MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Janesville, WI – Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) announced he will be holding his monthly telephone town hall on Thursday, March 19, at 11:00 a.m. CT. Congressman Steil has held numerous in-person listening sessions this Congress across the 1st District, including in Beloit, Bristol, Burlington, Elkhorn, Janesville, and Mount Pleasant.

“One of my top priorities is to be available and accessible to Wisconsin families,” said Steil. “I look forward to hearing from residents about the challenges they are facing, discussing recent events in Washington, and having a productive conversation about how we can move our nation forward.”

Residents of the 1st Congressional District can sign up for Congressman Steil’s telephone town hall by going to Steil.house.gov/live or calling his office at (608) 752-4050.
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

Washington, DC –  Following the U.S. Department of the Interior’s announcement of $540 million in funding for California water infrastructure projects, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement: 
“As we celebrate National Ag Week, I’m pleased to see the Department of the Interior’s announcement of critical investments in water infrastructure that I’ve long fought for in the San Joaquin Valley. For decades, I’ve worked to improve water reliability across the region, because where water flows, food grows—and a secure, dependable water supply is critical not just for the Valley, but for our nation’s food security. These projects will restore capacity, fix subsidence issues, and are vital to keeping water flowing for our local farms and ensuring families and communities in the Valley have the water they need today and for generations to come.”  
The funding announced by the Department of the Interior includes: 

$235 million for the Delta-Mendota Canal to support rehabilitation efforts, including raising embankments, repairing structures, and advancing a new concrete-lined segment
$200 million for the Friant-Kern Canal to address subsidence and restore capacity
$50 million for the San Luis Canal to improve water delivery reliability
$15 million for the Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority pumping plant to increase flow rates and system performance
$40 million for Shasta Dam planning and preconstruction to expand water storage capacity 

This funding builds on the more than $1.4 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act that Rep. Costa has secured for Central Valley water projects. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Darren Soto (D-FL)

KISSIMMEE, FL — Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) hosted a press conference with Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer to announce over $13 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding for Osceola County.
 

“Nearly a decade ago, communities in BVL and Mills Slough were devastated when Hurricane Irma flooded their neighborhoods. Just a few years later, Hurricane Ian struck again. Residents were forced from their homes as several feet of water poured in, displacing families, inundating houses, and upending lives,” said Rep. Soto. “Since then, Commissioner Janer and I have worked together to secure the resources needed to protect these communities. Today, we were proud to announce $13 million in FEMA funding for BVL flood control and traffic light hardening. This builds on $2 million in federal Community Project Funding we previously secured for flood control in the area. Osceola County has also spent an estimated $15 million to begin construction. Following the severe flooding caused by Hurricane Ian, this investment will help strengthen infrastructure and ensure these neighborhoods are better protected for years to come.”

“Osceola County is grateful to Congressman Darren Soto for his continued commitment to delivering federal resources to our community,” said Commissioner Janer. “These funds will help strengthen the ongoing efforts already underway to improve Buenaventura Lakes and surrounding areas, and I appreciate the Congressman’s partnership in supporting the residents we proudly serve together.”

Funding includes:

• Osceola County, Buenaventura Lakes, Drainage, Phase II ($10,032,614.25)

  • Project Description: This grant will fund drainage improvements to mitigate flooding in the Buenaventura Lakes Subdivision located in Kissimmee. The proposal will improve existing stormwater collection and conveyance by constructing a new positive outfall system in the area. The project shall address the deficiencies of the drainage system, allowing increased discharges by lowering peak pond stages, substantially reducing displacement, road, and structural damages. The project shall be constructed to provide protection against a 50-year storm event.

• Osceola County, Multiple Intersections, Infrastructure Retrofit ($3,060,716.57)

  • Project Description: This grant will fund the wind protection mitigation activities for the existing traffic signals at five different intersections in Osceola County. The project proposes to provide protection by replacing the span-wire-mounted signalization with the mast arm mounting technique at all five intersections and 13 traffic control devices. The project shall allow the traffic signal to remain operational during future storms. The project shall provide protection against 150 MPH winds in accordance with FDOT standards.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and her colleagues on the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee participated in a hearing to discuss realistic goals and outcomes for the upcoming 14th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC14), which will be held March 26-29 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. President Trump has expressed support for a limited set of tangible outcomes, including agreeing to a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission (e-commerce moratorium) and approving the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement. MC14 also will provide an opportunity for the United States to push for resolution of longstanding unfair trade practices related to trade in agricultural goods, including agricultural public stockholding. During the hearing, Congresswoman Miller highlighted discriminatory trade practices US tech companies are facing abroad and touched on her ongoing efforts to repeal the Jackson-Vanek Amendment and grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to Central Asian countries. A video and full transcript can be found below.

Congresswoman Miller began by highlighting discriminatory trade practices US tech companies are encountering from our allies, including the European Union, Korea, and Canada. She then questioned the witness, Mr. Stephen Ezell, Vice President for Global Innovation Policy, Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, on the value of further moratoriums in addressing these practices as well as further actions Congress could take to support US tech companies.

“Thank you, Chairman Smith, for hosting this hearing and to our witnesses for being here today.

The importance of cementing the E-Commerce Moratorium goes without saying. U.S. companies will unfairly bear the brunt of any tariffs that are imposed on transfers of data, and it is important our negotiators act quickly to ensure this does not occur.  

U.S. tech companies are already suffering from harmful digital policies outside the scope of the E-Commerce Moratorium. Our tech companies are already facing harmful non-tariff barriers such as exorbitant fines and fees, harmful competition policies, data localization requirements, digital service taxes, and local content requirements.

These barriers are imposed by some of our supposed closest allies and fellow WTO members. including the European Union, Korea, and Canada and they blatantly discriminate against US companies.

These policies have already threatened innovation and growth on the global stage and inherently go against the principles of the WTO and the E-Commerce Moratorium.

“Mr. Ezell, do you believe there is value in seeking similar moratoriums at the WTO on the imposition digital non-tariff barriers? Are there other avenues at the Ministerial or post-Ministerial to push back against these policies?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

“Well, I think and, at the WTO, it’s imperative that our trade policy makers use both instruments as a platform to document and to speak out against these types of discriminatory digital trade practices against US companies, as you said. This is a global contagion.

One concern is that when the United States is not taking a leading role in shaping global digital trade rules, as indicated by us in the previous administration, pulling out of the JSI is that we cede leadership to Brussels and Beijing. And we have seen the Brussels effect, where countries around the world, from Turkey to Brazil to Indonesia, are adopting E-like policies, like DMA policies that designate U.S. Firms as gatekeepers and subject them to onerous regulatory requirements.

So, we need to do several things. First, we need to take the lead in setting rules and making it clear at the WTO that you cannot discriminate against digital products. That said, we’re going to have to, we could use other formal tools, we could request formal consultations or bring a WTO dispute. So this is a forum where we can bring cases and disputes against foreign companies that are discriminating against our firms.

But as I said previously, I think that we’re going to have to look outside the WTO if we’re going to really make progress against the European Union, North Korea, in attacking some of these discriminatory digital trade practices, we may need to bring a Section 301 case directly against the European Union, saying that their policies, like the DMA, the DSD, are discriminatory against US companies. What I’m saying is we can pursue a WTO track. We should do so. But I think it’s going to require bilateral activity by USTR if we’re going to get real action from our trade partners to ameliorate these practices,” responded Mr. Ezell.

Congresswoman Miller concluded by highlighting Uzbekistan’s progress in joining the WTO and her ongoing efforts to repeal the Jackson-Vanek Amendment and grant Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) to Central Asian countries. She then questioned the witness, Ms. Kelly Ann Shaw, Partner, Akin, on the likelihood of PNTR being granted to Uzbekistan following their accession to the WTO.

“Thank you. I would now like to highlight Uzbekistan’s progress in joining the WTO.

I have long advocated for lifting the Jackson-Vanek Amendment for Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries and granting them Permanent Normalized Trade Relations (PNTR).

Granting Uzbekistan and other Central Asian nations PNTR will give American companies surety to invest in the region and move our supply chain away from China in key sectors such as critical minerals.

Uzbekistan is eager to partner with the United States. President Trump has already secured key deals with them, including the sale of 22 Boeing aircrafts.

A predicate for lifting Jackson-Vanek for Uzbekistan and other Central Asian nations is that these nations join the WTO. Kazakhstan successfully joined the WTO in 2015 and Uzbekistan is making great strides.

Uzbekistan has finalized 30 bilateral market access negotiations with WTO members and has had several meetings at the Working Group level. This highlights their commitment to following the principles of the WTO and readiness to become players [on the world stage].

Ms. Shaw, do you think Uzbekistan’s successful accension into the WTO, which will hopefully occur this year, can be used as a pathway to granting PNTR for Uzbekistan and other Central Asian nations?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

“Very quickly, and good morning, Congresswoman. Thank you for the question.

Absolutely. For Uzbekistan, I welcome their accession to the World Trade Organization. PNTR comes with meeting the standards of WTO membership, and as soon as they are able to meet those standards, I think the United States should move forward in granting them PNTR,” responded Ms. Shaw.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Bill Text (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), alongside Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), reintroduced the Recognition of Traction Alopecia in Service Women Act, legislation that would support and expand medical coverage of traction alopecia in the military.

In order to adhere to military grooming standards, many servicewomen use tight hairstyles and chemical hair products that contribute to permanent damage to the hair and scalp. The use of military headgear can also exacerbate and/or cause permanent damage.

The Recognition of Traction Alopecia in Service Women Act would amend U.S. Code 1074 C to add traction alopecia and wigs as a covered medical treatment under TRICARE, the uniformed services health care program for active-duty service members. It would also direct the Secretary of Defense to create regulations and training materials warning of the risk of traction alopecia.

“Our servicemen and women make many personal sacrifices in defense of our nation—permanent hair damage and scalp health should not have to be one of them,” said Rep. Pressley. “Women, and Black women in particular, experience traction alopecia and hair loss due to the tight hairstyles and dangerous chemical products needed to meet military grooming standards. I’m proud to join Reps. Watson Coleman and McClellan in leading legislation that will support coverage for those suffering from traction alopecia and allow millions of servicewomen to protect their natural hair and promote scalp health.”

“I am grateful to our service members who regularly put their lives on the line to defend the country they love,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “When their service causes them harm, as in the case of scalp damage, we have a duty to help make them whole and warn them of the risks.”

“Millions of women servicemembers risk their lives every day to protect and defend our nation, and we owe them a debt of gratitude,” said Rep. McClellan. “Yet current military appearance standards fail to account for the unique challenges women face in meeting compliance. Black women in particular often go out of their way to meet these standards, many of which remain incompatible with their natural hair. I’m joining Rep. Watson Coleman to introduce the Recognition of Traction Alopecia in Service Women Act to raise awareness of traction alopecia and ensure that our servicewomen are no longer forced to choose between meeting grooming standards and protecting their health.” 

Text of the bill can be accessed here.

Congresswoman Pressley has been steadfast in her advocacy for Black women’s health, ending race-based hair discrimination, and introducing policies that affirm the right of Black women to show up in the world as their full, authentic selves.

• Rep. Pressley is a lead co-sponsor of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, legislation with Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) that would ban discrimination based on hair textures and hairstyles that are commonly associated with a particular race or national origin.
• Congresswoman Pressley, alongside Congresswomen Brown and Velázquez, have led congressional efforts to ban formaldehyde in hair products. In March 2026, Rep. Pressley, alongside Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), introduced the Health Hair Act, legislation to effectively ban formaldehyde from hair products. Last year, they sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting an update on delays in implementation of a rule to ban formaldehyde and other formaldehyde-releasing chemicals in hair products. In October 2023, the FDA proposed the ban of formaldehyde in hair products following a letter led by Reps. Pressley and Brown, which called on the agency to investigate the health risks associated with the chemical. However, the implementation of the ban has continuously been delayed.
• In February 2026, Rep. Pressley, alongside Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), led their colleagues in re-introducing the Wigs as Durable Medical Equipment Act, legislation to help individuals affected by Alopecia Areata and patients with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy by allowing medical wigs and other head coverings to be covered under the Medicare program.
• Rep. Pressley leads the Anti-Racism in Public Health Act, a bicameral bill to declare structural racism a public health crisis and confront its public health impacts through two bold new programs within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Rep. Pressley originally introduced the bill in September 2020.
• In 2020, the House passed an amendment introduced by Congresswoman Pressley to provide $5 million dollars for the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases to fund research on the causes, impacts, and possible treatments of Alopecia areata.
• In December 2019, Rep. Pressley and her colleagues sent a letter to Johnson & Johnson Chairman and CEO Alex Gorsky seeking information on the targeted marketing and sale of the company’s talc-based baby powder and its potential to cause harm, particularly to women, teenage girls, and people of color, due to asbestos contamination. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press event with House Democrats on the Capitol steps about the discharge petition to end the Trump-Republican shutdown, pay hardworking TSA agents and rein in ICE. 

LEADER JEFFRIES: We are gathered today on the Capitol steps in support, strong support of paying TSA agents, making sure that FEMA and the Coast Guard and our cybersecurity professionals who are keeping us safe are supported, and can be put back on the job with pay.

This is day 33 of the Trump-Republican shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Why is this happening? It’s because Republicans have decided to force TSA agents to work without pay, inconvenience millions of Americans across the country and create chaos at airports rather than get ICE under control. That’s what’s happening right now in this country. And it’s time for Republicans to stop holding the American people hostage to their extreme immigration agenda and to put the American people first. It’s time to pay TSA agents and it’s time to pay them now.

We believe, in this great country of ours, that taxpayer dollars should be used to make life more affordable for the American people, not to brutalize or kill them, which is what ICE has been doing. And so, we have a choice. We can fund TSA, fund the Coast Guard, fund FEMA, fund our cybersecurity professionals or continue to allow ICE to brutalize and, in some cases, kill American citizens or to violently target law-abiding immigrant families. America deserves better than what we’re getting from Donald Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans.

And so we stand here today united, understanding that the country is at a crossroads. As Democrats, we want to move America forward. Republicans are trying to turn back the clock. We’re working hard to bring people together. Republicans are tearing America apart. We want to make life more affordable for the American people because America right now is far too expensive because of toxic Republican policies. Housing costs out of control, healthcare premiums out of control, gas prices out of control, electricity bills out of control, grocery costs out of control.

America is too expensive and Democrats are fighting hard to make life more affordable. But Republicans have chosen to hold the country hostage. Instead of working to lower costs on day one, which is what Candidate Trump promised, their policies are making life more expensive and they’ve chosen to focus their energies on spending billions of taxpayer dollars on the one hand to drop bombs in a reckless war of choice in the Middle East and then spend billions of taxpayer dollars at home to unleash mass and untrained ICE agents to brutalize American communities and violently target law-abiding immigrant families.

The American people deserve better. And the American people deserve a country where its lawmakers are actually focused on lifting them up, making life better for them, as opposed to being held hostage, which is the case right now with the Trump-Republican shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, being held hostage to their extreme agenda.

Now, we believe, in terms of the dramatic reforms that are necessary, related to ICE, which is out of control, that ICE should conduct itself like every other law enforcement agency in the country because immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, just and humane. But that’s not what’s happening right now.

The body cameras need to go on, and the masks need to come off. We need judicial warrants before ICE agents can break into the homes of the American people. We need independent investigations. We need an end to racial and language profiling because that’s not who we are in the United States of America. And we need to protect sensitive locations, like houses of worship, schools, hospitals and yes, polling sites. But we want ICE nowhere near any of these places. That’s what we’re fighting for as Democrats.

But rather than get ICE under control, Republicans have decided to force TSA agents to work without pay, to undermine FEMA and the Coast Guard and our cybersecurity professionals. Republican leaders have refused to bring legislation to the Floor that would pay TSA agents, support FEMA and fund the Coast Guard, which is why we have launched this discharge petition effort today. And all we need are a handful of House Republicans to break with their extremism and join us in just a few moments when we go to the House Floor to sign the discharge petition.

Now, some cynics on the other side have said this is just for show. House Democrats aren’t show horses, we’re work horses. This ain’t for show. This is for the American people. And we’ve now launched three successful discharge petition efforts. Let’s check the record. Three successful discharge petition efforts. Most recently, to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years so that everyday Americans can afford to go see a doctor when they need one. Discharge petitions are difficult, some say impossible. But for us, difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week.

And we’re on the verge of once again, for a fourth time, doing the impossible on behalf of the American people to pay TSA, rein in ICE and focus on what matters for the American people, which is driving down their high cost of living and pushing back against the extremism of Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Sign the discharge petition.
 
Full event can be watched here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Yesterday, a federal court vacated the 2024 Biden Administration Department of Labor’s (DOL) ‘Retirement Security Rule,’ also known as the ‘Fiduciary Rule.’ This disastrous rule redefined when a financial services provider would become subject to regulation as a fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which will eliminate options for working-class Americans, reduce their ability to retire, and limit their access to financial advice by imposing significant regulatory burdens and litigation risks.

Following the ruling, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee, issued the statement below:

“From the outset, when President Biden’s DOL proposed their overreaching fiduciary rule, I have consistently sounded the alarm on its negative impacts. By muddying the waters with overregulation, the previous administration undoubtedly did more harm than good—garnering bipartisan, bicameral opposition. This federal court ruling is a win for retirees, savers, and working families seeking sound financial advice and a prosperous retirement. I look forward to working with President Trump’s DOL on a commonsense proposal that works for all consumers and families.” 

BACKGROUND: In 2024, Congressman Allen and Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced H. J. Res 142, a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Joint Resolution of Disapproval to overturn the Biden Department of Labor’s (DOL) finalized fiduciary rule, which was later advanced by the  Education and Workforce Committee. Under current ERISA laws, a fiduciary is a person who is already required to provide investment advice “solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) today introduced the Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (Hospice CARE) Act to modernize the Medicare hospice benefit, protect patients and taxpayers from fraud, and expand access to essential services and caregiver support.

Medicare’s hospice benefit has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 1982. However, the hospice industry has changed dramatically both in terms of the types of providers delivering and patients receiving end-of-life services. At the same time, documented and burgeoning fraud and abuse have raised questions about how to ensure the benefit continues to promote patient access while safeguarding the Medicare Trust Fund.

The Hospice CARE Act would strengthen the Medicare hospice benefit through a combination of program integrity provisions and payment reforms to ensure it better meets the needs of terminally ill patients and their families.

“Hospice should provide comfort and dignity at the end of life, yet the benefit has not evolved to meet families where there is need,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “This bill strengthens and enhances Medicare’s hospice benefit so it provides the critical care patients and their families need – like respite care for caregivers and coverage of palliative treatments like dialysis and radiation – all while protecting the program from those trying to exploit it.”

“Making decisions about hospice and end-of-life care is one of the most difficult moments that families can endure, yet Medicare’s hospice benefit is out-of-touch with the needs of patients and providers,” said Senator Warner. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation that will prioritize patient comfort at home as well as in a health care facility, and protect patients and taxpayers from bad actors attempting to steal essential resources.”

Program Integrity: The bill creates additional safeguards to prevent fraudulent providers from enrolling in Medicare and increases oversight of hospices, especially new hospices. Specifically, it:

• Temporarily prevents new hospices from enrolling in Medicare, while allowing exceptions for instances where additional access to care is needed.
   
• Requires increased transparency of hospice ownership and managing control information, ensuring CMS’s enrollment records are up to date.
   
• Increases survey frequency for new hospices to ensure they meet hospice health and safety standards and prohibits payments to hospices that do not submit required quality data to the Secretary, with appropriate exceptions.
   
• Reduces the potential for inappropriate financial conflicts of interest when certifying individuals’ eligibility for hospice care, while allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to also certify eligibility.
   
• Requires CMS to conduct additional oversight activities to ensure hospices are providing holistic and comprehensive care.
   
• Provides patients with an explanation of benefits within 15 days of an individual’s hospice election to increase beneficiary awareness of hospice enrollment and prevent extended periods of fraudulent billing.

Payment Reform: The bill ensures that providers are incentivized to deliver high-quality care to individuals and their families. Specifically, it:

• Revises the payment structure for routine home care to reward hospices for providing in-person care.
   
• Increases payments to hospices for furnishing palliative radiation, chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and dialysis to address access barriers for individuals that require these costly treatments under a hospice election. Additionally, it creates an outlier payment policy to provide a backstop for providers delivering care to high-cost patients.
   
• Adds home respite care to the Medicare hospice benefit, allowing individuals to receive respite care at home rather than in a facility, which is a key benefit for families and caregivers that are taking care of loved ones at the end-of-life.
   
• Creates a new transitional inpatient respite benefit to support patients and families through their transition from a hospital into hospice care in the setting of their choice, allowing patients to move from hospital to general inpatient care to transitional respite, when appropriate. This new transitional payment seeks to eliminate the current pattern of care whereby terminally ill individuals are discharged from the hospital and inappropriately admitted to a skilled nursing facility in lieu of electing hospice care.

A section-by-section analysis of the bill is available HERE.

A one-pager of the bill is available HERE.

“The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) greatly supports the work being done on the need to address hospice fraud,” said Kristina Newport, MD, FAAHPM, HMDC, chief medical officer for AAHPM. “Patients and families in need of the care, comfort and quality of life that hospice care provides need to trust that they are receiving the best possible services. We look forward to working with Representative Sánchez and Senator Warner on these important issues and to ensure that all patients have access to this vital care.”

“The Alliance thanks Representative Sánchez and Senator Warner for their commitment to ensuring Americans have access to high-quality hospice care. The reintroduction of the Hospice CARE Act reflects their dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our aging population and strengthening the long-term sustainability and integrity of the hospice benefit,” said Jennifer Sheets, chief executive officer for the National Alliance for Care at Home. “Hospice care is one of the most profound services our healthcare system offers, providing patients and families with compassionate, dignified care during life’s most difficult moments. As the number of Americans turning to hospice continues to grow, it is critical that the benefit keeps pace with how care is delivered today and what patients, families, and providers actually need. The Alliance looks forward to working with Representative Sánchez and Senator Warner and their congressional colleagues on this legislation. We are committed to being a constructive partner in any effort to protect what’s working, address what isn’t, and modernize the Medicare hospice benefit in ways that serve patients, families, and the future of care in our country.”

“Hospice is a vital and deeply valued benefit, with a critical role in America’s health care system,” said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge. “At its best, compassionate, high-quality, person-centered care is delivered to beneficiaries and families by ethical, forward-thinking, competent providers, in keeping with the sector’s nonprofit origins, which established a standard of quality care. Currently, however, hospice is at an inflection point. Increased scrutiny – an appropriate response to fraudulent behavior of a limited group of bad actors – highlights the need for modernization. This moment calls for thoughtful reform to ensure this valuable benefit continues to serve patients and families, support high-quality providers, protect against the rise of dishonest players, and preserve the core promise of hospice care. Done right, changes will expand the benefit to support the realities of modern-day hospice care, address the benefit’s vulnerabilities now being exploited, and help ensure quality to support strong funding. We thank Congresswoman Sánchez and Senator Warner for their leadership on this bill and their longstanding commitment to the need for high quality care for people with serious illness and at the end of life. There is more work to do, and we look forward to continuing to work with Congresswoman Sánchez and Senator Warner to ensure this bill achieves these goals.”

“In addition to significant payment reforms and program integrity measures, this bill takes important steps towards improving access to care for individuals on hospice,” said David Lipschutz, co-director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy. “This includes incentivizing in-person clinical visits and care to higher-cost patients and allowing respite care to be provided in the home. It also would create a transitional 15-day inpatient respite period to give eligible patients and their families adequate time to arrange for a safe transition into receive hospice at home following a hospital stay.”

“The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) thanks Senator Mark Warner and Congresswoman Linda Sánchez for their continued leadership on improving the experience for patients and families at the end-of-life, including with today’s introduction of the Hospice CARE Actof 2026,” said Tom Koutsoumpas, founder and CEO of NPHI.“This legislation provides an important opportunity to pursue thoughtful reforms to the Medicare hospice benefit that both preserve patient access and address ongoing concerns related to program integrity. While the bill represents meaningful progress toward modernizing the benefit and reducing incentives for fraud, waste, and abuse, NPHI believes certain provisions – particularly those related to payment reform – present opportunities for further discussion and refinement. We look forward to working closely with Senator Warner, Representative Sánchez, the Senate Finance Committee, and the House Ways and Means Committee to ensure the legislation delivers thoughtful reforms that strengthen the hospice benefit for mission-driven providers and the patients they serve.”

 

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22), joined by Reps. Troy Carter (LA-02), Laurel Lee (FL-15), and Lucy McBath (GA-06), launched the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. This caucus is a bipartisan coalition of members committed to advancing legislation and policy initiatives that raise public awareness of human trafficking, strengthen the United States’ prevention and prosecution efforts, hold traffickers accountable, and protect human trafficking victims. 

“Human trafficking is a devastating crime that preys on the most vulnerable in our Central Valley communities, and while there’s no silver bullet solution, there are actions we can take to fight back,” said Congressman Valadao. “I’m proud to launch the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus to strengthen support for victims and survivors, improve coordination across federal, state, and local partners, and hold traffickers accountable. This caucus will engage lived-experience experts and key stakeholders to help guide future legislative action, and I look forward to working with my co-chairs to confront this crisis head on.”

“Human trafficking is an urgent threat in communities across our nation, and New Orleans is especially vulnerable as a hub for tourism and major events, leading to an increased rate of trafficking. I’m proud to join my colleagues in launching this bipartisan caucus to strengthen coordination at every level of government and hold traffickers accountable. I am committed to elevating survivor voices, protecting vulnerable populations, and ensuring victims have access to the support and opportunities they need to rebuild their lives,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr.

“Human trafficking is an insidious crime that exploits both children and adults and preys on the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Rep. Lee. “I am proud to join the Congressional Combatting Human Trafficking Caucus and work alongside my colleagues to combat this abuse and hold traffickers accountable. Throughout my time in Congress, I have introduced and supported legislation focused on protecting victims and strengthening the tools law enforcement needs to stop traffickers. I look forward to continuing that work through this caucus and advancing policies that help protect vulnerable individuals and bring traffickers to justice.”

“We are proud to launch the Congressional Combating Human Trafficking Caucus, a bipartisan effort to strengthen Congress’s commitment to preventing human trafficking, protecting victims, and holding traffickers accountable,” said Rep. McBath, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime. “Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights that demands sustained action at every level of government. Through this caucus, we will work to raise public awareness, advance meaningful legislation, and coordinate closely with federal agencies, advocates, and community partners to confront this crime wherever it occurs. I thank my colleagues for their support on this issue. By bringing together members on both sides of the aisle, we are reinforcing our shared responsibility to combat trafficking and ensure that victims are protected.”

Supporting organizations include the American Hotel & Lodging Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Gaming Association, Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking, Kids in Need of Defense, Polaris, TAT, Protect All Children from Trafficking, the Empowerment Dess Perkins Foundation, Kings County Sheriff’s Department, the Central Valley Justice Coalition, Central Valley Against Human Trafficking, It’s a Penalty, 3Strands Global Foundation, Without Permission, Kern Coalition Against Human Trafficking, Kings Community Action Organization, California Commission on Sexual Exploitation, Wellspring Living, and Street Grace.

“The creation of the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus is a powerful signal that our leaders in Washington are committed to treating this heinous crime with the urgency it demands. The hotel industry has been a leading voice in prevention through our No Room for Trafficking initiative which trains employees and supports survivors. We’ve long believed that preventing human trafficking requires partnership between the business community and government, and are eager to work more closely with the caucus co-chairs – Representatives David Valadao (R-CA), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Troy Carter (D-LA), and Lucy McBath (D-GA) – and all members of Congress to advance policies that strengthen prevention and support survivors on their path to stability and recovery,” said Rosanna Maietta, President and CEO, American Hotel & Lodging Association.

“The U.S. Chamber and our members are committed to combating human trafficking and we commend Rep. David Valadao, Rep. Troy Carter, Rep. Laurel Lee, and Rep. Lucy McBath for launching the Combating Human Trafficking Caucus. The U.S. Chamber looks forward to working with the Combating Human Trafficking Caucus in the fight to stop this heinous crime,” said Rodney Davis, Head of Government Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“The AGA is proud to support the launch of the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. Human trafficking is an issue that affects communities in all 50 states and requires strong collaboration across government, law enforcement, and community partners. We look forward to working closely with the Caucus and its stakeholders to advance policies and initiatives that strengthen prevention, awareness, and support for survivors,” said Alex Costello, Vice President, American Gaming Association (AGA).

“Human trafficking does not respect borders, and neither can the response to it. The formation of this caucus sends a clear signal that Congress is ready to match the urgency of this crisis with sustained, bipartisan commitment. Combating human trafficking requires more than good intentions, it requires coordinated legislative action. The launch of this caucus strengthens this coordination,” said Anne Basham, Chair, Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking.

“KIND applauds Representatives David Valadao, Troy Carter, Laurel Lee, and Lucy McBath for launching the vital Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. The unaccompanied children that KIND serves too often face trafficking and other exploitation in their countries of origin and the United States alike. For decades, Congress has worked to address these abuses in a robust bipartisan fashion, including by helping ensure that unaccompanied children have attorneys who identify trafficking risks and guide children’s cooperation as victim-witnesses in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators. The caucus embodies this bipartisan approach to preventing and combating trafficking. KIND looks forward to engaging with its members on pragmatic solutions that keep children safe and hold bad actors to account,” said Wendy Young, President, Kids in Need of Defense.

“We welcome the establishment of this Caucus and are encouraged by its commitment to elevating the experiences and leadership of those most directly impacted by trafficking. Policies are strongest when they are informed by the realities people face in communities across the country, and when survivor insight and credible data guide the path forward. At Polaris, we believe effective policy must center survivors, protect their privacy and dignity, and draw on the best available data and insights from the field. We look forward to engaging with the Caucus as its agenda develops to help ensure these values remain at the forefront of legislative and policy efforts,” said Megan Lundstrom, CEO, Polaris.

“As a non-profit organization that partners with the transportation industry to combat human trafficking, TAT welcomes the establishment of a bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. Since its founding in 2009, TAT has trained over 2.5 million transportation professionals on how to recognize and report human trafficking. We also train law enforcement and facilitate the creation of public-private partnerships. Recognizing that coordinated approaches are essential, TAT supports the Caucus’ goals of elevating the voices of survivors and partnering with experts to advance policies to prevent human trafficking, recover and support survivors, and hold traffickers accountable,” said Esther Goetsch, Executive Director, TAT.

“PACT—Protect All Children from Trafficking—is thrilled to support the reconstitution of the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. Human trafficking in general, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children in particular, is a terrible crime that transcends national and international borders, and efforts to prevent it must transcend political divisions. PACT looks forward to working with caucus co-chairs David Valadao, Laurel Lee, Lucy McBath, and Troy Carter to advance survivor-centered legislation that strengthens federal anti-trafficking efforts, from supporting the work of federal agencies to prevent trafficking to ensuring accountability for platforms that facilitate exploitation,” said Aram Schvey, Senior Director of Policy and Government Relations, PACT.

“The Empowerment Dess Perkins Foundation, is honored to be a part of the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus, standing in commitment to protecting our youth, vulnerable individuals, and advancing meaningful solutions to end human trafficking. As a survivor, I believe that what happens to one of us should be the business of all of us. I speak for those who cannot, turning my pain into purpose, helping create legislation, and using my voice to advocate for prevention, protection future generations, and hope for survivors everywhere,” said Dess Perkins, CEO, the Empowerment Dess Perkins Foundation.

“As Sheriff of Kings County, I’m fully committed to this coordinated effort to combat human trafficking both locally and across California’s Central Valley. Like many smaller communities, Kings County has been directly impacted by this crime, and I strongly support measures that increase penalties and strengthen collaborative enforcement efforts. Human trafficking is far more widespread than many realize and often goes unreported. I’m grateful to the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus for taking meaningful action to fight back,” said Dave Putnam, Sheriff, Kings County.

“The Central Valley Justice Coalition is deeply grateful and encouraged by the formation of the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. Since 2010, the Justice Coalition has been focused on preventing human trafficking through education, partnership, and outreach. We are pleased to see our elected officials giving appropriate priority to prevention and early intervention combined with systemic change and informed by survivor voice. We look forward to future conversations as together we work to bring freedom and flourishing to every member of our community,” said Christa Wiens, Executive Director, Central Valley Justice Coalition.

“Fresno EOC Central Valley Against Human Trafficking is proud to support the launch of the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. We are encouraged to see leaders coming together to strengthen national efforts to prevent trafficking and support survivors. As a direct service provider and leading organization of the Central Valley Freedom Coalition, a regional collaborative within California’s Central Valley, we recognize the critical role federal leadership plays in advancing victim-centered responses and prevention strategies. We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure all survivors receive the support and protection they deserve,” said Misty Gattie-Blanco, MS, Director for Sanctuary and Support Services, Central Valley Against Human Trafficking.

“We support the launch of the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus and the opportunity it creates to strengthen coordination and prevention across sectors. Our work, delivered in partnership with frontline organizations and informed by lived experience, shows that addressing trafficking and exploitation requires trauma-informed approaches, stronger systems, and sustained collaboration. Human trafficking is a global issue that demands shared accountability, and we are committed to strengthening prevention and supporting vulnerable populations,” said Sarah de Carvalho, CEO, It’s a Penalty.

“Human trafficking cannot be addressed without centering the expertise of survivors and the organizations working alongside them every day. The formation of the Congressional Combating Human Trafficking Caucus signals a meaningful commitment to bipartisan leadership and survivor-informed policymaking. At 3Strands Global Foundation, we believe prevention, protection, and accountability must work together, and we look forward to partnering with members of Congress to advance solutions that strengthen communities and ensure survivors are not only heard, but empowered to help shape the policies that impact their lives,” said Ashlie Bryant, CEO and Co-Founder, 3Strands Global Foundation.

“Since 2012 Without Permission has served 1,162 survivors of sex trafficking throughout Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, 732 of those were children under the age of 18. Without Permission has three pillars, Prevention, Restoration, and Justice. In Prevention alone we have educated over 50,000 students. In Restoration we work to restore the survivors and support their families on their healing journey. Our Justice department works with District Attorneys, Law Enforcement agencies, and collaborates to provide trainings and education for further victim support and prevention. Without Permission exists to end sex trafficking and we are thrilled and honored to support the Combatting Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. We believe this Caucus will make a huge difference in the fight against Human Trafficking,” said Clint Rangel, Director of Prevention, Without Permission.

“The Kern Coalition Against Human Trafficking (KCAHT) stands in staunch support of victims and survivors of human trafficking through coordinated, community-based action. Since 2012, KCAHT has led a multidisciplinary approach that unites law enforcement, service providers, and community partners to deliver survivor-centered solutions and disrupt exploitation. KCAHT supports the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus and its commitment to advancing evidence-based policy, strengthening prevention and enforcement efforts, and elevating survivor voices at the national level. We commend the Caucus for its bipartisan leadership and focus on practical, survivor-informed solutions. We stay committed to working alongside federal, state, and local leaders to drive meaningful policy, expand access to critical services, and hold traffickers accountable. Thank you for your continued leadership and dedication to combating human trafficking across the United States,” said Dustin Contreras, Co-Director, Kern Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

“Kings Community Action Organization is proud to support the Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus and its bipartisan commitment to strengthening prevention, protection, and prosecution efforts nationwide. The caucus’s focus on elevating survivor voices, improving coordination across all levels of government, and advancing evidence based policies reflects our shared mission to protect vulnerable populations and hold traffickers accountable. We look forward to collaborating on initiatives that promote safety, justice, and meaningful support for all impacted by trafficking,” said Joey Cox, M.A, Director of Intervention, Prevention, and Support Services, Kings Community Action Organization.

“The California Commission on Sexual Exploitation is proud to support the launch of the bipartisan Combating Human Trafficking Congressional Caucus. This effort represents a critical step toward strengthening national coordination to prevent trafficking, protect survivors, and hold perpetrators accountable. We commend the leadership of the caucus founders for prioritizing this urgent issue and fostering collaboration across sectors. We look forward to supporting the caucus’s work to advance meaningful policies and solutions that address human trafficking in all its forms,” said Dr. Tiara King, CEO, California Commission on Sexual Exploitation.

“The formation of the Congressional Combating Human Trafficking Caucus is a critical step forward in our nation’s fight against one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. We are grateful to Rep. Valadao, McBath, Lee, and Carter for standing together in this bipartisan effort. At Street Grace, we know that lasting change requires bold policy, survivor-centered solutions, and unwavering political will and this caucus represents all three. We look forward to partnering with Congress to ensure that every child is protected and every trafficker is held accountable.” said Bob Rodgers, CEO, Street Grace.

Caucus priorities include:

• Highlighting legislation that advances evidence-based prevention, programs, and other initiatives to combat human trafficking, including sex and labor trafficking.
• Supporting and enhancing the work of federal agencies to prevent trafficking, disrupt financial networks, improve data collection, hold perpetrators accountable, and protect trafficking survivors.
• Promoting sustained coordination among federal, state, and local partners to address trafficking ahead of large-scale events.
• Advancing policies that ensure access to economic stability, legal remedies, and supportive services for victims of human trafficking. 
• Protecting youth and vulnerable populations through online safety safeguards, early intervention, and accountability for platforms that facilitate exploitation.

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