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

Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), the first pediatrician elected to Congress, released the following statement after the CDC announced it will overhaul the childhood vaccine schedule to recommend fewer immunizations:

As a pediatrician, I am outraged by RFK Jr.’s radical and dangerous decision to make sweeping changes to our nation’s childhood immunization schedule. Today’s decision ignores decades of extensive research in favor of medical conspiracy theories. He made this seismic move about which vaccines should or should not be recommended without any substantive input from infectious disease experts, epidemiologists, and pediatricians. In fact, RFK Jr.’s recommendations are so extreme that he did not even do this in consultation with his handpicked panel on the Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices, subverting 60-plus years of precedent in the U.S. 

“There is no rational basis for removing children’s access to safe and effective vaccines. Additionally, pediatricians already spend time talking with parents about why vaccinations are important to their children’s health and well-being and answering questions, and the updated immunization schedule undermines those conversations and pediatric recommendations. 

“This decision is coming at a time when we are seeing an unprecedented rise in illnesses and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough, and when Republicans in Congress are gutting access to affordable healthcare. This will exacerbate the country’s ongoing public health crisis and cause more children to get sick, be hospitalized, suffer, and potentially die, particularly from rotavirus, RSV, and flu. 

“Amid this dangerous decision, I will continue to do everything I can to fight for the safety and health of our nation’s children.” 

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

Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s Military Operation in Venezuela. 

“While Maduro is an illegitimate and dangerous dictator who has made life terrible for Venezuelans, President Trump should not be dragging us into another foreign conflict without consultation and consent from Congress. After promising no new wars, he launched a large-scale military strike in Venezuela with plans for the U.S. to take over control of the country, and put American troops in harm’s way.

“The American people deserve answers, especially at a time when the president should be focused on running our own country and making life better for Americans. 

“​The Administration must brief Congress and answer multiple remaining and pressing questions.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement after Donald Trump announced a freeze of federal funds for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Social Services Block Grant program in Colorado: 

“Donald Trump’s decision to take federal benefits away from vulnerable children in Colorado is vindictive and illegal. I vehemently oppose his actions as he continues his pattern of political retribution against our state. This devastating freeze will take food from families across the state, in both red and blue areas. Therefore, I urge my Republican colleagues to leverage their relationships with the administration and end this blatantly political attack against the most vulnerable families in Colorado. In addition, as a member of the House Litigation Task Force, I am exploring legal action to reverse these unlawful cuts.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Houston, TX)—Today, Congressman Al Green released the following statement regarding recent events in Venezuela and emphasizing the urgent need to prioritize healthcare access by extending Affordable Care Act subsidies for Americans. See Congressman Al Green’s statement below and access his letter to Speaker Johnson by clicking here.

Congressman Al Green stated, “I oppose putting boots on the ground in Venezuela. We cannot allow President Trump to continue engaging our military in strikes against nations without consulting Congress. I have asked the Speaker of the House to provide a congressional briefing that will explain the President’s authority to bomb another country and capture its president without consulting Congress. Also, know that I will not allow the President’s actions in Venezuela to distract me from fighting to provide necessary healthcare for the American people. For some, these subsidies are a matter of life and death. I will vote to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies for the millions of Americans affected.”

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

Headline: Scott Statement on U.S. Military Strikes in Venezuela and Capture of President Maduro

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the United States military conducted a large-scale strike against Venezuela and captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. 

“I am deeply concerned by reports of U.S. military strikes in Venezuela and the capture of President Maduro. There is no question that Nicolás Maduro is a brutal and corrupt leader who has inflicted enormous harm on the Venezuelan people. However, the reprehensible conduct of a foreign leader, absent a clear and immediate threat to the United States, does not give any president the authority to disregard the Constitution. 

“The Constitution vests in Congress the power to authorize the use of military force. To date, the Trump Administration has yet to identify a clear legal basis for its military strikes in the Caribbean, the Eastern Pacific or now inside Venezuela, for the capture of a foreign head of state, or even to ‘run’ a foreign country. Escalating military action inside a sovereign country without congressional authorization raises serious questions under both U.S. and international law and risks further destabilizing the region. 

“I have repeatedly warned that these heavy-handed and legally dubious military actions carried out in the name of reducing drug use in the United States are among the least effective and most costly ways to address that problem. Decades of evidence and research make clear that the most effective strategies to reduce illicit drug use are education, prevention, and access to mental health and addiction treatment.  Yet at the same time, this Administration has sought to significantly reduce staffing and funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the very federal agency charged with addressing those needs. This contradiction suggests a troubling preference for costly military escalation over evidence-based solutions. 

“Congress and the American people deserve a full accounting of the legal authority, objectives, and consequences of these actions. I will continue to press for answers and for Congress to reassert our constitutional war powers.”

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

Headline: Scott Statement on the Appointment of Dr. Jeffery O. Smith as Virginia’s Next Secretary of Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger nominated Dr. Jeffery O. Smith to lead Virginia’s Department of Education.

“I congratulate Dr. Jeffery O. Smith on his appointment to be Virginia’s new Secretary of Education.  Dr. Smith has over 30 years of invaluable experience in public education, including service as the Superintendent of Hampton City Schools and as an adjunct faculty member of Old Dominion University and the College of William and Mary.  Throughout his remarkable career, he has advocated for and recognized the importance of providing more access to workforce-oriented education and expanding career pathways for students. 

“Dr. Smith’s appointment is critical as schools, students, educators, and parents navigate the Trump Administration’s harmful education agenda, which has threatened funding for low-income and rural K-12 schools, limited access to school meal programs, and made it harder for student loan borrowers to repay their debts.  

“Dr. Smith is a visionary leader who joins a long list of highly qualified appointments to Governor-elect Spanberger’s incoming administration who will work tirelessly on behalf of all Virginians.  I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Smith and am confident in his ability to lead and strengthen Virginia’s Department of Education in its mission of ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed in life.”

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — “I am aware of reports of a shooting involving federal agents that has resulted in the serious injury of a civilian. Sec. Noem must immediately cease and desist the ICE operation to allow state and local law enforcement officials to restore order and prevent further injuries, and to allow for a full and independent investigation into ICE’s actions which led to this incident. It is clear that ICE’s grossly unprofessional conduct is needlessly causing chaos in Minnesota. I share Minnesotans’ concern for those who are impacted by this violence amidst this incredibly volatile situation. I urge community members to remain calm.”
 

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

“We will never forget the courageous law enforcement officers who carry scars – both physically and mentally – for the rest of their lives because of their heroism that day.”

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

“Tim Walz has successfully led Minnesota through challenging times and enacted historic reforms,” says Minnesota Democrat

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

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement on Saturday morning: 

“President Trump must cease U.S. military strikes on Venezuela immediately. The actions taken today by the Trump administration are blatantly illegal. Venezuela poses no imminent national security threat to the United States and Congress has not voted to authorize any use of force in the region. Speaker Johnson must call the House of Representatives back into session immediately to reign in this out-of-control President.”

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