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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today announced the nomination of several exceptional students from Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District to attend the United States Service Academies.

“Each of these young leaders has shown remarkable academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to service,” said Congressman Aderholt. “I’m proud to nominate them for admission to our nation’s service academies and wish them continued success as they pursue lives of honor and duty.”

Congressman Aderholt submitted nominations for the following students:

U.S. Military Academy (West Point)

• Kate Seidel, daughter of Dr. Steven Seidel — Indian Springs School, Vinemont
• Anglin Young, son of Brett and Laura Young — Northridge High School, Tuscaloosa
• Cooper Scott, son of Chuck and Beth Rigsby — Albertville High School, Albertville

U.S. Naval Academy

• Ferrin Thorne, daughter of Derek Thorne and Valerie Thorne — Tuscaloosa County High School, Northport
• Eleanor Little, daughter of Justin and Ashley Little — Homeschool, Northport
• Ayden Gargis, son of Wesley and Bethany Gargis — Brooks High School, Killen
• Anglin Young, son of Brett and Laura Young — Northridge High School, Tuscaloosa

U.S. Air Force Academy

• Anglin Young

Anglin Young has already received offers of admission to both the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy — a testament to his accomplishments and dedication.

Service academy nominations are highly competitive and reflect excellence in academics, character, leadership, and a desire to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Students interested in applying for a future nomination may contact Congressman Aderholt’s office or visit aderholt.house.gov for more information.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement of final rulemaking to implement the Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax provision established in the Working Families Tax Cut (H.R. 1). The final rule provides a six-month transition period for California’s MCO tax to comply with the rulemaking on provider tax uniformity.

“After months of conversations with CMS Administrator Dr. Oz—and inviting him to the Central Valley to see our healthcare challenges firsthand—I’m encouraged that CMS has agreed to provide a six-month transition period before implementing California’s new Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax rule,” said Congressman Valadao. “The MCO tax was created to increase California’s contributions to the Medicaid program, but for years the state has misused the revenue to support other government expenses instead of strengthening the healthcare system. California needs time to adjust its budget priorities, and this transition period maintains a $2.3 billion funding stream while giving the state necessary stability, according to CMS analysis. This is an important step, and I look forward to continuing to partner with CMS as they work to thoughtfully implement the reforms included in H.R. 1.”

Background:

Federal law requires states to share responsibility with the federal government for financing Medicaid, including by contributing a portion of the non-federal share of program costs. The Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax allows states like California to draw down additional funds to help support their state programs. This rule revises how states may structure provider taxes but provides California with a six-month on-ramp to comply with the final rule, which requires the tax rate on Medicaid and non-Medicaid businesses to be uniform. The final rule’s extension of the transition deadline from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 preserves $2.3 billion in federal revenue for the state of California. This amount is based on a CMS estimate of the federal revenue attributable to extending the state’s current provider tax structure through the end of 2026.

States, including California, use the MCO tax to draw down matching federal funds to help support their Medicaid programs. California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal, faces significant state-level challenges, including low reimbursement rates for providers. Compounding these issues, the state has mismanaged the MCO tax to supplement California’s General Fund instead of strengthening care for Medicaid patients and supporting the providers who serve them.

Read more about the rule here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: WATCH: Carter defends election integrity, urges SAVE America Act passage on House floor

WATCH: Carter defends election integrity, urges SAVE America Act passage on House floor

 

Rep. Carter speaks on the House floor

Watch the Floor Remarks Here

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong and unapologetic support of the SAVE America Act – legislation that defends the integrity of our elections and makes one principle perfectly clear: U.S. elections are for U.S. citizens ONLY.

“This is not extreme; It’s common sense. Citizenship matters. Sovereignty matters, and Americans alone must decide America’s future.

“Yet radical Democrats have abandoned this standard. New York City has allowed non-citizens to vote in local elections. Washington, D.C. has done the same—granting political power to foreign nationals in the capital of our nation.

“Georgia’s own senator Jon Ossoff, who once said that voter ID was ‘right and appropriate,’ now supports his party as reframing it as ‘voter suppression’.

“The law didn’t change. Public opinion didn’t change. What changed was he – and other Democrat politicians like him – realized that illegal immigrants could no longer vote to keep Democrats in office.

“They oppose this bill because it chips away at their voting base; plain and simple.

“For years, conservatives warned that this was the radical Left’s goal, and we were mocked for it.

“But that’s exactly what Democrats are doing right now: fighting to allow illegal aliens to vote. This is not only grotesquely unjust, but it waters down the meaning of American citizenship.

“By passing this bill, we reaffirm a simple but sacred truth: American elections belong to Americans. No loopholes. No exceptions. No apologies.”

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

The SAVE America Act: Secures Elections, Protects Our Votes, Restores Trust

The SAVE America Act reflects overwhelming bipartisan support for voter ID and proof of citizenship to participate in federal elections

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON — Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21), Kevin Kiley (CA-03), David Valadao (CA-22), Vince Fong (CA-20), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Dina Titus (NV-01) today led a bipartisan letter to House leadership and the Energy and Commerce Committee to move quickly on legislation that strengthens safeguards against illegal biological laboratories and improves coordination for communities and first responders. The Members sent a letter requesting an immediate hearing and subsequent markup on H.R. 5747, the Preventing Illegal Laboratories and Protecting Public Health Act of 2025, legislation developed in direct response to the illegal laboratory discovered in Reedley, California in December of 2022. 
Their request comes as authorities in Las Vegas continue an active investigation linked to Reedley, also involving suspected biological materials and lab equipment discovered at a residential property. Reports indicate a large volume of evidence was recovered and sent for testing, underscoring concerns that suspicious biological activity can emerge quickly and leave local officials navigating high-risk situations without clear federal guardrails.
“Recent incidents have made clear that dangerous biological activity can fall into a real oversight gray zone. Congress has a clear opportunity to close those gaps and ensure first responders are not left to navigate high risk biological incidents without clear federal guardrails before the next incident puts another community at risk,” said the Members. “The active investigation by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation involving suspected biological materials only reinforces the urgency of closing those gaps now rather than after the next incident. Taken along with continued public reporting about potential links back to the earlier Reedley operation and alleged foreign linked financing concerns, the need for practical federal safeguards and clearer coordination channels is hard to ignore.”  
The Members emphasized they stand ready to work with House leadership and the Committee on Energy and Commerce to advance a bipartisan path forward and deliver practical, commonsense safeguards that protect communities and support first responders.
Read the full letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

San Joaquin County alone has 16 health professional shortage areas, statewide shortage of over 500,000 health care workers

New legislation creates “health investment zones” with tax credits, incentives for providers that invest in at-risk areas

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced new legislation to bring health care providers back to Valley communities facing crippling doctor shortages. Led with Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA), Harder’s Health Investment Zones Act creates Health Investment Zones (HIZs) in at-risk areas with severe shortages or vulnerable communities and establishes key incentives to attract and retain providers where they’re needed most.

Heartless health care cuts are making doctor shortages so much worse:

• San Joaquin County, which has 16 health professional shortage areas (HPSAs), is on the front lines of chronic provider shortages that amount to over 500,000 statewide.
• These shortages make it harder for low-income, disabled, and vulnerable communities to find access to care, leading to more hospitalizations and worse health care outcomes.
• Federal cuts to Medi-Cal and health care premiums are expected to kick thousands off their insurance, double monthly payments, and close down clinics.

“This bill is a promise to reinvest in the very communities that Washington is trying to pull out of,” said Rep. Harder. “By creating new Health Investment Zones right here in the Valley, we can close provider gaps and unlock an entire arsenal of tools and support for the families that need it most. Our families deserve reliable access to affordable health care, and that’s exactly what this bill does.”

HIZ’s are already a proven method for reducing provider shortages and improving long-term health care outcomes. By 2016, Maryland’s Health Enterprise Zone model had reduced more than 18,000 inpatient stays in three years and generated an estimated $108 million in net savings. Harder’s Health Investment Zones Act takes that model and scales it across the federal government.

How the Health Investment Zones Act closes shortage areas:

• Establishes the HIZ Program – 10-year designations in areas with measurable health disparities based on income, life expectancy, or provider shortages.
• Attracts and Retains Providers – Expands provider tax credits, wage and service incentives, and student loan repayment programs for HIZ providers.
• Promotes Better Health Outcomes – Incentivizes high-value preventive services and prioritizes improving outcomes across a range of chronic health conditions.

“While Donald Trump and Republicans refuse to take action to address the health care crisis, longstanding gaps in access to quality care are only growing more severe. Smart, targeted investments can prevent harmful health disparities while reducing ER use and hospitalization, provider shortages, and costs,” said Sen. Padilla. “Congressman Harder and I are fighting to close these gaps by establishing 10-year Health Investment Zones so underserved areas receive the effective, affordable care they need.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), alongside Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) and Rick Allen (GA-12), introduced the Farmers’ AID Relief Act, amending the Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI) program to better serve farmers affected by hurricane damage.

The HIP-WI program is a wind-based insurance option managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and designed to protect farmers impacted by hurricanes. The program relies on storm-tracking data systems to determine eligibility for the program; however, those systems are vulnerable to inaccuracies, leaving many farmers who experienced significant crop losses without federal protection. 

For example, during Hurricane Helene, the data used for HIP-WI showed the storm traveling through the middle of Georgia. In reality, Helene shifted east, causing widespread damage to farms in the southeast and eastern parts of Georgia. Unfortunately, USDA is required to use the inaccurate data set when determining HIP-WI eligibility, causing unnecessary financial hardship for Georgia’s farmers.

The Farmers’ AID Relief Act updates HIP-WI so the program better reflects real-world storm paths and protects farmers affected by damage.

“I am glad to work with Congressman Carter and Congressman Allen to introduce today’s bill which will apply the lessons we learned from Hurricane Helene so that when the next storm hits us, we are better prepared to help farmers in need,” said Rep. Bishop. “When an area is hit by a storm, the Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index, or HIP-WI, is used to determine if agricultural producers can get a portion of the deductible for underlying crop insurance covered as part of disaster relief. When storms knock out the weather monitoring equipment used to measure HIP-WI, we want to make sure our producers are not left behind because these crucial data systems may be down.”

“By enacting this common-sense fix to the HIP-WI program, farmers will be adequately insured and protected against hurricanes that ravage crop yields. We must learn from the failures of Hurricane Helene and protect our farmers from future losses,” said Rep. Carter. “Agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry, and amending this program will strengthen food security and protect our farmers who feed the nation.”

“After the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, many of Georgia’s farmers were unfairly denied the relief they needed and deserved. The Farmers’ AID Relief Act directs the USDA Secretary to expand the data considered and identify alternative methods for determining eligibility for indemnity payments under the Hurricane Insurance Protection–Wind Index endorsement. I am proud to co-lead this bill and will continue working diligently to deliver real solutions for our farmers,” said Rep. Allen.

“This legislation ensures that when hurricanes strike and official weather data falters, reliable numbers from trusted sources step in to guarantee that insured farmers aren’t left stranded. It strengthens the promise of the program by providing a commonsense safeguard so Georgia farmers can count on fair assistance when storms hit hardest. We appreciate Congressman Carter’s continued focus on this issue and wholeheartedly encourage its expedited progress towards becoming law,” said Tom McCall, President, Georgia Farm Bureau.

This bill will:

• Direct the Secretary of Agriculture to create an alternate dataset for HIP-WI determinations to be used in the event of an incomplete data set.
• Set uniform standards for the collection and use of the alternate data set. 

You can follow the bill on Congress.gov, here.

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

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), joined by Reps. Sharice Davids (D-KA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), led a bipartisan effort demanding that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services immediately restart specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth within the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, using funding Congress has already appropriated and directed for that purpose.

In a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Members wrote that the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill “directs HHS to support the 988 Lifeline’s Press 3 specialized services at a congressionally directed funding level of $33.1 million,” reflecting “bipartisan, Congressional recognition that tailored crisis support for populations at higher risk of suicide, including LGBTQ+ youth, is not optional; it is essential.”

The Members emphasized that “inhibiting Press 3 services undermines that commitment, Congressional intent, and best practices for suicide prevention,” noting that HHS has long found LGBTQ+ youth face disproportionately high rates of mental health distress and suicidality. Since its launch, the LGBTQ+ youth 988 service has supported nearly 1.6 million calls, texts, and chats, recently averaging approximately 2,100 contacts per day, underscoring the urgent need for specialized crisis intervention.

The letter also reaffirms Congress’s intent in creating the Lifeline, writing that “when Congress established the 988 Lifeline, signed into law during President Trump’s first term, it was intended to be a resource for any American experiencing mental distress,” with specialized services for high-risk populations “a core part of fulfilling that mission.” Allowing those services to remain discontinued, the Members warned, “poses serious risks and does not align with your department’s commitment to improving health outcomes nationwide.”

The bipartisan letter concludes by calling on HHS to “honor Congressional direction, uphold the department’s stated commitment to suicide prevention, and immediately restart the LGBTQ+ youth specialized services within the 988 Lifeline by the end of this month.”

This effort builds on Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s longstanding work to protect and strengthen the 988 Lifeline, including his leadership opposing proposed cuts to 988 services and his introduction of bipartisan legislation to safeguard sustained access to specialized crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth.

The full letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

“Life is simply too unaffordable, and the American dream is slipping further out of reach for far too many of our families,” said Wasserman Schultz. “South Florida families are desperate for real solutions. That’s what this Affordability Agenda offers. It’s a strategy to quickly lower the costs, from groceries and health care to housing and electric bills. It renews the promise of affordability and the American dream.”