MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) announced the departure of Kevin Dawson, who has served as Kelly’s Chief of Staff since 2023 and previously spent five years as a Legislative Aide to Kelly, will depart Capitol Hill to begin a new role in the private sector. Quinn Ritchie, Kelly’s current Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, will be promoted to Chief of Staff.

“Kevin Dawson has been an exceptional leader whose dedication and unwavering commitment to serving the people of Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District have strengthened our entire operation. I am deeply grateful for his years of service and the professionalism he brought to every challenge. While we will miss him greatly, I couldn’t be more excited for Kevin as he embarks on his next adventure,” said Rep. Kelly. “I am proud to announce Quinn Ritchie as our new Chief of Staff. Quinn brings proven leadership, strategic insight, and a strong understanding of the issues that matter most to our constituents. I have the utmost confidence in Quinn’s ability to lead our team with integrity and drive, and I look forward to the great work we will accomplish together in the coming years.”

Above: Kevin Dawson with Rep. Kelly.

Above: Quinn Ritchie with Rep. Kelly.

In addition to Dawson’s seven years with Kelly, he also spent two years in the U.S. Senate on the Senate Budget Committee and in the office of U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

Ritchie first began his career on Capitol Hill as Kelly’s staff assistant and legislative correspondent in Kelly’s office in 2021. He also served Rep. Kelly as a professional staff member during Kelly’s chairmanship of the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump in 2024.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin on CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act — House Republicans’ bill to lower premium costs for all Americans, increase health care access, expand health care choices, and bring greater transparency to America’s health care system.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full interview here

On the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act:

What we’re going to do today is the first of multiple steps to help not just 7% of Americans, but 100% of Americans actually reduce their premiums, not subsidize insurance companies to raise the premiums but reduce them. And the first of those votes is today. The Lower Premiums for All Americans Act, we’re going to have on the floor, and it’s going to actually achieve, if it’s signed into law, exactly what we’re saying.

It has many components, among them are the cost sharing reduction programs, which will reduce all premiums across the board by at least 11%. And by the way, save taxpayers tens of billions of dollars. We have the association health plans that’ll be a part of this today, which will give more flexibility to small businesses and others and insurers in the marketplace. You’ve got PBM transparency as a part of this and the choice accounts. So, there’ll be a lot more flexibility in the system. Consumers will be able to have more choices, and their costs will go down. We’ll also increase access to care through these reforms. Again, this is just the first of many. We’re going to do more of this in the first quarter of next year. Republicans are the ones who will fix health care. It is the Democrats who broke it. Remember, when they passed Obamacare, the Unaffordable Care Act, it was 15 years ago now. They promised us that it would enhance care and that premiums would go down for everyone and you’d have more choices. None of that was true. So, we have to fix it. Republicans are the ones with the ideas to do it.

On Democrats lying about health care subsidies and their own broken system:

First of all, the subsidies are not going away. Again, this is an enhanced subsidy on top of the subsidy that everyone already has. And again, even if it had been extended for three years as Hakeem Jeffries proposed with no reforms, these same people who are achieving that and having that enhanced subsidy would only get 5.7% of savings. The point is, everyone’s premiums are going up because the Democrats broke the system. The very people who are trying to continue to subsidize it and put more taxpayer dollars on a broken system are the ones that created the mess. We are coming into the middle of that to reform the system, to look at the root causes, the root problems of why everyone’s premiums are going up. And yes, that takes a lot of hard work.

It takes a lot of consensus building here, especially at a time when we have razor thin margins and no one on the Democrat side wants to do anything to actually help the problem. They don’t want a solution to this. They want an issue for the upcoming election, and they have put all their chips on one slice in the roulette wheel, and their whole game is to try to blame health care costs on Republicans, which is comical when you look at the facts. They are the ones who broke it. They’re the ones that continue to add to it. And that’s what we’re trying to address.

###

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

Headline: Newhouse Announces He Will Not Seek Reelection

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement announcing he will not run for reelection in 2026.  

“I am announcing today that I will not seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives. Serving the Fourth District of Washington has been the honor of my life, and this decision comes with no reservations or remorse, only gratitude for the tremendous opportunity to have represented my home state in Congress. 

After over 25 years of public service, including more than a decade in the House, I am grateful to the Washingtonians who put their faith in me, as well as the colleagues I have served with on both sides of the aisle. 

Public service takes many forms. As I look forward to this new chapter and ways I can continue to serve my community and this great Nation, I do so with confidence that there are now qualified and serious people expressing interest in this office. Central Washington will have a strong, capable leader to whom I can pass the torch. 

I thank my family for their steadfast love and support which allowed me this opportunity to serve. I am truly humbled by this uniquely American journey that took a farm boy from Sunnyside, Washington clear across the country to represent his friends and neighbors in the ‘other’ Washington. I will continue to serve my district with energy and enthusiasm until the end of my term.   

God bless America and God bless the people of the Fourth District of Washington.” 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

Bipartisan letter reaffirms unwavering support for Australian Jewish community and calls on Australia to implement measures to combat rising antisemitism

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (NY-06) and Joe Morelle (NY-25) introduced legislation to reduce food insecurity for families across the nation. The Hunger Clearinghouse Enhancement Act would increase funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Hunger Clearinghouse Hotline and help improve access to food assistance, nutrition, and social services information for families in need.

“As grocery prices continue to rise, and food assistance programs dwindle, millions of Americans are experiencing food insecurity. In the richest country in the world, no one should go hungry,” said Congresswoman Grace Meng. “The Hunger Clearinghouse Enhancement Act will make it easier for people to find food resources they need and increase critical federal funding to address hunger prevention and education. I’m proud to join Congressman Morelle and Senator Gillibrand to introduce this important legislation and for their shared commitment to addressing the hunger crisis.”

“In the richest and most advanced nation in human history, it’s insulting that families are still worried about putting food on the table. We have a responsibility to confront this crisis head-on—and I refuse to stand idly by as Donald Trump continues to use hunger as a weapon against our families,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “This legislation strengthens access to nutrition assistance and helps ensure families have the support they need to stay afloat. I’m grateful to Senator Gillibrand and Congresswoman Meng for their partnership as we work to protect Americans.”

Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, said: “Call volume to the Hotline in 2020-2025 continued to be literally three times higher than before the pandemic, yet federal funding for the Hotline has remained exactly the same, at a paltry $250,000 per year, which covers less than half of the Hotline expenses.  Big thanks to Congressman Morelle for fighting to increase funding for this vital service, which aids tens of thousands of the most vulnerable Americans per year.”

Roughly 14% of U.S. households reported food insecurity on average between January and October 2025, up from 12.5% in 2024. For many of these individuals, food insecurity is the result of limited financial resources and limited access to available options. any of these households are unaware of the food assistance programs that exist and could benefit them. Increasing funding for the USDA’s National Hunger Clearinghouse hotline is a solution to address this problem.

The USDA’s National Hunger Clearinghouse helps low-income individuals or communities by providing food assistance and other nutrition and social services information, serving as an important tool in combating hunger and promoting economic mobility.

Specifically, the Hunger Clearinghouse Enhancement Act would:

• Increase the National Hunger Clearinghouse’s authorization level from $250,000 to $750,000 to better assist families navigate the best options and resources.
• Provide resources to assist and educate families on ways to prevent hunger.
• Implement training for suitable volunteers willing to provide their support to address the staff shortage this program faces.

The full text of the Hunger Clearinghouse Enhancement Act is available here. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has introduced the Senate companion bill.

For information on USDA’s Hunger Clearinghouse, visit the USDA webpage here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, the House passedCongressman LaMalfa’s (R-Richvale) legislation, H.R. 2400, the Pit River Land Transfer Act. The bill transfers approximately 580 acres of federally owned land known locally as the “Four Corners” to the Pit River Tribe.

The “Four Corners” is located between Burney, California and Fall River Mills in Northeastern California. The land represents a physical and spiritual landmark for the Pit River Tribe, central to their identity and ability to thrive and grow on their ancestral lands. The Pit River Tribe has ancestral ties to this land that span over 10,000 years, with the Four Corners holding deep spiritual and historical value to the tribe.

“For decades, the Pit River Tribe has pursued every legal and administrative avenue to acquire this land, facing endless bureaucratic delays,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “Transferring the Four Corners to them will allow the tribe to build an interpretive center, educate the public on their history, and honor their ancestral past. I am pleased to see the House pass this legislation as a step towards strengthening stewardship, land management, and tribal self-determination.”

“H.R. 2400 is an important step in recognizing the rights and history of the Pit River Tribe,” said Natural Resources Chairman Westerman. “This bill restores tribal homelands and enhances both tribal sovereignty and local stewardship.  I applaud Representative LaMalfa for advancing this bill and look forward to seeing this meaningful tribal land settlement move toward final enactment.”

“For countless generations, the Pit River people have lived in relationship with these lands—caring for them, guided by the teachings of our ancestors. The return of these homelands is not merely about acres and boundaries; it is about restoring a sacred trust that has endured through hardship and dispossession,” said Yatch Bamford, Chairman of the Pit River Tribe. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Congressman LaMalfa for championing this legislation and for his steadfast dedication to seeing the Pit River Land Transfer Act advance through the House. His leadership honors our sovereignty and supports justice long overdue for our people. This moment renews our hope and strengthens our ability to preserve our culture and traditions for generations to come.”

You can view Congressman LaMalfa’s remarks in debate here.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Lofgren released the following statement after the attack at Australia’s Bondi Beach on Sunday, December 14, 2025:

“As families around the world gather for Hanukkah, my heart breaks for those killed and injured in this weekend’s antisemitic attack at Australia’s Bondi Beach. Nobody should live in fear while celebrating their faith, and we must condemn antisemitism wherever it appears,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), alongside Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), 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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

###

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

SCHAUMBURG, IL — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi today issued the following statement in response to renewed deployments of masked federal agents conducting surprise immigration raids in Chicago-area neighborhoods during the holiday season:

“My office is actively monitoring and responding to the renewed deployment of masked federal agents in Chicago-area neighborhoods. Conducting surprise raids during the holidays that chase people through our streets, separate families, and target non-criminal residents is not about public safety. It is about fear and intimidation. I will use every oversight and legislative tool available to confront these abuses, defend due process, and hold federal agencies and their leaders accountable.”

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the Investing in American Workers Act, legislation to help workers gain the skills they need to succeed as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and rapid technological change reshape the economy. The Investing in American Workers Act would modernize the tax code to encourage employers to invest in workforce training tied to recognized postsecondary credentials, particularly for lower- and moderate-income workers, so employees can adapt to new technologies, transition into emerging roles, and share in the gains of a rapidly evolving economy.

“Businesses across the country are still struggling to find workers with the training needed for today’s jobs, and workers need better access to affordable, employer-supported opportunities to build new skills,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “This legislation expands access to high-quality training programs that help workers move into good, stable careers while strengthening the competitiveness of our businesses and growing the middle class. If we want the United States to remain the world’s economic leader, we must invest in the workers who drive our economy. When people have the skills they need to get ahead, our communities grow stronger and the entire country benefits.”

“As artificial intelligence and automation transform nearly every sector of our economy, the question isn’t whether jobs will change – it’s whether workers will be given a fair shot to keep up. If we want the United States to lead in innovation, we must also lead in preparing workers for the jobs of the future,” Sen. Warner said. “Right now, our tax code rewards companies for investing in machines and software, but not nearly enough for investing in people. This bill applies a proven model, the R&D tax credit, to incentivize employers to offer workforce training, so workers can build new skills, businesses can stay competitive, and the benefits of technological change are more widely shared.”

As AI tools increasingly alter job requirements in sectors from manufacturing and logistics to health care, finance, and professional services, many workers lack access to affordable, employer-supported training. At the same time, businesses often face little incentive to make long-term investments in their employees. While the tax code offers a Research and Development (R&D) tax credit for investments in technology and capital assets, it provides no comparable incentive for workforce training.

The Investing in American Workers Act addresses this gap by:

• Establishing a tax credit for employers who increase spending on worker training, equal to 20 percent of increased training expenditures for eligible workers earning $96,000 or less per year.

• Incentivizing high-quality, industry-aligned training, including registered apprenticeships, WIOA-certified programs, community college and career and technical education programs, and employer- or labor-sponsored training that leads to recognized postsecondary credentials.

• Encouraging participation by small businesses, allowing eligible small employers and tax-exempt entities to apply the credit against payroll taxes through a simplified filing process.

• Promoting accountability and transparency, including data collection to ensure training investments are reaching a diverse workforce.

Supporters note that aligning workforce policy with the pace of technological change is critical to maintaining U.S. economic leadership and ensuring that AI-driven productivity gains benefit workers as well as employers.

“The accelerating pace of change in the workplace is reshaping workforce needs and reinforcing the importance of proactive, sustained investment in skills. Workday strongly supports the reintroduction of the Investing in American Workers Act, which recognizes the critical role employers play in helping workers build the agility needed for the future of work. This legislation affirms a powerful truth: reskilling is not an operational burden, but a strategic investment in an organization’s most valuable resource – its people,” said Chandler Morse, Vice President of Public Policy, Workday.

“Workers need access to high-quality skills training, and employers need a workforce with the skills required to meet rapidly changing hiring needs. By incentivizing employer investments in training, including small businesses, this bill helps meet hiring needs while expanding workers’ access to good jobs and strengthening communities more broadly,” said Megan Evans, Senior Government Affairs Manager, National Skills Coalition.

“AI is transforming jobs at unprecedented speed, putting many workers at risk of being left behind unless we act quickly to help them build new, in-demand skills before they exit the labor market. The Investing in American Workers Act offers a smart, scalable solution – modeled on the R&D credit – by incentivizing employers to expand high-quality training that leads to portable credentials and enables workers to advance while staying connected to the workforce.” – Maria Flynn, President & CEO, Jobs for the Future

The legislation has also been endorsed by Jobs for the Future and the American Association of Community Colleges.

Text for the Investing in American Workers Act is available here.