MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Headline: Carter bill reducing animal testing passes House committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today celebrated the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s passage of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, a bill directing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fully implement provisions to reduce unnecessary animal testing for drug development. 

Each year in the United States, millions of animals — including an estimated 50,000 dogs — are used in laboratory experiments and testing. This bill would require the FDA to fully implement the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, ensuring that safe and effective treatments are developed using advanced, innovative non-animal testing methods. This would mean phasing out animal testing and promoting humane alternatives, giving dogs traditionally used in labs, including the 1,500 beagles recently rescued in Wisconsin, the opportunity to leave research facilities and find loving homes.

“The advancement of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0 out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee marks another major step toward a more modern, effective, and humane system for evaluating medicines,” said Rep. Carter. “Congress already acted in 2022 to remove unnecessary barriers to innovative non-animal testing methods, and this bill helps ensure FDA implementation fully reflects both the law and today’s scientific capabilities.”

“The FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was a monumental victory that helped modernize drug development and accelerate innovation without having to sacrifice animal welfare,” said Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL). “With FDA Modernization 3.0 now advancing out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Congress is taking the next step to build upon this success and ensure the FDA follows through on delivering speedier cures for diseases without subjecting animals to inhumane and counterproductive experiments.”

“Today’s full committee passage is another important step toward modernizing how we bring safe and effective drugs to market,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN). “The FDA has the authority to move beyond outdated, cruel testing methods, and our bill simply directs the FDA to follow through and update its regulations accordingly. I’m proud to work alongside Congressman Buddy Carter and my colleagues to keep this bipartisan effort moving forward.”

“We so appreciate Buddy Carter’s leadership on this legislation to accelerate the process of winding down the use of beagles, primates, and other animals in painful, invasive, and ineffective tests,” said Wayne Pacelle, President of the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action. “Congress and the FDA are signaling to all drug developers that they should move with intentionality to employ human-biology-based drug screening methods and to leave the dogs, primates, and other animals out of their R&D programs.”

Read bill text here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced the Bioindustrial Infrastructure for Open Scale-up, Commercialization, and Accelerated Launch Ecosystems (BIO-SCALE) Act. This legislation will establish three or more product-agnostic, nonprofit, pre-commercial scale-up facilities for the scaling of non-pharmaceutical biotechnologies.

“We must continue to lead the world in biotechnology, and the United States remains a premier place to scale biotechnology,” said Congressman Baird. “However, widespread use of life-changing innovations is often stalled because of roadblocks to the commercial production of biotech products. This legislation will help remove these roadblocks and create the tools necessary to bring biotechnologies to market by authorizing a network of pre-commercial facilities. I am proud to lead this legislation to help advance biotechnology to market and keep America at the forefront of innovation.”

“Breakthrough science is just the first step–biotechnology innovators must also prove their products can be scaled,” said National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology Commissioner Alexander Titus. “The BIO-SCALE Actwill help fill a critical gap between transformative ideas and a new biotech product coming to market, giving biotech entrepreneurs a real shot at unlocking private investment and turning promising discoveries into competitive products.”

Background:

While the U.S. has abundant feedstocks, reliable utilities, extensive transportation infrastructure, and proximity to consumers, the U.S. currently lacks sufficient biomanufacturing capacity to make here what we innovate here. A major roadblock for U.S. biotechnology is proving that products and processes will work at commercial scale.

The BIO-SCALE Act requires the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to submit a plan detailing criteria for an open competition, such as site selection, cost-sharing plans, approach to stakeholder engagement, and integration with existing infrastructure.

These facilities would have two to three years for fund expenditure, based on whether a facility has prior existing infrastructure and resources. The BIO-SCALE Act sunsets funding after 10 years from the enactment date. Facilities could continue if deemed successful by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

Read the bill text here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) introduced the Providing Resources and Oversight for Tactical Equipment to Communities and Troops (PROTECT) Act. The bill modernizes the administration of the Department of War’s Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) or “1033 program,” which allows state and local law enforcement agencies to acquire surplus equipment. This update will help the program operate more efficiently and better serve communities nationwide.

The LESO program equips state and local law enforcement with surplus federal resources (ranging from office supplies, vehicles, and specialized gear) used in active shooter response, disaster relief, counterdrug operations, and border security – at minimal cost to these agencies. The LESO program, housed in the Defense Logistics Agency, was created in 1995 after authorization under the National Defense Authorization Act (Fiscal Years 1990 and 1991).

“I introduced the PROTECT Act following conversations with Arizona stakeholders who were frustrated with the growing lack of coordination between state and federal partners,” said Congressman Biggs. “This necessary update ensures greater oversight, clearer standards, and more effective state-federal coordination to carry out the program’s mission. I’m grateful for another opportunity to stand with our Arizona law enforcement community as these agencies protect our communities and respond to emergencies, natural disasters, and public safety threats.”

The PROTECT Act strengthens the role of State Coordinators and addresses local requests for greater consistency across the program by requiring standardized state-federal consultation procedures, annual coordinator training, regular Defense Logistics Agency program reviews, and transparent biennial reporting to Congress and the public.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

Full Text of Resolution (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) reintroduced the Road to Zero resolution to reduce traffic fatalities and improve roadway safety for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others on the road. The resolution aims to end roadway fatalities by 2050 by improving data collection and promoting access to safe, reliable transportation.

“I’ve seen the devastating impact that car crashes and unsafe vehicles have on families and communities, and it is simply unacceptable that so many lives are still being lost on our roadways,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “By reintroducing the Road to Zero resolution, we are reaffirming our commitment to safer streets and a future where no one has to fear losing a loved one on the road. We can and must do better to make our streets safer for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists, and we remain committed to working toward ending these unnecessary traffic deaths and injuries by 2050.”

“Road to zero is reachable and responsible,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “Roads must be made safer for all—pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as car users. Improved technology and increased investment provide the opportunity—and imperative—to cut road tragedies.”

The Road to Zero resolution highlights the troubling number of traffic fatalities and crashes in the United States, with many of the deaths resulting from distracted and alcohol-impaired driving. The resolution also notes the deep history of inequality in the United States’ transportation systems as crashes have a disproportionate impact on people of color and low-income communities. Citing the success of seatbelts, speed limits, and other technology in preventing injuries and fatalities, the measure encourages federal agencies to implement interventions and improve data collection to prevent crashes. 

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has shown a steady decline in traffic fatalities since the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included historic funding for transportation safety and the Safe Streets and Roads for All grants to address high-crash areas. While nearly 37,000 people lost their lives to traffic crashes in 2025, NHTSA’s data shows a 6.7 percent decline in fatalities compared to the previous year. The Road to Zero resolution seeks to build on this progress and achieve zero roadway fatalities by the year 2050.

The resolution is endorsed by the National Safety Council, Consumer Reports, Vision Zero Network, and Families for Safe Streets.

The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Dina Titus (NV-01), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Grace Meng (NY-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Chuy García (IL-04), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tina Smith (D-MN), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) voted in support of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, legislation aimed at lowering housing costs, expanding affordable housing, and increasing homeownership opportunities for families in South Texas.

The bill includes bipartisan reforms to increase housing supply, support affordable housing construction, revitalize vacant properties, streamline housing development, and strengthen housing opportunities in rural and underserved communities.

“Families across South Texas are feeling the pressure of rising housing costs, limited housing inventory, and growing barriers to homeownership,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This bipartisan legislation helps communities build more affordable housing, modernize neighborhoods, expand access to homeownership, and lower costs for working families.

“In communities across TX-28, including Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley, and rural South Texas, too many families struggle to find affordable housing close to jobs, schools, and essential services. This bill supports practical solutions that help increase housing supply, strengthen local infrastructure, and create more opportunities for families to achieve the American dream of homeownership.

“I supported this bill because South Texas families deserve real, bipartisan solutions that improve affordability and strengthen economic opportunity. I’ll continue working to ensure our communities receive the federal resources and investments needed to support long-term growth and stability.”

• Among its provisions, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act:
• Expands affordable housing construction and housing supply through new HUD programs and local development incentives.
• Streamlines federal permitting and environmental reviews to accelerate housing construction.
• Supports rural and manufactured housing programs to help lower housing costs.
• Improves access to affordable mortgages and homeownership opportunities for working families.

Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) votó en apoyo de la Ley bipartidista 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, legislación destinada a reducir los costos de vivienda, expandir la vivienda asequible y aumentar las oportunidades de adquisición de vivienda para las familias del sur de Texas.

El proyecto de ley incluye reformas bipartidistas para aumentar la oferta de vivienda, apoyar la construcción de vivienda asequible, revitalizar propiedades vacantes, agilizar el desarrollo de vivienda y fortalecer las oportunidades de vivienda en comunidades rurales y desatendidas.

“Familias en todo el sur de Texas están sintiendo la presión del aumento de los costos de vivienda, el inventario limitado de viviendas y las crecientes barreras para adquirir una vivienda”, dijo el congresista Cuellar. “Esta legislación bipartidista ayuda a las comunidades a construir más viviendas asequibles, modernizar vecindarios, ampliar el acceso a la adquisición de vivienda y reducir costos para las familias trabajadoras.

“En comunidades de todo el TX-28, incluyendo Laredo,  Rio Grande Valley y las zonas rurales del sur de Texas, demasiadas familias tienen dificultades para encontrar vivienda asequible cerca de empleos, escuelas y servicios esenciales. Este proyecto de ley respalda soluciones prácticas que ayudan a aumentar la oferta de vivienda, fortalecer la infraestructura local y crear más oportunidades para que las familias logren el sueño americano de ser propietarios de una vivienda.

Apoyé este proyecto de ley porque las familias del sur de Texas merecen reales, bipartidistas soluciones que mejoren la asequibilidad y fortalezcan las oportunidades económicas. Continuaré trabajando para asegurar que nuestras comunidades reciban los recursos e inversiones federales necesarios para apoyar el crecimiento y la estabilidad a largo plazo.

Entre sus disposiciones, la Ley 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act:

• Expande la construcción de vivienda asequible y la oferta de vivienda mediante nuevos programas del HUD e incentivos para el desarrollo local.
• Agiliza los permisos federales y las revisiones ambientales para acelerar la construcción de vivienda.
• Apoya programas de vivienda rural y manufacturada para ayudar a reducir los costos de vivienda.
• Mejora el acceso a hipotecas asequibles y oportunidades de adquisición de vivienda para las familias trabajadoras.

###

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

Headline: Newhouse Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Rural Health Care Access for Tribes, Military Families

Press Release 
For Immediate Release: May 21, 2026
Contact: Juan Ayala, (202) 713-7750 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), alongside Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), released a statement upon introduction of the Ensuring Rural Health Care Access for Military and Tribal Families Act. This legislation would allow Astra Toppenish to be designated as a Critical Access Hospital.  

“Americans deserve the best medical care, regardless of where they live. In rural areas access to quality, essential health care services remains a challenge,” said Rep. Newhouse. 

Newhouse continued, “Critical Access Hospital designation requirements are rigid, and flexibility is needed to ensure rural hospitals have the federal support and resources to bridge health care accessibility gaps. Specifically, this legislation would allow Astria Toppenish to be designated as a Critical Access Hospital, providing the facility long-term financial certainty to continue delivering care to military and tribal families in the Yakima Valley. I thank Rep. Larsen for joining me in this important effort that will improve health care services in rural areas across the country.”

Rep. Larsen said, “As health care costs continue to rise, rural hospitals that provide care for local servicemembers, like Island Health in Anacortes, are struggling to maintain their current operations. This legislation will help more rural hospitals receive critical access hospital designation, creating a cost-saving lifeline that will preserve vital services and ensure quality medical care for servicemembers. I will keep fighting to protect rural hospitals and the communities they serve in Northwest Washington.”

Cathy Bambrick, CEO, Astria Toppenish Hospital said, “Astria Health has spent years pursuing innovative solutions to strengthen healthcare access in the Lower Yakima Valley. This legislation represents an important step toward ensuring hospitals serving rural and underserved populations have the resources needed to remain viable for generations to come. Critical Access Hospital designation would improve reimbursement, strengthen local healthcare infrastructure, and help preserve essential services for the communities that rely on them every day. We sincerely thank Congressman Dan Newhouse for his tireless work developing this legislation and for his support of rural healthcare across Central Washington and the nation.”

Island Health CEO Elise Cutter, MBA, said, “We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Representatives Dan Newhouse and Rick Larsen for prioritizing this legislation to help ensure our local community and military families continue to have access to essential healthcare services, including labor and delivery care. “In 2025, Island Health delivered more than 400 babies, 40% of which were military families stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey.”

Full bill text can be found here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee advanced bipartisan legislation led by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-6) to reauthorize federal traumatic brain injury (TBI) programs and honor the late New Jersey 9^th District Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.’s decades-long leadership on brain injury awareness, research, and treatment.

“Bill Pascrell understood before most people that traumatic brain injuries were a serious and often invisible public health crisis,” said Congressman Pallone. “For decades, he fought to make sure Americans living with brain injuries were not ignored by the health care system or by Congress. I’m proud my Energy and Commerce Committee advanced this legislation to continue that mission and ensure Bill’s advocacy leaves a lasting mark on the country he loved so deeply.”

The legislation would rename the federal government’s national TBI surveillance and registry program as the “Bill Pascrell, Jr. National Program for Traumatic Brain Injury Surveillance and Registries,” preserving Pascrell’s legacy as one of Congress’s most relentless advocates for Americans living with brain injuries.

The legislation reauthorizes federal TBI programs for five years through Fiscal Year 2029 and continues support for research, treatment initiatives, rehabilitation services, and data collection efforts coordinated through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administration for Community Living.

According to the CDC, traumatic brain injuries contributed to 69,000 deaths in the United States in 2023, while millions more Americans continue to live with long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impacts tied to brain injuries sustained through falls, car accidents, military service, domestic violence, and sports injuries.

In addition to reauthorizing funding, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study whether TBI should be formally recognized as a chronic condition, a designation that could improve long-term care coordination and federal support for survivors. The legislation also requires updated federal reporting on populations disproportionately affected by TBI, existing research gaps, and the long-term impacts associated with brain injuries.

Pallone introduced the bipartisan legislation last year alongside Representatives Rob Menendez (D-NJ-8), Don Bacon (R-NE-2), and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-2).

 

“For over two decades, my dear friend and colleague, Bill Pascrell, was an exceptional advocate for traumatic brain injury treatment and research,” said Congressman Menendez. “It’s a privilege to partner with Ranking Member Pallone to honor Bill’s legacy and continue his work to recognize TBIs as a chronic condition. I am glad to see our legislation reauthorizing and improving programs that prevent and detect TBIs passed by the Energy and Commerce Committee today, and I look forward to working to make this bill into law.” 

 

Pascrell co-founded the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force in 2001 and spent more than two decades pushing Congress and federal agencies to better understand what he often called the nation’s “silent epidemic.”

 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

Bill would provide more funding, stability for hospitals in Ellsworth, Presque Isle

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14), Co-Chair of the Congressional SOF Caucus, announced the introduction of a resolution in support of SOF Week 2026, recognizing the service and sacrifice of the United States Special Operations Forces (SOF) community and expressing Congressional support for formally designating the week of May 18–21, 2026, as “SOF Week.”

Rep. Castor led the resolution with fellow Congressional SOF Caucus Co-Chairs 

Representatives Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Richard Hudson (NC-09) and Representative Scott Peters (CA-50). The Co-Chairs are also joined by Representative Jason Crow (CO-06) in leading this resolution.

Tampa Bay is home to MacDill Air Force Base, which hosts 33 mission partners including U.S. Special Operations Command Headquarters. Rep. Castor’s district is proud to host Special Operations leaders, industry partners and military advocates each year for SOF Week. Their expertise and partnerships are critical to the defense community and U.S. national security. 

“America’s Special Operations Forces deserve support and investment in innovation to keep them at ‘the tip of the spear’ of our military operations. I am especially proud to offer this bipartisan resolution alongside my SOF Caucus Co-chairs as thousands of special operators, military leaders and defense industry partners convene in my hometown of Tampa for SOF Week 2026 to share insights and inform mission and advocacy priorities for SOF,” said Rep. Castor. “The professionals who serve at U.S. SOCOM Headquarters from across the Tampa Bay area and those stationed across the globe are central to America’s national security. They and their families deserve top-tier trainings, resources and care, and the SOF Caucus is committed to ensuring that through our strong bipartisan collaboration. I am grateful to work with Rep. Jackson, Peters and Hudson to lead this important bipartisan resolution.”

“America’s Special Operations Forces represent the very best of our military. They are highly trained, deeply committed, and consistently called upon in the most dangerous and complex missions around the world,” said Rep. Jackson. “As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee’s Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the SOF Caucus, I am proud to lead this resolution recognizing the service of our special operators and reaffirming our commitment to support them and their families.” 

“The men and women of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) play an indispensable role in our national security,” said Rep. Hudson. “As Fort Bragg’s Congressman, I am proud to represent these heroes and honor them for their service to our country.”

“San Diego is a proud military town that is home to Naval Special Warfare’s headquarters in my district,” said Rep. Peters. “Our Special Operations Forces (SOF) community conducts some of the most dangerous and challenging missions confronting our country unknown to the American public. Their quiet professionalism too often goes uncelebrated. I support the designation of SOF Week to honor the great skill and sacrifice of these courageous servicemembers and their families who live in San Diego and throughout the country.”

“I served in special ops. I know how hard this job is,” said Rep. Crow. “I’ll always support the men, women, and families in the Special Operations Forces community who make many sacrifices for our nation. They always get the job done to keep the American people safe.”

The resolution coincides with SOF Week 2026, the premier annual gathering of the global special operations community hosted in Tampa, Florida, by the United States Special Operations Command and the Global SOF Foundation. The event brings together military leaders, operators, policymakers, allied partners, innovators, and defense industry leaders to collaborate on emerging threats, evolving operational requirements, and next generation capabilities supporting the SOF mission.

The resolution highlights the significant contributions of the SOF community across a wide range of missions essential to national defense, including unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, hostage rescue, and direct action operations that deter adversaries and protect American interests.

Additionally, it recognizes the unique burdens carried by SOF personnel and their families, including frequent deployments, operational secrecy, and sustained high-risk assignments, and reaffirms Congress’ commitment to ensuring they have the resources and support they need.

Text of the resolution may be found here.

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

Headline: Scott Demands Explanation Over Concerns of HHS Providing Inaccurate Information in Litigation

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON– Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, followed upwith Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over concerns that HHS has refused to cooperate with the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO). Specifically, GAO’s investigation into the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) access to private and sensitive systems. Moreover, Ranking Member Scott reiterated his concerns that, per the Department’s own assertion, it has potentially provided false information in litigation.

Last year, public reportsexposed that DOGE gained access to the IT system that controls government payments and infiltrated systems across HHS and other federal agencies. In February of 2025, Ranking Member Scott asked GAO to investigate the IT systems at HHS, report on DOGE’s activities in these systems, analyze the legality of DOGE’s interventions, and determine potential consequences of DOGE’s actions.

However, HHS has repeatedly refused to cooperate with GAO’s investigation. Even more concerning, one reason given for the unwillingness to cooperate was out of concern about ‘potential discrepancies between what is produced in litigation and provided to GAO.’

“Shortly prior to your appearance before the Committee on Education and Workforce on April 17, 2026, to discuss the policies and priorities of the Department, my staff was informed that HHS’ Office of General Counsel (OGC) had denied GAO’s request for a standard observational walkthrough of the Department’s systems for verification purposes,”wrote Ranking Member Scott. “I am deeply concerned not only by HHS’s failure to comply with GAO’s requests, but also the possibility that the Department is providing false or inaccurate information in litigation.”

During an April 17, 2026 HHS budget oversight hearing, Ranking Member Scott asked Secretary Kennedy to commit to cooperating with the GAO investigation, to which Secretary Kennedy agreed. In the letter, Ranking Member Scott requested details on HHS’s compliance with GAO and a written explanation for its initial noncompliance.

To read the full letter, click here.

###