MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Fairfax Family Tragedy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement: 

“I am shocked and saddened by this senseless and horrific tragedy. I am praying for the entire Fairfax family and their loved ones, most especially Justin and Cerina’s children.

“This heartbreaking situation is a painful reminder that mental health challenges and personal crises, when left unaddressed, can have devastating and irreparable consequences. Seeking help must be encouraged, supported, and free of stigma.” 

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available at 988 and the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

Republicans Reject Congresswoman McCollum’s Effort to Evaluate Economic Damage Caused by Trump’s Surge

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today called out President Trump and Republicans during a Ways and Means Committee hearing, dismantling their claim that Medicare fraud is a problem unique to Democratic-led states.

Sánchez put the question directly to the witnesses, asking whether Medicare fraud occurred only in “blue states” or in every state. Every single witness, including those invited by the Republican majority, agreed by a show of hands that it happens in every state.

Witnesses agreeing that Medicare fraud occurs in every state, not just Democratic-led states.

“By a quick show of hands, very quickly, how many of you think that Medicare fraud only happens in blue states?” said Congresswoman Sanchez.

“Let the record reflect that nobody raised their hands.

“And how many you, by a show of hands, think that it happens in every state. 

“Let the record reflect that everybody agrees it happens in all states.

“There are many unscrupulous actors all over the United States. Texas is one example. The HHS [inspector general] found a hospice executive was guilty of falsely enrolling Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, telling them they had mere months to live. End-of life care is very personal to me because I was a caregiver for both my father and mother who died from Alzheimer’s. It’s unfortunately one of the most common diagnoses for patients who have elected the hospice benefit. And I can tell you that the hospice benefit is a critical support not just for the patient, but for their caregivers who have a huge burden. But that benefit needs to be updated because over the past 10 years, public trust in that benefit has eroded.”

Video of the congresswoman’s full remarks is available HERE.

Sheila Clark, president and CEO of California Hospice and Palliative Care Association, and a witness invited by Chairman Jason Smith, supported Sánchez’ bill, the Hospice CARE Act. The bill is the only comprehensive federal legislation that would reform the hospice benefit, and address rampant hospice fraud in Medicare, while modernizing the benefit for patients and caregivers.  

Medicare’s hospice benefit has remained largely unchanged since its inception in 1982. However, the hospice industry has changed dramatically both in terms of the types of providers delivering and patients receiving end-of-life services. At the same time, documented and burgeoning fraud and abuse have raised questions about how to ensure the benefit continues to promote patient access while safeguarding the Medicare Trust Fund.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Blake Moore (UT-01), Rudy Yakym (IN-02), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lori Trahan (MA-03), and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) led a bipartisan letter urging Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy and Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Oz to take action on improving Medicare coverage for FDA-designated breakthrough medical devices. 

The Breakthrough Devices Program is an accelerated FDA review process that gives patients access to innovative technologies, while ensuring they are safe and effective. Several groundbreaking technologies have benefited from this program, including blood tests, cancer therapies, and bone grafts. However, there is often a multi-year delay for Medicare to cover these devices even after FDA approval. This negatively impacts seniors’ access to innovative technologies and harms overall health outcomes.

“Seniors should not be forced to wait years for cutting-edge, safe, and effective treatments that could change or even save their lives,” said DelBene. “Guaranteeing Medicare coverage of breakthrough medical devices would encourage future innovation and investment in next-generation medical technologies while improving the quality of life for millions of seniors. We can’t let the coverage approval process be a barrier to life-saving treatments or care.”

“When the FDA designates a device as a breakthrough technology, that means that there is nothing similar already available to patients having the potential to change or save lives,” said Yakym. “Seniors on Medicare shouldn’t have to wait years to access it simply because of bureaucratic processes. This letter makes clear that Congress expects action, and I will keep pushing until patients in Indiana and across the country can get the care they need without unnecessary delays.” 

“There is no reason that Medicare patients should have to wait to access breakthrough medical devices already cleared by the FDA. The Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act ensures patients receive the most advanced treatments on the market as soon as possible,” said Moore. “Easing the pathway for Medicare approval has long been a bipartisan priority, and I look forward to working with Secretary Kennedy to ensure this crosses the finish line for our seniors.”

“All Americans deserve access to life-saving, breakthrough therapies and devices,” said Sewell. “This letter takes a critical step in the right direction to ensure that the review and approval process for breakthrough therapies does not inhibit patient access to innovative and effective technologies for our seniors.”

“When the FDA designates a device as a breakthrough, it means it has the potential to change or even save a patient’s life,” said Trahan. “Medicare seniors shouldn’t have to wait years to access treatments that have already cleared that bar. This bipartisan effort is about making sure our coverage policies keep pace with medical innovation, so patients here in Massachusetts and across the country can get the care they need without unnecessary delays.” 

This effort has earned broad support from industry leaders and patient advocacy organizations across the healthcare community, including MDMA, AdvaMed, Alzheimer’s Association, Roche Diagnostics, National Health Council, HealthyWomen, Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, Siemens Healthineers, and Indiana Life Sciences Association.

The letter was signed by 82 Members of Congress and received support from leading health and industry organizations.

The full letter can be found here.

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

WASHINGTON – Thursday, April 23, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (D-OR) introduced the Prevent the Misuse of Federal Law Enforcement Act, to address federal law enforcement overreach, reinforce local authority, and uphold Americans’ First Amendment right to peacefully protest.

“Nobody should be intimidated by law enforcement while exercising their right to peacefully protest,” said Rep. Lieu. “The Trump administration unnecessarily deployed federal agents to peaceful protests in cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, Portland, and Los Angeles – often without coordination with local officials and in ways that escalated tensions rather than protected public safety. Local communities should have a say in how policing is carried out in their jurisdictions. We must ensure all Americans can safely exercise their right to protest without fear of those sworn to protect them.”

“The First Amendment’s protection of peaceful protest is foundational to the health of our democracy. Oregonians exemplified this last fall when Trump tried to federalize the National Guard over a manufactured crisis. Our communities visually matched the absurdity of federal government actions with their creative protests—and the National Guard was not deployed. This is exactly the kind of free speech we must protect with everything we have. Without it, we risk losing our republic. I’m proud to support the right to speak out, organize, and hold those in power accountable,” said Rep. Dexter.  

Background:

The Prevent the Misuse of Federal Law Enforcement Act would:

1) Prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using any officers or agents to protect federal property where a protest is occurring, excluding the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Protective Service, unless a chief executive of the state requests it.  

2) Prohibit the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) from deputizing local, state, or other federal law enforcement without approval from the relevant state or local jurisdiction.  

3) Prohibit the use of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officers to enforce non-drug related laws.

READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE BILL HERE

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) cosponsored Representative Delia Ramirez’s (IL-03) Block the Bombs Act and Representative Sean Casten’s (IL-06) Ceasefire Compliance Act. He has released the following statement:

“After witnessing the horrific actions of the Israeli government in Gaza, the West Bank, and now the illegal and ill-conceived war with Iran, I have decided to cosponsor both the Block the Bombs Act and the Ceasefire Compliance Act. It’s time we evolve how we provide military aid to Israel to ensure civilian lives are protected and international laws are applied consistently. We can do this while still ensuring defensive weapons, such as the Iron Dome, are protected. Israel and Palestine’s future must be rooted in a two-state solution, but current U.S. policy is making that future increasingly impossible.

“On October 7, Hamas committed a horrifying series of terrorist attacks on Israel. Hamas must be eradicated, but how Israel achieves that goal matters greatly. Along with many Americans, I have been alarmed by the scale of destruction and violence in Gaza. The Israeli government must be held to the same standard as other allies who receive U.S. security assistance: Humanitarian aid cannot be blocked, and human rights must be protected. To date, U.S. laws on military aid to Israel have not been enforced consistently.

“I have always supported Israel’s right to defend itself, and I will continue to do so. But the Israeli government under Prime Minister Netanyahu has overseen the killing of tens of thousands of civilians, cut off humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, and allowed settler violence and expansion in the West Bank. The increased level of violence in the West Bank and the extent of illegal settlements enabled by Israel’s current leadership are deliberately engineered to put a future two-state solution out of reach. This is not only inconsistent with American laws but also our values and morals.

“The Block the Bombs Act could be strengthened, including by providing clearer incentives for Israel to change its behavior by conditioning aid, rather than withholding it. But the bill is an important step toward rethinking how we provide military aid to Israel. I’m also cosponsoring Representative Casten’s Ceasefire Compliance Act to restrict Israel from using U.S.-origin weapons if they break the terms of the October 2025 ceasefire agreement. It will limit U.S. weapons if Israel restricts humanitarian aid, annexes the West Bank, or fails to combat settler violence against Palestinian civilians.

“I also have serious concerns about the tone of this debate at home. Throughout the past two and a half years, my staff and I have met with organizations and constituents with a broad range of views on this war and how to end it. The vast majority of these meetings were passionate and respectful, allowing for open dialogue and differences of opinion. My discussions with AIPAC were the exception to this rule. The message from AIPAC was clear: You must support Netanyahu’s government, regardless of credible reports of abuses in Gaza and the West Bank. We have also seen AIPAC pour millions of dollars into elections to defeat any candidate who has dared disagree with them, highlighting both their hardline views and the ongoing problem of Super PAC money in campaigns.

“We are at a turning point in the U.S.’s relationship with Israel. I’m cosponsoring the Block the Bombs Act and the Ceasefire Compliance Act for the same reasons that called for the recognition of a Palestinian state and voted for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. While these actions have been met with frustration by some, I believe they are all important steps towards reaching a two-state solution that allows both Israelis and Palestinians to live freely and securely. We must ensure U.S. military aid to Israel is not used to harm innocents. We must also continue to support defensive aid, like support for the Iron Dome, to protect the Israeli people.

“We must also take the terrifying rise of antisemitism across the US seriously by speaking out when we see it and by providing critical funding to synagogues, mosques, churches, and other houses of worship so that congregants can gather without fear.

“We can no longer write Israel—or any of our allies—a blank check. We must hold Netanyahu accountable to move toward a world where Israelis and Palestinians can coexist peacefully—and where antisemitism and Islamophobia are eliminated. I have stood up for a two-state solution since coming to Congress, and I’m not going to stop now.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Cameron, Kenedy, Kleberg and Willacy Counties among the beneficiaries.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) and Congressman James Moylan (GU-00) today introduced a resolution commending the Vatican and Taiwan for maintaining a strong diplomatic relationship and recognizing Taiwan’s commitment to religious freedom despite neighboring China’s ongoing infringement of religious rights.

“Taiwan is an example for the world in how a nation can stand up for its people’s beliefs despite having a dangerous and powerful neighbor that represses religious freedom,” said Congresswoman Titus. “At the same time, the Vatican should be commended for maintaining strong diplomatic ties with Taiwan since 1942 as its only European ally.”

“Religious freedom is one of the most fundamental human rights, and Taiwan continues to demonstrate to the world what it looks like to uphold that principle with strength, dignity, and respect for all faiths. I am proud to join Congresswoman Dina Titus in recognizing the enduring relationship between Taiwan and the Holy See, and in reaffirming support for those who defend the freedom to worship without fear. At a time when religious persecution continues in many parts of the world, Taiwan stands as a powerful example of democratic values and liberty in the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Moylan.

The resolution encourages the expansion of engagement between Taiwan and the Holy See, specifically through increased high-level visits by clergy and senior church officials from the Holy See to Taiwan to foster spiritual ties and partnership.

Taiwan contributed $1 million to the International Religious Freedom Fund between 2019 and 2024 to support the promotion of religious liberty around the world. In September 2023, the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan organized the Taiwan International Religious Freedom Summit which convened more than 150 lawmakers, government officials, religious leaders, and civil society professionals from around the world.

Congresswoman Titus noted that the Freedom in the World 2025 report by Freedom House awarded Taiwan a score of 94 out of 100 and recognized it as the second-freest entity in the Indo-Pacific, while the People’s Republic of China received a score of only 9 out of 100 and remains categorized as ‘‘Not Free’’

“Religious freedom should be protected in every nation. Taiwan stands as a beacon of that practice,” Congresswoman Titus finished.

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

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today applauded the passage of six bipartisan technology bills introduced by Democrats during today’s Committee markup:

“Today’s extensive markup of export control bills only illustrates the Trump administration’s utter failure to properly administer export controls as a key national security tool. The six Democrat-led bills we’ve passed today are important reforms to ensure that U.S. export controls are processed in a timely manner, that the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has the technology and enforcement tools necessary to safeguard our national security, that BIS engages industry to bolster compliance with our export controls, and that there is sufficient oversight of and reporting from the bureau. I am particularly concerned by historic backlogs at BIS that are hurting U.S. businesses, creating space for foreign competitors to pick up market share, and costing the U.S. critical jobs. My bill, H.R. 8289, will require export license applications to be reviewed within 90 days, and create greater transparency and accountability in this process.

“While we were able to reach bipartisan consensus on many of the other bills considered today, I made clear my concern that our Committee has not sufficiently engaged with stakeholders, including subject matter experts and industry leaders, before advancing some of these technically complex measures. The Committee should have received briefings and heard public testimony from relevant administration officials, including BIS Under Secretary Jeffrey Kessler, on the matters we voted on today. Ultimately, Congress should not be legislating sweeping or overly detailed technological requirements; it created BIS to coordinate between four U.S. government agencies and incorporate their expertise and intelligence to formulate specific policies that protect our national security and American technology leadership. Instead, BIS under the Trump administration is a picture of dysfunction and delays that are setting U.S. businesses back in our strategic competition with China, and this Committee has not conducted sufficient oversight to hold it accountable.”

The Democratic bills that passed during today’s markup include: 

• H.R. 8289, To amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to ensure expeditious processing of license applications, and for other purposes. (Rep. Meeks)
• H.R. 4505, To strengthen enforcement of United States export controls by increasing the number of export control officers of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce who are stationed in foreign regions; (Rep. Kamlager-Dove)
• H.R. 8288, To amend the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to provide assistance for compliance with that Act; (Rep. Amo)
• H.R. 4920, To require modernization of information technology systems and applications of the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce; (Rep. Crow)
• H.R. 8287, To require the Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research to submit a comprehensive report on the impact and effectiveness of United States semiconductor export controls on the People’s Republic of China, and for other purposes; (Rep. Stanton)  
• H.R. 8320, USA 6G Global Leadership Act, To require additional duties of the Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy with respect to United States diplomatic efforts ahead of certain international conferences, and for other purposes. (Rep. Johnson)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District of South Carolina)

Washington, DC – U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN), and Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced CounteringRussia’s War On Faith Act.

     Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission (D-RI).

     This bipartisan legislation requires the Secretaries of State and Defense to jointly report on Russian efforts to persecute, suppress, and violate the religious freedoms of faith communities in Ukraine and Russian-occupied territories. It also directs the President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals found to have engaged in these actions.

     “Russia targets and kills persons of faith as a matter of policy wherever it invades. War criminal Putin seeks to prevent free worship of all believers and crushes any faith not subservient to its state-run church and corrupt former KGB agent Patriarch Kirill or otherwise submit itself to repressive state control,” said Rep. Wilson, Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “Believers in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are targeted with particular ferocity. It is critical that we counter Russia’s War on Faith.”

     “Putin is a war criminal conducting genocide in Ukraine. He is also attempting to erase expressions of Ukrainian identity, including religious freedoms. This legislation makes plain that these human rights violations will be a focus of our foreign policy and that the United States will always defend religious liberty,” said Rep. Cohen.

     “Russia’s war in Ukraine is not only an assault on sovereignty—it is a calculated, systemic assault on religious freedom. For Americans, the freedom to worship is among our most fundamental liberties, and we do not stand by when it is crushed by force. This legislation ensures these crimes are documented, perpetrators are identified, and real consequences follow. Peace through strength requires accountability, and the persecution of people of faith cannot be met with silence,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

     “Russia’s widespread religious persecution in Ukraine dates back centuries, and is a horrific reminder that this new war of occupation was never just about land, but about forcible Russification and the erasure of Ukraine’s pluralistic and free way of life,” said Rep. Kaptur, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “This important legislation calls out the abuses committed by the Russian state and its agents against Ukrainian Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other faiths. Russia perversely portrays Ukraine as a persecutor of Christians, when it is Moscow that has destroyed over 600 churches, synagogues, mosques, and places of worship in Ukraine throughout this war. These new attacks are a shameful reminder of Russian pogroms and attacks on religious communities dating back centuries. The United States must hold these war criminals accountable and defend religious freedom and the right of all Ukrainians to worship as they choose.”

“Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine is not only an attack on a country that seeks democracy, free markets, and alignment with the West, but also includes a deliberate campaign to suppress and persecute religious communities,” said Rep. Bacon. “Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act will ensure we fully document these abuses and hold those responsible accountable through sanctions. I’m pleased to join Rep. Wilson and my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to stand up for religious liberty and the Ukrainian people.”

     “Vladimir Putin’s brutal war on Ukraine is not just about violating its sovereignty, but erasing the democratic values Ukraine has embraced. He seeks to erase freedom of religion in Ukraine by disproportionately targeting places of worship and practitioners of any religion other than his own,” said Rep. Quigley. “I am proud to cosponsor Rep. Wilson’s Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act to make it clear that those who burn churches, persecute religious communities, and try to erase religious diversity will be held accountable. The United States must lead with moral clarity by defending religious freedom and confronting Putin’s abuses.”

     “Religious liberty is not a suggestion in America – it’s one of our founding promises protected by the Constitution and lived out every day by generations of freedom-loving Americans. Anyone with a brain larger than a single cell organism knows that Vladimir Putin does not respect nor share that view. The Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act shines a bright light on Putin’s religious persecution and responds with real consequences,” said Sen. Kennedy.

     “Putin’s murderous regime has repeatedly bombed places of worship, murdered clergy members, and persecuted Ukrainian communities not aligned with the Putin-allied Russian Orthodox Church. It’s time for the U.S. to take a stand for religious freedom and explore sanctions against individuals engaging in these brutal human rights abuses in Ukraine,” said Sen. Whitehouse.

Background

     Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, over 600 churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious sites have been damaged or destroyed, and more than 50 Ukrainian clergy have been killed. Protestant, Catholic, Crimean Tatar, and Orthodox Christian communities not aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church have faced raids, forced re-registration, and criminal prosecution. The Russian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, has publicly described the invasion as a “holy war,” providing ideological justification for systematic religious suppression in occupied territories.

     The full text of HR-8433 (S-4379) is available here.  

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