope the Congress will act soon on this important small business initiative.” 

Don Matson, President of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, said, “The NRLCA thanks Congressman Newhouse and Congressman Subramanyam for introducing the USPS Shipping Equity Act, legislation that modernizes outdated regulations and allows the Postal Service to deliver products like wine, beer, and spirits. This act promotes fairness by allowing USPS to compete on equal footing with private carriers, creating new opportunities for rural communities and small businesses to expand through USPS’s reliable service. It also generates revenue that can be reinvested to improve customer service. It’s a commonsense reform that helps USPS meet the needs of modern society and drive economic growth across the country.” 

Full bill text here. 

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

Today, U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Young Kim (CA-40) are leading a bipartisan group of more than 100 Members of Congress urging the Trump Administration to reverse its decision to halt funding opportunities through the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). This move by the Administration threatens the safety and well-being of survivors of domestic and sexual violence across the country.

“OVW administers critical grant programs that provide lifesaving support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The sudden withdrawal of these funding opportunities threatens to disrupt essential services, jeopardize the stability of victim assistance programs, and undermine the bipartisan commitment to combating these forms of violence,” the lawmakers wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We respectfully urge the Department of Justice to clarify the status of these grants as soon as possible and take swift action to ensure funding remains available to support survivors and the organizations that serve them.”

“A delay or reduction in OVW funding will have devastating consequences for the countless individuals who rely on these resources for safety, legal protection, and recovery. This abrupt withdrawal of funding has created severe uncertainty that threatens the well-being of survivors who cannot afford these delays. We ask that the Department clarify its plans to rectify this situation and ensure that OVW grant funding is fully restored without further delay to continue providing care to survivors of domestic violence,” the lawmakers continued.

The OVW, established through the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), administers critical grant programs that provide lifesaving support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. For decades, OVW grants have helped law enforcement agencies, legal service providers, crisis centers, and local organizations protect survivors and prevent abuse.

The full letter can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and (R-NY) today launched the American-Made Medicines Caucus, a group focused on promoting policies to onshore and friendshore pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthen economic and national security interests and reduce America’s reliance on adversarial countries for essential medications.  Currently, the United States imports 90% of all generic drugs and ran a $127 billion trade deficit in pharmaceuticals in 2024. 

“With our overwhelming reliance on Chinese pharmaceutical products and ingredients, it’s imperative that we find ways to increase domestic manufacturing capacity and preserve consumer access to these important and lifesaving products,” Congressman Bilirakis said. “Public health and wellness should not depend on our foreign adversaries and I look forward to finding ways to address this threat through the Caucus.”

“China determines whether we have the pharmaceutical products we need in the United States to keep our citizens healthy. That is a terrifying reality, one we must address before the next public health crisis. As a pharmacist, I’m launching the American-Made Medicines Caucus with the singular focus of bringing this critical supply chain home, so that we can strengthen our national security, create jobs, and Make America Healthy Again,” said Rep. Carter. 

“We must continue to support and encourage domestic pharmaceutical medicine production in our country, strengthen our supply chains, reduce our reliance on foreign suppliers, and reinforce our pharmaceutical security. I am eager to join Congressman Carter and Congressman Bilirakis in launching the American-Made Medicines Caucus to focus on creating legislative solutions to improve the domestic production of life-saving medications and antibiotics,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Today, Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee, Representative Rick W. Allen (GA-12), introduced the Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act.

This legislation seeks to codify that those who manage other people’s retirement savings under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) must prioritize maximizing returns for a secure retirement rather than political or social impact using risky environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. Upon the bill’s introduction, Representative Allen issued the following statement:

“Americans’ hard-earned retirement savings should never be jeopardized by politically-motivated mismanagement. Unfortunately, the Biden-Harris Administration made this possible with an overreaching rule that allows fiduciaries to aggressively invest retirees’ money in ESG funds—which often charge steeper fees, carry higher risk, and have lower returns. The Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act would codify that retirement plan sponsors must make investment decisions solely based on financial returns—ensuring Americans’ hard-earned savings are invested sensibly. I am grateful for Chairman Walberg’s support in this effort to protect the American Dream for millions of workers and families,” said Congressman Allen.

“Americans don’t work to have their hard-earned savings funneled into higher-risk, lower-yield ESG investments. The Biden-Harris administration’s misguided ESG policies allowed fiduciaries to play politics and steer retirees’ savings into left-wing investments for political and social purposes. I’m proud to support a bill, introduced by HELP Subcommittee Chairman Rick Allen, to protect Americans’ financial futures and promote retirees’ interest in a secure retirement—instead of out-of-touch ESG agendas,” said Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg.

BACKGROUND: In 2022, President Biden’s Department of Labor finalized a flawed rule that allowed financial advisors to invest Americans’ retirement savings into risky, climate-related ESG funds. Despite bipartisan and bicameral disapproval in the form of a Congressional Review Act resolution that passed both the House and Senate, President Biden doubled down on this rulemaking by vetoing the resolution. In the 118th Congress, the House of Representatives also passed similar legislation championed by Congressman Allen, but the bill died in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York)

Stefanik Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Combat Invasive Species | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter launches American-Made Medicines Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today launched the American-Made Medicines Caucus, a group focused on promoting policies to onshore and friendshore pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthen our economic and national security interests, and reduce America’s reliance on adversarial countries for essential medications.

The United States is dependent on imports for 90% of all generic drugs and ran a $127 billion trade deficit in pharmaceuticals in 2024.

“China determines whether we have the pharmaceutical products we need in the United States to keep our citizens healthy. That is a terrifying reality, one we must address before the next public health crisis. As a pharmacist, I’m launching the American-Made Medicines Caucus with the singular focus of bringing this critical supply chain home, so that we can strengthen our national security, create jobs, and Make America Healthy Again,” said Rep. Carter.

Founding members of the Caucus include Reps. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).

“We must continue to support and encourage domestic pharmaceutical medicine production in our country, strengthen our supply chains, reduce our reliance on foreign suppliers, and reinforce our pharmaceutical security. I am eager to join Congressman Carter and Congressman Bilirakis in launching the American-Made Medicines Caucus to focus on creating legislative solutions to improve the domestic production of life-saving medications and antibiotics,” said Rep. Tenney.

“With our overwhelming reliance on Chinese pharmaceutical products and ingredients, it’s imperative that we find ways to increase domestic manufacturing capacity and preserve consumer access to these important and lifesaving products,” Rep. Bilirakis said. “Public health and wellness should not depend on our foreign adversaries, and I look forward to finding ways to address this threat through the Caucus.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Bowling Green, KY – Yesterday, April 22, 2025, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) welcomed Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to Kentucky’s Second District for a tour of Mammoth Cave National Park. Secretary Burgum visited the park to celebrate National Park Week and to discuss the importance of preserving our public lands for Americans to enjoy. 

The visit included a guided cave tour by National Park Service staff. The National Park Service briefed Secretary Burgum and Congressman Guthrie about the rich history at Mammoth Cave National Park and the ongoing investments the park is making to improve the visitor experience.  
 
“It was an honor to welcome Secretary Burgum to Kentucky’s Second District for a tour of the world’s longest known cave at Mammoth Cave National Park,” said Congressman Guthrie. “Every year, this Kentucky natural wonder draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and contributes nearly $90 million to our local economy. I am so grateful for the Secretary’s visit to our park to highlight the importance of this Kentucky landmark and for his desire to responsibly unleash the potential of our public lands.” 

“As we continue to celebrate National Park Week, I visited Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the longest known cave system in the world, with Congressman Guthrie,” said Secretary Doug Burgum. “We toured the expansive cave system, met with park staff, and highlighted Interior’s ongoing commitment to ensuring our parks remain open and accessible to the public.”

Photos from yesterday’s tour of Mammoth Cave National Park with Secretary Burgum can be found here.

Background:

Established as a National Park in 1941, Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the world’s longest known cave system that hosts incredible amounts of biodiversity and history. In 1981, the park was named a World Heritage Site, and in 1990 a Biosphere Reserve. 

The National Park Service reported that in 2023, Mammoth Cave National Park received more than 650,000 visitors and generated $89.6 million for communities surrounding the park. 

Congressman Brett Guthrie and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) soon plan to introduce the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act. This bill would allow the park to purchase additional land from the Nature Conservancy. This expansion would protect land in the Green River watershed to further conserve the area’s wildlife and cultural heritage, and expand tourism opportunities, including Coach Cave and James Cave, which hold prehistoric and historic artifacts. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded three Hurricane Helene-related grants to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The grants will help the Washington County Service Authority repair and replace waterline that serves Washington County and the Town of Damascus, Virginia. The grants are as follows:

$3,830,750.25 – “Route 58/91 to Straight Branch Phase 1”

$1,015,542.63 – “Taylors Valley to Reservation Spring Phase 2”

$1,096,216.77 – “Straight Branch to Taylors Valley Phase 3”

Total: $5,942,509.65

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“The Town of Damascus was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. The damage was so devastating that even Vice President JD Vance revisited Damascus with Governor Youngkin as one of his first official public appearances after being sworn into office.

“These grants for more than $5.9 million help Damascus replace the entire 36,319 feet of damaged waterline impacted by Helene.

“I will continue to advocate for Southwest Virginia as our communities seek federal assistance and resources for their recovery efforts.”

BACKGROUND

FEMA funds are obligated to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Commonwealth will be responsible for providing the funds to the sub-recipients.

Funds from these grants will help secure contracts to furnish and install iron pipe as well as support repair design.

In January, Rep. Griffith announced $46.67 million in Helene relief to Virginia from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

This funding is supported by the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025. Congressman Griffith voted in support of this legislation in December of 2024.

In late September, the Ninth District faced one of the most catastrophic natural events in recent memory. Storm conditions from Hurricane Helene battered Southwest and Southside Virginia, destroying houses and causing thousands of people to lose power. Rainfall exceeded 12 inches in some areas and with the water from North Carolina flowing north, it created an historic flood crest on the New River, from Grayson to Giles at the West Virginia border.

Immediately, Rep. Griffith began surveying and assessing storm damage in Helene’s aftermath. On the day after the storm, Rep. Griffith traveled to Damascus in Washington County, along with Governor Youngkin, to thank our first responders and to get a first-hand look at the damage there. Immediately following that, Rep. Griffith went to Independence in Grayson County to assess damage.

Over the course of the next few days and weeks, Rep. Griffith made additional visits to Independence, Fries, Radford, Giles County, Montgomery County, Pulaski County, Lee County and Russell County, among others.

Rep. Griffith penned a letter, alongside U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, supporting Governor Youngkin’s request for President Biden to approve Virginia’s Federal Emergency Declaration. After President Biden’s approval, the two U.S. Senators and Rep. Griffith moved by writing President Biden, requesting his support of Governor Youngkin’s expedited Major Disaster Declaration. This attempt was also successful.

Nearly every locality in Virginia’s Ninth District has been approved for either individual assistance or public assistance. Rep. Griffith visited the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center and met with National FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who provided updates on recovery efforts throughout Southwest Virginia. 

Rep. Griffith was an original co-sponsor of two bills that were introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 118^th Congress.

The Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act would have cut bureaucratic red tape and expedite the mobilization of disaster recovery resources to an area affected by a “major disaster” as declared by the President of the United States. 

The Helene Recovery Support Act would have authorized the delivery of $15 billion to provide additional resources for disaster relief and help small businesses in their recovery efforts. 

Rep. Griffith joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden requesting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) send an immediate supplemental appropriation request to Congress to support communities that were devastated after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)