MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement after the Supreme Court agreed to hear President Trump’s challenge to the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship:

“President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship is not only unconstitutional — it strikes at the values that have guided us since the Civil War. For more than 150 years, our courts have read the 14th Amendment’s command plainly: every child born on American soil arrives with an equal claim to the rights of citizenship. That guarantee has anchored the futures of generations of children who began life here not only with the rights of citizenship from their first breath, but with the chance to build the future their parents dreamed could be possible in America — American children whose futures should not hinge on shifting politics or prejudice. No president can override that constitutional promise or dim the welcoming light it has cast across our history. The Supreme Court must reaffirm what the Constitution makes unmistakably clear: citizenship belongs to every child born in the United States.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement regarding the Department of Defense Inspector General’s report on Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s use of a Signal thread to share detailed plans for an impending United States military strike on Houthi terrorists in Yemen:

“The Inspector General’s findings reveal conduct by Secretary Hegseth that constitutes an extraordinary breach of duty. The report confirms he transmitted nonpublic, time-sensitive operational details—including the number and strike times of U.S. aircraft entering hostile territory—over an unapproved, unsecure group chat just hours before those missions. Any junior officer who disclosed SECRET-level information on a personal phone would face immediate discipline. Instead, the Secretary tried to justify his actions by selectively ‘declassifying’ strike details for convenience and then refused to cooperate with investigators. Our servicemembers entrust their leaders with decisions that can mean the difference between life and death. Even in redacted form, this report makes clear these violations recklessly placed operations—and American lives—in jeopardy. Secretary Hegseth should resign.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) joined with Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-VA) to introduce the Increasing Medication Access for Seniors Act of 2025, legislation that will lower the costs of prescription drugs and improve health care access for seniors and military families. The legislation helps Medicare beneficiaries better access the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which allows seniors to spread high annual drug costs over 12 months interest-free. While the program began in January 2025, very few seniors are aware of it, and fewer than 0.05 percent have enrolled, even though many would benefit from lower upfront costs.

“I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to ensure seniors can actually access the Medicare prescription drug payment options already available to them,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “Too many older Americans on fixed incomes don’t know they can spread high drug costs over the year, interest-free. By improving data and outreach, this bill will help more seniors take advantage of a benefit that can make their medications more affordable.”

This legislation was endorsed by Genetic Alliance, PXE International, Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc., Arthritis Foundation, HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, Neuropathy Action Foundation, PAN Foundation, Triage Cancer, Organic Acidemia Association, Lupus Foundation of America, Alpha-1 Foundation, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), and Alliance for Aging Research. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem raising alarms over what he describes as persistent, systemic failures by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to provide detainees with access to Privacy Release Form 60-001, the federally required document that allows Members of Congress to lawfully obtain information about individual detainee cases and intervene when rights violations or urgent safety issues arise. Without this form, detainees cannot authorize congressional inquiries, and Congress cannot perform even the most basic oversight functions mandated under federal law.

In the letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi details repeated reports from attorneys, families, and advocates that detainees are either denied access to the form entirely or that completed forms “are never transmitted to the proper channels.” He cites ICE’s own Congressional Relations Office, which advised that detainees should be able to obtain the form by phone or written request, avenues that, in practice, “do not function,” according to the congressman.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi wrote that this breakdown has produced what he described as a manufactured catch-22: ICE refuses to share information with Congress without a signed privacy waiver, while simultaneously refusing to provide detainees the very form required to authorize the release. This, he notes, unlawfully obstructs detainees’ rights and “prevents Congress from conducting even basic oversight.”

The letter underscores that federal law, including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Judicial Redress Act of 2015, presumes detainees have meaningful access to the required privacy form. The congressman argues denying that access effectively blocks lawful oversight and undermines the department’s own stated procedures.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi calls on DHS to take immediate corrective action, including:

1. Ensuring all ICE detention facilities provide Privacy Release Form 60-001 to any detainee upon request, without delay or obstruction.

2. Directing all field offices, contractors, and personnel to promptly process completed forms and transmit them to congressional offices without exception.

3. Issuing and publicly posting clear, uniform guidance affirming ICE’s legal obligations regarding privacy waivers and cooperation with congressional inquiries.

He requests a DHS briefing by December 11 and a detailed plan to remedy and prevent future failures.

The full letter can be found here.

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

Reckless Policy Change Could Leave Hundreds of Thousands Unhoused

Letter Text (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) joined House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters (CA-35) and 52 colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, calling on him to rescind a recent HUD decision to slash essential Continuum of Care (CoC) program funding. These dangerous cuts will worsen the ongoing homelessness crisis and leave thousands of vulnerable families without stable housing.

“We write in response to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) reckless and disturbing policy change and funding announcement that could push over 170,000 formerly homeless individuals back on the streets and exacerbate our nation’s homelessness crisis,” wrote the lawmakers.

HUD’s Notice for Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Fiscal Year 2025 Continuum of Care Program, issued on November 13, 2025 would slash funding for permanent supportive housing (PSH) programs from 86% of CoC funds to just 30%, impose an extremely compressed application timeline creating a half-year funding gap, and deprioritize CoCs which use evidence-based solutions to end homelessness.

The lawmakers warned: “At a time when our nation has over 771,000 people experiencing homelessness, this NOFO will worsen the situation, impacting people with disabilities, veterans, domestic violence survivors, women with children and more.”

In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the long-standing bipartisan support for Housing First, noting that it remains the most effective tool local providers have to reduce homelessness. They also expressed serious concern that HUD’s delayed release of the FY2025 NOFO – and the shortened time allowed for CoCs to apply – would create a nearly half-year gap in services, putting the most vulnerable people at immediate risk.

“This reckless timing will put critical homeless services at risk, leave rents unpaid, and put the most vulnerable people back on the streets,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers concluded their letter by urging HUD to immediately rescind the harmful FY2025 NOFO, renew current grants under the FY2024 NOFO structure, and ensure that CoCs using proven, evidence-based solutions receive the funding necessary to continue supporting people experiencing homelessness.

Read the full letter HERE.

Full list of signers: Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA), Becca Balint (D-VT), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Al Green (D-TX), Jim Himes (D-CT), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Henry Johnson (D-GA), William Keating (D-MA), Greg Landsman (D-OH), George Latimer (D-NY), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), John Mannion (D-NY), Sarah McBride (D-DE), James McGovern (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Eleanor Norton (D-DC), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Luz Rivas (D-CA), David Scott (D-GA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Adam Smith (D-WA), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Mark Takano (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

As a Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the House Financial Services Committee (FSC), Rep. Pressley has consistently advocated for policies that affirm housing as a human right and center the dignity and humanity of all people.

• In December 2025, Rep. Pressley underscored the need to support grandfamily and kinship households, which are vital to preventing homelessness and keeping families and communities whole.
• In November 2025, on National Housing Day, Rep. Pressley introduced the Appraisal Modernization Act, legislation to promote equity and combat systemic bias in the home appraisal process that has disadvantaged many current and aspiring homeowners—especially homeowners of color.
• In October 2025, Rep. Pressley introduced the Innovation Fund Act to establish a program to reward communities that are taking innovative steps to increase housing supply.
• In May 2025, Rep, Pressley, along with Representatives Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Greg Casar (TX-35), reintroduced the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, legislation to protect the power of tenants, including those with federal vouchers, to organize.
• In June 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Representatives Maxine Waters (CA-43) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), re-introduced the Tenant Empowerment Act, bold legislation to strengthen HUD tenant protections and provide renters with the tools necessary to improve the quality of their homes.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Mayor Wu, visited Roxbury to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal funding she secured to provide emergency childcare support for families experiencing homelessness in the City of Boston.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Senators Warren and Markey, applauded the final passage of $850,000 in federal community project funding for The Pryde, an affordable housing development for LGBTQ+ seniors in Hyde Park.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley urged Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to cut interest rates to boost home affordability and construction of affordable housing.
• In January 2024, Rep. Pressley, during a House Financial Services Committee Hearing, highlighted the growing housing crisis and how appraisal bias and discriminatory tenant screening practices exacerbate the racial wealth and homeownership gaps, especially for Black communities.
• In January 2024, Rep. Pressley celebrated the $2.4 million in federal funding she secured to support the community-led transformation of the Clarendon Hill housing community, an ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse neighborhood in Somerville.
• In December 2023, Rep. Pressley requested the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide data on housing needs for Medicaid beneficiaries and feedback on challenges the agency is having in covering housing support for people requiring home and community-based services (HCBS).
• In July 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), reintroduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act, critical legislation to provide much-needed assistance to those facing eviction amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 
• In June 2023, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Rashida Tlaib introduced the Housing for Formerly Incarcerated Reentry and Stable Tenancy (Housing FIRST) Act, bold legislation to help people who are formerly incarcerated and those with criminal histories access safe and stable housing.
• In September 2021, Rep. Pressley joined Rep. Bush and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in introducing the Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021 to enact an urgently needed nationwide eviction moratorium. 
• On July 2021, ahead of the expiration of the previous CDC eviction moratorium, Reps. Pressley, Bush, Gomez and their progressive colleagues sent a letter renewing their calls for President Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to extend the federal eviction moratorium and prevent the historic and deadly wave of evictions that would occur if the government failed to do so. 
• On July 30, 2021, Rep. Pressley joined House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) in introducing the Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021, legislation to extend the eviction moratorium through the end of the year. 
• In June 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Reps. Gomez and Bush, led over 40 of their colleagues on a letter urging President Biden and CDC Director Walensky to extend and strengthen the moratorium for the duration of the public health crisis. 
• In June 2021, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), re-introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
• On May 18, 2021, Reps. Bush and Pressley sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), calling on the CDC to strengthen and extend the federal moratorium on evictions, ensuring families can remain safely in their homes for the duration of the COVID-19 global health emergency.
• On July 28, 2020, Rep. Pressley, Rep. DeLauro and Sen. Harris introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act to provide much-needed, layered assistance to those facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On July 24, 2020, in a Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed the unprecedented financial cliff facing millions of renters and homeowners, the economic consequences of millions losing their homes, including the ability to return to work, and why funding for legal representation is so critical.
• On May 11, 2020, Reps. Tlaib, and Joe Neguse (D-CO) urge House and Senate leadership to include $11.5 billion in funding for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) in the next relief package to aid the nation’s homeless population who are experiencing heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On April 10, 2020, Rep. Pressley urged Congressional leadership to prioritize recurring monthly cash payments to those most at-risk during the COVID-19 crisis. This funding would allow people to cover all their bills, including rent.
• On April 17, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and colleagues introduce the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

• On March 23, 2020, Reps. Pressley and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020, legislation to provide critical funding to states and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation was included and passed through the HEROES Act and H.R. 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.
• On March 19, 2020, Rep. Pressley, along with progressive lawmakers and organizations, introduced the Housing is a Human Right Act to authorize more than $200 billion in federal spending over 10 years for crucial housing infrastructure and reduce homelessness.
• On March 18, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Katie Porter (D-CA) and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to HUD calling for a moratorium on evicting renters during the coronavirus pandemic.
• In July 2019, Rep. Pressley announced legislation that would prohibit the use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), protecting tenants from biased surveillance technology. 
• In November 2019, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Tlaib wrote to HUD blasting the agency for ignoring low-income tenants seeking to save their homes.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Statement on USDA Relief Payments

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of financial relief to farmers impacted by market disruptions. 

“Farmers across the United States, including in Central Washington, are reaching a breaking point because of supply chain issues, high input costs, and uncertainty around foreign market access. While this announcement primarily benefits row crop producers, other specialty crop growers will need additional assistance as they struggle to make ends meet due to continued high labor costs,” said Rep. Newhouse. 

Newhouse added, “I appreciate President Trump and Secretary Rollins for rolling out a bridge to get farmers and ranchers through lean times. I know they understand, as I do, that producers would prefer market certainty over direct payments from the federal government. I look forward to continuing working with this Administration to lower labor costs, reduce regulatory burdens, implement the agriculture provisions of the Working Families Tax Cut, and ensure American farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to make it to the next growing season.” 

According to USDA, $12 billion will be made available for one time bridge payments to American farmers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs impacting farmers. 

Of the $12 billion provided, up to $11 billion will be used for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which provides broad relief to U.S. row crop farmers who produce barley, chickpeas, corn, cotton, lentils, oats, peanuts, peas, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, and sunflower.  

The remaining $1 billion in bridge payments will be reserved for commodities not covered in the FBA Program such as specialty crops and sugar, for example, though details including timelines for those payments are still under development by USDA.

USDA said farmers who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments to be released by February 28, 2026. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland
December 8, 2025                                                    202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SPEAKS AT RIGHT TO DEMOCRACY EVENT ON TERRITORIAL RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIC EQUALITY 

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) delivered remarks at Right to Democracy’s “Recognizing Your Leadership Event” on December 4, 2025, addressing the ongoing fight for full democratic rights and equal treatment for the nearly four million Americans living in U.S. territories. 

The event was organized by Right to Democracy and featured remarks from Congressman Pablo Hernández of Puerto Rico and honored individuals and organizations advancing democracy and self-determination in America’s territories, including Covington & Burling LLP for their pro-bono partnership in securing the Department of Justice’s historic condemnation of the Insular Cases, and Gretchen Sierra Zorita for her groundbreaking service as the first White House Director for Puerto Rico and the Territories. 

“For 125 years, the racist Insular Cases have justified second-class citizenship and systemic discrimination against my constituents and millions of other Americans,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “While the Department of Justice’s condemnation of these cases in 2024 was historic, words must become action. True democracy cannot coexist with colonialism—even when that colonialism wears an American flag.” 

Congresswoman Plaskett emphasized that as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the 125th anniversary of the Insular Cases, the tension between these two moments reveals fundamental contradictions in American democracy. The Insular Cases, rooted in racist pseudoscience, declared territorial residents “foreign in a domestic sense” and have been used to justify excluding territories from equal Medicare and Medicaid funding, denying full voting rights in the House of Representatives and membership in the Senate, and withholding access to federal programs that states take for granted. 

At the start of the 119th Congress in January, Congresswoman Plaskett addressed territorial voting rights and reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for equal opportunities for the U.S. Virgin Islands and all U.S. territories. She continues to lead this fight through concrete legislative action. 

“In 2021, I led bipartisan amendments to prevent the Department of Justice from using federal funds to defend discrimination in United States v. Vaello-Madero—a case that sought to deny SSI benefits to citizens based solely on their residence in a territory,” Congresswoman Plaskett stated. “I became the first Member ever from a Territory to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee—the oldest and most exclusive Committee in Congress—giving the Virgin Islands and all territories a voice on tax, trade, and healthcare policy at the highest levels.” 

Congresswoman Plaskett recently secured eight critical Community Project Funding victories totaling $8.5 million for the Virgin Islands, demonstrating her commitment to delivering tangible results for her constituents while fighting for structural change. She has also worked to secure exemptions from punitive port fees and to make the rum cover-over permanent. 

“The work ahead requires all of us—advocates, legal scholars, policymakers, and most importantly, the people of the territories themselves—to push beyond symbolic victories toward structural change,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “We must continue building coalitions and fight for healthcare equity, economic opportunity, and the infrastructure investments our communities deserve.” 

Congresswoman Plaskett emphasized that every American—regardless of zip code—deserves full democratic rights and equal treatment under law, and that the fight for territorial equality is connected to the broader struggle for American democracy. 

“As this nation faces increasing threats to our multi-racial democracy, the territories offer both a warning and a roadmap,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “We are living proof of what happens when ‘consent of the governed’ becomes conditional, when constitutional protections are treated as negotiable, and we are demonstrating the resilience, creativity, and determination required to demand what is rightfully ours.” 

Background: Right to Democracy is a project co-founded by Adi Martínez Román and Neil Weare that seeks to overcome historic obstacles to change through a new approach that unites rather than divides. The organization aims to build a real movement focused on confronting and dismantling the undemocratic colonial framework governing people in U.S. territories. Right to Democracy’s work is centered on core values including building common ground, respecting differences, provoking change, staying focused on mission, and avoiding toxicity through an approach that centers shared goals. The organization is focused on bringing about a reckoning to address 125 years of colonialism and undemocratic governance in U.S. territories, overruling the Insular Cases, building a coalition that unites all five U.S. territories, ensuring U.S. commitments to democratic principles are achieved in U.S. territories by making decolonization a mainstream issue, and centering diversity as a strength in all their work. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

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

Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) joined Palm Beach State College (PBSC) President Ava Parker and PBSC students to celebrate the opening of the college’s renovated Respiratory Clinical Lab—expanded through the $700,000 in federal funding secured by Rep. Frankel.

“Working people build our community, and Palm Beach State College’s students are training for some of the most essential jobs in our health care system,” said Rep. Frankel. “With this federal investment, this new respiratory clinical lab provides the opportunity for students to access the tools and hands-on experience they need to work hard and earn good wages while delivering life-saving care to our neighbors. When working people do well, our entire economy and community grow stronger.”

PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D., added, “Thanks to Congresswoman Frankel’s support, our students now have a state-of-the-art lab that gives them the real-world training that sets them apart in today’s competitive job market.”

PBSC’s 35-year-old Respiratory Care program—accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care—has had a 100 percent job placement rate for 25 years, preparing students for careers as Registered Respiratory Therapists. These workers operate ventilators, assess lung function, and provide critical treatments—skills that became even more vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, when PBSC stepped in to help supply local hospitals with equipment and trained personnel.

The newly expanded lab provides upgraded access to medical gas lines, ventilators, and specialized equipment, allowing the college to train more students in essential skills such as intubation, ventilator management, pulmonary testing, and neonatal and cardiac resuscitation.

To learn more about PBSC’s Respiratory Care program, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)

Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), alongside Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), introduced the Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act, a bipartisan bill to help lower prescription drug costs by protecting generic drug makers from abusive lawsuits and preserving patient access to affordable medications.

“Families across Virginia and the nation are facing rising prescription drug prices that strain their budgets and put their health at risk,” said Congressman Cline. “The Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act is a commonsense solution that protects competition in the marketplace and ensures patients can get the medications they need at a price they can afford. By reinforcing a key pathway that brings safe, effective generics to market, we’re putting patients ahead of profit.”

The legislation strengthens protections for the use of “skinny labels,” a critical regulatory tool that allows generic and biosimilar manufacturers to seek FDA approval for uses of a drug that are no longer protected by patents. This pathway accelerates access to more affordable alternatives while respecting valid intellectual property rights.

“For years, generic manufacturers have used skinny labels to lower drug costs without infringing on brand-name patents,” Cline continued. “But now, some pharmaceutical companies are exploiting legal loopholes to sue generic competitors and delay their entry into the market. Our bill stops that abuse and restores fairness to the system.”

The Skinny Labels Big Savings Act ensures that generic manufacturers who obtain FDA approval for skinny label uses are not held liable for method-of-use patent infringement when operating by federal law. It also provides clarity that drugmakers can describe their generics as FDA-approved therapeutic equivalents, provided that description aligns with FDA regulations. Importantly, the bill reinforces that the use of skinny labels does not weaken legitimate patent rights, but rather supports a system that was designed to bring savings to patients, insurers, and taxpayers alike. The bill has earned the backing of key patient and consumer advocacy organizations, including Patients for Affordable Drugs NOW and the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing.

“We have a prescription drug affordability crisis in this country. Lawsuits have eroded the “skinny label” pathway and delayed the rollout of lower-cost alternatives. With this bill, we are leveling the playing field and allowing generic drug manufacturers to get their lifesaving prescription drugs to the market faster, driving down costs for patients,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren.

“Since the passage of Hatch-Waxman 40 years ago, skinny labeling has saved patients and the health care system billions of dollars annually,” said John Murphy III, President and CEO for the Association of Accessible Medicines. “Without hesitation, AAM applauds and supports legislation that will provide a safe harbor for skinny labeling, propelling patient access to lower-cost generic medications and protecting the overall health care system. Thank you to Representatives Cline and Lofgren for their hard work on behalf of patients.”