MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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.

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

Headline: Scott Statement on Workforce Pell Final Rule

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

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Education (ED) finalized a new rule regarding the Workforce Pell Grant program.

“Expanding Pell Grant access to support students seeking short-term training programs, such as IT, health care, finance, and manufacturing courses, has long been a bipartisan priority. In the 117th Congress, I helped advance legislation to expand access to Pell Grants for workforce programs through the House of Representatives as part of the America COMPETES Act nd in the 118th Congress, I worked with then-Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (NC-01) to lead the Committee passage of the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act.

“If implemented properly, expanding Pell Grant access could create new pathways for Americans to gain in-demand skills, increase their earning potential, and access greater economic mobility in today’s economy. I look forward to conducting robust oversight to ensure that only high-quality workforce programs are approved. We must also ensure the Department provides states with the resources and guidance they need to administer these programs efficiently and effectively to maximize the impact.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

Frankel Moves to Halt Trump’s $1.8 Billion Slush Fund Settlement

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Veterans Caucus Co-Chairs Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), and Pat Ryan (D-NY), along with seven members of the caucus came together in opposition to H.R. 6047—the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2025, a Republican bill that would increase the cost of home ownership for every veteran and servicemember who uses the VA Home Loan program. The signing Democratic veterans are: Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), and Herb Conaway (D-NJ). It is scheduled for a vote this week.

The ten Democratic veterans released the following joint statement:

“There’s always enough money for Republicans to funnel massive tax giveaways to the ultra-rich and powerful and to spend billions on another war in the Middle East, but when it comes to increasing benefits for catastrophically injured veterans and their survivors, their endless supply of public dollars apparently dries up.

“Let’s be clear about what this bill would do: raise housing costs for veterans and servicemembers in the middle of an affordable housing crisis. 

“Our fellow veterans earned their benefits, and the federal government needs to honor this sacred promise. We urge our colleagues—Democrats and Republicans—to vote ‘no’ on H.R. 6047.”

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

“Everyone deserves access to affordable dental healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Rep. Kelly. “Oral health is crucial to overall health, and it also reduces the number of emergency room visits. I’m proud to lead this reauthorization effort for the third time and strongly urge Speaker Johnson to bring this to the House floor.”

The bipartisan Action for Dental Health Act is endorsed by the American Dental Association.

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

New Jersey lawmakers say ticket announcement masks broader pricing problems with games weeks away

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Today, Congressman Adrian Smith’s (NE-03) Main Street Pharmacy Access Act, which would empower local pharmacists to play a more active role in community health by allowing Medicare Part B reimbursement for testing and treating common respiratory illnesses, is one step closer to the finish line following its passage by the Ways and Means Committee.  
 
Over 190 organizations support Smith’s Main Street Pharmacy Access Act, including senior and rural advocacy groups, physician and provider groups, patient advocacy organizations, pharmacists, health systems, and many others. 
 
Here is what they are saying: 
 
“This bill is a commonsense, creative solution to address the barriers to health care access that rural and underserved communities suffer every day. I want to thank Representative Adrian Smith for championing this bill for the benefit of Nebraskans and communities across this country so that seniors will gain access to more primary care conveniently from their local pharmacist,”said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08). 

“Congressman Adrian Smith continues to demonstrate strong leadership for patients in Nebraska and across the country. By advancing his legislation, Rep. Smith is helping ensure Medicare beneficiaries, particularly seniors in rural communities, can access timely testing, treatment, and preventive services from pharmacists they know and trust,”said APhA Executive Vice President and CEO Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP.

“Nebraska patients rely on their local pharmacies as a frontline source of care. Congressman Smith understands the realities facing rural communities, and his leadership on this legislation will help ensure Nebraska’s seniors can receive high-quality, accessible care close to home,” said NPA CEO Haley Pertzborn, PharmD, RPh.

“Today, we applaud the House Ways and Means Committee’s passage of the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act, which takes a major step forward in safeguarding access to pharmacist care for seniors. ASHP calls for swift passage by the House and Senate of this important legislation,”said ASHP Executive Vice President and CEO Samuel V. Calabrese, MBA, RPh, CPEL, FASHP.

“It is simply common sense: seniors in Medicare should be able to access pharmacist-provided care that their own states already allow. With a pharmacy within five miles of 90 percent of Americans — and 91 percent of seniors saying pharmacy care is easy to access — the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act closes an outdated gap in federal law, improving access to timely, cost-effective care for seniors, particularly in rural and underserved communities. NACDS commends Chairman Jason Smith and Rep. Adrian Smith, and Ranking Member Richard Neal and Rep. Brad Schneider, for championing this legislation and looks forward to working with Congress to advance this pragmatic, bipartisan bill,”said National Association of Chain Drug Stores President and CEO Steven C. Anderson.

“Public health in America is about to get stronger thanks to the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act. By expanding access to treat-and-treat services through pharmacists – the most accessible healthcare providers – we are creating avenues to keep older adults and those living with disabilities healthy and thriving. I applaud Congressman Adrian Smith for his ongoing dedication to increasing access to care for older Americans and those living with disabilities through this legislation and his ongoing work leading the House Ways & Means Committee,”said American Society of Consultant Pharmacists CEO Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP.

“The Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition thanks the Ways and Means Committee for advancing this legislation, and thanks Rep. Adrian Smith, Rep. Brad Schneider, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune for their leadership. We urge Congress to advance this commonsense, bipartisan legislation that can improve access to quality and cost-effective care for seniors,”said Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition Executive Director Bob Siggins.

“We commend the House Ways and Means Committee for advancing thoughtful improvements to the Medicare program that recognize the critical role pharmacists play on the front lines of care. This legislation would provide Medicare beneficiary coverage for certain pharmacist services,” said CVS Health Chief Pharmacy Officer Lucille Accetta.

“Kroger commends the leadership of Chairman Jason Smith, as well as Rep. Adrian Smith and Rep. Schneider for advancing H.R. 3164, the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act through the House Ways and Means Committee. This vital legislation will expand access to testing and treatment for seniors living in rural areas — managing common respiratory conditions before they become life-threatening. Kroger celebrates this progress and urges quick passage of this bill,” said Kroger Health President Colleen Lindholz.

“Our team at McKesson supports the Main Street Pharmacy Access Act (H.R. 3164) and commends the House Ways & Means Committee for advancing it. Independent pharmacies are reliable points of care, and this bipartisan legislation helps Medicare beneficiaries receive timely testing and treatment from pharmacists. We appreciate the leadership of Chairman Jason Smith and Representative Adrian Smith in advancing this effort and look forward to its continued progress toward enactment,”said Health Mart Pharmacy President Crystal Lennartz. 
 
“As a trusted technology partner to more than half of pharmacies in the country, XiFin supports access to pharmacy care where and when it makes sense. The Main Street Pharmacy Access Act ensures seniors access to clinical services, while supporting the viability of pharmacies in healthcare deserts so they can continue serving their communities. Thank you to the Members of the House Ways and Means Committee for moving this bill forward,”said XiFin Inc. Chief Pharmacy Officer David Pope.

Stakeholder letters of support: American Pharmacists Association (APhA), American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS), American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP), Future of Pharmacy Care Coalition (FPCC), CVS Health, Kroger Health,Walmart, and Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP).

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

• H.R. 8209  the School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act
  • This legislation would reauthorize the SBHC grant program. SBHCs help to deliver comprehensive primary health care services to millions of children across the country, including in NY-20 where Tonko represents.

• H.R. 3747, the Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act
  • This legislation would equip primary care providers with additional tools and training necessary to detect, diagnose, and treat Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias

• H.R. 4348, to reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act
  • This legislation would reauthorize key programs at the CDC that fund both research and support for local public health agencies to address tick-borne diseases such as Lyme Disease.

“Over my years in Congress, I have remained laser focused on advancing commonsense, meaningful legislation that bolsters the health and wellbeing of the American people,” Congressman Tonko said. “The movement of several of my health priorities through committee is a powerful step in that effort. I’m grateful to my committee colleagues who helped lead these bipartisan efforts with me, and I’ll continue working to move the needle on these bills and get them signed into law.”

I rise in strong support of the School-Based Health Centers Reauthorization Act, legislation I was proud to author, along with my colleague, Representative Troy Balderson.

School-Based Health Centers help to deliver comprehensive primary health care services to millions of children across the country. By locating directly ins or near schools, SBHCs are able to provide high-quality care in a convenient setting. Today, there are more than 2,500 school-based health centers nationwide, serving more than 6.3 million K-12 students.

In my district I am especially proud of the work of health centers including Whitney Young Health and Hometown Health which operate multiple school-based health centers in the Capital Region of New York including in Albany, Watervliet and Schenectady.

The services provided by School-Based Health Centers can be a lifeline for children who may not have convenient ways to access care in other settings – especially for services like behavioral health, where there can still be stigma associated with seeking care. 

Through the School Based Health Center program, funding can be used to establish new school-based sites or to upgrade current facilities to serve additional children.

I’ve been proud to be a long-time supporter of this program, and I’m grateful for the bipartisan support in reauthorizing this program today.

However, as we think about the role of school-based health centers moving forward, I would encourage this committee to think bigger and bolder, because every child, family and community can benefit from SBHCs.

We can do this not only by expanding this grant funding stream to bring hundreds of new and expanded sites on board, but also by securing and strengthening programs like Medicaid and CHIP that help make the SBHC model sustainable.

Our children deserve nothing less.