MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Lucy McBath (D-GA-06) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce the Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act. The bipartisan bill would address the child care workforce shortage by investing in career and technical education (CTE) programs and incentivizing more students to enter the early childhood workforce upon graduation.

In the House, U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15), John Mannion (D-NY-22), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) co-led the introduction of the Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act. The bill is also co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

“Every parent deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing their child is in good hands while they go to work and provide for their family. For too long, finding affordable, quality childcare has been out of reach for working Americans,” said McBath. “The Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act will invest in career and technical programs that open doors for students who want to serve their communities as early childhood educators. It’s our responsibility to prepare the next generation of childcare workers and give families the support they need to thrive.”

“As I hold town halls in all of Oregon’s 36 counties every year, I hear from folks about child care being too inaccessible. Ensuring working families can access decent, affordable child care is an essential foundation for the middle class to thrive,” said Merkley. “Our bipartisan bill invests in the child care workforce, a win for parents who need child care and for Oregon businesses who need more child care providers.”

“Child care is essential for children, families, businesses, and communities to thrive,” said Bonamici. “We need more students to enter this critical profession, and career and technical education (CTE) programs have great potential to make it easier and more affordable for them to do so. I’m grateful to work with a group of bipartisan colleagues to introduce this commonsense legislation.” 

“The shortage of childcare workers has a negative effect upon families needing structured care environments and also our economy,” said Thompson. “I am proud to support the Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act to help expand career and technical education, and create pathways in childhood education to meet the needs of parents, children, and workers.” 

“No parent should have to choose between earning a paycheck and caring for their children. That’s why I’m proud to join my colleagues in this common-sense bipartisan effort to address the child care shortage head-on. In Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, childhood poverty rates remain among the highest in the nation. This legislation will help strengthen career and technical education (CTE) programs, giving our children the strong foundation they need to succeed. It represents an important step towards a robust federal commitment to supporting children and families across the country,” said Mannion.

“Working families depend on access to affordable, reliable childcare, but workforce shortages continue to make that harder to find. This bipartisan legislation helps build a stronger pipeline of early childhood educators by investing in career and technical education and creating pathways for students to enter the field. Supporting childcare workers means supporting families, strengthening our economy, and giving children the foundation they need to succeed,” said Lawler.

“Access to affordable, reliable childcare is essential for working families and for the strength of our economy,” said Kiggans. “Right now, too many parents are struggling to find quality care, while childcare providers continue to face severe workforce shortages. I am proud to support the bipartisan Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act because it takes meaningful steps to strengthen the pipeline of skilled early childhood educators and expand opportunities for students interested in this critical profession. We must ensure America’s parents are supported and their children have a strong foundation to succeed!”

The Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act would:

• Award grants to eligible partnerships such as institutions of higher education, child care providers, or relevant workforce training programs with schools;
• Establish, expand, or support career and technical education and career pathway programs of study in early childhood education.

The bipartisan Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act is supported by Advance CTE, American Federation of Teachers, Association of Career and Technical Education, Bipartisan Policy Center, Council for Professional Recognition, Center for Law and Social Policy, Child Care Aware, Children’s Defense Fund, Early Care and Education Consortium, First Five Years Fund, First Focus Campaign for Children, National Education Association, National Head Start Association, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Save the Children, and Zero to Three.

Full text of the bill can be found by clicking here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON, DC [5/20/2026] – Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology approved bipartisan legislation led by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) to modernize the Department of Energy’s (DOE) water power research, development, and demonstration programs.

The Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act, H.R. 7129, is co-led by Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) and would enhance the science and demonstrations needed to bring marine energy, pumped storage, and hydropower technologies to scale. Bonamici led the last reauthorization of these programs in 2020, when it was signed into law with bipartisan support.

“As the representative for Oregon’s north coast, I’ve seen how visionary scientists can successfully partner with federal programs to harness the power of waves, tides, and currents,” Bonamici said ahead of the Committee vote on the legislation. “Water power, including marine energy, hydropower, and pumped storage, plays a critical role in grid reliability, lowering energy costs – which is something everybody needs right now – and supporting domestic manufacturing… As our grid strains and electric bills increase, it’s essential to strengthen the Water Power Technologies Office that brings these technologies to scale. I hope this legislation moves to the full house for a vote soon.”

Video of Bonamici’s remarks at the markup can be found here.

The Water Power Research and Development Reauthorization Act would:

1. Reauthorize DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office research, development, demonstration, and commercialization programs for hydropower, pumped storage, and marine energy
2. Strengthen grid reliability and resilience by advancing technologies that provide long-duration energy storage, ancillary services, and flexible generation
3. Improve environmental performance of water power systems through research on fisheries, water quality, sediment movement, and cumulative impacts
4. Support domestic manufacturing, advanced materials, and additive manufacturing for water power components and supply chains
5. Expand marine energy research for resilient coastal and riverside communities, microgrids, desalination, disaster recovery, and critical infrastructure
6. Sustain and expand National Marine Energy Centers as regional hubs for testing, demonstration, and workforce development
7. Promote collaboration among national laboratories, universities, industry, Tribes, and federal agencies
8. Authorize $300 million annually through FY2030 to support hydropower and marine energy innovation nationwide

Companion legislation, S. 3684, is led in the Senate by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Vern Buchanan (FL-16) reintroduced the bipartisan At Home Observation and Medical Evaluation (HOME) Services Act to expand access to innovative health care models for Medicare patients under observation status. Hospital-at-home is helping hospitals deliver high-quality care to patients in the comfort of their own homes while easing pressure on crowded facilities and improving patient experiences.

The At HOME Services Act would direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a two-year pilot program that allows hospitals to provide hospital-level care at home for eligible patients while maintaining rigorous safety and quality standards. The legislation is designed to improve care coordination, reduce unnecessary hospital stays and give providers more flexibility to meet patients where they are.

“Tampa Bay hospitals have been leading the way in delivering innovative, high-quality care that saves time and money, and puts patients first,” said Rep. Castor. “The bipartisan At HOME Services Act will help expand safe, cost-effective hospital-at-home care so more neighbors can receive treatment comfortably at home while freeing up hospital capacity for patients with more urgent and intensive needs. This approach will lower costs, improve patient experiences and strengthen care for families across our community. I’m grateful to our local health care providers for continuing to lead with innovation and to Congressman Buchanan for partnering with me on this bipartisan effort.”

“This commonsense legislation builds upon the incredible success individuals have seen in hospital-at-home programs and is a much-needed solution to the healthcare challenges facing our country,” said Congressman Buchanan. “The At HOME Services Act is an important step in ensuring patients receive the level of care they need and deserve in the comfort of their own homes.”

“Rapid advancements in technology are creating new opportunities to expand access to high-quality health care, and hospital-at-home care is a proven model that should be advanced and supported. Leveraging sophisticated, around-the-clock remote monitoring alongside in-home visits from clinical professionals enables patients to safely receive hospital-level care where they are most comfortable—at home. We are incredibly grateful to Representatives Kathy Castor and Vern Buchanan for sponsoring legislation that allows health care providers to build upon the success of hospital-at-home models by supporting more patients, such as those who may not need to be admitted to a hospital inpatient bed but still require hospital observation status that can be supported in their home,” said Mary Mayhew, President & CEO of the Florida Hospital Association.

“The extension of the Hospital-at-Home waiver gives health systems the stability needed to truly innovate,” said BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners. “With a five-year runway now in place, it’s time to build on that foundation and expand the patient population eligible for hospital-at-home care. Doing so allows us to better meet patients where they are, improve comfort and outcomes, and ensure hospital resources are available for the sickest patients. We appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Rep. Castor and Rep. Buchanan in advancing solutions that strengthen community-based care.”

“Tampa General Hospital has been operating a CMS-approved Hospital at Home program since 2022 and has seen firsthand the remarkable evidence via enhanced patient experiences and improved patient outcomes. This is a true model of innovation that integrates remote patient monitoring, telehealth visits, and in-person comprehensive care by trained medical providers,” said Tampa General Hospital CEO John Couris.

“We thank Representatives Castor and Buchanan for reintroducing the At Home Observation and Medical Evaluation Services Act and advancing care models that meet patients where they are. By strengthening and scaling Hospital at Home, this legislation supports Moffitt’s investments in virtual care and remote monitoring and helps eligible cancer patients receive high-quality, patient-centered care with fewer disruptions to daily life,” said Philippe E. Spiess, MD, Chief of Clinical Innovation, and Cristina Naso, Senior Director, Virtual Care and Ambulatory Operations Center.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative John R Carter (R-TX-31)

Representative John Carter (TX-31) announced Yiran Wu, a sophomore at Westwood High School, as the winner of the 2026 TX-31 Congressional Art Competition for her piece titled “From Legacy to a New Tomorrow.” Yiran’s artwork will hang in the United States Capitol for one year, where it will be seen by millions of visitors.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) issued the following statement on the passing of former Congressman Barney Frank, who represented Massachusetts’s 4th congressional district from 1981 to 2013 . 

“I’m heartbroken by the passing of my dear friend and former colleague Barney Frank,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Barney was one of a kind. He had a brilliant mind, an unmatched sense of humor, and never lost sight of the people whose lives could be made better through public service. His legacy is not only in the laws he helped write, but in the barriers he broke. At a time when too many LGBTQ+ Americans were forced to hide who they were, Barney lived openly and courageously. He challenged stigma simply by refusing to shrink himself, and he helped open doors for generations of LGBTQ+ leaders to serve without hiding who they are.”

“I will miss his friendship, his candor, and his wisdom,” Matsui continued. “My heart is with Jim, Barney’s loved ones, and all who were changed by his remarkable life.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), who serves as Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee and as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, today hailed the U.S. House’s passage of landmark housing legislation. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passed the House with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 396-13. The bill, which now returns to the Senate, would improve federal housing programs, remove unnecessary barriers to development, and expand financing options to spur home construction and make housing more affordable.

“This bill is a big win for everyone who wants to make housing more affordable,” said Rep. Beyer, a leader on housing policy in the House Ways and Means Committee. “Amid the national affordability crisis, Congress should be doing everything possible to lower prices and address kitchen table issues for American families. Housing costs in particular are high on the list of the most important challenges affecting my Northern Virginia constituents, and I’m thrilled to see this bill advance. The strong bipartisan vote should help ensure that this version of the bill passes in the Senate and gets signed into law.”

Beyer is a major proponent of policies to make housing more affordable on the House Ways and Means Committee, as a long time lead cosponsor of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, portions of which were enacted last year. He previously secured federal funding for significant local affordable housing projects in Northern Virginia.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to make housing more affordable across the United States (the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act).

“Families in Northwest Washington are struggling to afford their skyrocketing rent and don’t know if they will ever be able to buy a house of their own,” said Rep. Larsen. “This bill is not a be-all-and-end-all fix to the housing affordability crisis, but it provides real solutions to the barriers in the way of constructing more affordable housing and the challenges that renters face.”

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act would:

• Expand the number of homes, apartment complexes, and other housing options by reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers to new home construction.
• Prevent private equity firms from buying significant numbers of single family homes.
• Create a renter complaint hotline and resource center for reporting, monitoring and resolving renter disputes with large institutional investor landlords.
• Establish procedures for timely responses by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and large institutional landlords and connects renters with State authorities.
• Require annual reporting on renter disputes and annual notification by large institutional landlords to HUD about the number and location of their properties.
• Support community financial institutions that provide critical financing to homebuyers and housing developers

The House of Representatives passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on a 396-13 vote. The legislation will now be sent back to the Senate for approval.

Rep. Larsen voted for the original version of this bill in February (the Housing for the 21st Century Act) and been calling attention to the skyrocketing prices of gas, groceries, health care and housing for months.

The text of the bill can be found here.

A one-pager on the bill can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Amodei recognized Debbie Balsinger, a Constituent Services Representative in his Reno District Office, who was honored with the Veterans Advocacy Leader award from Disabled American Veterans. 

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this distinguished recognition than Debbie,” said Rep. Mark Amodei. “Since joining my office in 2020, she has dedicated herself wholeheartedly to serving Nevada’s veterans and their families. Her compassion, commitment, and tireless advocacy are evident to everyone who has the privilege of working with her. We are proud of all she has accomplished and congratulate her on this well-earned honor.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

“Barney’s legacy will live on in the lives of countless Americans whose financial security was strengthened because of his work as Chair on the House Financial Services Committee. 

He’ll be remembered for his landmark Dodd-Frank Act; a law that reshaped modern financial oversight in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.  

Barney believed in protecting consumers and strengthening accountability on Wall Street.

I join the nation in mourning his passing and honoring a remarkable career of public service.”