MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

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

Yesterday Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), andmore than 250 Senate and House Democrats filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court urging them to overturn a Fifth Circuit decision that would upend the FDA approval process and restrict access to life-saving mifepristone. This brief follows emergency appeals from the manufacturers of mifepristone; the Supreme Court issuing a temporary stay of the decision Monday morning until next Monday, May 11; and the announcement that the Court has ordered briefing on the stay by this Thursday, May 7.

The lawmakers argued that mifepristone already undergoes a rigorous FDA approval process, and the medication has repeatedly been found to be safe and effective. For a court to overturn this decision not only limits who is able to receive this vital and life-saving medication, putting lives at risk, but it also undermines the longstanding, congressionally mandated, and evidence-based decision-making process at the FDA. 

“For more than a quarter century, FDA has repeatedly and consistently affirmed that mifepristone is safe.  Over seven million patients in the U.S. have safely used mifepristone. And as with other drugs, FDA continues to monitor the post-marketing safety data on mifepristone—data confirming that mifepristone is safe without regard to how it is dispensed,” the members wrote.

The lawmakers also argued that the Fifth Circuit ruling was clearly not based on the merits of the distribution method of mifepristone, or the scientific backing of the medication, but rather a desire to limit the ability of individuals to receive abortion medication. The emergency stay is necessary to ensure that Louisiana is not able to deny medically appropriate care to patients far beyond the state’s borders.

“Decades after FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone and years after the in-person dispensing requirement was eliminated, the Fifth Circuit on an ‘emergency’ basis ordered FDA to re-impose this onerous nationwide restriction on all Americans.  Allowing that decision to remain in place undermines the science-based statutory framework Congress commands and threatens patient access to reproductive health care,” the members continued. “As has been well publicized, many U.S. residents in states where abortion is legal live far from any reproductive health care provider.  Reinstating an in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone exacerbates an already significant reproductive health crisis by limiting access to the most common method of early abortion.” 

The members argued that this is a clear case of judicial overreach by a lower district court.

“Preserving evidence-based access to mifepristone, including when dispensed by mail or retail pharmacy, is necessary to mitigate the imminent harm facing members of the public.  Women deserve access to mifepristone for reproductive health care, and all Americans deserve integrity in the congressionally mandated, evidence-based process for FDA’s drug regulatory decisions,” the members concluded.

The amicus brief was signed by 212 Democratic U.S. Representatives and all 47 Democratic U.S. Senators. 

The lawmakers’ amicus brief to the Supreme Court can be read in full HERE. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio raising concern over the incomplete release of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 programmatic data for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In the letter, the lawmakers underscore that PEPFAR’s longstanding bipartisan support is rooted in its record of transparency and warn that the omission of data from the first three quarters of FY2025 undermines congressional oversight and accountability. They call on the State Department to immediately release the missing data and maintain PEPFAR’s established reporting standards. They also raise concerns about the stark decline in testing, diagnosis and treatment initiations—particularly for infants—and the prospects for achieving epidemic control by 2030.

“The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support since it was established in 2003. This support is largely due to the program’s exceptional record of transparency, which allows for public verification of its results through comprehensive quarterly reporting. Unfortunately, PEPFAR’s programmatic data for FY2025, released on April 17th, only provides data for the fourth quarter of FY 2025, omitting critical data for the first three quarters of the year,” wrote the lawmakers.

“The failure to maintain accurate data was an entirely avoidable outcome of the administration’s chaotic decision to disrupt essential work without a plan to sustain basic oversight and accountability mechanisms. These failures are not an excuse to avoid releasing available data to the public in accordance with the standing expectations for transparency of the PEPFAR program and existing statute, and we ask that data from the first three quarters of FY2025 be released publicly,”continued the lawmakers.

“We understand that in January 2026, preliminary Q1-Q4 data was posted in January for a short period of time and shows substantial disruptions across PEPFAR services, particularly in testing, diagnosing, and the number of people initiated on treatment in FY25. In particular, PrEP initiations declined starkly along with infant testing, diagnoses and treatment initiations. While the State Department has seemingly tried to obfuscate this alarming data by briefing Congress that the number of individuals on treatment remained stable, the complete data set raises serious concerns about the prospects of achieving and maintaining epidemic control,”continued the lawmakers.

“After decades of U.S investment, PEPFAR, was on track to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030. That remarkable goal is only within reach because we gained a detailed understanding of the HIV epidemic through the collection, analysis and dissemination of data, which in turn allows programs to reach the right people in the right place at the right time. Without this understanding, we risk squandering the U.S.’s legacy of leading the worldwide charge to eradicate HIV/AIDS and save lives,”concluded the lawmakers.

Full text of the letter is available HERE.

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

Frankel: Airport Naming Decisions Should Be Made Locally

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement on her vote in support of the Farm Bill: 

“I was proud to vote for the Farm Bill, a long-overdue piece of legislation to support our farmers and ranchers and strengthen our rural economies. This critical bill includes countless programs that will help our Missouri agricultural sector, assist family farms, and bring down costs throughout the country. The St. Louis region is the midwestern hub for agriculture traffic up and down the Mississippi, with numerous national agribusiness companies headquartered here locally, employing thousands of Second District residents. 

“The Second District has more than a thousand family farms participating in all kinds of farming and ranching. Whether it is a cattle farm in Franklin County, poultry operations in Warren County, a soybean farmer in St. Louis County, or a local winery in St. Charles County, the Second District is home to the finest agriculture producers who will benefit from passage of this Farm Bill. 

“Missouri farmers and ranchers have one of the most important jobs in our nation, they put food on the table for American families. I am always proud to be their champion in Congress so they can continue focusing on that vital job free from an overbearing government. 

“Our work is not finished. I led my Midwest colleagues in fighting to secure a vote on nationwide, year-round sale of ethanol – which is massive for our Missouri corn growers. It supports our farmers, lowers costs at the pump, and strengthens American energy independence. When this issue was almost pushed to the back burner, I said absolutely not. After multiple hours of negotiations with House Leadership and my colleagues, I secured a commitment to bring this bill to the floor as early as next week. Missouri is a top agricultural state in this country, and I will always fight for our farmers.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

NEW ORLEANS, La.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) appeared on Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria to discuss Republicans’ aggressive legislative push last week, including House passage of the Farm Bill for the first time since 2018 and advancing DHS funding, while highlighting President Trump’s efforts to strengthen security at home and abroad. Additionally, during Small Business Week, Leader Scalise highlighted GOP provisions aimed at supporting small businesses and working families.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full interview. 
Highlights from Leader Scalise’s interview:On the Trump Administration preventing a nuclear-armed Iran:“You know, what you’ve seen President Trump and Secretary Hegseth say is that we’re going to make sure that they open up the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic. Now, for Iranian vessels, it’s going to be another story. And it’s clearly having a devastating impact on Iran’s economy, which, by the way, also affects Iran’s friends around the world. This is not a good country you want to be friends with. China needs to take note of that. But for everybody else – and you look at all the other neighbors in the Middle East, they’re all siding with the United States in this conflict because they don’t want a nuclear-armed Iran and they don’t want these radicals controlling the Strait of Hormuz and the flow of oil around the world.”On wins for small businesses in the Working Families Tax Cuts:“Secretary Loeffler has been doing a great job of representing the Trump Administration on behalf of small businesses, which are the lifeblood of our economy. You know, every big business pretty much started off as a small business and grew. And so you want to continue to have that lifeblood. And what we did when we were building the Working Families Tax Cuts is we said, how can we most benefit small businesses and working families? You know, you look at no tax on overtime, it’s been a tremendous boom to blue-collar workers. These are people who maybe are living paycheck to paycheck and just realized when they filed their taxes a few weeks ago, they got thousands of dollars back because of that great benefit. Small businesses, a lot of positive benefits to help small businesses grow, hire more workers, expand in their business. Bonus depreciation, immediate expensing, those are things that let small businesses grow in America. And so you’re seeing a lot of business growth in this country, which is a good thing. And President Trump really focused on that.“You’re going to see continued job growth this year. It’s going to continue to help the economy grow. It’s going to put more money in the pockets of working families. That’s really what matters to families. You know, they’re going to see their gas prices come down when Iran gets resolved, and having the Strait of Hormuz open back up again is going to help that. But ultimately, seeing interest rates come down, seeing inflation come down, that’s what the Working Families Tax Cut was designed to do. And small businesses are benefiting the most, as well as working families.”On the House sending the Senate a strong Farm Bill:“You know, this was an incredibly important piece of legislation to pass, and with a narrow majority – Look, over and over again, the far left loves trying to count out the Republicans in Congress and yet we delivered for Americans, farmers. I mean, you think about farmers. That is Middle America, the people that put food on our tables. And it’s, by the way, it’s a large, large, over 40% of America’s economy is tied to agriculture. So getting another 5-year farm bill has been a top priority. Chairman G.T. Thompson and the Agriculture Committee put months of work into building this bill, and it was a bipartisan vote. We got Democrats, along with almost every Republican, to pass this bill out of the House last week. It was a major achievement, and it gives the Senate a really good template now. They don’t have to reinvent the wheel. They’ve got a really strong bill to work with that was built by listening to America, listening to farmers all across this country, the people that grow our food and that provide all the things that basically make our economy work so well in America. So I hope the Senate takes it up and moves it because it’s an important bill to our country.”On denouncing violent rhetoric:“It’s disgusting. And frankly, you know, when you look at now the third, as you mentioned, assassination attempt on President Trump, we’ve seen a rise in political violence from the left. It’s not happening on both sides. Everybody knows that. And it’s language like that. It’s rhetoric like that inciting just the far left base of the party, some of these unhinged people. And it only takes one. In the case of this California man who just decided, I’m going to take a train from California and try to kill the president and everybody else in that room. And that was his intention. I was there. It was chaos. But luckily he was not successful because of the brave men and women in the Secret Service who stopped him. But, you know, if they didn’t stop him, his intention was to kill everybody because he’s seeing this kind of insightful language from the left. They need to stop saying these kind of things and recognize it’s having an impact and trying to incite people to go kill other Americans. I mean, do you have any humanity and care for your fellow human being? I mean, let’s go fight and win elections at the ballot box. That’s how America has always done it. You don’t resort to political violence. It’s never acceptable.”

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

DENVER, CO — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), co-chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, is leading more than 250 Congressional Democrats in filing an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in State of Louisiana v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a case that could have sweeping implications for access to medication abortion nationwide. 

“This case is about whether science and evidence still guide our nation’s health decisions, as Congress codified in law, or whether state politicians and courts can override them,” said Rep. DeGette. “Mifepristone has been proven safe and effective for more than 25 years. Reinstating medically unnecessary restrictions will only make it harder for Americans to access care, especially those in rural and underserved communities. I’m proud to lead my colleagues in standing up for patients, for science, and for the FDA’s authority.” 

Louisiana v. FDA stems from ongoing legal challenges by anti-abortion politicians and advocates seeking to restrict access to medication abortion. On May 1, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals granted Louisiana’s request for a nationwide judgment requiring patients to fill mifepristone prescriptions in person at a health center, effectively ending access via telehealth, mail order, and pharmacy. On May 4, the Supreme Court granted an administrative stay in Louisiana v. FDA. This restores access to mifepristone via telehealth, mail order, and pharmacies for one week while the case proceeds on emergency docket. 

Medication abortion care accounts for nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S., and more than one in four abortion patients in the United States receive their safe, effective care via telehealth. The Fifth Circuit’s ruling would significantly restrict access—even in states where abortion remains legal—by imposing barriers that medical experts say are medically unnecessary and unduly burdensome. 

Mifepristone, part of the gold standard medication abortion regimen, was approved by the FDA more than 25 years ago and has since been used safely by over 7.5 million patients. The FDA’s decision to remove the in-person dispensing requirement was based on extensive scientific evidence demonstrating the medication’s safety and efficacy. 

Congressional Democrats argue in their amicus brief that allowing courts to override FDA determinations undermines the agency’s authority as established by Congress and threatens the integrity of the nation’s drug approval process. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) hosted high school artists from across the First District, their families, and community leaders for a reception at the Currier Museum of Art as part of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. Congressman Pappas presented this year’s first-place award to Julia Thomas, a student at Raymond High School. Second and third-place recognition was awarded to Sophie Roux, a student at Manchester Central High School, and Chrystiana Badoian, a student at Bedford High School, respectively.

The panel of judges also awarded honorable mentions to Nathan St. Louis from Goffstown High School, Daniel Kim from Phillips Exeter Academy, Lora Kotlyarsky from Pinkerton Academy, Sam Pearson from Pinkerton Academy, and Leelabari Adumene from Manchester Memorial High School.

“With the Congressional Art Competition, we remember to recognize and celebrate how important arts education is to our young people and uplift young talent. This year, we received 56 excellent submissions from student artists across the First District this year. Their paintings, photographs, and other media showcase everything from New Hampshire’s beautiful landscapes and incredible works of self-reflection and family,” said Congressman Pappas. “I’m glad to be able to celebrate all of these impressive, thoughtful, and creative works of art, and I thank each student who shared their skill and passion with us.”

Each spring Congressman Pappas has hosted the First District’s art contest as part of a nationwide high school arts competition sponsored by Members of Congress in collaboration with the Congressional Institute. The competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in New Hampshire.

High school students who attend schools in or live in New Hampshire’s First Congressional District are eligible to participate. The winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol as part of an exhibit with winners from around the country. 

2026 Congressional Art Competition Winners in New Hampshire’s First Congressional District:

First Place: Julia Thomas, Raymond High School, “Keeping the Fire”

Second Place:, Sophie Roux, Manchester Central High School, “The Dreamer”

Third Place:, Chrystiana Badoian, Bedford High School, “Unapologetically Flo: Florynce Kennedy”

 

Honorable Mentions:

Nathan St. Louis, Goffstown High School, “Beach”

 

Daniel Kim, Phillips Exeter Academy, “Silent Reflection”

Lora Kotlyarsky, Pinkerton Academy, “From the Waters”

 

Sam Pearson, Pinkerton Academy, “Splash”

 

Leelabari Adumene, Manchester Memorial High School, “Roots”

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

Last week Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) joined 60 of their colleagues in a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service opposing the proposed reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service. This would close New Hampshire’s Bartlett Experimental Forest and put other facilities, including those at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, at risk.

The members wrote: “We write to express our strong opposition to the proposed reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service announced by the Department of Agriculture on March 31, 2026. The Forest Service manages more than 193 million acres of public lands across our nation, making it the federal government’s second-largest public lands agency. The decision to relocate the agency’s headquarters and eliminate its world-class research program undermines our efforts to confront the dual crises of climate change and catastrophic wildfires while worsening the already severe loss of staff and expertise since the start of President Trump’s second term.”

They continued: “This reorganization proposal would close 57 of the agency’s 77 research stations across 31 states, including stations that study wildfire, drought, pests, and climate change—all of which pose immediate and growing threats to our national forests and nearby communities—and threaten to take decades of staff expertise with them. Already, this administration’s efforts to dismantle the Forest Service have led to a nearly 40 percent reduction in hazardous fuels work, leaving forests, public lands, and surrounding communities vulnerable, and the proposed reorganization threatens to make that damage even worse.”

They concluded: “We therefore ask that you provide Congress with the details of any consultations, comment opportunities, analysis, and decision-making processes related to this proposal so that Congress can fully evaluate it and represent the interests of our constituents and the American people, who have a direct stake in keeping Forest Service lands public, accessible, and healthy.”

Read the full letter here.