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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Lauren Underwood, Alma Adams (D-NC-12), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), introduced the bicameral resolution recognizing April 11 through April 17 as Black Maternal Health Week. This resolution serves to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis in the United States and the critical need to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black mothers. 

In the United States, Black women face a maternal mortality rate two to three times that of white women, yet studies show that 80% of all maternal deaths are preventable. The resolution calls on Congress to support and promote policies addressing Black maternal health in order to address the ongoing Black maternal mortality crisis.

“Our country’s Black maternal health crisis demands urgent action,” said Congresswoman Underwood, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “In 2019 I co-founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus with Congresswoman Alma Adams to respond to this crisis and advance evidence-based solutions that will save lives and end disparities. I’m thrilled to continue this work by introducing this resolution with Congresswoman Adams and Senator Booker to recognize Black Maternal Health Week 2026. I am thinking of the families and moms who have been impacted by this crisis like Mercedes Wells, Karrie Jones, and Dr. Janell Green Smith who we tragically lost, and I’m grateful to the Black Mamas Matter Alliance for their leadership in establishing this critical week of awareness and action. We must continue to elevate Black maternal health as a national priority, and we must pass the entire Momnibus.” 

“Our annual Black Maternal Health Week resolution says, unequivocally, that Black Moms matter,” said Congresswoman Adams, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “This week is a time for us to raise awareness around the maternal mortality and morbidity epidemic Black mothers face and urge our Congressional and state leaders to take action. We need to see a real commitment from Congress to address this crisis, and I am dedicated to working with our Black maternal health advocates across the country to make that happen. Black mamas can’t wait!”

“It is unacceptable that Black women continue to face a maternal mortality rate two to three times higher than White women because of deep, systemic failures in our health care system,” said Senator Booker. “This resolution is not just about acknowledging the disparities Black women face. It is about recognizing that Congress must do more to protect the lives of Black mothers by addressing the structural barriers that drive them and ensuring that every mother has a safe and healthy pregnancy and the care they deserve.”

“2026 marks more than a decade of Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) building the skills, convening, and mobilizing the global Black perinatal, maternal, and reproductive health workforce to END maternal mortality. Over the past 10 years, BMMA has worked to establish the global Black Maternal Health Movement, centering the organizing and collaborative efforts of Black perinatal and maternal professionals. That is our midwives, our physicians, our doulas, our nurses, advocates, healing practitioners, and even artists. We have built this movement on the intellectual traditions of Black feminism, womanism, and the principles of reproductive justice and birth justice.” said BMMA, Inc. Co-Founder & Executive Director Angela D. Aina, who is also a 2026 TIME100 Health Honoree.

“As we launch our 9th annual Black Maternal Health Week, we do so rooted in both the weight of this moment and the joy of this movement,” Aina continued. “We are witnessing unprecedented attacks on Black families, on reproductive rights, and on the very institutions meant to protect our health and dignity. And yet, we remain rooted. Justice and joy are not separate — they are the foundation of everything we do. BMHW26 is a time for community rooted action in addressing maternal health inequities and ensuring that everyone, especially Black Mamas, receive the resources needed to thrive.”

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) and Representatives Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02), Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02), and Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) introduced the bipartisan Drug Origin Transparency Act, legislation to give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), health care providers, and purchasers better visibility into where prescription drugs and their key ingredients are actually made.

As it stands, the public and even FDA do not have a full picture of where a drug originates or where its active ingredients come from. That lack of transparency makes it harder to detect vulnerabilities in the supply chain, respond to disruptions, and prevent shortages before they reach patients in need.

“When a patient cannot get the medicine they need, nothing else matters. Families are left waiting, doctors are left scrambling, and too often no one has a clear answer for why it happened,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “That is unacceptable. This bill gives FDA and the public a clearer picture of where our drugs and their ingredients come from so we can catch risks earlier, respond faster, and better protect patients from life-threatening shortages.”

“We’ve allowed critical parts of our pharmaceutical supply chain to drift overseas — often to countries that don’t share our interests — and we still lack full visibility into the risks it creates. That’s unacceptable,” said Congressman Crenshaw. “This bill forces transparency so we know exactly where our drugs and their ingredients are coming from. You can’t fix a supply chain you can’t fully see.”

“For far too long, we’ve relied on China for critical medications Americans depend on every day — that’s a serious national security and public health risk,” said Congresswoman Hinson. “This bipartisan bill brings much-needed transparency to our pharmaceutical supply chain so we know exactly where our medicines are coming from and can start bringing that production back home. I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan effort to strengthen American manufacturing and reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries for critical medications.”

“As a pediatrician, I know how devastating drug shortages can be for patients,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Our pharmaceutical supply chain is heavily reliant on foreign countries, which presents a threat to national security; and the complicated manufacturing process often leaves everyone from patients to the FDA without the critical information they need. This legislation would provide transparency in every step of the process, help ensure we have redundant or domestic sources for the most important medications, and ultimately ensure Americans have access to safe, effective medications.”

The Drug Origin Transparency Act would strengthen oversight of the pharmaceutical supply chain by:

• Allowing FDA to require more detailed reporting on the suppliers of each active pharmaceutical ingredient and intermediate product, including how much of those materials each supplier manufactures.

• Requiring the drug label to identify the original manufacturer, the original manufacturer of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, and any other manufacturer, packer or distributor involved in the supply chain.

Current law requires manufacturers to report to FDA the annual amount of drug they produce, but that alone does not show where key ingredients originate or how reliant manufacturers are on specific suppliers. Drug labels only identify the final manufacturer, packer or distributor, even though critical parts of a drug’s supply chain may lie elsewhere.

The bill is endorsed by the Association for Clinical Oncology, Vizient, and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) called for continued action to improve Black maternal health instead of the Trump administration’s attacks against healthcare with health advocates and U.S. Reps. Yvette Clarke (NY-11), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04). Black Maternal Health Week, from April 11 to 17, marks a time to raise awareness to the fact that Black women face higher risks of maternal death, stillbirths, preterm births and pregnancy-related complications.

“I brought the issue of maternal mortality to Congress nearly a decade ago because nobody was doing anything to save the lives of Black women,” said Rep. Kelly, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus. “We’ve made some progress, but so much more work needs to be done to confront the systematic racism in our healthcare system. I will continue to echo the voices of Black women in Congress until we receive the care we need and deserve before, during, and after pregnancy.”

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced the first-ever comprehensive legislative package addressing maternal health after Charles Johnson’s wife, Kira, died after a routine C-section. Pieces of her MOMMA’s Act, now called CARE for Moms Act, has passed into law, including the extension of Medicaid postpartum care from 60 days to a full year. Illinois was the first of 48 states to adopt this policy, ensuring health coverage for postpartum women. Her most recent maternal health bill, the WELLS Act, was introduced after her constituent Mercedes Wells was discharged from a hospital while in active labor.

“Ten years ago, I lost my wife, Kira, to a preventable childbirth complication—and that pain became a purpose to fight for every mother’s right to survive and thrive,” said Johnson, founder of 4Kira4Moms. “During Black Maternal Health Week, I’m honored to stand with Robin Kelly to advance the WELLS Act—because no woman should ever be dismissed, unheard, or sent home while in crisis. This legislation is about accountability, dignity, and ensuring that no family has to endure the loss that mine did.”

“I thank Rep. Robin Kelly for convening us during Black Maternal Health Week and standing with those fighting to protect Black mothers and families. The state of Black maternal health in America is a moral and equitable crisis, with Black women still three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, too many of them preventable. We must honor the memory of Kira Johnson and others whose stories demand action,” said Rep. Clarke, Chair of the CBC. “While progress like extended postpartum coverage matters, we must do more to expand equitable care and confront dangerous attacks on healthcare that threaten to take us backward. The Congressional Black Caucus remains committed to advancing policies that protect access, center equity, and ensure Black mothers can thrive.”

“As Chair of the Congressional Mamas’ Caucus, I know the Black maternal health crisis impacts so many mothers and families in Detroit and Southeast Michigan. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes due to racial bias in medicine and a health care system that has failed them for far too long,” said Rep. Tlaib. “We must act with urgency at the federal level by investing in community-based care, protecting and expanding Medicaid, supporting doulas and midwives, and passing legislation like the CARE for Moms Act. Black mothers deserve to live, to be heard, and to receive equitable, comprehensive care.”

“Eleven years ago this month, I almost became the statistic of a Black woman who was three times more likely to die from a childbirth-related death when nine weeks before my due date, my placenta ruptured. My daughter and I were one of the lucky ones. But too many mothers and infants are not so lucky,” said Rep. McClellan, Chair of Abortion Rights and Access Task Force in the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “We face a complex road ahead as we seek to protect Black women and families against this loss. On the 10th annual Black Maternal Health Week, we want this to be the last one where we say a Black woman is more than three times as likely to die in childbirth. And we will not rest until we reach that moment.”

In addition to Johnson with 4Kira4Moms, five more leading health advocates stood with Rep. Kelly to demand better health outcomes for Black mothers.

“The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) is proud to partner with the many Congressional champions and key partners today in honor of Black Maternal Health Week,” said Nikeisha Olgetree, Chief Operating Officer of AMCHP.  “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 700 pregnancy-related deaths occur in the U.S. each year, and 87% of these deaths are preventable. As leaders in maternal and child health, we know that there is not a singular policy solution that will solve the crisis of maternal mortality and morbidity overnight, but with collective action to ensure maternal and child health programs get sustained, increased investments, we’ll better be able to best serve the nation’s mothers, children, and families now and into the future.”

“Black maternal health is not only about whether a mother survives childbirth,” said Kay Matthews, Executive Director of Shades of Blue Project. “It is also about whether she is heard, believed, and supported through grief, trauma, and the full postpartum journey. Mental health care must be treated as essential maternal health care.”

“I am honored to be here today during the 10th anniversary of Black Maternal Health Week to call attention to the fact that despite having made gains in combatting maternal mortality overall, racial disparities in maternal health outcomes persist,” said Dr. Anita Mikkilineni, an obstetrician-gynecologist with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “This is unacceptable and we must double down and keep working for progress. I look forward to continuing ACOG’s partnership with Congresswoman Kelly and other maternal health champions to advance legislation to improve Black maternal health.”

“Black maternal health is not a talking point. It is a public health crisis,” said Joy Calloway, President and CEO of the Black Women’s Health Imperative. “At the Black Women’s Health Imperative, we seek to curate and advance solutions that will work for Black women and girls. We are proud to stand with Congresswoman Kelly- once again – in pursuing policy changes like the CARE for Moms Act and the WELLS Act that will move us closer to the maternal health outcomes Black women have always deserved.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. David Schweikert, Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee, announced he has filed legislation to combat home health fraud. The Combating Deceptive Practices in Assistance Programs Act would tighten requirements for an individual to be eligible for home health services in Medicaid. 

Additionally, the Joint Economic Committee released an issue brief entitled From Care to Cash: Correcting Misaligned Incentives in Home Health outlining how some states, particularly New York, have outsized spending on home health care well beyond what would be expected given their senior population. In New York, health care and social assistance are by far the largest job growers with home health aides per residents over 65 being well over twice as high as the national average. Also, under Medicaid in New York they spend nearly $1,000 more per resident than the next highest state. The Joint Economic Committee estimates that if New York’s per resident Medicaid spending was the same as the national average, they would have spent nearly $43 billion less in 2024. Today, Chairman Schweikert asked Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy about this issue during the Secretary’s appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee. 

In order to provide better oversight to an industry with few guardrails, and in turn reduce fraud in the Medicaid program, Chairman Schweikert’s bill would require recipients to prove they are unable to perform three or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), activities which include bathing, personal hygiene and grooming, eating, dressing and general mobility. This requirement adds additional federal oversight to home health services while also tightening eligibility to ensure that only individuals who need assistance are receiving funding.

“If we seriously want to preserve Medicaid, and provide for the people most in need, we must crack down on fraud,” said Rep. Schweikert. “Reaching people that need these services the most should be the top priority of these programs, not growing one of the largest jobs corps in the state. With the U.S. adding almost $87,000 per second to our national debt, making commonsense reforms can save tens of billions of dollars while protecting the truly vulnerable.”

Through a variety of broad federal waiver programs, state Medicaid systems are allowed to provide long-term, at home care to individuals to help prevent them from entering a nursing home. While all 50 states have at least some forms of at home care model, federal guidelines are broad enough that these waivers give states wide authority to oversee their models, which can lead to a lack of guardrails intended to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. A lack of adequate federal oversight has led to specific states having especially egregious policies. In fact, DOJ and various state Attorney’s General/State’s Attorney offices have made several indictments regarding fraudulent home healthcare claims.

New York’s state Medicaid program is particularly susceptible to fraud due to its Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) which allows individuals eligible for home health care through Medicaid to choose their caregiver, which can include friends or family members, many with little to no experience or training. Today, more than 250,000 people are enrolled into the program with around 400,000 total caregivers.

With both limited standards to meet for an individual to be eligible for services, and little to no training required for caregivers, this has led to an explosion in spending in NY State’s Medicaid program. In fact, in 2019, NY spent approximately $2.5 billion, in 2023 that number reached $9.1 billion. More recent analysis estimates that spending in 2025 is around $12 billion with continued spending growth despite attempts by the governor to reform what she has called “one of the most abused programs in the history of New York.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

“On the very day we celebrate Emancipation Day, marking the day President Lincoln freed 3,100 enslaved people in D.C., the first in the country, House Republicans have chosen to remind us that Congress can still impose its own policy priorities on D.C. without the consent of those who live in the nation’s capital.”

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

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) demanded answers from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., about a new program he implemented that is unnecessarily delaying and denying care to seniors in Washington.

DelBene has been a leading voice in raising the alarm about how this program could harm patients since it was announced. She has introduced legislation and championed several efforts to cancel it.

Here is a link to the video, and below is the transcript:

DelBene: Secretary, I’m glad you’re appearing before us today. Under your leadership, CMS recently added new layers of red tape that Medicare patients need to navigate to get the care that they’re entitled to. Mr. Secretary, I hope you understand the harm that delaying and denying necessary care can have. Do you remember saying this: “Americans shouldn’t have to negotiate with their insurer to get the care they need. Pitting patients and their doctors against massive companies was not good for anyone.” Do you remember?

Kennedy: I don’t remember, but I would, I would align with that,

DelBene: I’ll submit for the record, actually, a press release from CMS with your quote in that is from June 23 of 2025. In this case, I agree. Pitting patients and their doctors against massive companies isn’t good for anyone. And yet, less than a week after you said that CMS announced the WISeR model. The program allows private companies to use AI to review traditional Medicare claims and pays them based on the amount of care they deny. This program went into place in six states across the country, including my home state of Washington.

President Trump said multiple times on the campaign trail that he would not cut Medicare, but this program does exactly that. For example, Joanne is a senior from Washington on Medicare. She has a herniated disc that is pinching her sciatic nerve, causing immense pain down the right side of her body. Her doctor prescribed an injection that would help relieve her pain. If it had been prescribed last year, she would have received the treatment, no problem. But because of the WISeR model that has been implemented, she has been in intense pain for over six weeks while she waits for approval. She has been using crutches or a wheelchair for over a month now, which is making her arthritis worse, adding to her chronic pain. Since using crutches, she’s fallen multiple times, including earlier this week. Instead of simply approving the procedure, Joanne’s conditions are getting worse, and Secretary Kennedy, the W in the WISeR model stands for ‘wasteful.’ Do you think that Joanne’s treatment, which would allow her to walk and live with less pain that her doctor has prescribed. Do you think that’s wasteful?

Kennedy: Do you want me to actually answer that question?

DelBene: Yeah!

Kennedy: I think that that’s a terrible outcome. It’s one that was not intended by the system. Obviously, the problem is there’s tremendous ways… In Medicaid, there’s only 5% of the cases are given prior authorization. In private industry, 30%.

DelBene: This is traditional Medicare now where it’s now. This is only been put under prior authorization under your leadership. Now, President Trump promised multiple times that he “will not lay a finger on Medicare.” Given President Trump’s promise, did you or the President approve this model, which is now delaying and denying care for people in states like the state of Washington?

Kennedy: Can I answer the question?

DelBene: Yeah, people are being denied care across our state right now.

Kennedy: Very quickly, and this is an example – Five years ago, we were paying $250,000 a year for – $250 million for skin substitutes. This year, $23 billion. Why? Because there was no prior authorization in the Medicare program.

DelBene: And now someone like Joanne is not getting her care. It’s more expensive for us because Joanne is not getting her care. We have story after story. I can also submit for the record stories of all the people who are being delayed and denied care. It is more expensive for us. It is more expensive for them when they are not getting the care they need.

Last year, I sent CMS a letter detailing my concerns about the WISeR model. I still have not gotten a response. That was last August. Can you publicly commit to responding to that letter and addressing the concerns of this harmful model?

Kennedy: Yeah, absolutely, we will, and I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. We have an unprecedented number of communications from Congress.

DelBene: Well, we don’t have you here very often. We have people in my state who are being denied care, who are being hurt based on this policy, and there’s an indifference to the challenges that they are facing, all because of a model put in place for no reason and doing exactly what you said shouldn’t happen, which is “pitting patients and their doctors against massive companies.” These are private companies doing this prior authorization was not good for anyone. Thank you, I yield back, Mr. Chairman.

Kennedy: Discovering $23 billion worth of fraud is not for no reason.

DelBene: You are hurting patients in our state and other states across the country for no reason, and I appreciate you finally responding to the letter. Thank you. I yield back.

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

Washington, D.C. — Amid the ongoing Colorado River crisis, Democratic Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Republican Representative Celeste Maloy (R-UT) led a bipartisan coalition of Members in urging the Bureau of Reclamation to ensure any drawdowns of Flaming Gorge—a critical, high-capacity water bank—and other upper basin reservoirs remain in compliance with existing agreements and governing laws. 

The letter was co-signed by fellow Upper Basin lawmakers, including Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Jeff Crank (R-CO), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Jason Crow (D-CO), Mike Kennedy, M.D. (R-UT), and Gabe Evans (R-CO).

The Colorado River has experienced persistent drought conditions over the past 25 years, and Upper Basin states, including Colorado, actively regulate water use in response to reduced flows. Existing state laws can require water users to take mandatory, uncompensated cuts, which carry significant impacts to communities but are taken to ensure communities across the West live within the available water supply.

After a record-hot winter, Lake Powell, which serves as a water bank for Lower Basin states, is at just 23% full. These conditions have led to proposed drawdowns of Flaming Gorge and other upper basin reservoirs.  

Neguse and his colleagues’ message underscores the need for all seven states to work together to ensure long-term sustainability of the Colorado River and its reservoirs for years to come.

“We write as Representatives of the Upper Colorado River Basin States to underscore the importance that any proposed drawdowns for Flaming Gorge and other upper basin reservoirs remain in compliance with existing agreements and governing laws,” wrote the lawmakers. 

“[It] is critical that any releases made by the federal government from Flaming Gorge and other upstream reservoirs are in compliance with existing agreements, governing laws, and are done for the direct purpose of protecting Lake Powell. There must be clear guidance on how these proposed releases will protect elevations at Lake Powell, and once the releases have been completed, Flaming Gorge and other upstream reservoirs must be fully recovered. These releases must also be appropriately sized, as continued water storage is necessary for long-term sustainability.” 

 They concluded, “Millions of people across the West rely on the Colorado River, and it is our shared responsibility to ensure long-term sustainability of the River and reservoirs for years to come.”

The Colorado River basin spans seven states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming—and provides water for over 40 million people in the West.  

Rep. Neguse, Co-Chair of the Colorado River Caucus, has been a leading voice in discussions regarding worsening levels of drought in the Colorado River Basin. He and other Members of Congress are actively working to address this issue, enacting significant bills that invest in drought resilience and water management into law in the 118th Congress. 

Neguse has also partnered across party lines with fellow Western Slope Congressman Jeff Hurd (R-CO) to get the Trump administration to release critical federal drought management funding for Colorado and to move forward proposals that would safeguard the critical water source. 

Read the lawmakers’ full letter HERE and below: 

 

The Honorable Scott Cameron 

Acting Commissioner

Bureau of Reclamation

1849 C Street NW 

Washington, D.C. 20240

 

Dear Acting Commissioner Cameron, 

We write as Representatives of the Upper Colorado River Basin States to underscore the importance that any proposed drawdowns for Flaming Gorge and other upper basin reservoirs remain in compliance with existing agreements and governing laws. 

The Western United States and Colorado River Basin are experiencing historic drought conditions, in what could be the worst year on record. The Colorado River has consistently experienced drought conditions over the past 25 years, and record high temperatures coupled with low snowpack and precipitation across the basin this year are only further exacerbating the crisis. As we continue to face these conditions, we must all live within the available water supply to ensure sustainability into the future. 

The Upper Basin States continue to actively regulate water use within their states in response to the decreased available flows. Existing state laws in the Upper Basin require water users to take mandatory, uncompensated cuts to water rights that date back to the 1800s — actions taken in direct response to the decreased runoff and water levels along the river. These cuts have significant impacts on water users, including Upper Basin Tribes, and local communities and economies, but are taken in order to live within the available water supply. 

Therefore, it is critical that any releases made by the federal government from Flaming Gorge and other upstream reservoirs are in compliance with existing agreements, governing laws, and are done for the direct purpose of protecting Lake Powell. There must be clear guidance on how these proposed releases will protect elevations at Lake Powell, and once the releases have been completed, Flaming Gorge and other upstream reservoirs must be fully recovered. These releases must also be appropriately sized, as continued water storage is necessary for long-term sustainability. 

Millions of people across the West rely on the Colorado River, and it is our shared responsibility to ensure long-term sustainability of the River and reservoirs for years to come. We appreciate your attention to this important matter. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Cullman, Ala — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today announced a $750,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to the City of Cullman to support the renovation of a new community theater in the city’s downtown district.

The funding will be matched by $750,000 in local investment, bringing the total project cost to $1.5 million.

“This is a tremendous investment in Cullman and in the future of our local economy,” said Congressman Aderholt. “Projects like this community theater will not only enhance quality of life for residents, but also attract visitors, support small businesses, and continue the strong momentum we’ve seen in downtown Cullman.”

The project will convert a vacant church, previously home to a congregation that disbanded several years ago, into a 6,050-square-foot Community Theater Center featuring a 200-seat performance hall, stage, dressing rooms, and event space. 

Cullman has seen a surge in tourism in recent years, with more than 800,000 visitors traveling to the downtown district in the past year—a 200 percent increase in foot traffic. The new theater is expected to further boost economic activity and support the 35 nearby businesses in the area.

Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs expressed appreciation for the federal, state, and local partnership behind the project. “We are incredibly grateful to Congressman Robert Aderholt, his team, and ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell for their support in securing this ARC grant. This investment allows us to preserve an important historic space while expanding opportunities for the arts in Cullman. It represents a meaningful step forward in enhancing quality of life and building on the momentum we’re seeing across our community.”

Nathan Anderson, Executive Director of Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism, emphasized the broader community impact. “This investment opens the door to something special for our community—providing a dedicated home for our community band, theatre, and choir while allowing us to expand programming alongside our festivals. It creates a stage to showcase some of Cullman’s greatest talent. It also supports year-round experiences that enhance quality of life for our residents and draw visitors from across the region. We are incredibly grateful to all who helped make this possible.”

“I appreciate ARC’s continued commitment to strengthening economic development in North Alabama,” Aderholt added. “This project is a great example of how strategic investments can transform communities and create lasting opportunities.”

The Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership that works to drive economic growth and improve quality of life across Appalachia.

For more information on the ARC and its programs, visit www.arc.gov.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Riley M. Moore (R-WV) introduced the Denaturalization and Expulsion of Persons Who Orchestrate Radical Terrorism (DEPORT) Act, legislation that will strengthen the federal government’s ability to revoke citizenship and deport naturalized individuals who commit or support acts of terrorism against the United States.

The legislation comes in response to a recent attack at Old Dominion University, where Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Sierra Leone, opened fire in an ROTC classroom. The attack left two students injured and resulted in the death of Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, a decorated Army helicopter pilot with more than 600 combat hours fighting terrorists overseas. Jalloh committed the attack after serving time in federal prison for offering material support to ISIS.

Congressman Moore emphasized that the attack is part of a broader and troubling pattern. In March alone, two additional terrorist incidents were carried out by naturalized citizens, including a shooting at a beer garden in Austin and a vehicle attack targeting a synagogue in Michigan.

The DEPORT Act includes three key provisions:

– Requires all new applicants for U.S. citizenship to swear under oath that they have no intent to commit acts of terrorism against the United States.

– Extends the timeframe in which terrorism can be considered prima facie evidence of citizenship fraud from five to ten years.

– Establishes a new legal pathway to denaturalize individuals involved in lone-wolf terrorist attacks.

Congressman Moore reaffirmed his commitment to advancing policies that prioritize the safety and security of the American people.

“Naturalization is a solemn pledge of total allegiance to the United States. Terrorism is a treasonous repudiation of that pledge. The DEPORT Act ensures that individuals who exploit America’s generosity by carrying out or supporting terrorism can no longer hide behind the citizenship we gave them. If a foreigner that we have welcomed into America takes up arms against our country or aids those who do, they must go, stated Congressman Riley Moore. 

Joining Congressman Riley Moore on this Act are the following members of Congress: Representatives Brandon Gill (TX-26), Randy Fine (FL-06), Wesley Hunt (TX-38), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Barry Moore (AL-01), Eli Crane (AZ-02), and Buddy Carter (GA-01).

“It’s plain and simple—if you support America’s enemies, you shouldn’t live in our country. We have no room for terrorist sympathizers in our great nation. I am proud to cosponsor Rep. Riley Moore’s DEPORT Act., said Congressman Brandon Gill (TX-26).

“The DEPORT Act is common-sense legislation. There is nothing radical about denaturalizing and deporting convicted terrorists. If you pledge allegiance to a terrorist organization, you will be deported. We must prioritize the safety of American citizens and allow zero room for leniency when it comes to any level of affiliation with terrorism, stated Congressman Randy Fine (FL-06). 

“I’m proud to stand with Congressman Moore and my colleagues in support of the DEPORT Act. Naturalized citizens who commit acts of terror have no place in the United States of America. As someone who engaged in radical Islamic terrorism in combat, I understand the threat facing our country. I flew 55 combat air missions over Baghdad to stop it. In the wake of the recent attack in Austin, Texans deserve leaders who will stand up and fight for their safety, not make excuses. This legislation is common sense. It should be a no-brainer, said Congressman Wesley Hunt (TX-38).

“Time and again, we’ve seen the devastating consequences of letting dangerous individuals exploit the privileges of American citizenship,” said Congressman Barry Moore (AL-01). “If you come to this country, take the oath, and then turn around and support or commit acts of terror, you have broken that covenant with the American people, and you should lose the right to stay here. I want to thank Congressman Riley Moore for introducing the DEPORT Act and taking a strong stand to close these dangerous loopholes. I’m proud to support this effort to protect our communities and uphold the rule of law.”

“Over recent years, we’ve seen an alarming increase in naturalized immigrants engaging in or abetting terrorism. As Americans, we should have the full ability to denaturalize and remove those who wish to do harm to our nation. The DEPORT Act of 2026 makes this a reality by strengthening our naturalization process, revoking the citizenship of those tied to terrorism, and requiring DHS to remove these offenders once their naturalized status is rescinded. I’m grateful to Rep. Riley Moore for his leadership, and I’m honored to be an original cosponsor of this sensible bill, stated Congressman Eli Crane (AZ-02).

“Army Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a University of Georgia alumnus, was killed at Old Dominion University by an individual previously arrested for supplying material support to ISIS. It’s unfathomable that naturalized aliens with direct ties to Foreign Terrorist Organizations still remain in the United States. This terrorist took the life of an American hero,” said Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01). “I’m proud to join Congressman Moore in supporting the DEPORT Act because we owe it to Lt. Col. Shah to ensure this never happens again.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued a statement after House Republicans voted against his War Powers Resolution (H. Con. Res 40).

“Today, House Republicans chose Donald Trump over the Constitution and their own constituents. The president and House Republicans have failed to articulate a clear justification for this war, or defense of its legality or purpose. The American people overwhelmingly oppose this war, and are paying more at the pump and at the grocery store as a result of it.

“Democrats will continue to fight to bring Trump’s hostilities to an end through additional War Powers Resolutions, including one that I will file again today. Republicans will keep having to answer for this illegal war until it ends. The president has shown he lacks both a strategy for this war and a plan to end it, and if Republicans support this open-ended conflict, then they should take the hard vote in Congress of authorizing it.”