Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson issued the following statement after the House passed additional pieces of legislation this week to codify more of President Trump’s Executive Order confronting the crime crisis in our nation’s capital.
“House Republicans continue to codify President Trump’s crackdown on D.C. crime and passed two more critical bills to reverse the city’s dangerous soft-on-crime policies. The CLEAN D.C. Act repeals the D.C. Council’s flawed 2022 policing overhaul which Congress already sought to block with bipartisan legislation before President Biden vetoed it. The D.C. CRIMES Act further ensures the city cannot weaken sentencing standards for criminals and requires that violent youth offenders be charged as adults for the most serious offenses,” Speaker Johnson said. “These reforms reflect Republicans’ continued commitment to restore law and order in the nation’s capital and provides a model for other Democrat-run cities plagued by rising crime.”
“Too many Americans in the District of Columbia have been subjected to violence at the hands of dangerous criminals, especially repeat criminals who have been allowed to walk free. The Metropolitan Police Department should be able to do its job and protect Americans without fear of retribution, loss of retention among officers, and recruitment crises stemming from lack of support. The bills passed in the House build on President Trump’s promise to restore law and order to D.C., keep violent criminals off the streets, and defend residents and visitors alike from the chaos caused by the D.C. Council’s radical policies. I applaud Representatives Elise Stefanik and Andrew Clyde for leading the charge to keep D.C. safe and I urge the Senate to pass these bills quickly,” House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said.
House Adopted Legislation During 119th Congress Targeting D.C. Crime:
H.R. 5214— District of Columbia Cash Bail Reform Act of 2025 (Sponsored by Representative Elise Stefanik): bans cashless bail in Washington, D.C. and would end it nationwide by blocking federal funds from going to support policies and Far Left officials who release violent criminals back on the streets.
H.R. 5107 — Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in (CLEAN) D.C. Act of 2025 (Sponsored by Representative Andrew Clyde): repeals the D.C. City Council’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2022. In 2023, President Biden vetoed bipartisan legislation passed by both the House and Senate to block its enactment.
H.R. 4922— D.C. CRIMES Act (Sponsored by Rep. Byron Donalds): Prohibits the D.C. Council from enacting lenient sentencing reforms and ensures youth offenders are appropriately charged as adults for serious crimes.
H.R. 5140— District of Columbia Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act (Sponsored by Rep. Brandon Gill): Lowers the age for juveniles to be tried as adults for violent offenses from 16 to 14, addressing the surge in youth crime.
H.R. 5143— District of Columbia Policing Protection Act (Sponsored by Rep. Clay Higgins): Restores law enforcement’s ability to pursue fleeing suspects and enhances public safety through real-time alerts during police pursuits.
H.R. 5125— District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act (Sponsored by Rep. Pete Sessions): Repeals the D.C. Judicial Nomination Commission and returns judicial appointments to the President and Senate, in line with the Constitution.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)
Washington, DC –Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) released the following statement ahead of House Natural Resources Committee Chair Bruce Westerman’s markup of the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development or SPEED Act.
“I’m glad Chairman Westerman is marking up the SPEED Act this week. It’s extremely important that we reform the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) to better power our economy, protect our environment and lower costs for consumers. From our previous work together on Save our Sequoias and the Fix Our Forests Act, I know that Chairman Westerman is working honestly and diligently to find bipartisan solutions.
“To that end, the SPEED Act is a huge step forward. I hope that as the bill is marked up and moves to the House floor, we can find a way to address my and several of my colleagues’ remaining concerns.
“First, permit certainty. Recent actions by the Trump Administration to revoke already issued and legally sound permits, and their reluctance or refusal to issue permits for new wind and solar projects is unprecedented and must be prevented going forward. The language already in the bill is welcome but needs to be strengthened.
“Second, remedies. This bill removes the ability for a court to stop a project if the environmental analysis supporting the permit is found to be faulty – even if the analysis is incompetent or fraudulent. While I am open to restricting injunctive relief for violations of NEPA, there should be some opportunity for a court to delay, modify or revoke the permit that relies on that analysis. The judicial review process should be reformed to be swift, fair, and targeted, and we are confident we can come to agreement on a bill that achieves those goals.
“Finally, the effort to reduce litigation and increase certainty by putting blinders on agency analysis – described as codifying the Seven County decision – may backfire. That case held that federal agencies were not required to analyze certain impacts that were remote in place and time. The bill goes much further – affirmatively prohibiting that analysis. Notwithstanding the practical impacts of agencies implementing these restrictions – slowing down reviews – this could actually increase litigation, as project sponsors and opponents could now use this new standard to litigate over what is and is not in scope, creating additional uncertainty, and delaying project timelines.
“I am confident that all parties are working in good faith to reach a broader bipartisan deal that will deliver a transparent and accountable permitting process that will allow America to truly compete. I look forward to continuing to work with the Natural Resources Committee, fellow Democrats, and other stakeholders to achieve this goal, as this bill moves through markup and to the House floor.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)
WASHINGTON –Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) introduced the Determination of NEPA Adequacy Streamlining Act. This bill would streamline the approval process to advance essential water, transportation, energy, infrastructure, and flood-control projects by allowing federal agencies to use previously conducted Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the approval of projects with similar environmental impacts.
“The Central Valley has numerous essential improvement projects stuck in limbo because of excessive red tape,and we should be doing everything we can to put shovels in the ground,” said Congressman Valadao. “Streamlining the slow, overly bureaucratic approval process by allowing Secretaries to use previously conducted and scientifically sound environmental reviews under NEPA will help move these tied up projects across the finish line. We need to get rid of these repetitive roadblocks, and I’m proud to lead the charge to unlock projects that will strengthen our region’s energy supply, improve our water infrastructure, and deliver the critical upgrades our communities have been waiting on for far too long.”
Background:
The Central Valley relies on timely federal approvals to advance essential projects, but unfortunately, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process has become one of the biggest obstacles to getting those improvements built. In recent years, agencies have faced mounting workloads, staff shortages, and layers of duplicative environmental reviews, creating a growing backlog that can delay projects for years even when their impacts are well-understood. These delays drive up costs, stall economic growth, and leave communities waiting for the infrastructure they urgently need. The Determination of NEPA Adequacy Streamlining Act tackles this problem by allowing federal agencies to rely on previously completed environmental documents when projects or their impacts haven’t changed, cutting through unnecessary repetition while maintaining environmental safeguards.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)
RELEASE: HILL, SUOZZI LEAD LETTER BACKING CPC DESIGNATION FOR NIGERIA AMID RISING VIOLENCE
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 19, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives French Hill (R-AR) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY) led a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio praising the Trump administration’s decision to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) due to severe and deteriorating religious freedom condition.
Rep. Hill said, “For too long, Nigeria’s government has failed to protect its own people—both Christians and Muslims—from horrific religious violence. Thousands have been killed, communities destroyed, and the persecution continues unabated. This CPC designation is necessary and long overdue. I thank President Trump for taking this critical step, and I hope it will finally compel Nigeria’s leaders to take meaningful action to protect religious freedom and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Rep. Suozzi said, “Religious freedom is a fundamental human right. The ongoing, widespread, and escalating violence in Nigeria, and the government’s failure to act, is unacceptable. Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern is a necessary step to demand accountability and protect people of all faiths.”
Background: In 2019, the U.S. Department of State placed Nigeria on the Special Watch List before elevating it to CPC status in 2020. Religious communities across Nigeria continue to face attacks with alarming frequency. This past June, armed attackers killed more than 200 people at a Catholic mission in Benue State that was sheltering displaced individuals. Two months later in Katsina State, at least 27 worshippers were killed when militants attacked a mosque during dawn prayers. These ongoing assaults on people of faith are deepening divisions and denying Nigerians their fundamental right to worship freely.
A “Country of Particular Concern” is a label given by the U.S. Secretary of State to nations engaged in severe violations of religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA). Federal law requires the State Department to review religious freedom conditions around the world each year and identify countries that have “engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom.
These severe violations include systematic and ongoing abuses like torture, inhumane treatment, imprisonment without charges, kidnappings, secret detentions, and other serious threats to people’s lives and safety based on their faith.
Rep. Hill and Rep. Suozzi have long been staunch advocates for better religious freedom conditions in Nigeria.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
WASHINGTON — Joe Biden may no longer be in the White House, but American families are still living with the consequences of his economic failures. President Biden presided over the worst inflation spike in 40 years, driving up the cost of food, housing, transportation, and necessities and left working families struggling to keep up.
Today, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are cleaning up the mess — cutting costs, raising wages, lowering interest rates, and rebuilding the strongest economy in the world.
BIDEN’S 40-YEAR INFLATION CRISIS
Joe Biden’s tenure produced the most painful price shock since Jimmy Carter.
The facts:
Working families, seniors, young parents, and first-time homebuyers all suffered under Biden’s failed economic leadership.
DEMOCRATS MADE THE CRISIS WORSE
Democrats didn’t just cause Biden’s inflation — they compounded it. Their reckless government shutdown inflicted real economic pain and derailed early recovery efforts.
The consequences:
While Republicans pushed to reopen the government and revive the economy, Democrats chose chaos and delay — deepening the affordability crisis American families were already digging out from.
THE TRUMP RECOVERY IS REAL — AND ACCELERATING
In less than a year, President Trump and Congressional Republicans have unleashed a powerful economic resurgence — built on investment, job growth, higher wages, lower costs, and restored confidence.
The results:
President Trump and Congressional Republicans also secured the largest tax cut in American history, taking effect on Americans’ next tax returns:
No Tax on Tips
No Tax on Overtime
New, targeted tax relief for seniors — ensuring Social Security goes further
These provisions are projected to lift wages by as much as $11,600.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Joe Biden and Democrats left behind:
20% cumulative inflation
40-year inflation highs
23-year high interest rates
$2,900 in lost purchasing power
A nationwide affordability crisis
President Trump and Congressional Republicans are delivering:
Lower prices
Higher wages
Record take-home pay
Historic tax cuts
Lower interest rates
A stronger, more stable, more affordable America
Congressional Republicans and President Trump are restoring prosperity — and putting American families FIRST again.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – This week, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined her Democratic Women’s Caucus colleagues in a letter demanding the urgent release and investigation of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women currently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in contradiction to Federal regulations. The Members expressed their extreme concern to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem after hearing reports of pregnant women detained and mistreated in several ICE facilities in Illinois, Louisiana, and Georgia.
ICE is instructed not to detain pregnant, postpartum, or nursing individuals under its own policy. However, there have been multiple reports of pregnant and nursing women shackled, placed in solitary confinement, or deprived of proper prenatal or lactation care.
The Members urged ICE to immediately release pregnant women in detention:
“The health and safety of pregnant women should not be threatened as a result of the administration choosing not to adhere to Federal regulations,” the Members wrote. “That is why we urge the administration to fully comply with the existing regulations and immediately correct the violations… By detaining vulnerable women in appalling conditions while pregnant, you are subjecting both the pregnant individual and the unborn child to significant risks and possible death. We urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE to follow its own rules and regulations on detention of pregnant women and demand their humane treatment.”
The letter was also signed by Representatives Yassamin Ansari, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Joyce Beatty, Suzanne Bonamici, André Carson, Troy Carter, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Judy Chu, Yvette Clarke, Emanuel Cleaver, Angie Craig, Jasmine Crockett, Danny Davis, Diana DeGette, Veronica Escobar, Valerie Foushee, Lois Frankel, Laura Friedman, Jesús García, Sylvia Garcia, Jahana Hayes, Val Hoyle, Glenn Ivey, Pramila Jayapal, Henry Johnson, Julie Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Robin Kelly, Ro Khanna, Summer Lee, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Zoe Lofgren, Lucy McBath, Jennifer McClellan, James McGovern, LaMonica McIver, Gwen Moore, Kelly Morrison, Eleanor Norton, Mike Quigley, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Deborah Ross, Andrea Salinas, Janice Schakowsky, Terri Sewell, Lateefah Simon, Melanie Stansbury, Shri Thanedar, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Norma Torres, Juan Vargas, Nydia Velázquez, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nikema Williams, and Frederica Wilson.
Todd Lyons Acting Director Immigration and Customs Enforcement 500 12ᵗʰ St SW Washington, DC 20536
Dear Acting Director Lyons:
As members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and House Democratic Caucus, we write with extreme concerns about the treatment of pregnant women in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. Under ICE Directive 11032.4, ICE is instructed to not detain pregnant, postpartum, or nursing individuals for an administrative violation of immigration unless “release is prohibited by law or exceptional circumstances exist.” Federal regulations also require the release of pregnant women from custody via parole. Despite our urgent appeal to the administration in July regarding the safety of pregnant women in ICE custody, we have continued to receive numerous reports of pregnant women who have been detained under unacceptable treatment without clear exceptional circumstances, such as the deeply concerning reports out of the Basile, Louisiana (“Basile”), the Lumpkin, Georgia (“Stewart”) ICE and credible report that multiple pregnant women have been detained at Broadview, IL detention centers. At the detention centers, it was reported that pregnant women were being shackled, locked in restraints, or placed in solitary confinement. They were deprived of prenatal, pregnancy, postpartum, lactation, and miscarriage care, as well as interpretative services, and informed consent for medical services and procedures. The health and safety of pregnant women should not be threatened as a result of the administration choosing not to adhere to Federal regulations. That is why we urge the administration to fully comply with the existing regulations and immediately correct the violations.
It is well documented that lack of access to appropriate prenatal and post-partum care leads to significantly worse maternal and infant health outcomes. In several pregnancy outcome studies, women who were pregnant and gave birth while in custody had increased miscarriage rates, increased premature birth rates, and increased rates of medically unnecessary C-sections compared to the national non-incarcerated average, leading to short- and long-term health problems for both mothers and babies. Minimum standards for prenatal care in correctional settings are all similar from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG), the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, which include initial pregnancy testing, testing and treatment for substance use, HIV care, depression screening and treatment, access to appropriate diet and vitamins, delivery in a licensed hospital, and postpartum contraception. From the recent reports, not only are pregnant women being detained against Federal regulations in ICE facilities, but they are also being shackled while experiencing miscarriage, recovering from birth, and while in transit to the hospital. The treatment of pregnant women in ICE facilities is cruel and inhumane.
By detaining vulnerable women in appalling conditions while pregnant, you are subjecting both the pregnant individual and the pregnancy to significant risks and possible death. We urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE to follow its own rules and regulations on detention of pregnant women and demand their humane treatment. Furthermore, we request a response to the following questions and asks within 45 days of receipt of this letter:
Immediately conduct a review to identify and release all pregnant detainees who are not a security risk in ICE custody to ensure the agency abides by federal regulations and directives to not “detain, arrest, or take into custody” women who are pregnant, postpartum, or nursing.
What processes and trainings do you have in place to ensure the release and/or provision of timely medical care, in accordance with community standards of care, to pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women in ICE custody?
Provide a complete breakdown of the following metrics, by facility for the past year, including:
the number of pregnant women at intake and the women determined to be pregnant at first medical screening;
the number of births (live and stillbirths) that occurred while in custody;
the number of medical incidents of pregnant women (e.g., maternal or fetal distress, miscarriage, stillbirth, emergency obstetric care) reported by detainees;
the number of incidents where pregnant women were placed in restraints or shackles;
the number of pregnant women placed in any form of segregation; and
the number and outcome of internal investigations, disciplinary actions, or contractor “corrective action plans” related to the mistreatment or medical neglect of pregnant women in custody.
Explain what remedial or preventive benchmarks you use to monitor pregnant women’s health and safety in detention, and how compliance is verified independently.
The inhumane treatment of pregnant women by the administration is shameful. As members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, we will continue to fight for the safety of all women. We urge your immediate attention to this matter and anticipate a swift and substantive reply.
CC: Kristi Noem, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; Field Office Directors of the New Orleans and Atlanta ICE Field Offices
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)
November 19, 2025
Letter follows a Human Rights Watch and Cristosal report exposing systematic abuse and torture at CECOT
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and Gregory Meeks (NY-06), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International Development, led 38 lawmakers in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem raising alarm about the horrific conditions at Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT), El Salvador’s notorious megaprison and torture center, and pressing the Trump Administration on its use of U.S. taxpayer funding to send and hold people there. This follows a Human Rights Watch and Cristosal report published on November 12 that found a systemic pattern of abuse and torture at CECOT.
“We write to you expressing profound concern over the findings of the recently published report titled ‘You Have Arrived in Hell: Torture and Other Abuses Against Venezuelans in El Salvador’s Mega Prison,’” wrote the members. “This meticulously researched report, published on November 12 by Human Rights Watch and the El Salvador-based Cristosal exposes the systematic pattern of abuse and torture experienced by the 252 Venezuelan nationals the Trump Administration sent to El Salvador’s notorious Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT) between March and April of 2025. It also finds that the Administration failed to respect the principle of non-refoulment and questions the Administration’s reliance on El Salvador’s assurances that it would abide by the UN Convention Against Torture.”
The members continued, “We urge you to investigate these findings and provide an immediate explanation to Congress and to the American people for the Trump Administration’s complicity in subjecting these individuals to such horrific and cruel treatment.”
“Longstanding domestic and international law prohibit the United States from transferring any person from our jurisdiction or effective control to any place where the person would face such serious human rights violations,” the members pressed. “Yet, the Department of Homeland Security sent these individuals to El Salvador to be detained at CECOT, and the Department of State provided $4.76 million dollars to cover the costs ‘associated with’ their detention.”
“These violations are a stain on the moral conscience of our country. We urge you to take all necessary steps to ensure that the United States is never again complicit in such horrific and unlawful behavior,” the members concluded.
In addition to Kaine, Van Hollen, Meeks, and Castro, the letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and U.S. Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Sarah McBride (D-DE-AL), Bill Keating (D-MA-09), James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA-11), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Julie Johnson (D-TX-32), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), and Grace Meng (D-NY-06).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced legislation to fully fund Brand USA, the nation’s public–private destination marketing organization, restoring its capacity to attract international visitors and strengthen the U.S. economy. The bill, titled the VISIT USA Act, would reinstate support by fully allocating Visa Waiver Program Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fees, ensuring that Brand USA can continue its proven mission of promoting the United States as a premier global travel destination. Brand USA operates through a public–private partnership model, funded by nonfederal contributions from the travel and hospitality industry and matched by a portion of ESTA fees paid by international visitors—not by general taxpayer dollars.
“International tourism generates billions of dollars in economic activity and supports tens of thousands of jobs for hardworking Americans. In Florida, our economy benefits when visitors from around the world visit our beautiful state,” said Rep. Kathy Castor. “Across the Tampa Bay area, international travel sustains good-paying jobs, supports our small businesses and strengthens our ports and airports. From our world-class beaches and cultural institutions to our vibrant food, sports and natural areas, international tourism powers our economy. A strong Brand USA means keeping Florida competitive, attracting new markets, and ensuring that the Sunshine State continues to shine on the world stage. This bipartisan bill will help restore vital marketing capacity, expand economic opportunity, and keep Tampa Bay and communities across America open and welcoming to travelers who contribute to our shared success. I thank my partner Rep. Bilirakis for leading the effort.”
“As Co-Chair of the Travel and Tourism Caucus in the House, I understand that tourism is a powerful engine for communities large and small. It supports local businesses, fills hotels, and brings in tax dollars that fund schools, transportation, and public services,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. “Fully funding Brand USA is not just smart policy, it’s economic stewardship. Brand USA helps every corner of our country. When international travelers visit, they don’t just go to major cities—they travel to small towns, historic sites, and national parks. Fully funding Brand USA means supporting jobs and growth in communities across Florida and nationwide. Floridians understand that international tourism isn’t a luxury—it’s an economic necessity. By restoring full funding to Brand USA, we ensure more visitors come, more businesses benefit, and more communities thrive.”
International travel generates billions of dollars in economic activity, and Brand USA’s efforts deliver substantial returns. Its marketing campaigns attract visitors who spend heavily and support jobs not only in tourism, but across retail, hospitality, transportation, and other sectors. Independent research shows that Brand USA’s initiatives have supported tens of thousands of U.S. jobs annually and have generated significant federal, state, and local tax revenue. As other countries increase investments in destination marketing, fully funding Brand USA is essential to maintaining the United States’ competitive position in the global travel market. With major upcoming international events, this moment presents a critical opportunity to reignite international travel to the United States. Studies consistently demonstrate a strong return on investment, with Brand USA delivering multiple dollars in economic value for every dollar spent.
“This legislation is an important step forward, and we are grateful for Representatives Gus Bilirakis and Kathy Castor leading this effort,” said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. “With the World Cup, America 250 and the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, the U.S. has a pivotal chance to capture global attention. By restoring Brand USA’s resources, Congress can help drive new visitors, support jobs nationwide and ensure the United States stands out on the world stage.”
Representatives Castor and Bilirakis are urging colleagues in both chambers of Congress to join them as co-sponsors. The legislation has the support of a wide coalition of travel, lodging, and hospitality industry stakeholders who view Brand USA as vital to sustaining international inbound travel. Fully restoring Brand USA’s funding will enable the organization to expand its global marketing efforts, drive future travel demand, and fuel economic growth nationwide.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)
U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) questioned Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Dr. Phillip Swagel at a Budget Committee hearing titled “Oversight of the Congressional Budget Office” on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Read his remarks below and watch here.
Remarks as Delivered
Dr. Swagel, thank you for being here. I know it’s maybe sometimes positive and negative in terms of talking about the things you do and our things we want to celebrate, [or] things we want to criticize or complain about.
I know a lot of our discussion today is about transparency, and I think it’s very important as we talk about the agency and the existence for the last 50 years and how important a role the CBO plays in the legislative process.
As the designated scorekeepers, it’s important that your reports [and] analysis are available. They have a dramatic impact on bills that come through the House and the Senate – as well as the public perception of what we pass and decisions we make regarding legislation.
We need to make sure that CBO works to improve scores, to actually make sure that they align with reality. Like any estimate, there’s going to be some variation. Ideally, you want to minimize that variation up or down within closest tolerance as possible.
Unfortunately, as we’ve talked about previously in the committee room, CBO sometimes falls short of making those good estimates that help us make decisions. The biggest example I guess, most current, is that the Congressional Budget Office estimated the score for major pieces of legislation like the Democrats’ Inflation Act.
The Energy and Climate provisions in that bill were estimated by CBO at $391 billion, but estimates by Credit Suisse were double at $800 billion, and Goldman Sachs came out with $1.2 trillion. I will note that shortly after the vote was passed, CBO did revise its estimates up through that process.
My struggle, and I think a lot of our struggle, is that we’re literally making trillion-dollar decisions based on this information, so we want to make sure it’s the best possible.
There [are] other examples we could talk about in terms of inflation estimates or budget deficit estimates. We need to make sure that we are as accurate as possible.
One of the things … I think we’ve talked about in other conversations and hearings is some of the executive actions and some of the decisions around executive actions. I know that was a big description that was used in the trillion-dollar myths a year ago, with some of the discussions around that.
At the end of the day, we really want to make sure we’re transparent in these things. As I’ve talked about before, working on legislation that would actually require CBO to calculate through the baseline or include in the baseline an update on separate tables detailing some of those judicial or executive actions that have been issued since the last publication that would have a momentous amount – $50 billion or more. Looking at, how do we finalize executive orders and the impacts through that? I know there’s a whole bunch of things that we talk about, and you’ve been hit with a lot of things, ranging from health care and other issues and talking about estimates for economic growth.
In my work on Ways and Means, I pushed a lot on research and development and how R&D and other innovative ideas help grow the economy. How can we work moving forward?
I want to give you an opportunity to at least have some comments on maybe proposals around executive actions or other things. How do we narrow down the estimates to more closely react and be able to refine that process?
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), along with 12 other members, introduced a package of eight bills that apply guardrails to Medicare Advantage (MA) programs while strengthening traditional Medicare.
“Only Medicare is Medicare. It is one of the most popular and important services our government provides,” Rep. Pocan said. “But for too long, private healthcare companies taking advantage of Medicare’s brand and popularity have tricked and wronged seniors. This package of commonsense, pro-patient reforms will bring greater accountability, transparency, and affordability to Medicare Advantage, while strengthening traditional Medicare and protecting patient choice. This package represents a strong step forward to protect seniors, save taxpayer dollars, and restore integrity to the Medicare program.”
The eight bills are below and can be divided into three subcategories:
Delays and Denials of Care
Denials Don’t Pay Act: Disincentivizes MA companies from delaying and denying lifesaving care through dangerous prior authorization requirements. (one-pager)
Disclose Your Denials Act: Requires MA plans to audibly and visually disclose their delay and denial rates when advertising, increasing transparency in the MA program, and allowing patients to be better informed. (one-pager)
Keep Medicare Costs Down Act: Requires MA companies to charge the government per beneficiary as much as, or less than, traditional Medicare, aiming to reduce unnecessary and wasteful government spending. (one-pager)
Seniors’ Choice and Clarity Act: Streamlines the process and improves clarity and choice for Medicare beneficiaries by limiting the number of plans that Medicare Advantage (MA) companies can offer to three a year, reinstating a 2019 CMS rule. (one-pager)
Strengthening Traditional Medicare
Protecting Medicare Choice Act: Prohibits Medicare Advantage from being redesignated as the default option for seniors, as proposed in Project 2025. (one-pager)
Find My Doctor Act: CMS must create a national, user-friendly website where people can search for doctors by plan, empowering Medicare beneficiaries to make informed decisions by searching whether their doctors participate in a plan before enrolling. (one-pager)
“Big Insurance has long pitched Medicare Advantage as a key tool to lowering health care costs and delivering better care, but like so much of their rhetoric, this is nothing but bold-faced lies. The truth is, Medicare Advantage is neither Medicare nor an advantage. And it certainly doesn’t exist to lower costs. It exists to help Big Insurance make sky-high profits and enrich shareholders. It is long past time Congress stepped in and protected patients. The legislative package Congressman Pocan is introducing is the most comprehensive plan ever introduced to rein in Medicare Advantage and protect patients. Congress should pass these bills without delay.” – Wendell Potter, President, The Center for Health and Democracy.
“Medicare Advantage insurers profit from withholding medically necessary care, and can withhold care with near impunity. So, people enrolling in corporate MA plans are forced to gamble with their health and with their lives. They can’t avoid the bad actors. It’s time Congress protected older Americans and people with disabilities from bad actor Medicare Advantage insurers, as Congressman Pocan’s MA Bill package would do.” – Diane Archer, President and Founder, JustCare.
“Corporate-run plans masquerading as Medicare are delaying and denying the care that people need, all while robbing taxpayers of trillions. Congressman Pocan’s package of reforms is desperately needed to hold these corporate plans accountable and strengthen Traditional Medicare. We urge Congress to swiftly pass them into law.” – Alex Lawson, Executive Director of Social Security Works.
Full Package Cosponsors Include: Andre Carson (IN-07), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12)
Endorsing Organizations: Center for Health and Democracy, Just Care USA, Labor Campaign for Single Payer, Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), Public Citizen, Social Security Works