MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) issued the following statement following the House passage of H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027. If enacted, this legislation would allocate $47.32 billion in funding to strengthen America’s standing on the world stage and keep Americans safe.

“I’m proud to support this legislation, which puts America’s national security interests first, supports our allies, takes action to counter our adversaries, and stops the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl from coming into our country,” said Congressman Guthrie. “This bill rightfully refocuses our nation’s foreign policy to bolster our standing on the world stage and reinforces President Trump’s foreign policy agenda.”

Background:

H.R. 8595, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027:

– Provides $15.15 billion for the operations of the Department of State and several related agencies and commissions.

– Provides $22.45 billion for global health, economic assistance, and humanitarian programs administered by the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury.

– Allocates $1.66 billion for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement, which is an increase from the FY26 enacted level to counter the fentanyl crisis.

– Redefines foreign assistance to promote self-sufficiency, bolster economic growth and stability, and protect United States’ national security.

– Enhances stability in the Middle East by providing $3.3 billion in funding for the Foreign Military Financing Program for Israel and supports additional assistance to regional partners such as Egypt and Jordan.

– Combats the Chinese Communist Party’s access to U.S. backed resources.

A summary of H.R. 8595, provided by the House Appropriations Committee can be found HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

For Immediate Release
Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov
Contact #: 202-225-3465

Washington, D.C.- Rep. Thomas Massie announces the introduction of H.R. 9694, the Epstein Files Transparency Act II. This bill gives standing to state attorneys general, the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators, and members of Congress to challenge the Department of Justice (DOJ) in court for the DOJ’s failure to comply with the disclosure of materials required by Public Law 119-38, the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA). Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, are co-leading the House legislation. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) are leading the Senate version of the bill.

“Since the Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed into law on November 19, 2025, the Department of Justice has flagrantly and consistently ignored EFTA’s disclosure requirements,” said Rep. Massie. “The Department of Justice continues to unlawfully withhold over 3 million Epstein files that should be released to the public. In addition, the DOJ is unlawfully maintaining heavy redactions on the files it is releasing. State attorneys general and victims should have the right to sue the Attorney General of the United States to compel compliance with a transparency law President Trump signed.”

“Rep. Massie and I introduced our bill to release the Epstein files nearly a year ago. Since then, the DOJ has violated our law, delayed the release of millions of files, botched the redactions, and denied the survivors justice. That’s why I’m joining Rep. Massie and my colleagues to introduce the Epstein Files Transparency Act II that allows state attorneys general and survivors to sue the U.S. Attorney General and demand transparency,” said Rep. Khanna.

“Todd Blanche and the Department of Justice have refused to release as many as 3 million Epstein files: they are hiding the truth from the American people and creating even more injustice and trauma for survivors,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “When Trump’s administration does not comply with the law, there must be consequences. Attorney General Blanche is not fit to serve, should not be confirmed, and should instead resign. In the meantime, we must pass this bill to put power where it belongs—with survivors. No administration, no Attorney General, and no Department of Justice is above the law.”

“At Trump’s bidding, the Department of Justice’s highest-ranking officials continue to break the law, denying justice to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims with an unprecedented cover-up of the abuse of our most vulnerable,” said Sen. Merkley. “As long as those in power continue to side with the Epstein Class and shield abusers from accountability for their horrific crimes, we need the Epstein Files Transparency Act II to strengthen the original law we wrote, crack down on the DOJ’s illegal non-compliance, and stand with survivors and those seeking justice. The rich and powerful cannot be allowed to escape justice, and the American public deserves the transparency it is crying out for.”

“Nearly eight months after our Epstein Files Transparency Act became law, the Trump Department of Justice has failed to comply with the law by releasing the Epstein files and delivering justice for survivors,” said Senator Luján. “That is why I am partnering with my colleagues to introduce the Epstein Files Transparency Act II to ensure accountability, transparency, and justice for survivors. Our legislation empowers state attorneys general and victims to challenge this Department of Justice for failing to provide the transparency and accountability that Epstein’s victims deserve.”

New Mexico’s Attorney General, Raúl Torrez, offered the following statement in support of EFTA II:

“Survivors have waited too long for answers, and my office has waited too long for the federal government to turn over the unredacted records we need to complete our criminal investigation,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “This legislation gives state law enforcement the access this investigation requires, and it gives survivors control over their own records. Every day of delay is another day survivors are denied the justice they are owed.”

The Epstein Files Transparency Act II:

• Creates a private right of action allowing state attorneys general, district attorneys, other authorized State officials, members of Congress, and victims to challenge and sue the U.S. Attorney General for unlawfully withholding, redacting, delaying, concealing, removing, or failing to publish Epstein-related records.
• Gives victims the right to obtain full, unredacted records concerning themselves or the harm they suffered, including relevant FBI FD-302 reports.
• Enforces compliance with the existing law by subjecting DOJ and FBI officials to existing federal criminal penalties for knowingly concealing, destroying, falsifying, withholding, or misrepresenting files.
• Requires the Department of Justice to provide State and local prosecutors with unredacted records needed for investigations, prosecutions, and judicial proceedings, including secure access to classified materials.
• Explicitly prohibits the invocation of common law privileges, including deliberative process privileges, to evade disclosure requirements included in the original EFTA. 

If the House does not consider EFTA II within seven legislative days, a discharge petition will be circulated.

The text of the Epstein Files Transparency Act II is available at this link.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Today, U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash), and Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) announced their reintroduction of the Saving Lives and Reducing Health Care Waste by Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act – bipartisan, bicameral legislation to address the alarming rate of medical diagnostic error in our country. U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The lawmakers’ legislation aims to prevent and mitigate the devastating impacts these errors can have, including misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, permanent disability, and death. Recent research published in March 2025 estimates that across health care settings, over 900,000 Americans a year suffer permanent disability or death because of diagnostic error. These findings build on a 2015 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that concluded most people will experience at least one diagnostic error in their lifetime, and it’s estimated that 80% of all harm caused by diagnostic error is preventable.

This legislation would create an Interagency Council on Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, as well as a new grant program for the establishment and maintenance of Research Centers of Diagnostic Excellence – such as the Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence at Johns Hopkins – that advance research and progress in diagnostic quality, safety, and health care value.

“Diagnostic delays affect millions of Americans, drive up health care costs, and contribute to thousands of preventable deaths each year – but it doesn’t have to be this way. Our bill invests in better data collection, stronger research, and sharing of best practices to improve diagnostic accuracy, deliver better outcomes for patients, and reduce health disparities. It also establishes Research Centers of Diagnostic Excellence to advance research, helps bring proven methods for preventing misdiagnosis into everyday clinical practice, and gives patients pathways to report delays and contribute to a growing body of data to inform policymaking. I thank Senators Van Hollen and Luján and Representatives Schrier and Van Drew for their leadership on this legislation, and will continue to work with colleagues to build support for it in the House,” said Representative Beyer.

“Getting the right diagnosis at the right time can make the difference between life and death,” said Representative Van Drew. “Too many patients are suffering because of preventable mistakes that should never happen. This bipartisan bill focuses on improving the way we diagnose illnesses, giving doctors better tools and helping patients get the care they need sooner.”

“Far too many Americans have experienced the loss, pain, and hardship that come with a misdiagnosed medical condition – and for many, these errors cause permanent disability or death. Medical diagnostic errors not only impact patients’ lives – they also cost patients and our nation billions of dollars each year. This legislation will invest in efforts to prevent and reduce diagnostic errors, giving medical experts, patients, and their families the research and resources they need to better treat patients and save lives,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Every year, millions of Americans suffer the consequences of diagnostic errors, costing lives and burdening patients and our health care system with billions of dollars in avoidable costs. Every patient deserves an accurate diagnosis delivered in time to make a difference,” said Senator Luján. “That’s why I’m joining my colleagues in reintroducing the Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act to advance research and improve diagnostic quality and safety. No one should lose their life to a mistake we have the power to prevent.”

Diagnostic errors stem from a wide variety of causes, including failure to provide an accurate or timely diagnosis; inadequate communication between providers, patients, and their families; a lack of information for patients on navigating the diagnostic process; and a system that discourages transparency and disclosure of diagnostic errors, which impedes attempts to learn from these events and improve diagnosis. The National Academies study concluded that: “Despite the pervasiveness of diagnostic errors and the risk for serious patient harm, diagnostic errors have been largely unappreciated within the quality and patient safety movements in health care.” 

The Saving Lives and Reducing Health Care Waste by Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act would:

• Authorize a federal grant program for the establishment and maintenance of Research Centers of Diagnostic Excellence that advance research and progress in diagnostic quality, safety, and value in health care
• Require the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to develop a strategic plan to modernize federal approaches and mechanisms to enable patients and their families to voluntarily report experiences of diagnostic error
• Establish an Interagency Council on Improving Diagnosis in Health Care to:
• Enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of diagnosis in health care;
• Identify and eliminate systemic barriers to supporting research in improving diagnosis in health care; and
• Identify knowledge gaps, research and data needs, and policies to strengthen the clinical and translational research pipeline to improve diagnostic safety and quality

The text of the bill is available here.

This legislation is endorsed by Patients for Patient Safety US, the Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence, and Physician-Parent Caregivers.

“Diagnostic errors are the most common, the most costly, and the most catastrophic of serious medical errors.  Diagnostic errors stem from a wide variety of causes, including inadequate communication between providers, patients, and their families; the absence of metrics to gauge performance, limited feedback to clinicians, and system failures, like lost test-results which happened in my family”, said Sue Sheridan, President and CEO of Patients For Patient Safety US. “Much of the research to date has focused on defining the magnitude of the problem. This legislation moves us toward identifying solutions to equip clinicians, patients and their families with the tools needed to arrive at the right diagnosis timely. It will save lives. PFPS US commends Senators Van Hollen and Lujan, and Representatives Beyer, Schrier, and Van Drew for their leadership and willingness to take on difficult healthcare issues that others often overlook. We look forward to this bill moving through the legislative process and into law”. 

“Senator Van Hollen and Representatives Beyer, Dr. Schrier, and Van Drew should be warmly applauded by patients and clinicians everywhere for taking up the call”, said David Newman-Toker, MD, Ph.D, Professor of Neurology and Director of the Armstrong Institute Center for Diagnostic Excellence at Johns Hopkins. “Accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite for quality healthcare —put simply, it’s hard to apply the right treatment if you start out with the wrong diagnosis. Furthermore, failure to accurately diagnose is a major driver of excess healthcare costs. But diagnosis is also one of the most complex tasks in modern medicine; until we have a larger body of research that supports data-driven, reliable improvement strategies that are ‘shovel ready,’ our clinicians and healthcare system will be left struggling. There is much work yet to be done by all healthcare stakeholders to move this life-saving research forward.”

“As a physician mother in public health, I have witnessed diagnostic errors firsthand — in two of my own children, and in countless young people through the Invisible Wave Movement. Diagnostic errors can cause morbidity and mortality in children and young adults, and the personal and financial costs compound over a lifetime. Voluntary reporting is an essential mechanism for capturing and preventing this harm — finally giving young people and parents a place to go, and giving medicine the opportunity to learn about young adult health. This legislation ensures that young people will no longer be overlooked and have the right to an accurate, timely diagnosis, the critical first step for the right care and treatment. This will prevent lost days and years during growth and development and allow millions of young people the opportunity to learn, work, grow and participate in society with their peers. We are grateful to Senator Van Hollen for his commitment to protecting the health of young people,” said Santi KM Bhagat, MD MPH, Founder and President, Physician-Parent Caregivers and The Invisible Wave.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

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

ASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman McCollum, the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement after voting against the Massie amendment, which would strike all $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing to Israel.

“I have long been a vocal opponent of the way the United States provides a blank check to the Netanyahu government. For the last nine years, I have carried a bill to put limits on how all US dollars to Israel may be used, which would ensure that not one penny of taxpayer dollars is used by Israel to violate the human rights of Palestinian children. I am also a cosponsor on legislation like the Block the Bombs Act, which also places limits on US assistance to Israel

“However, I cannot support Mr. Massie’s amendment as I have serious concerns that with the way it is so broadly written. As drafted, other foreign assistance—including vital assistance to Palestinians—could be cut off as well. For many of my colleagues in the majority, this amendment is just another way for them to carry out President Trump’s isolationist agenda to limit and, in some cases completely cease, US foreign assistance.”

Read more Congresswoman McCollum’s bill The Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28), Congresswoman Kathy Castor (FL-14), and Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) in introducing the Drug Deal Disclosure Act, legislation that would require the Trump administration to publicly disclose its prescription drug pricing agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers and subject those agreements to independent review to determine whether they are actually lowering costs for patients and taxpayers.

As Americans continue to struggle with the high cost of prescription drugs, the Trump administration has repeatedly claimed that a series of agreements negotiated with pharmaceutical companies will lower costs for patients. Yet despite public announcements and White House events promoting these arrangements, the Administration has refused to disclose the terms of the agreements, the concessions offered in exchange, and evidence that they will actually deliver lower prices.

“Deals made by the White House are the business of the American people. President Trump claims to have made secret agreements with Big Pharma CEOs under the pretense of lowering prescription drug prices but these savings have yet to appear. The American people deserve answers and this legislation will bring them to light,” said Congressman Pappas. “Granite Staters are paying too much for life-saving prescription drugs and this administration and Republicans in Congress have only made health care access worse and costs higher. I remain committed to doing everything I can to improve care and lower costs, and I will not stand for shady deals and false promises made by the administration.”

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publicly disclose records, communications, agreements, and related materials concerning drug pricing agreements and other arrangements negotiated between the Trump Administration and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The bill would also require reporting to Congress and direct the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an independent analysis of the agreements’ economic and budgetary impacts.

Specifically, the legislation would:

• Require HHS to publicly disclose agreements, communications, records, and related materials concerning covered agreements between the Trump Administration and pharmaceutical manufacturers;
• Require disclosure of agreements involving Most-Favored-Nation pricing commitments, TrumpRx participation, tariff exemptions, domestic investment commitments, Strategic National Stockpile agreements, Priority Review Vouchers, and other related arrangements;
• Require HHS to report to Congress on all documents and information released or withheld, including the basis for any redactions; and
• Direct CBO and GAO to publish an independent assessment of the agreements’ impacts on patients, taxpayers, prescription drug costs, Medicare, Medicaid, competition, and federal spending.

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act is the House companion to legislation introduced in the Senate by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, Senator Maggie Hassan, and Senate Democrats.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

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

WASHINGTON — This afternoon, Speaker Johnson delivered remarks following House Republicans’ conference meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance regarding the budget resolution for Congressional Republicans third reconciliation bill — the SAVE and Protect America Act.

“It’s our best shot at enacting our party’s top priority legislation, the SAVE America Act. It is important to the American people and it’s important to the future. And there is nothing in this bill that every Republican in Congress cannot proudly get behind,” Speaker Johnson said. “Republicans support election integrity, our troops, and of course our farmers, and this vehicle will demonstrate all of that.”

 

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered:

We just had a great meeting with the House Republican Conference. We’re delighted to have been joined by the Vice President, J.D Vance. You’ll hear from him in just a moment. What we were here to address today, what you’re all here to hear about is we’re moving forward with Reconciliation 3.0 this morning. After many months of deliberation and discussion and contemplation, the House Budget Committee is moving forward with the budget resolution that will get us to Reconciliation 3.0.

Let me tell you a few of the details about it. Given the Democrats’ absolute refusal to work with us on the nation’s top priorities – and that includes election integrity and strengthening our nation’s defense – we’re moving forward with a narrow, streamlined package to deliver on some of America’s top priorities. It is a sad situation. This is where we are; Republicans have to do this on our own.

The budget resolution instructs four House committees to write Reconciliation 3.0. Those committees are the House Administration Committee, House Armed Services Committee, House Agriculture, and House Intelligence Committee. Each of them will have an important component part of it. The forthcoming reconciliation legislation sets out to accomplish two very important goals: one, to secure America’s elections. We’re going to pass the SAVE America Act into law as much of that as possible. The SAVE America Act ensures, as you know, that voters have proof of citizenship to register to vote, and they show a valid ID when they turn up to vote at the ballot box. These commonsense policies are reported by 83% of the American people. It’s almost a 9 out of 10 public opinion poll in most of the polls that you look at.

The second objective is to protect and strengthen our homeland. How will we do that? We will provide supplemental funding for our troops with the Administration’s request to support national defense and our farmers. That’s very important stuff. The Budget Committee is scheduled to vote this budget resolution out of committee tomorrow, and we will pass it through the House next week. We’ll send it to the Senate, and then they will pass it before the August district work period. After the Senate passes the budget resolution, our four instructed House committees can go to work to write the reconciliation bill itself. We’re looking forward to this process. We intend for this to be a law-making exercise, which means the House and the Senate both have to pass the bill, and of course, the President signs it into law.

This budget resolution, which kickstarts Reconciliation 3.0 is a process. It’s our best shot at enacting our party’s top priority legislation, the SAVE America Act. It is important to the American people and it’s important to the future. There is nothing in this bill that every Republican in Congress cannot proudly get behind. Republicans support election integrity, our troops, and of course our farmers, and this vehicle will demonstrate all of that. Once again, we’re delighted again to have been joined by our Vice President who had a lot to say to the Republicans. They’re very encouraged – he got multiple standing ovations. It’s a good day to be a Republican.

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

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Riley M. Moore applauded House passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Act, legislation that advances President Trump’s America First foreign policy agenda, includes important language to further Rep. Moore’s efforts to stop the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, strengthens U.S. national security, and defends American taxpayers by cutting federal funding for the third year in a row.

Congressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement:

“Christians in Nigeria continue to endure horrific violence, murder, and persecution while a majority of the world turns a blind eye to their suffering. President Trump has taken bold actions to strike the terrorists in Nigeria, and this bill sends a clear message that the United States will continue to stand with persecuted Christians across the globe, especially in Nigeria. 

The bill conditions US assistance to Nigeria on tangible progress in protecting Christians, particularly in addressing the threat posed by Fulani terrorists and returning internally displaced people to their ancestral lands. The bill also provides funding to support training and increasing accountability for police forces in Nigeria, and reaffirms the recommendations made in my recommendations to President Trump.

This important bill also holds foreign governments accountable and ensures American taxpayer dollars advance our national interests. I was proud to secure provisions that strengthen accountability, combat human trafficking, protect free speech, push back on mass migration, and advance President Trump’s America First foreign policy.”

The bill provides $47.32 billion in discretionary funding while reducing overall spending by $2.69 billion below Fiscal Year 2026 levels. It prioritizes support for allies and counters threats posed by Communist China, Iran, the Taliban, and transnational criminal organizations. It also eliminates funding for numerous Biden-era programs centered on climate mandates, DEI initiatives, and radical gender ideology.

Congressman Moore, alongside NSRP Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, secured several provisions in both the NSRP appropriations bill and the accompanying committee report focused on combating religious persecution, particularly against Christian communities in Nigeria.

Among Rep. Moore’s victories are provisions conditioning 50% of U.S. assistance to Nigeria on measurable actions to U.S. assistance to Nigeria based upon Nigeria’s measurable actions to protect Christians against religiously-motivated violence. Rep. Moore also secured language prioritizing law enforcement partnerships with Nigeria, expanding efforts to prevent atrocities and human trafficking, documenting the effects of mass migration on host populations, protecting natural rights and national sovereignty initiatives, and preserving longstanding pro-life protections.

The legislation also includes language directing the State Department to report to Congress and the President on efforts needed to end targeted violence against Christians in Nigeria, dedicates funding to combat ritualized murder and organ trafficking in Africa, strengthens oversight of foreign assistance programs, and restricts the use of federal funds for censorship activities directed at American citizens.

Additionally, the bill maintains all longstanding pro-life protections, including the Helms, Kemp-Kasten, Siljander, Tiahrt, Hyde-Lantos, and other pro-life amendments.

The FY2027 NSRP Appropriations Act now advances as part of the House appropriations process for the upcoming fiscal year.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García issued the following statement on his vote for the Massie amendment to the FY27 State Department appropriations bill. The amendment would cut $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel.

“Throughout my time in Congress, I have consistently advocated to end our government’s use of our tax dollars to fund death and destruction abroad. As the Israeli government continues to commit genocide in Gaza, occupy the West Bank and southern Lebanon, and fuel the illegal war in Iran, my constituents and working people nationwide who are struggling to make ends meet are demanding an end to the blank check for weapons of war. As the Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, I was proud to vote for this amendment and to urge my colleagues to do the same. Today’s historic vote illustrates the momentum behind our movement for peace, justice, and dignity for all people without exception. We must build on this vote to achieve a long overdue change in U.S. policy towards Israel and Palestine, and finally uphold the values we stand for.” 

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