MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Lauren Underwood, Alma Adams (NC-12), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Momnibus, 14 bills that comprehensively address every driver of maternal mortality, morbidity, and disparities in the United States.

“80% of maternal deaths in America are preventable, and the Momnibus is designed to stop them. I’m proud to introduce this historic package with Representative Alma Adams and Senator Cory Booker to build on the progress we have made and secure the investments we need to end this crisis,” said Rep. Lauren Underwood. “This bill has the tools we need to make America a safer place to give birth, especially for the Black moms who are at the highest risk. The Momnibus will save moms’ lives, and Congress must act urgently to pass it.”

“The Momnibus Act is the most comprehensive piece of legislation ever drafted to address the maternal health crisis,” said Congresswoman Alma Adams. “The maternal mortality rate in the United States is worse today than it was 20 years ago. With all the advances of modern science, that speaks to a serious lack of investment in our research and health care systems that care for our moms. Not only that, the rate of mortality for Black women is disproportionately higher and that gap has not shrunk in decades. This is an unacceptable reality, and we must act urgently and boldly to address this crisis. The Momnibus is the solution. Congress must make the safety and health of our moms a priority and get this bill passed into law.”

“Access to high quality health care has always been a top priority for me, and it is unacceptable that the United States has the worst maternal health mortality rates among its peer countries, especially when so many of these deaths are preventable,” said Senator Booker. “I am proud to reintroduce this historic legislation, which will take meaningful steps to address the maternal health crisis and ultimately save lives. Through the Momnibus we are investing in better care, strengthening support for families, and confronting the racial disparities facing Black mothers, who are disproportionately more likely to experience serious health complications or die from pregnancy related causes. Congress must pass this legislation immediately to protect our nation’s mothers and end this crisis.”

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country, a trend that continues to get worse—and Black women are three times more likely to die. But there is hope: More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.

The Momnibus is designed to end preventable maternal death in America by ending maternal health disparities, growing and diversifying the perinatal health workforce, expanding access to maternal mental health and substance use care, lowering health care costs, investing in technological solutions, closing research gaps, improving data collection, and providing direct federal funding for local community-based organizations that improve maternal health outcomes.

Underwood and Adams co-founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus in 2019 to advance federal solutions that save moms’ lives. They first introduced the Momnibus in 2020.

The Momnibus is made up of fourteen bills. The legislation will:

1. Make critical investments in social determinants of health that influence maternal health outcomes, like housing, transportation, and nutrition.
2. Extend WIC eligibility in the postpartum and breastfeeding periods.
3. Provide funding to community-based organizations that are working to improve maternal health outcomes and promote equity.
4. Increase funding for programs to improve maternal health care for veterans.
5. Grow and diversify the perinatal workforce to ensure that every mom in America receives maternal health care and support from people they trust.
6. Improve data collection processes and quality measures to better understand the causes of the maternal health crisis in the United States and inform solutions to address it.
7. Support moms with maternal mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
8. Improve maternal health care and support for incarcerated moms.
9. Invest in digital tools to improve maternal health outcomes in underserved areas.
10. Promote innovative payment models to incentivize high-quality maternity care and non-clinical support during and after pregnancy.
11. Invest in federal programs to address maternal and infant health risks during public health emergencies.
12. Invest in community-based initiatives to reduce levels of and exposure to climate change-related risks for moms and babies.

13. Invest in research to reduce preventable causes of maternal deaths, end disparities, and improve health for women before, during, and after pregnancy.

14. Promote maternal vaccinations to protect the health of moms and babies.

200 House Democrats joined as original cosponsors: Alma Adams (NC-12), Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-00), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Ami Bera (CA-06), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Jim Clyburn (SC-06), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Jim Costa (CA-21), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Sharice L. Davids (KS-03), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Shomari Figures (TX-07), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Bill Foster (IL-11), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Jared Golden, Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adam Gray (CA-13), Al Green (TX-09), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Josh Harder (CA-09), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Pablo José Hernández (PR-At large), Jim Himes (CT-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Val T. Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), William R. Keating (MA-09), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), John B. Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Susie Lee (NV-03), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), John Mannion (NY-22), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Sarah McBride (DE-00), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Christian Menefee (TX-18), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Frank J. Mrvan (IN-01), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Richard Neal (MA-01), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Stacey Plaskett (VI-00), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Josh Riley (NY-19), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Kim Schrier (WA-08), David Scott (GA-13), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10),  Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Norma Torres (CA-35), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Derek Tran (MA-03), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt, Co-Chair of the Congressional Adoption Caucus and Chairman of the House VAT (Values Action Team), announces a victory for adoptive families. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updated its interpretation of the partially refundable adoption tax credit included in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, more money is going back into the pockets of American workers, families, seniors and small businesses. The Adoption Tax Credit is a part of Republican’s efforts to lower the cost of raising a family and ensure a more prosperous future for our children.

“One of our top priorities in the Working Family Tax Cuts was providing families with a refundable Adoption Tax Credit,” said Congressman Aderholt. “I’m pleased to report that the IRS has announced for tax year 2025, carryforward amounts of the adoption tax credit from prior years are refundable for up to $5,000 per qualifying child.”

The previous interpretation by the IRS prevented adoptive families who filed taxes from 2020-2024 from accessing part of the credit. Now, adoptive families with pre-2025 carryforwards will be eligible for the $5,000 in refundable tax credits for 2025. 

“As Adoption Caucus Chairman and a longtime advocate for children and families, this is personal,” Aderholt said. “Making adoption more affordable is both morally right and fiscally responsible. Refundability means more children can be welcomed into permanent homes, and more families can say yes to adoption without being held back by financial constraints. I’m proud to see Republicans put families first,” Aderholt added.

These are significant savings for families hoping to give a child a permanent home.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17) alongside Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12) introduced the Bhutan Oppression Resolution that recognizes the Kingdom of Bhutan’s responsibility for the oppression and forced eviction of more than 100,000 Nepali-speaking Lhotshampas and Sharchops during the late 1980s and 1990s, and urging long-overdue steps toward justice, repatriation, and reconciliation.

This resolution seeks to compel Bhutan to end the political and economic discrimination of these communities that have endured detention, torture, loss of citizenship, and large-scale displacement, while maintaining constructive ties with the United States. 

“I am proud to introduce my resolution alongside Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12) and take a significant step forward towards the Lhotshampas and Sharchops pursuit of justice and peace in Bhutan. We have an obligation to the Bhutanese American community to ensure the Bhutananese government respects human rights, democratic principles, and investigates human rights abuses,” said Rep. Ro Khanna

Read the full text of the resolution here.

The resolution calls for the Kingdom of Bhutan to: 

• Release all political prisoners detained for advocating democracy and human rights.
• Restore citizenship to Nepali-speaking Lhotshampas.
• Reengage Nepal on the status of displaced individuals.
• Accept the voluntary return of refugees.
• Establish an independent Truth Commission to investigate abuses from the 1990s and promote reconciliation.

 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Washington, D.C. – Tonight, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) delivered remarks alongside members of the Kentucky Congressional Delegation in honoring the service and sacrifice of fallen Kentuckians U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington and U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, leading a moment of silence on the House Floor. 

Congressman Guthrie’s remarks as prepared for delivery: 

“Tonight, the Kentucky Congressional Delegation rises to honor U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Pennington and U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Ashley Pruitt, who were both killed in the line of duty while serving in support of Operation Epic Fury. Their selfless sacrifice will never be forgotten by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the United States of America. 

“Staff Sgt. Benjamin Pennington of Glendale, Kentucky, was 26 years old. Growing up in Hardin County, he ran track at Central Hardin High School and was an Eagle Scout. After graduating in 2017, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with distinction ever since. He leaves behind a loving family and community. 

“Technical Sgt. Ashley Pruitt of Bardstown, Kentucky, was 34 years old. A native of Nelson County, in high school, she was a member of the Air Force JROTC program. Joining the Air Force in 2017, she found her passion as a boom operator aboard the Boeing KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft. She leaves behind her devoted husband Greg, three year-old daughter Olivia, stepson Oliver, and loving parents.

“The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the United States of America will forever be grateful to these brave heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our nation. Their families and loved ones will always remain in our prayers.

“On behalf of myself, the Kentucky Congressional Delegation, and the House of Representatives, I ask that the United States House of Representatives observe a moment of silence in their honor.

“Thank you, and I yield back.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. –Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after attending the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies’ American Indian and Alaska Native public witness hearings this week:

“As a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and the longest serving Native American in the House, I am resolute in my commitment to ensure tribal issues are not forgotten in this Chamber and in my Committee. I always have been – and will remain – dedicated to ensuring the federal government upholds its trust responsibility to Native Americans,” said Congressman Cole. 

“I would like to thank the tribal witnesses for taking the time and traveling to D.C. for these hearings, as their voices are truly valued when drafting legislation in the subcommittee. I would also like to thank Subcommittee Chairman Mike Simpson for holding this hearing and for working together with me to advance our commitment to Tribal communities across the country,” said Congressman Cole.

To watch day one of the hearing, click here. To watch day two of the hearing, click here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the reports of sexual abuse and harassment by César Chávez:

“It was with great sadness that I learned of the egregious revelations reported by the United Farm Workers about César Chávez. We must listen to the survivors, speak their truth, and uphold the values of dignity and justice in the face of conduct that deplorably betrays those principles.

“Words are inadequate to heal the trauma of Dolores Huerta and the courageous women who have already come forward, but may it be a comfort that so many people are praying and expressing support for them during this unimaginable time.

“A movement is about the people—not any one person—and its strength lies in the values it upholds. We can honor the farmworker movement—and the generations who sacrificed to build it—while also confronting painful truths. No legacy is above accountability.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Riley M. Moore (R-WV) voted yes on H.J. Res. 139, a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. 

Congressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement:

“I’m proud to vote YES on Congressman Andy Biggs’ Balanced Budget Amendment. Washington’s out-of-control spending is like a bomb waiting to go off. Our spending addiction is driving our nation deeper into debt and putting future generations at risk. It’s time Congress starts living within its means—just like hardworking American families must. Getting our fiscal house in order isn’t optional. It’s absolutely imperative for our future.”

Introduced by Andy Biggs (R-AZ), this amendment would restore fiscal discipline and curb Washington’s skyrocketing debt by requiring the federal government to operate under a balanced budget. The proposal would limit federal spending to the average revenue collected over the previous three years, adjusted for inflation and population growth, while allowing exceptions only in cases of war or national emergencies with approval from a two-thirds supermajority in Congress. The amendment also requires a two-thirds majority for any new tax or tax increase, ensuring that lawmakers cannot rely on higher taxes to offset excessive spending. The measure will impose long-term financial accountability and protect future generations from unsustainable deficits.

###

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

Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) issued the following statement in response to the Bureau of Reclamation (BoR) awarding $100 million to the Fort Laramie Tunnel Rehabilitation Project for repairs and enhancement of the groundwater irrigation canal in western Nebraska and eastern Wyoming.  
 
“This funding is welcomed news for Nebraska’s agricultural producers who farm the nearly 55,000 acres this canal supports. Since the tunnel’s collapse in 2019, I have worked to secure the resources needed to rebuild this critical irrigation project and get water flowing again. Irrigation is the lifeblood of western Nebraska agriculture, and this investment—made possible by the Working Families Tax Cuts I proudly supported—brings us one step closer to that goal. I look forward to working with the Trump administration to ensure that this funding is appropriately distributed so both Nebraska and Wyoming are able to reap its full benefits.” 
 
BACKGROUND:  
 
Last July, Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cuts which authorized and appropriated $1 billion to the Bureau of Reclamation to utilize for water conveyance and surface water storage enhancement projects across the United States.  
 
Recently, the Trump administration announced the Fort Laramie Tunnel Rehabilitation Project would receive a $100 million investment through the Department of Interior.  
 
This funding builds upon the $14,625,000 Smith secured for this project in the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, during a Ways & Means Subcommittee on Health hearing, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) highlighted the importance of advancing his legislation, the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act.

The bipartisan legislation aims to ensure that individuals with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) continue to have equitable access to private healthcare and to provide protection of the Medicare Trust Fund. Kelly co-leads the bill with Reps. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL), Danny Davis (D-IL), John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA).

“For years, I’ve heard personal stories from constituents — and even my own family members — who have lived with End Stage Renal Disease and who rely on dialysis. Patients deserve to know their benefits will be in place when they need them,” said Rep. Kelly. “This legislation aims to improve both patient care and patient outcomes. Thank you to Chairman Smith and Chairman Buchanan for holding today’s hearing to highlight this important issue.”

Rep. Kelly first introduced this legislation in December 2023.

BACKGROUND

The legislation follows a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that has allowed private health plans to prematurely force ESRD patients onto Medicare, creating disruption in coverage for patients and their families and shifting a significant financial burden onto taxpayers.

In 1981, Congress amended the Medicare Secondary Payer Act (MSPA) to add language to protect against private health insurers from designing benefit plans to push individuals with ESRD onto Medicare prematurely.

For decades, health plans have abided by the principles of MSPA, benefitting both beneficiaries and taxpayers.

In June 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that health plans can effectively push ESRD patients onto Medicare, prompting a need for Congress to introduce legislation to clarify the Medicare Secondary Payer Act and protect ESRD patients from being kicked off of their private health plans.

You can read bill text here.