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

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led 13 House Democrats today in introducing the Restoring Export and Security Trade Restrictions for Integrated Circuit Technologies (RESTRICT) Act, legislation to protect U.S. national security and preserve American leadership in artificial intelligence.

The RESTRICT ACT would prohibit the sale of the most advanced U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) chips to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and other countries of concern, while strengthening U.S. competitiveness by creating a secure, license-free export pathway for trusted American companies operating data centers abroad.

“President Trump’s decision to sell H200s to China further proves that national security is for sale under this administration. That decision not only risks undercutting U.S. dominance in the AI race, but also compromises our national security by giving those capabilities directly to our chief strategic competitor. My legislation would prohibit the sale of these advanced chips to China, while making it easier for American companies to compete with China globally across the AI technology stack. Trump cannot be allowed to jeopardize U.S. national security by supercharging the PRC’s AI capabilities and, in turn, its military and malign influence capabilities,” said Ranking Member Meeks.

A PDF copy of the bill can be found here.

Bill Highlights:

• Prohibits the sale of H200 and other advanced AI chips to China. The bill directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security to deny export license applications for any advanced integrated circuits to countries of concern.
• Codifies current restrictions on the export of U.S. advanced integrated circuits and products to China. The bill does not impose new controls; instead, it codifies existing restrictions as currently articulated in the Federal Register.
• Applies prohibitions to all arms-embargoed nations. The bill defines “countries of concern” as those countries under a U.S. arms embargo as of January 1, 2025. 
• Safeguards national security while allowing our export controls to adapt as technology advances. The bill allows the Under Secretary of Commerce to revise the definition of “advanced integrated circuit or product” after two years, if he/she has certified to Congress that doing so would not harm U.S. national security. 
• Facilitates secure global operations for U.S. firms. The bill calls on the Under Secretary to publish regulations outlining physical security, cybersecurity, remote access security, and other requirements that companies must meet to qualify for license-free transfers to their overseas facilities. Only U.S.-owned facilities outside of countries of concern are eligible.

The original cosponsors of the RESTRICT Act include: Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Joaquin Castro, Dina Titus, Greg Stanton, Jim Costa, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Madeleine Dean, Gabe Amo, Jared Moskowitz, Johnny Olszewski, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Josh Gottheimer, and Brad Sherman. 

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (NY-5), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-8), Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, led a broad bipartisan coalition of House Members to introduce the Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025, comprehensive legislation that translates ongoing negotiations into decisive congressional action and advances the bill toward House Floor consideration in January.

Co-leads on the bill include Representatives Don Bacon (NE-2), Mike Turner (OH-10), Tom Suozzi (NY-3), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Steny Hoyer (MD-5), Bill Keating (MA-9), and Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), reflecting broad, bipartisan agreement that Congress must lead with resolve as diplomatic efforts continue.

“Russia won’t negotiate an end to its war unless real pressure is applied on the Kremlin to stop its brutality. I’m proud to have worked with Rep. Fitzpatrick on a compromise Russia sanctions bill that would impose real costs on Russia and those fueling its war effort, while avoiding further harmful global tariffs. I thank Rep. Fitzpatrick for also signing my discharge petition for the Ukraine Support Act, helping work towards both measures reaching the House floor for a vote. There is strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the House, and this agreement makes clear that Russia cannot wait it out or continue its war of aggression without facing significant consequences,” said Ranking Member Meeks.

“Negotiations do not relieve Congress of its responsibility to act,” said Fitzpatrick. “That responsibility has been clear for some time, and waiting is no longer an option. Peace through strength is the discipline of negotiating from strength—of standing with Ukraine, making unmistakably clear that Russia’s campaign of aggression will not be normalized or rewarded, and affirming that America still enforces the rules that keep peace possible. This is not just about ending one war. It is about setting the rules for a world that is watching whether America still enforces them. We can end this war. We can end Putin’s tyranny. And we must lead the American way—through peace, through strength. I am grateful to be working hand in hand with Ranking Member Meeks to push any and all solutions forward to the House Floor, including the Ukraine Support Act. We can end this war. We can end Putin’s tyranny. And we must lead the American way—through peace, through strength.”

“The only viable path to peace in Ukraine is putting pressure on the Kremlin. It is beyond important that both sides of the aisle have come together on compromise legislation to impose strong sanctions on Russia for its illegal war of aggression as well as to take additional steps to move the bipartisan discharge petition for the Ukraine Support Act forward in the House,” said HFAC Subcommittee on Europe Ranking Member Keating. “As Ukraine continues to defend itself from Russian aggression, the Ukrainian people must know that Ukraine has strong bipartisan support in the House of Representatives. The Kremlin must also know that we will not rest until a durable Ukraine-supported peace deal is achieved.”

We must take firm action against the Russian Federation. This bill sends a clear message: any refusal to engage in meaningful negotiations for peace or any violation of agreements will not go unpunished. We stand with Ukraine and affirm our commitment to ensuring that they are protected from further aggression. It’s time for diplomacy,” said Turner. 

“Putin’s regime only responds to resolve and takes advantage of weakness and vacillation. During these failed negotiations, Russia has continued bombing Ukrainian cities with increasing intensity. We must play hardball by sending Ukraine the weapons it needs and imposing tough sanctions on Russia that cripple his war economy, an approach Americans overwhelmingly agree with,” said Bacon. “I’m pleased to join Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in co-leading the bipartisan Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act to impose sanctions and other measures if Russia refuses to negotiate a peace agreement with Ukraine.”

“Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine is a direct assault on sovereignty, democracy, and the international rules-based order. The United States will not reward aggression or allow Vladimir Putin to stall, violate agreements, or prepare for another invasion without serious consequences. Peace will only come when Russia understands that continued violence carries real costs. I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation to strengthen sanctions, hold bad actors accountable, and stand firmly with the Ukrainian people,” said Lawler.

“Peace through strength means standing up to dictators through actions, not just words,” said Suozzi. “The Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act does exactly that by cracking down on those responsible for the kidnapping of Ukrainian children, increasing sanction pressure on Russia, and expanding sanctions to Russian partners in North Korea. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to say that the United States will not tolerate Putin’s murderous war in Ukraine, and will defend our democratic allies across the world.”

“Through force, Dictator Putin aspires to rewrite the structure of Europe and end democratic practice across the continent. America’s foreign policy must promote Liberty, not bow to Tyranny,” said Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “With this new bipartisan bill, we are putting forward the most significant legislation introduced this Congress to place economic sanctions on Russia for its war crimes against Ukraine.”

The Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025 builds on Fitzpatrick’s constant efforts since the beginning of the conflict in 2022 to advance designed to force meaningful negotiations, deter further aggression, and ensure any peace agreement is real, durable, and accepted by the free and independent Government of Ukraine.

Unlike piecemeal sanctions, the legislation establishes a comprehensive structure that directly links Russia’s economic isolation to its willingness to pursue—and honor—peace. It reflects overwhelming bipartisan support for empowering the United States to use strong economic pressure as a tool to help bring this war to an end.

Specifically, the bill would:

• Mandate sanctions on senior Russian officials, oligarchs, state-owned enterprises, and entities supporting Russia’s defense, energy, and transportation sectors
• Sever Russia’s access to the global financial system, including blocking transactions with Russian financial institutions, prohibiting U.S. investment in Russia, banning trading of Russian entities on U.S. securities exchanges, and targeting financial messaging systems used to evade sanctions
• Close loopholes fueling Russia’s war economy, including ending refined oil import workarounds and prohibiting U.S. purchases of Russian sovereign debt
• Target Russia’s energy leverage, prohibiting new U.S. investment and sanctioning foreign actors who enable Russian oil, gas, LNG, and uranium production
• Impose sanctions for war crimes, including the kidnapping and wrongful deportation of Ukrainian children and Russia-North Korea cooperation supporting Russia’s illegal war
• Increase duties up to 500 percent on goods imported from the Russian Federation to further isolate Russia economically

The legislation also establishes a clear and enforceable off-ramp: sanctions may only be terminated if Russia signs a peace agreement accepted by Ukraine and fully ceases hostilities—subject to congressional review to prevent premature or politically motivated rollbacks.

With negotiations ongoing, Fitzpatrick and his bipartisan colleagues will continue building support with the goal of bringing the Peace Through Strength Against Russia Act of 2025 to the House Floor in January—ensuring Congress does its part to match diplomacy with decisive action.

Read the full bill text here.

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

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today delivered the following remarks on the floor during debate on House Concurrent Resolution 61, a War Powers Resolution he introduced that would end the Trump administration’s extrajudicial military strikes in the Western Hemisphere.

Full remarks as prepared:

“Since September 2, the administration has carried out 23 known strikes killing 95 people. 

“Among these was a so-called ‘double-tap’ strike, where U.S. forces killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage of a destroyed vessel in the open sea. The administration now refuses to release the video of this strike denying the American people the ability to see for themselves what is being done in their names. Many believe this strike may constitute a war crime.

“Following another strike, on October 16, the Department of Defense repatriated two survivors to their home countries rather than prosecuting them in U.S. courts, as we would expect if these individuals were, in fact, dangerous drug traffickers bound for the United States. No arrests. No interrogation. No intelligence collection. That decision raises serious questions about the administration’s own assessment of threat, necessity, and purpose.

“These strikes have not been authorized by Congress, and the administration has not sought Congressional authorization to use lethal military force to address alleged criminal activity that, under U.S. law, does not carry the death penalty. That is a profound escalation, and one Congress has neither debated nor approved.

“If this is truly about addressing drugs, the administration’s actions tell a very different story. Why did the president pardon Ross Ulbricht, who ran one of the largest online drug marketplaces in history, and was serving a double life sentence?

“Why did the president pardon the former President of Honduras, whom a U.S. court convicted and sentenced for flooding the U.S. with 400 tons of cocaine and bragged he would, quote, ‘shove the drugs right up the noses of the gringos.’

“I’m a former special narcotics prosecutor and I know this: you don’t run a serious counternarcotics strategy by carrying out the death penalty for those on the bottom of the drug trade while freeing those at the very top.

“At the same time, the administration asks us to believe that deploying fighter jets, an aircraft carrier, and more than 15,000 troops to the Caribbean is merely a counter-drug mission. This is the largest U.S. military buildup in the region since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

“If this was really about drugs, why are U.S. forces seizing oil tankers? The stated mission, the scale of the buildup, and the actions taken simply do not align. 

“The administration can’t keep its story straight and it is no longer trying to hide its real motivations. Senior officials, including President Trump himself, have made clear that the real objective is provoking a conflict with Venezuela to oust Maduro. As Trump’s Chief of Staff said to Vanity Fair, quote, ‘he wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle.’

“They’ve openly coveted Venezuela’s oil. And despite promising to end wars, this president is threatening military invasions not just in Venezuela, but across the Western Hemisphere.

“Just last night Trump declared, quote, ‘Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,’ and that the ‘shock’ will be like nothing they have ever seen.

“This is not strategy. This is a game. And the president is playing it with the lives of American service members, threatening a regime change war with no plan for what comes next.

“This president wants to be judge, jury, and executioner. But Congress is a co-equal branch, and the Constitution vests this body with authority over matters of war and peace. That power has too often been ceded. But earlier this month, on a bipartisan and bicameral basis, we repealed outdated Authorizations for Use of Military Force to prevent presidents of either party from abusing it. We cannot now abandon our constitutional duty over these strikes in the Western Hemisphere.

“Even if you disagree with me when I say these strikes are not about making Americans safer… That they’re about oil… That they’re about another reckless foreign war… Or stretching presidential power toward that of a king.

“This vote is ultimately not about whether you agree with the administration’s policy. It is about whether any president can take these actions without congressional approval. Congress must make clear that no president can unilaterally draw the U.S. into a conflict the American people do not want. 

“I urge my colleagues to reject the administration’s shifting legal rationales and vote yes on this War Powers Resolution. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.”

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

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today delivered the following remarks on the floor during debate on House Concurrent Resolution 64, a War Powers Resolution Rep. McGovern introduced to prohibit the Trump administration’s hostilities against Venezuela.

Full remarks as prepared:

“As I said earlier today on this floor, during the debate on my War Powers Resolution to end this administration’s extrajudicial strikes on boats in the Western Hemisphere, those bombings are not about drugs. If the administration did want to stop drugs, Trump would not have pardoned the former President of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, or Ross Ulbricht, who operated the Silk Road drug marketplace. He wouldn’t be seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Or threatening CIA operations, blockades, and ground strikes on Venezuela.

“It’s not about drugs, it’s about regime change, and it’s about oil. That’s not just me saying that. It’s Trump himself saying it. It’s President Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, who said Trump wants to, and I quote, “keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle.” And it relies on the magical thinking that military force can bring democracy in Venezuela or anywhere else.

“But his chief of staff also conceded, as any reasonable person with any knowledge of the constitution should, that if Trump, quote, “were to authorize some activity on land, then it’s war, then [we’d need] Congress.”

“On that, she’s right. Congress would need to pass an Authorization for the Use of Military Force if Trump wanted to put boots on the ground or conduct military strikes on Venezuela. And for that, Republicans in Congress would need to cast their vote on whether to commit U.S. armed forces to an open-ended conflict their constituents certainly do not want.

“Trump ran on ending forever wars, but now he’s forgotten what they are. What his own Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth characterized as, quote, “interventionism, undefined wars, regime change, and feckless nation building.” Yet with Venezuela, Trump is provoking a new war right in our backyard and threatening to destabilize an entire region.

“And let’s be clear…claiming a war with Venezuela will be quick and easy – that’s a fantasy. Maduro is by no means a good guy. He lost his last election and has violently repressed the Venezuelan people to stay in power against their democratic will. But to think that if the U.S. military just chases him out, then Venezuela’s military and armed groups around the country will welcome democracy with open arms is naive at best.

“This administration has no plan for the day after. It has no strategy. And if Members do not vote for Mr. McGovern’s War Powers Resolution, they are signing their name to everything that comes after: a forever war in our own hemisphere. A quagmire the likes of Vietnam, in a country twice the size of Iraq, for a length of time unknown.
How many billions of taxpayer dollars would be spent so Pete Hegseth can cosplay as a wartime general? How many U.S. servicemembers would make the ultimate sacrifice so Donald Trump could do in Latin America what Vladimir Putin does in Europe?

“The power over matters of war and peace is Congress’ most solemn duty, given in the Constitution of the United States. Votes like this are our most consequential, literally about life and death. And if history has taught us anything, wars are easy to start, but incredibly difficult to end. The choice you make on this vote will carry a long tail. What will the downstream effects be of destabilizing a country, an entire region? Anyone who tells you they know is lying.

“What we do know is the American people do not want this. That is unequivocal. Even President Trump’s supporters do not understand why he would do this. I ask you all again, listen to your constituents, and do not tie yourself to a warmongering decision that itself is a sinking ship.

“Thank you. I reserve the balance of my time.”

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), a senior member of the Committee on Ways and Means, issued the following statement following House passage of H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act.

“Democrats broke America’s health insurance system with Obamacare, driving massive increases in health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for hardworking families. Their only solution is throwing unlimited taxpayer dollars at the problem, with no consideration for reform.”

“Americans deserve better. They deserve true reforms to the healthcare marketplace, driving competition, increasing transparency, and making healthcare more affordable and accessible. I am especially pleased today’s legislation includes language ensuring small employers can work together through association health plans to reduce risk and increase affordability, which is vital for Nebraska’s family-owned farms, ranches, and small businesses.

“While I am pleased with the progress we made today, much work remains to undo the damage from Obamacare and ensure Americans can afford the healthcare they deserve. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the administration to pursue further solutions in the coming year.”

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks during a Special Order Hour hosted by the Congressional Ukraine Caucus on the House Floor reaffirming America’s unwavering commitment to the people of Ukraine as they continue to defend their democracy, sovereignty and right to live free from Russian aggression.

In her remarks, Pelosi underscored that Ukraine did not choose this war but has chosen courage in the face of Vladimir Putin’s brutal and unprovoked invasion.

Pelosi warned that abandoning Ukraine would not bring peace but would invite further aggression from Russia and from autocrats around the world watching closely to see whether the United States and its allies will stand by their word.

Watch Pelosi’s Floor remarks here.

Read the transcript of Speaker Emerita Pelosi’s Floor remarks below:

Speaker Emerita Pelosi. I salute Marcy Kaptur and the Ukraine Caucus for inviting Members to come together to raise concerns, to speak frankly about the need for strong sanctions on Russia, and to insist that any peace must be just, durable and centered on the Ukrainian people themselves.

Mr. Speaker, for nearly four years the people of Ukraine have stood on the front lines for freedom, defending their democracy, their sovereignty, their right to live in peace on their own land.

But in fighting for democracy there, they are fighting for democracy writ large.

Congresswoman Kaptur spoke beautifully, historically, geographically, chronologically in every way about placing this conflict in time and place.

I wanted to pick up on two parts of it in the time that I have.

One is this. In the conversation about peace, we hear people talk about Ukraine giving up land.

Now, what we’re saying to Ukraine is: Russia came in, stole your children, as Congresswoman Kaptur mentioned, tens of thousands of your children taking them into Russia. Imagine if that ever happened to your family.

Secondly, they rape the women. They raped the women. Sometimes in front of the children, sometimes in front of their parents.

I said to some Russian friends, ‘Isn’t it sad how the Russian troops have become brutes and are raping women as a weapon of war to demoralize the people of the country?’

And they said, ‘Make sure you understand one thing: Russian soldiers follow orders. They are doing that because that is what they are told to do.’

In addition to that, we’ve seen evidence of their killing families in front of family members in such a brutal way.

Kidnap our children, rape our women, destroy and kill our civilian families and ask us to give you land in return.

What a ridiculous, ridiculous request.

The other thing you hear sometimes people say in our country, ‘Well, why should we be spending all that money when in fact we have needs in our own country.’

I don’t think people realize that 90% of the security that we send to Ukraine is spent—of the 100%, 90% is spent in the United States creating jobs in our own country.

Secondly, there are other forms of assistance, humanitarian assistance—across the board.

At least 60% of all that we spend on Ukraine is spent in the United States of America creating jobs.

So again, Marcy spelled it out, and it’s no use—I mean, some things bear repeating, but she said it so beautifully.

But this is awful. And again, who do you trust? Who do you trust?

The Congresswoman spelled it out very clearly. The ridiculous notion that Ukraine should trust the Russians after the Budapest Agreement.

‘Give up your nuclear weapons, and we will come to your aid should you need that.’

Forget about it now. So, Ukraine has been treated with great disrespect. Its people have just been subjected to such horror.

They have fought valiantly. The least we could do is do the sanctions.

And what we should be doing in this House, which has overwhelming bipartisan support and support of the people of Ukraine, is to get some more people to sign the discharge petition.

So I thank you again, Congresswoman Kaptur, for your relentless, persistent, dissatisfied advocacy for Ukraine and the fact that we know, those who have visited there, that if Putin takes Ukraine, what country is next?

That’s what we hear, the fear we hear from people in the region.

Would you trust Putin? I think the only person who trusted Putin is President Trump.

I don’t know what that’s about. I know when I had a picture coming out of one of his cabinet meetings pointing to the President, I said, ‘I’m leaving this meeting because, Mr. President, with you all roads lead to Putin.’

This is awful. The richest man in the world they say, Putin is. A villainous person and somebody who uses rape, kidnaping, family killings in order to demoralize a country.

Well, you haven’t succeeded. And you are a loser because you thought you were going to win on the first week of this war, and now it’s four years later.

With that, I yield back the time to the distinguished Marcy Kaptur.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Honolulu, HI) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) today announced his 2026 nominations to four of our nation’s service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point/Army); U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis/Navy); U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs/Air Force) and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point).

“I take my responsibility to nominate deserving applicants from my district to our legendary service academies very seriously and personally interviewed most of my applicants before making my decisions,” said Case. “I was truly impressed with the applicants, and it was very encouraging and rewarding to have spent time with our next generation of military leaders.”

Case named the following nominees to the four service academies (principal nominee and the rest in alphabetical order by last name):

United States Air Force Academy

Principal nominee: Ryder Goto      Kalani High School

Kasyn Amazaki                              ‘Iolani School

Luke Barner                                    Radford High School

Kodai Eskin                                     Punahou School

John Ganske                                    New Mexico Military Institute/

Moanalua High School

Timothy Iha                                     Pearl City High School

Tuan Pettaway                                 Air Force Academy Preparatory School/ Mililani High School

Christophe Tang                              Air Force Academy Preparatory School/ Campbell High School

Derrick Ung                                    ‘Aiea High School

United States Military Academy

Principal nominee: Anthony Dang  University Laboratory School

Jacob Blaze Cabuhat                      Punahou School

Liam Martin                                   Punahou School

Jazmine Mayo                               ‘Aiea High School

Malia McCoy                                 Punahou School

Hayden Noland                               Punahou School

Parker Noland                                 Punahou School

ChristopherJay Tenorio                  ‘Aiea High School

United States Naval Academy

Principal nominee: Alicya Robson  Naval Academy Preparatory School/

                                                         Campbell High School                                       

Liliana Burrell                                  Abeka Academy (home school)

Juliet Caston                                    Campbell High School

Adam Ettlich                                   Soli Deo Gloria Academy (home school)

Shota Eskin                                     Punahou School

Vanessa He                                      Hawaii Baptist Academy

Lyla Matthews                                 Radford High School

Charlotte Nakagawa                        Kamehameha Schools – Kapālama

Caleb Parsons                                  Moanalua High School

Ezekiel Schulz                                 Radford High School

Jia Qi Zhan                                      Naval Academy Preparatory School/ Roosevelt High School

United States Merchant Marine Academy

Elizabeth Gillaspie                          Maryknoll School

Parker Reppun                                 Punahou School

For the Class of 2026, Case selected 30 applicants from six private schools, eight public schools and two home schools.

Members of Congress are authorized by law to nominate candidates to four United States Service Academies: the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; the Military Academy at West Point, New York; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. The Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

A Congressional nomination does not guarantee acceptance, but in most cases is required for an applicant to be considered. Acceptance of an academy appointment requires at least a nine-year service obligation, including four years at an academy and at least five years of active duty service.

For information on eligibility requirements and how to seek an appointment for the 2027 entering class, please go to Rep. Case’s web site https://case.house.gov/services/service-academy-nominations.htm.

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

The FEMA grant will provide San Bernardino County with over $9 million to hire new firefighters to improve fire response capabilities
Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced $9,360,000 for the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to hire and train 21 new firefighters, helping to expand the region’s 24-hour on-call fire response coverage and improving safety in the Inland Empire. 
“As our region continues to face a worsening, year-round fire season, it is essential that we are equipped with the necessary amount of resources and firefighters to keep Californians safe,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “I am proud to announce this grant funding to hire 21 new firefighters for San Bernardino County who will be tasked with stopping fires before they get out of hand, responding to emergencies, and overall protecting our county. I’ll keep fighting to support our first responders in California and across the country to ensure that they have the ability to do their jobs fully.”
“This SAFER grant represents a meaningful investment in our fire district and the communities we protect,” said San Bernardino County Chairman of the Board Dawn Rowe. “With the addition of 21 new firefighters across the Fire Protection District, we will be able to enhance our 24-hour coverage, effectively addressing the increasing demands of one of the county’s fastest-growing regions.”
The funding comes as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program. The SAFER Grant Program provides funding directly to fire departments throughout the country to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, frontline firefighters available in their communities. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2025

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Rep. Barragán joins Reps. Letlow, Schrier to Introduce Bipartisan Maternal Support Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) joined Reps. Julia Letlow (R-LA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) to introduce legislation aimed at increasing critical support for new mothers and infants through the distribution of newborn supply kits.

The Newborns Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act authorizes an existing pilot program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide items such as diapers, wipes, breastfeeding supplies, and postpartum mental health resources in areas of need. 

“No mother should have to worry about whether she can afford the basic necessities her newborn needs in those critical first days,” said Congresswoman Nanette Barragán. “The bipartisan NEST Act builds on proven partnerships to ensure families, especially those in underserved and maternal health desert communities, have access to essential supplies and postpartum support. This legislation is a practical, compassionate step toward improving maternal and infant health outcomes and giving every child a strong start in life.”

“Motherhood is a tremendous blessing and the highest calling of my life. In the days and moments after giving birth, I want all moms to have the support necessary to create a nurturing environment for their child, especially in maternal health deserts and our rural communities,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow, the primary sponsor of the legislation. “We will keep working with our local hospitals and private sector partners to expand this program and provide meaningful support for mothers and their babies.”

“As a mother and a pediatrician, I understand the physical, mental, and financial challenges that mothers of newborns often face during the postpartum period,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “Mothers need all the support we can provide. That is why I am proud to introduce the bipartisan NEST Act that will ensure mothers have the supplies and resources they need to care for themselves and their newborns.”

“As a healthcare participant in the newborn supply kit program, Woman’s Hospital is proud to provide new mothers in need with essential resources that support a strong start to parenthood,” said Rene Ragas, President & CEO of Woman’s Hospital. “These kits are game changers for our families, offering the peace of mind that comes with having supplies for those first critical days and weeks at home. The kits remove common sources of stress, allowing parents to focus on bonding with their newborn and navigating the early days of family life with confidence and care.”

“Congresswoman Letlow’s leadership in delivering vital support to new moms represents a bold and innovative step forward in addressing maternal health challenges,” said E.J. Kuiper, President and CEO of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. “Maternal health is the cornerstone to ensuring healthy families and healthy communities, and initiatives like this have the power to save lives. Congresswoman Letlow has been a tireless champion for mothers and families in many policy areas, and we are grateful for her continued focus on ensuring that new mothers receive the care, supplies and support they need to thrive.”

“The introduction of the NEST Act is a crucial step forward in ensuring new parents’ access to essential resources during one of life’s most vulnerable moments,” said Kay Matthews, Founder and Executive Director at the Shades of Blue Project. “As someone who has experienced firsthand the challenges of the perinatal period, I know how transformative it can be when families receive the right support at the right time. I’m grateful to Rep. Letlow and Rep. Schrier for their bipartisan leadership on pro-family and cost of living issues—when we invest in moms and babies, we’re investing in American communities, especially those who have been historically underserved.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2025

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Reps. Barragán, Kean, Jr., Miller-Meeks, Auchincloss, Fitzpatrick, and Watson Coleman Re-Introduce Legislation to Protect Patients from High Prescription Drug Costs 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) joined Representatives Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) to reintroduce the Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to make life-saving prescription medications more affordable for patients with rare, serious, and chronic conditions.

This bipartisan legislation would require insurance companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to count the value of copay assistance they receive on a patient’s behalf toward cost-sharing requirements. This change ensures that payments, whether they come directly out of a patient’s pocket or with help from non-profit organizations and prescription drug manufacturers, contribute toward a patient’s annual deductible and out-of-pocket limit.

Rep. Barragán said, “For patients living with complex and chronic diseases, access to prescription drugs that help them manage their condition saves lives, plain and simple. But too many Americans are unable to afford the medications they need because the out-of-pocket costs are too high. This is unacceptable. Americans work hard every day to make sure they can feed their families and take care of their loved ones. They should not be priced out of receiving the life-saving medications they rely on. That is why I am proud to co-lead, the HELP Copays Act, with Congressman Kean. This bipartisan bill will help working American families afford their prescriptions by putting a stop to harmful practices by insurance companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and ensuring that patients’ copay assistance counts towards their cost-sharing requirements. Because drug affordability is not a blue-state issue or a red-state issue — it is an issue that affects tens of millions across the country and in every state.”

Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. said, “Copay assistance programs help make costly medications attainable for Americans who rely on them. Yet under current law, insurers and PBMs can pocket this assistance without lowering patients’ cost-sharing obligations. Our bipartisan legislation will fix that problem by ensuring those savings are passed on to patients. This solution will protect access to essential prescription drugs, reduce overall healthcare costs for families, and hold these health companies accountable.”

Congresswoman Miller-Meeks said, “Too many patients are forced to walk away from the pharmacy counter because their out-of-pocket costs are simply too high. The HELP Copays Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that ensures financial assistance, from nonprofits or drug manufacturers, actually counts toward a patient’s deductible and copay. As a physician, I know how devastating it is when a patient can’t afford the medication they need. This bill puts patients first by lowering their real, day-to-day costs and stopping insurance companies from shifting more of the burden onto families.”

Congressman Auchincloss said, “Drug pricing middlemen want patients to pay deductibles twice. That’s not how insurance should work. With this bill, those schemes stop.”

Congressman Fitzpatrick said, “For people living with chronic and rare diseases, copay assistance is often the only path to staying on lifesaving treatment. Yet far too many are paying twice, while insurers and PBMs pocket that assistance without ever counting it toward a patient’s costs. That’s wrong—and it’s exactly what the bipartisan HELP Copays Act corrects. This is common-sense, patient-first reform to lower out-of-pocket costs and ensure every dollar intended to help a patient actually does.” 

Specifically, the HELP Copays Act would: 

• Clarify the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to require that health plans count payments made “by or on behalf of” patients, including financial assistance offered by non-profit organizations and prescription drug manufacturers, toward cost-sharing requirements.
• Close the ACA’s Essential Health Benefit (EHB) loophole to ensure that any covered prescription drug is defined as “essential” so that all related cost-sharing counts towards a patient’s cost-sharing limits. 

The full text of the House bill is available HERE. An identical companion Senate bill (S.864) was introduced by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Tom Kaine (D-VA) in March 2025.

The legislation is endorsed by the All Copays Count Coalition, a group of nearly 90 national patient and provider advocacy organizations. Read their press release HERE and endorsement letter in support of the bill HERE. 

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