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Higgins’, Kennedy’s Legislation to End Government Payments to Deceased People Signed into Law by President Trump 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) and Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) witnessed President Trump sign their legislation, the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, into law in the Oval Office yesterday. 

This bill allows the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to share its Death Master File, a list of deceased individuals, with the U.S. Department of Treasury to avoid taxpayer dollars being paid to deceased people.

Rep. Higgins said, “This legislation will save taxpayers billions of dollars every year and does not increase the size of the federal government. Fiscal Conservatives have been clear… waste, fraud, abuse, and theft of hard-earned taxpayer dollars must end. I’d like to thank President Trump for pushing this critical bill across the finish line.”

Sen. Kennedy said, “Using dead Americans to rip off taxpayers is as low as it gets. Many Americans have seen these scams play out across the country and are tired of watching these fraudsters game the system—so am I. That’s why I wrote this common-sense bill to end this outrageous abuse permanently, and I’m grateful President Trump signed it into law so we can ensure taxpayer dollars go to living Americans who actually need our help.”

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Scalise: SAVE America Act Strengthens American Democracy

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) spoke on the House floor to highlight the SAVE America Act and how it will protect the integrity of American elections and prevent voter fraud.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
Highlights from Leader Scalise’s remarks:“This is a bill that’s critically important to one of the most precious franchises in America, and that is that sacred right to vote, the right that so many gave their lives to preserve, to allow, to pass on to our next generation. And the importance of that vote is even more underscored when you recognize that, yes, there have been times where people have stolen your vote, Mr. Speaker… They’re stealing everybody’s vote if we allow people that aren’t legally eligible to vote to participate in elections. And so how can you best preserve that? One way is that when you’re registering to vote, you have to prove citizenship. It’s in this bill. Another is when you go vote, you just have to show your ID. This is not some convoluted idea, Mr. Speaker, but you hear the other side talking about it’s the end of the world.“[Democrats’] own leaders have referred to it as Jim Crow. It’s not the first time that they’ve used that phrase. They use that when the state of Georgia put an ID requirement on voting. They said it was going to be horrible, it was going to take away people’s rights, it was going to disenfranchise minority voters, Mr. Speaker, that’s what they said. But then what happened? We actually got history to go look at: After Georgia passed that law that was called every ridiculous name in the book, what we saw was record participation in elections. You actually had the University of Georgia that went and asked voters after that election, and a whooping, 0%, Mr. Speaker, of Black voters said that they had a poor experience going to the ballot. Over 72% said they had an excellent experience at the ballot.“[Democrats] would tell you if you actually increase the integrity of elections by requiring a picture ID, that somehow it’s going to suppress votes. The opposite happens, Mr. Speaker. Because what really does happen is voters now have confidence in the sanctity of elections. More people will participate because they know that somebody’s not going to be stealing their vote by showing up when they’re not supposed to be there, just by requiring a picture ID.“Americans have been asked about this: An overwhelming 83% of Americans are in favor of requiring a photo ID to vote. 83, that’s not Republicans, that’s all across the spectrum. Over 70% of Democrats support picture ID. 82% of Hispanic Americans support picture ID to vote. 76% of Black Americans support a picture ID to vote… If you want to ensure the sanctity of the vote, the Save America Act does that. You will see higher participation because Americans across all spectrums, Black, White, Hispanic, Republican, Democrat, Independent, will know that there is a higher likelihood that nobody there is showing up illegally to steal your vote if you’ve got the right to vote. One person, one vote: That’s the mantra that we all ought to embrace. The Save America Act gets us back to that great franchise of American democracy, and that is the right to vote. I would urge everybody to pass this bill over the Senate and then the Senate to get it to President Trump’s desk so we can strengthen American democracy.”

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Rep Veasey Calls Out Trump Administration for Drug Discount Scam

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Rep Veasey Calls Out Trump Administration for Drug Discount Scam

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) called out Donald Trump and his administration’s fraudulent attempt to swindle the American public through the online drug “discount” initiative, TrumpRx. Rep. Veasey underscored the urgent need to address the high cost of prescription drugs in the United States and raised serious concerns about the marketing and claims surrounding the scam known as TrumpRx.

“The President loves to take existing programs and institutions or ideas and slap his name on them. First, it was the US Institute of Peace, then the Kennedy Center, and now it’s this TrumpRX,” said Congressman Veasey. “Americans pay far more for medications than any other country in the world. That is a real problem that requires real solutions—not rebranding existing programs and claiming credit for them.”

Republicans have stolen $1 trillion healthcare dollars from Americans, created chaos at the FDA, and cut millions of dollars in cancer research. Meanwhile, Trump is scamming hardworking Americans and taking credit for existing programs while taking zero steps to materially reduce the cost of drugs for hardworking Americans.

Patients using TrumpRx are at risk of spending hundreds of dollars more for critical medications. Congressman Veasey encourages constituents to check other discount programs and use their insurance, when possible, to purchase their drugs. Everyday Americans deserve real care and coverage. 

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McCaul, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Cripple Russian Oil Revenue

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

The DROP Act targets foreign entities dealing in Russian oil to dry up the Kremlin’s primary war revenue stream

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee — introduced the Decreasing Russian Oil Profits (DROP) Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation requires targeted sanctions on any foreign person or entity involved in the purchase, importation, or facilitation of Russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products.

Representatives Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa; Bill Keating (D-Mass.), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe; Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus; Mike Quigley (D-Ill.); and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) joined McCaul in introducing the legislation.

“Russian energy is the lifeblood of the Kremlin’s war machine, and the DROP Act would drain this primary source of revenue,” said McCaul. “Putin has made clear he has no intention of seeking peace until the cost of his continued bloodshed is too high. This bill will give the president more tools with which to place leverage on Putin, while ensuring our allies and partners around the world play their part. It’s time for every nation and individual to choose between doing business with the free world or continuing to bankroll Putin’s brutality.”

“Sanctions only work if they’re enforced. By giving the Administration authorities to target those enabling the Russian oil trade, we can strengthen our existing sanctions regime and cut off a key funding for Putin’s war machine. This has gone on long enough, and it’s time to use the full strength of American economic power to squeeze out the Kremlin,” said Lawler. 

“Congress and the President must do more to ensure Putin and his war machine feel the consequences for their illegal actions. This legislation requires the imposition of sanctions on countries unless they can meet specific criteria to demonstrate their support for Ukraine,” said Keating. “Importantly, as we reach the 4th anniversary of this illegal war, this legislation shows continued bipartisan support for Ukraine as brave Ukrainian men and women defend their territory from Kremlin aggression.”

“If you traffic in Russian oil, you are funding Putin’s illegal war and full scale invasion of Ukraine,” said Kaptur. “As we approach the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the full scale invasion, we must take every step necessary to force Dictator Putin to end this bloody war. Russia’s brutal campaign to freeze Ukrainian civilians in their homes this winter, to erase Ukrainian culture, and to abduct Ukrainian children must be stopped once and for all. This new bipartisan legislation is a long overdue step to help cut off Russia’s oil revenue and strengthen the chances of securing a just and durable end to this conflict.”

“As a Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, I’m proud to introduce the DROP Act to crack down on the Russian oil economy and curb Putin’s ability to attack Ukraine,” said Quigley. “Since Putin launched his full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has weaponized the global oil ecosystem to fund its violent assault. This bipartisan bill will mandate sanctions on Russian petroleum products and close the price gap loophole—cutting off a major source of funding for Russia’s army.”

“It’s long past time that we tighten the screws on Russia’s oil exports bankrolling Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine. The bipartisan DROP Act closes these loopholes, cracks down on anyone purchasing Russian oil above the price cap, and ensures there are real consequences for helping fund Russia’s war of aggression,” said Gottheimer. “At the same time, it creates stronger incentives to support Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction. As this war continues, we must continue to stand firmly with the Ukrainian people.”

The legislation was also introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-Penn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Jon Husted (R-Ohio). 

Background: 

The Russian Federation’s economy runs on oil exports, which fund the vast majority of its federal budget and military spending. While the U.S. has implemented various sanctions and restrictions, Russia increasingly circumvents those designations by using a “shadow fleet” of tankers and third-party intermediaries to move oil — often at prices that exceed international caps.

The DROP Act addresses this entire ecosystem by:

  • Strengthening the Trump administration’s existing designations on the two Russian oil companies;
  • Mandating sanctions on any foreign person or entity responsible for or complicit in the purchase of Russian petroleum products; and
  • Closing loopholes that have allowed entities to charge above the international limit on the price for a barrel of Russian oil.

It also provides the administration with strategic flexibility allowing it to apply specific exception frameworks for countries that significantly reduce their Russian oil imports or provide substantial military and economic aid to Ukraine. 

Click here to read full text of the DROP Act.

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WATCH: Pressley Joins Epstein Survivors to Demand Transparency, Accountability, Slams Trump DOJ for Protecting Abusers

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

“You were failed by so many powerful people that could have protected your childhood. You were failed by a government that ignored your cries for decades, truly an institutional betrayal.”

“These powerful abusers have been protected by institutions that are more concerned with the wealthy and well-connected than centering survivors.”

As a Survivor of Sexual Abuse, Pressley Has Led Efforts in Congress to Center Survivors

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley joined survivors of Epstein’s abuse and members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus to demand transparency, accountability, and healing for survivors. Rep. Pressley condemned the botched, partial release of the Epstein files by Trump’s Department of Justice that exposed the identities of survivors while redacting alleged abusers’ names.

A transcript of Congresswoman Pressley’s remarks at the press conference is available below, and the video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Joins Epstein Survivors to Demand Transparency, Accountability, Slams Trump DOJ for Protecting Abusers
U.S. Capitol
February 11, 2026

Who were just before us are grown women. But it’s not hard for me when I look at them to see a 17-year-old, a 16-year-old, a 15-year-old, a 14-year-old, a 12-year-old, a 9-year-old.

We’re talking about children who were groomed, preyed upon, exploited, raped, trafficked.

Dreams permanently deferred, bodies violated, and spirits permanently bruised. 

In Virginia’s book, Nobody’s Girl, it’s titled that because she felt she belonged to no one, that no one cared. These survivors have been used, abused, and discarded. 

Jeffrey Epstein can rot in hell, and Ghislaine Maxwell can follow suit. 

And all of those co-conspirators and accomplices deserve to be named and shamed. Because, as Virginia once said, “If we don’t know who they are, the monsters are still out there, harming people.” 

So I thank you for being here today. This is a season of calling a thing a thing, so I have to be direct.

Survivors gathered here today. I’m so grateful for their courage and leadership, and equally devastated and furious about what they have endured.

You were failed by so many powerful people that could have protected your childhood. You were failed by a government that ignored your cries for decades, truly an institutional betrayal.

We are fighting with every bone in our bodies for you. 

The files that have been released have further detailed a vivid picture of depraved behavior and dehumanization, violent violations, hurt and harm no person – no person, no child – should ever endure. 

It is an abuse and harm that changes you on a cellular level for the rest of your life. It is a lifetime sentence.

And together, we are fighting for every survivor, carrying visible and invisible scars, burdened by shame. 

Let me be clear, the shame is not yours to carry. Shame on the people that abuse you. Shame on the government that failed you. The shame is not yours to carry.

And we must meet your courage with real action. 

And again, although I know our survivors have left to take their seats at the Judiciary hearing, I’m speaking to all the Epstein survivors, but to all survivors for whom the Epstein survivors are a proxy for.

This moment requires that we meet their courage with real action. 

These powerful abusers have been protected by institutions that are more concerned with the wealthy and well-connected than centering survivors. 

The Department of Justice must continue to release files, and they must correct course.

As we’ve demanded from the beginning, the identities of survivors in these files must be redacted and protected, and this can’t end with the release of the files. 

We must see thorough investigations followed by swift accountability for all that enabled and incited this abuse. 

Words are important, but actions are what matter now, and that’s why we will not yield. 

Thank you for being here today and our work continues.

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Sánchez delivers remarks on House floor before Canada tariffs vote

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

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives encouraging her colleagues to support a resolution terminating the Trump administration’s tariffs against Canada.

Video of her remarks is available HERE and the text follows:

“I rise today in support of this resolution rejecting President Trump’s illegal tariffs on Canada – our friend, our neighbor and our ally.

The truth of the matter is the arguments on the other side of the aisle are to distract. The vast majority of fentanyl that comes into the United States comes from China and comes in via boats in our ports of entry.

They want to distract to take away from the real issue which is the Constitution is very clear: the power to levy tariffs and regulate trade belongs to the Congress – not the president. And yet too many in this body are willing to give up that authority because President Trump demands blind loyalty from them.

The fact is, we already have a trade agreement with Canada. President Trump negotiated it and this body ratified it. And there is a lawful review process that goes into effect [this] year to find ways to improve it.

That is how responsible governments handle trade disputes: by following the law. Not through weird social media tantrums about bridges and hockey trophies or through childish threats to annex a sovereign nation and make it the 51st state.

His daily barrage against Canada does not make him look tough. It’s certainly not strategic. It‘s just reckless. And frankly, it’s bizarre.

But we’re now seeing the consequences of allowing the president’s unhinged behavior to go unchecked. American families, small businesses and farmers are paying the price for these endless trade wars. Trump’s tariff tantrums have cost households more than $1,600 a year in higher prices. Families in the United States are paying more for groceries, cars, housing, utilities – the basic necessities. What about the deaths from families that are struggling from food insecurity? Do those not matter?

And it’s pushing our allies closer to our adversaries. Last month, Canada announced it was lowering its 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Those tariffs were imposed in coordination with the United States during the leadership of the Biden administration. That cooperation strengthened our position against China.

And now, because of this administration’s chaotic trade policies, that progress is unraveling. Rather than target the real bad actors, the president is picking fights with our friends. 

And instead of standing up for their constituents and defending Congress’s constitutional authority over trade, most Republicans in this chamber are surrendering it to the president. Choosing blind allegiance to him over the people that they are supposed to represent.

I commend the few Republicans who have the courage to break with the president and join with Democrats to force this vote. Reasserting our constitutional authority over trade should never have been a partisan issue.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Let’s restore sanity and stability to our American trade policy.”

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Norton Calls Senate Passage of Disapproval Resolution to Overturn Local D.C. Tax Law “Both Unprecedented and Unsurprising”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

The Senate passed the resolution today.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After Senate passage of a disapproval resolution to repeal a local D.C. law that recently restored D.C.’s child tax credit, increased an existing earned income tax credit, and decoupled D.C.’s tax code from certain provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) called the measure “deliberate, yet unsurprising, administrative and fiscal sabotage of the nation’s capital.” The Senate resolution was introduced by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL). 

When the resolution is signed into law by the president, it will repeal a local D.C. law that recently restored D.C.’s child tax credit, increased an existing earned income tax credit, and decoupled D.C.’s tax code from certain provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The D.C. law’s decoupling provisions are projected to generate approximately $600 million in local revenue over the next four years and D.C.’s child tax credit is projected to reduce child poverty by 20%.

“This resolution is both unprecedented and unsurprising in the current Congress, which has attacked D.C. and home rule more frequently than any time since the 1990s,” Norton said. “This is deliberate administrative and fiscal sabotage of the nation’s capital. D.C. is hardly an outlier in decoupling parts of its local tax code from the federal tax code. Several states, red and blue, have decoupled parts of their tax codes from the OBBBA. Moreover, Congress has never overturned a revenue-raising law for D.C., and doing so now threatens D.C.’s credit rating and will inject chaos in the middle of tax filing season. The District’s Chief Financial Officer said it will force the District to halt filings while scrambling to rewrite forms and guidance. 

“What Congress has done is not governance or oversight. It is sabotage, and the damage will be severe and intentional.

“More than 700,000 residents of Washington, D.C., the majority of whom are Black and Brown, are worthy and capable of governing themselves. If D.C. residents disagree with the decisions of their elected council, D.C. residents can vote them out. That’s how democracy works. Members of Congress from distant states, who don’t live or pay taxes in D.C. and are not accountable to D.C. voters – and who often don’t even understand how D.C. functions – have no business overriding local laws and stripping District residents of their right to self-government. Free D.C.”

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Pappas Secures Update on NH Full-Service VA Hospital

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

Pappas also pressed VA Secretary on delayed education benefits and the launch of VA Home Loan Program

Today at a House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Full Committee Oversight Hearing, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, pushed for answers from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins on delivering a full-service VA hospital to New Hampshire, VA’s failure to communicate to veterans and families about months-long delays in payments of education benefits, and the implementation of the bipartisan VA Home Loan Program Reform Act.

An Executive Order issued by President Trump on May 9th instructed VA to begin a feasibility study on expanding services to support a full-service medical center in New Hampshire within 30 days and submit an action plan to the President within 180 days. Pappas called for an update on the feasibility study and action plan, saying,“During your visit, we talked about the ongoing action plan and feasibility study to talk about delivering a full-service VA hospital for the veterans of New Hampshire. We’re the only state in the lower 48 without a full-service hospital, a designation that we lost over 20 years ago. It [the action plan] was due to the President on November 5th of last year, and I’m really interested to know if that plan was delivered to the President and where things stand.”

Secretary Collins confirmed,“That has been delivered to the White House. It is at the White House now for the final processing and we hope to have an answer out of that in the very near future.”

For months, VA failed to notify 75,000 veterans, their families, and survivors about delays in paying required education benefits on time. Pappas asked for accountability and an explanation from the Secretary, saying, “It was a month and a half where veterans were in the dark. Congress was also left in the dark. We had letters that went unanswered… It’s inexcusable for veterans to not have the basic information on where payments stood… I’d like you to address that.”

Secretary Collins confirmed that the issue has been fixed, saying, “At this point that has been transferred over and most are getting their almost same-day on GI benefits. They’re getting the GI bill is working.” 

Last year, VA ended the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase (VASP) program – the only VA program that guaranteed foreclosure avoidance for veterans experiencing severe financial hardship and helped them stay in their homes. Pappas pushed back on this decision repeatedly to VA leadership, as well as helped pass and get signed into law the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act to address the gap left. Pappas pushed for an update on the implementation of the new VA partial claim program, saying, “This is an issue I raised with you in your last appearance before this committee around VASP and the partial claims program. You said at that time, ‘I think the first step is that Congress needs to act upon this.’ So we took your advice. We passed a bipartisan bill but it’s been six months since the Partial Claims Program was signed into law – hasn’t been stood up yet. I got veterans asking when they can get relief. Can you give us an answer on when we will see that program put into place?”

Secretary Collins confirmed,“Yes. That is being done now… It should be done shortly. We did have to integrate it in with the current system that we had. You’ll be getting an answer on that very shortly.”  

Background: 

New Hampshire is the only state in the contiguous 48 states to not have a dedicated, full-service VA hospital. Following the issuance of the Executive Order, Pappas led the New Hampshire delegation in a letter calling on VA Secretary Doug Collins to seriously and fully follow through on the feasibility study and action plan, with the goal of establishing a full-service VA hospital in New Hampshire. He also secured a commitment from VA Secretary Collins at a House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing to engage with New Hampshire veterans and stakeholders as the Department conducts the study and develops its action plan. In June, Pappas introduced legislation that would require VA to operate at least one full-service VA hospital in New Hampshire.

Pappas has sent multiple letters, with House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39) and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (CT) on VA’s failure to pay required education benefits on time to over 75,000 veterans and their families and survivors. Secretary Collins failed to respond to previous letters sent on October 9 and November 14 until December 15 evening, missing multiple deadlines to provide the requested information. VA acknowledged during a December 5 briefing that it never informed Congress of the issue impacting 75,000 beneficiaries, which started in August. VA is aware of the failed distribution of checks that is still affecting the finances of thousands, but deemed it unnecessary to communicate with the veterans, families, and survivors impacted or notify Congress and the public. Pappas pressed VA leadership on this issue at the EO Subcommittee hearing on December 16.

In April, Pappas spoke out forcefully against the administration abruptly ending VASP during a House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity markup. He joined a bicameral letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, urging him to immediately reverse his decision to abruptly end VASP. In May, Pappas spoke out against the decision to end VASP during an HVAC markup, rebuked VA Secretary Collins for ending the program when the Secretary testified before the Committee, and shared how constituents in New Hampshire’s First District would be impacted during a press conference with Congressional leaders. Pappas helped pass the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, legislation to establish a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan safety net program and enhance services to end veteran homelessness, which was signed into law in July. 

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Trump Invites Griffith to WH Champion of Coal Event

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The White House hosted a select group of lawmakers, coal industry advocates and coal miners for a “Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal” event. U.S. Congressman and Congressional Coal Caucus Co-Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA) attended this special event to support American coal and coal miners. Following the event, Congressman Griffith issued the following statement: 

“Coal communities, like those in Virginia’s Ninth District, have abundant American energy resources in their backyards. We can meet domestic electricity and industrial energy demands with American energy, all while implementing emission reduction technologies. It is essential that federal policies support and protect coal communities, not ignore or diminish them!

“As long as I am in Congress, I will continue advocating for American coal. Coal can be used to generate electricity in order to keep our factories, hospitals and schools open. It can also be used as a means to support American steelmaking. Further, as we continue to develop the best pollution control measures in the world, we can export those pollution control technologies overseas to countries that will use coal no matter what happens in the United States. Thus, we help deliver reliable, affordable energy solutions for American families and the world.”

BACKGROUND

Video of today’s White House event can be found here.

Congressman Griffith is Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus. 

In April 2025, Congressman Griffith attended a White House event where President Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting the American coal industry.

Later in 2025, Congressman Griffith voted to codify one of these executive measures to reestablish the National Coal Council.

In May 2025, Congressman Griffith celebrated the Department of Energy’s announcement to designate metallurgical coal as a critical material.

Coal continues to play an essential role in meeting domestic energy demands. During the recent Winter Storm Fern, a 31% jump in coal generation helped the electric grid meet peak demand. For PJM Interconnection, which serves Virginia and 12 other states, coal accounted for a major portion of the energy generation mix.

Congressman Griffith expressed support for recent TVA actions to extend coal plant operations.

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Congresswoman Beatty Moves to Break Barriers Blocking Women from Lifesaving Heart Care

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty [D-OH-3], in recognition of American Heart Month, reintroduced the bipartisan Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act to reauthorize and expand access to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) program, which provides free cardiovascular risk screenings and lifestyle support services to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women ages 35–64.

 

The WISEWOMAN program currently operates in only a limited number of states and tribal organizations, restricting access for women at highest risk of heart disease.

 

Under existing law, women must not only be eligible for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), but also be a recipient of NBCCEDP services to be referred to WISEWOMAN. This requirement unnecessarily restricts participation. The Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act would give CDC, states, and tribal organizations the flexibility to develop additional referral pathways and permit other health care providers to participate in the WISEWOMAN program, significantly expanding access. The bill also authorizes $250 million for WISEWOMAN over the next five years to support nationwide expansion and meet increased demand. 

 

“Heart disease is the number one killer of women in America, yet too many women are still denied access to the screenings that could save their lives,” said Congresswoman Beatty.“That is unacceptable. The WISEWOMAN program works, but outdated restrictions are limiting who it can reach. This bill removes those barriers, expands providers, and invests $250 million to take lifesaving prevention nationwide. Black women and other women of color face the highest risks and the worst outcomes. That is not inevitable, it is preventable. The WISEWOMAN program helps low income women know their numbers before heart disease becomes fatal.  Women’s heart health must be prioritized, funded, and protected.”

 

This bill is cosponsored by the following Members of Congress: Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, [D-CT-3], Rep.Christopher Smith [R-NJ-4], Rep. Juan Ciscomani [R-AZ-6], Rep. Brian K. Fitzpatrick [R-PA-1], Rep. Sanford D. Bishop [D-GA-2], Rep. Michael Lawler [R-NY-17], Rep.  Lois Frankel [D-FL-22], Rep. Gwen Moore [D-WI-4], Rep. Debbie Dingell [D-MI-6], Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, [D-FL-20] and Rep. Shontel Brown [D-OH-11].

 

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and accounts for 12 percent of total U.S. health expenditures, more than any other disease.

 

Women experience disproportionately high rates of preventable heart-related illness and death, and more than half of American women do not recognize heart disease as their leading health threat. Disparities worsen across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. The Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act is a critical step toward closing those gaps and reducing preventable deaths.

 

“We know heart disease is not just costing American lives, but it is also costing us financially– accounting for 12 percent of total U.S. health expenditures. We must do all we can to prevent this disease and ultimately save lives. The Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act provides critical screenings and services to help women catch and treat heart disease early,” said Senator Alsobrooks. 

 

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, and it disproportionately affects women of color,” said Rep. DeLauro. “The Center for Disease Control’s WISEWOMAN program, which I was proud to help establish in 1993, provides needed services to women who struggle with accessing healthcare – to ensure that they receive the treatment they need to prevent and overcome heart disease and lower their risk of death. I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Beatty on this lifesaving legislation that will expand access to cardiovascular disease screenings and support services, and will continue to fight to ensure all women have access to the healthcare they need to thrive.”

 

“Historically and unnecessarily, women have experienced delayed diagnoses, ineffective treatments, and poor prognoses when it comes to cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, management, and care. Information, awareness, and access to critical cardio-health services can and will save women’s lives,” said Rep. Chris Smith.“To combat the systemic gaps in health care and to improve the outcomes of women suffering from CVD, I am proud to introduce the Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act alongside my fellow Congressional Coalition on Heart and Stroke Co-Chair, Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH). This critical legislation reauthorizes and expands the CDC’s WISEWOMAN program, ensuring that more at-risk women can benefit from the program’s free-of-charge cardiovascular health services, regardless of financial constraints or insurance coverage.”

 

“Cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer of women, and nearly 45% of women over age 20 are already living with some form of it. Raising awareness and promoting prevention is essential. This includes helping more women ‘know their numbers’ and expanding access to screenings to detect risk early,” said Mark Schoeberl EVP of Advocacy, American Heart Association. “The Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act would broaden and strengthen the WISEWOMAN program to ensure more women get preventive care and the support they need to protect their heart health. The American Heart Association is grateful to Congresswoman Beatty for her steadfast leadership in championing policies that help ensure every woman has the opportunity for a longer, healthier life.”

 

“WomenHeart strongly supports the Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act because it expands access to lifesaving prevention for women who are too often overlooked by our health care system,” said Celina Gorre, CEO of WomenHeart. “By strengthening the CDC’s WISEWOMAN program, this legislation helps ensure more low-income women can receive early screening, education, and follow-up care for heart disease and stroke. Prevention saves lives, and this bill is a critical step toward closing longstanding gaps in women’s heart health and advancing equity in cardiovascular care.”

 

“By strengthening and expanding the WISEWOMAN program, this legislation directly addresses longstanding gaps that have contributed to preventable disparities in outcomes. For too long, women’s cardiovascular health—especially for Black women—has been overlooked in prevention and early care. This bill brings us closer to a future where women’s heart health is recognized, prioritized, and protected by recognizing the urgency of investing in targeted, equitable approaches that prioritize early detection, strengthen care pathways, and improve outcomes across generations.” — Anthony Fletcher, MD, FACC, President, Association of Black Cardiologists

 

“The Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health applauds efforts to strengthen and expand preventive cardiovascular services for women. By enhancing the WISEWOMAN program to support blood pressure and cholesterol screenings as well as appropriate referrals and follow-up care, this legislation addresses critical gaps in early detection and management of heart disease — the leading cause of death among women in the United States.”  — Emma Maron, Advocacy Director, Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health

 

This bill is endorsed by the following organizations:

 

The American Heart Association, The Adult Congenital Heart Association, The Association of Black Cardiologists, WomenHeart, Heart Valve Voice U.S., Partnership to Advance Cardiovascular Health (PACH), Healthy Women, Women’s Heart Alliance, Arrhythmia Alliance, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA), The Mended Hearts, Inc., StopAfib.org, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety, Alliance for Aging Research, and Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA)

 

Click HERE for the full bill text.

 

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