MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released the following statement on the amendment that would halt certain U.S. funding to Israel to the National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations Act:

 

“Today, I will vote YES on the Massie amendment that addresses U.S. military aid to Israel.

 

“Existing U.S. law prohibits military aid from being provided to entities found to be implicated in gross human rights violations. I believe the Netanyahu government met this standard with their horrific conduct in Gaza.  Since then, Israel has sought to further entangle the United States in a war of choice against Iran and undermine efforts to secure a ceasefire. These actions have only destabilized the region and are actively harming efforts to achieve lasting peace and security for all sides.

 

“This is far from a perfect amendment, and I support steps to allow for the continuation of funding for peacebuilding and humanitarian programs that are captured in this overly broad prohibition. However, I will not support additional military aid that enables Netanyahu to bomb other countries relentlessly with the implicit support of the American taxpayers.

 

“While I strongly oppose the actions of Israel’s current government, I continue to stand in strong support of our local Jewish community and stand firmly against hate and antisemitism in any form. All Israelis and Palestinians deserve a future where they can live in peace and security. Unfortunately, the actions of the Netanyahu government, supported by U.S. assistance, take us farther away from that future every day.

 

“It’s time to chart a new course.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens blasted Trump and Republican efforts to shut down the Department of Education and cut funding from vital programs that support Michigan families.

At a House hearing, Stevens railed against the efforts, highlighting the challenges Michigan teachers and students are already facing.

Watch the full clip HERE. 

“I have spent countless hours with the educators, administrators, and families in Michigan. And over the last year and a half, we have discussed the challenges facing the teacher workforce pipeline, our inability to fully fund Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,” said Rep. Stevens. 

“We need to get back to the basics. Before we bely the American people and their tax dollars that this is some effort to serve you better and to streamline. Because it’s not. It’s more failed policy at our expense.”

Stevens also called out Republicans’ refusal to push forward common-sense legislation that addresses critical issues Michiganders face in schools. She highlighted her Addressing Teacher Shortages Act, a bill to help public schools recruit and train a new generation of teachers, which Republicans have refused to pass. Stevens further brought up Republican failures to fund supports for students with disabilities and their attempted cuts to Perkins CTE grants, urging her colleagues to put aside partisan games to serve students, teachers, and families across the country. 

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced the Drug Deal Disclosure Act, legislation that would require the Trump Administration to publicly disclose its prescription drug pricing agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers and subject those agreements to independent review to determine whether they are actually lowering costs for patients and taxpayers. 

As Americans continue to struggle with the high cost of prescription drugs, the Trump Administration has repeatedly claimed that a series of agreements negotiated with pharmaceutical companies will lower costs for patients. Yet despite public announcements and White House events promoting these arrangements, the Administration has refused to disclose the terms of the agreements, the concessions offered in exchange, and evidence that they will actually deliver lower prices. 

“President Trump has repeatedly claimed that his Administration’s private deals with pharmaceutical companies will lower prescription drug prices for American families. If that’s true, then he should have nothing to hide,” said Rep. Chu. “Democrats didn’t ask Americans to simply trust us when we lowered prescription drug costs through the Inflation Reduction Act, we passed a law that empowered Medicare to negotiate drug prices, capped insulin at $35 a month for seniors, limited annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, and held drug companies accountable for unjustified price hikes. Those reforms are already delivering real savings. If President Trump wants the American people to believe his secret deals with Big Pharma will do the same, then he should release the agreements and let the facts speak for themselves.”

“Floridians and Americans deserve lower drug costs,” said Rep. Castor. “No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for their lifesaving medications. After making health care out of reach for millions of Americans, the Trump Administration claims they are helping our neighbors afford prescription drugs through closed-door deals with pharmaceutical manufacturers. Americans are skeptical and deserve to know if those deals are truly lowering costs, or if they are another false promise. I was proud to work with my colleagues in the Congress to actually lower drug costs through Medicare negotiation, caps on insulin, no-cost vaccines and out-of-pocket limits. Our neighbors have waited long enough for fair prices for important medications, and I am committed to doing that in a transparent manner.”

“No one in Western Pennsylvania should have to ration medicine or walk away from the pharmacy counter because Big Pharma and the Trump Administration are cutting deals behind closed doors,” said Rep. Lee. “More than one in four Pennsylvanians have already been forced to skip doses, cut pills in half, or leave prescriptions unfilled simply because of cost. People paying the price deserve to know who these agreements are really serving, and this bill would force the Administration to release these secret agreements and require independent analysis of whether they actually lower costs for patients and taxpayers. I’m proud to co-lead this bill and help build a healthcare system that works for the people, not billion-dollar corporations.”

“Deals made by the White House are the business of the American people. President Trump claims to have made secret agreements with Big Pharma CEOs under the pretense of lowering prescription drug prices but these savings have yet to appear. The American people deserve answers and this legislation will bring them to light,” said Rep. Pappas. “Granite Staters are paying too much for life-saving prescription drugs and this administration and Republicans in Congress have only made health care access worse and costs higher. I remain committed to doing everything I can to improve care and lower costs, and I will not stand for shady deals and false promises made by the administration.”

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to publicly disclose records, communications, agreements, and related materials concerning drug pricing agreements and other arrangements negotiated between the Trump Administration and pharmaceutical manufacturers. The bill would also require reporting to Congress and direct the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct an independent analysis of the agreements’ economic and budgetary impacts.

Specifically, the legislation would:

• Require HHS to publicly disclose agreements, communications, records, and related materials concerning covered agreements between the Trump Administration and pharmaceutical manufacturers;

• Require disclosure of agreements involving Most-Favored-Nation pricing commitments, TrumpRx participation, tariff exemptions, domestic investment commitments, Strategic National Stockpile agreements, Priority Review Vouchers, and other related arrangements;

• Require HHS to report to Congress on all documents and information released or withheld, including the basis for any redactions; and

• Direct CBO and GAO to publish an independent assessment of the agreements’ impacts on patients, taxpayers, prescription drug costs, Medicare, Medicaid, competition, and federal spending.

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act is the House companion to legislation introduced in the Senate by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden and Senate Democrats.

This legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08), Andre Carson (IN-07), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Mark Takano (CA-39), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)

If Adopted, the Resolution of Inquiry Would Require HHS to Transmit to Congress Information Related to the Freeze of Approximately $10 Billion in Federal Funding for Essential Services to Ensure This Abuse of Power Does Not Occur Again.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — The House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday approved a proposal by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) to extend until 2035 protections for Maine’s lobstermen from new regulations related to the North Atlantic right whale. 

The committee advanced H.R. 9436, the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, to the House floor in a bipartisan 22-13 vote. The bill, led by Golden and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), extends the moratorium on certain new regulations — including potential fishery closures — from 2028 to 2035. 

“I’m grateful to Rep. Lawler and my colleagues on the Committee for a strong show of bipartisan support for Maine lobstermen. In 2022, Congress enacted this regulatory pause and funded new efforts to gather information to support a data-driven process establishing rules that made sense for both the fishermen and the whales. But today the rulemaking process is behind schedule for reasons that have nothing to do with Maine fishermen. At the same time, those charged with gathering the necessary data say more time is needed to ensure regulations can incorporate the best available science. Mainers are not asking for much. We just need more time,” Golden said. 

“Protecting the North Atlantic right whale and supporting America’s fishing communities are goals that can and must go hand in hand. By extending the current regulatory framework through 2035, the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act provides the time needed to develop durable, science-driven solutions that protect this endangered species without imposing unnecessary burdens on fishermen. I’m grateful to Chairman Bruce Westerman for advancing this legislation through Committee and to Rep. Jared Golden for his partnership on this bipartisan effort,” Lawler said.

The moratorium was originally enacted in 2022 under President Joe Biden, with bipartisan support from the entire Maine delegation and Maine Gov. Janet Mills. Earlier this year President Donald Trump signaled his support for Golden’s proposed extension. 

Two parallel but related processes related to crafting new rules for the protection of North Atlantic right whales are both behind schedule: Layoffs at NOAA and government shutdowns have delayed the start of the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team’s regulatory process, reducing the timeline for developing fishery management proposals. Meanwhile, scientists and researchers at Maine’s Department of Marine Resources (DMR) say more time is needed to ensure relevant data is available to inform the rulemaking process. 

“We are still gathering various types of data, and we anticipate that several of these data streams will not be able to be incorporated into decision-support tools due to the compressed timeline for rulemaking,” wrote Maine DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson in a Letter of Support for H.R. 9436. “An extension of the pause would ensure that there is time to incorporate this information, and that rulemaking is based on the best available science.” 

In addition to the Maine DMR, the extension of the regulatory pause was supported in written testimony by the Maine Lobstermen’s Association, Maine Lobstering Union Local 207, Maine Lobster Advisory Council, New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association, New Hampshire Commercial Fisherman’s Association and Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association. Golden entered their letters into the Congressional Record. 

Select portions of letters in support of H.R. 9436:

• John Drouin, Vice President, New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association: “H.R. 9436 strikes an appropriate balance between protecting one of the world’s most endangered whale species and preserving the economic viability of historic fishing communities throughout the Northeast. It ensures that future management decisions will be informed by more complete scientific information while maintaining protections already in place.”
• David M. Tar, Chairman, Maine Lobster Advisory Council: “Maine fishermen want no harm to come to a right whale, from our, or any, fishing practices. We need some stability in management. … We strongly support extending the pause to 2035. It would allow regulators the time to make meaningful changes using the data that is improving every day.” 
• Virginia Olsen, Director, Maine Lobstering Union Local 207: “A thoughtful extension would allow for the development of effective, enforceable, and economically realistic regulations that protect both the North Atlantic right whale and the people whose lives depend on these waters. We remain committed to being part of the solution and to working collaboratively toward outcomes that ensure a sustainable future for all.”
• Patrice McCaron, Executive Director, Maine Lobstermen’s Association: “Recent estimates indicate that the right whale population has increased for four consecutive years as births have exceeded deaths. Mortalities have declined from the levels experienced during the population downturn that began in 2011, when right whales increasingly shifted into Canadian waters where protections were not yet adequate. Canada has since adopted significant measures to reduce right whale deaths and serious injuries. Extending the pause through 2035 would give managers the time needed to formulate decisions based on a meaningful body of data. It would support management measures that protect right whales while avoiding unnecessary harm to Maine lobstermen, their families, and the coastal communities that depend on this fishery.”

Text of the legislation is available here. Video of Congressman Golden’s remarks before the Committee today is here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations, delivered opening remarks while leading debate on the House floor in support for the FY2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill (H.R. 8595).

Read opening remarks here and below:

“Mr. Chair, I am pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill to the House for consideration and approval.

“Let me start by noting the untimely passing of our friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham. As Chairman of the State-Foreign Operations Subcommittee in the Senate, we worked together closely on our top priority – national security. Senator Graham was a tough negotiator but always an honorable partner. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and staff.

“At the outset, I want to thank Chairman Cole for his invaluable leadership and commitment to ensuring that Congress upholds its responsibility to provide the tools necessary to safeguard our national security, along with his partner in this endeavor, Ranking Member DeLauro. I also want to thank Ranking Member Frankel for her longstanding friendship and valuable contributions during the bill development process. She is tough but always trustworthy. 

“Mr. Chairman, this bill is very straightforward. If you are a friend or an ally of the United States, this bill supports you. But, if you are an adversary or are cozying up to our adversaries, then, frankly, you will not like this bill. This bill is the next step in strengthening our national security while reducing spending. Under Chairman Cole’s leadership, House Republicans have delivered nearly $12 billion in responsible cuts within the purview of this subcommittee since 2023. The FY27 bill continues this work with another $2.7 billion reduction. 

“Yet, our national security priorities are funded at or above prior year levels. The bill maintains $1.8 billion for partners in the Indo-Pacific, including $500 million in military assistance for Taiwan. It provides unwavering support for Israel and fully funds the United States-Israel Memorandum of Understanding by providing $3.3 billion in security assistance. 

“Recognizing the valuable partnerships in the Western Hemisphere, which continue to expand and realign under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rubio, the bill increases support for our friends and allies such as Paraguay, Argentina, and Costa Rica. As part of this effort, the bill increases funds to combat the trafficking of fentanyl, which has devastated every community across America. It also continues strong support for a democratic transition to freedom for the people of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. It supports religious freedom in Nigeria and around the world.

“Last year, the NSRP Subcommittee focused on responsibly transitioning PEPFAR programs to capable partner countries. PEPFAR is a great success story, but most of us agree the program cannot, and should not, go on forever. Working alongside the Administration, countries are now investing significant resources toward their own health, allowing this Committee to reduce funding, while maintaining the same outcomes. Just as critical as what the bill funds is what it does not fund, and how it demands accountability for every dollar.

“The bill prohibits funds to:

• The People’s Republic of China, 
• The Communist Chinese Party, and from being used by other countries to repay debt owed to China. 
• It also prohibits lending to the PRC within the multilateral development banks.

“The bill continues a key provision adopted in the prior year that blocks assistance to anyone that supports, finances, or facilitates the operations of the Cuban military. It prohibits all assistance to the Taliban and puts Americans first by withholding funds from Mexico until water owed to the United States is delivered. Assessed funding for the United Nations is cut by $1.8 billion. No funds are included for the United Nations Regular Budget, and funds are prohibited to organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, which actively contradict U.S. priorities and national security interests.

“The bill helps secure justice for victims of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks, including 50 murdered Americans, by requiring full accountability for UNRWA staff involved. A key measure from last year’s House bill, which was enacted into law in FY26, is maintained, requiring the Secretary of State to consider the UN voting record of countries in determining the allocation of funds. 

“The bill supports full implementation of key executive orders that reflect a clear commitment to:

• a secure border, 
• limited government, 
• free speech and ending censorship;
• ending DEI programs; and more.

“Finally, the bill maintains all long-standing pro-life provisions, prohibits funds to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and upholds the President’s policy on Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance. These measures, alongside enhanced oversight and transparency, ensure American taxpayer dollars do not fund abortions, a policy that Americans overwhelmingly support.

“Before closing, I want to thank the staff on both sides of the aisle for their work on this bill. Mr. Chairman, I commend the Speaker for bringing this crucial legislation to the floor. It supports our allies and protects our national security in a smart, efficient, and thoughtful way. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and reserve the balance of my time.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) joined a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding answers on the June 16th death of Airman First Class Keon McDaniel of Grand Rapids. Airman McDaniel died during the influenza outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas following the Department of Defense’s April 2026 decision to make the annual influenza vaccine voluntary for servicemembers.

Congresswoman Stevens was joined by Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), whose district includes Lackland Air Force Base, Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee’s Military Personnel Subcommittee, Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-08). 

“When tragedies like this occur, the American people and the Congress that represents them deserve immediate transparency and accountability,” the Representatives wrote in part. “We urge the Department to ensure that Airman McDaniel’s family receives timely and direct answers to any questions they may have about the circumstances of his death before any additional findings or information are made public. Keon’s family has already made the greatest sacrifice. They deserve to hear the truth directly from the Department, delivered with compassion and respect.”

The outbreak spread to hundreds of other recruits, and the Department has since reinstated the influenza vaccine requirement. 

“While the DoD made the right decision to reinstate the influenza vaccine requirement for new recruits, this outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland underscores the importance of science- based decision-making guided by medical professionals when making public health decisions affecting our servicemembers. Politicizing the administration of lifesaving vaccines has led to the death of a servicemember, the hospitalization of numerous trainees, and an expensive race to retroactively provide our servicemembers the health care they need and deserve,” the Representatives continued.

The full copy of the letter with the Representatives’ questions can be found here.

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) introduced the Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act, legislation requiring the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a model under which blood transfusions furnished to an individual receiving hospice care are paid separately from the hospice all-inclusive per diem payment under Medicare.

“Patients at the end of life should never have to choose between the comfort of hospice care and the treatments that help them live with dignity. This bill removes financial barriers so more patients can access the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve,” said Congresswoman Dingell.

The CMMI must evaluate the model by comparing patients participating in the model with those outside of the model in relation to specified metrics, such as hospital utilization and days of hospice care before the end of life.

“Blood transfusions are a critical source of comfort and quality of life for many patients receiving hospice care,” said Kate Fry, CEO of America’s Blood Centers. “This bipartisan legislation removes a financial barrier in the hospice benefit that too often forces patients to choose between hospice care and the transfusions they need. We thank Representative Dingell for championing this bill and for her continued leadership on issues that matter to blood donors and patients alike.”

“The Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies is proud to support the Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act. Every patient deserves access to safe blood transfusions, regardless of where they are in their care journey. This bill removes a significant obstacle for patients relying on the Medicare hospice benefit,” said Debra BenAvram, FASAE, CAE, CEO of AABB.

“We commend Congresswoman Dingell for introducing the Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act,” said Robert Negrin, MD, president of the American Society of Hematology. “This bill addresses a longstanding gap in hospice care for patients with blood disorders by helping ensure they have access to critical transfusion support and comprehensive care.”

U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen is leading companion legislation in the Senate.

View the bill text HERE.