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October 18, 2025

Congressman Gonzalez to Host Veterans Day Pinning Ceremony in Harlingen

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

HARLINGEN, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced that he will be hosting a series of pinning ceremonies starting on Veterans Day to honor all veterans in the 34th Congressional District of Texas.

The first pinning ceremony will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. CT at the Harlingen VFW Post 2410 located at 2006 N Whalen Road, Harlingen, Texas 78550.

“This Veterans Day, I look forward to commemorating the service and sacrifice of our South Texas veterans,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “These pinning ceremonies are one of the ways that we can meaningfully honor the brave men and women who put on the uniform to protect and defend our freedoms.”

Veterans who are eligible to receive a lapel pin at the ceremony must have been on active duty and released under honorable conditions. At the pinning ceremony, veterans or their relatives will be publicly presented with commemorative lapel pins as a lasting memento of our nation’s gratitude.

Future pinning ceremonies will be announced in the coming weeks for other communities in the 34th Congressional District of Texas.

To participate and be recognized in the ceremony, veterans or family members must fill the application found on the congressman’s website at https://gonzalez.house.gov/services/veterans-day-pinning-ceremony-2025.

For any questions, please contact Edward Vallejo in Congressman Gonzalez’s Brownsville Office at Edward.Vallejo@mail.house.gov or 956-682-5545.

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October 18, 2025

Amata Pays Tribute to the Late Congressman Fofó I.F. Sunia

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

“A mentor, public servant, and statesman who laid the foundation for American Samoa in Congress.”

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring the life and legacy of former Congressman Fofó Iosefa Fiti Sunia, American Samoa’s first Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives under current rules. Congressman Sunia passed away leaving behind a legacy of leadership, cultural pride, and pioneering public service for the people of American Samoa.

Fofo Sunia taken in 1985

“Congressman Sunia was a dear friend and counselor to me,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I cherish his memory and kindness. He played a meaningful role in my journey to Congress, offering his wisdom and experience as I followed in his historic footsteps.”

Congressman Sunia became the first official Delegate for American Samoa when the territory was granted representation in Congress with voting privileges in committees. While American Samoa had sent representatives before, Congressman Sunia was the first to serve with formal status and recognition in the House under the current structure.

“I always saw him as a mentor, advisor, and steady counselor,” continued Congresswoman Amata. “He exemplified leadership rooted in humility, wisdom, and a deep love for our people. I benefited from his example and the groundwork he laid on behalf of our territory.”

She recalled how he brought the spirit of the islands with him to Washington by proudly decorating his congressional office with symbols of Samoan culture and heritage—something she continues to do today.

“He took pride in reflecting our South Pacific home and culture in his workspace, reminding all who visited that American Samoa has a voice in our nation’s capital,” she said.

Congressman Sunia also opened doors for future generations, including advocating for the right to nominate students from American Samoa to the prestigious U.S. Service Academies. Among those he helped inspire was Leafaina Tavai, Congresswoman Amata’s current Chief of Staff, who became the first successful nominee and graduate from the territory.

“His efforts made it possible for young people from American Samoa to serve as officers in our military, something we take pride in today. His work was foundational to so many achievements we’ve built upon, including improvements to our Medicaid program and greater access to federal resources.”

In addition to his political and policy accomplishments, Congressman Sunia was also an accomplished author and cultural scholar. His books, which document the language, history, and traditions of Samoa, remain valuable resources for educators, students, and anyone seeking to understand the region’s heritage.

“He was a man of faith, wisdom, and quiet strength. His voice carried weight not just because of his position, but because of his thoughtful and principled approach to leadership. His literary contributions continue to enrich our libraries and classrooms.”

Congresswoman Amata concluded, “Congressman Sunia will be deeply missed. His passing is a great loss, but his legacy is lasting. May God bless his family and loved ones in this time of sorrow. American Samoa honors him as a devoted public servant and trailblazing statesman. God has welcomed him home as a man of faith.”

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October 18, 2025

Amata Honors the Life and Legacy of Congressman Sunia

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring the memory and life of Congressman Fofó I.F. Sunia.

“Congressman Sunia was a dear friend and counselor to me. I cherish his memory and kindness. He was helpful as I followed in his footsteps as a Representative in Washington, where he was our first under the current rules, although we sent representatives beforehand too that did not have the privileges of Members of Congress. I saw him always as a mentor, advisor, and counselor. I benefited from his prior role as a representative for our territory, and I remember that he too took pride in decorating his DC office to reflect our South Pacific home and culture. He worked for important rights such as nominating our youth to the U.S. Service Academies, including our first ever successful nominee and graduate, my Chief of Staff Leafaina Tavai, so his work was foundational for many future successes, including our Medicaid program. He had the wisdom of experience and a gentle but effective way of expressing his opinion and views. He was an accomplished author, and his books are valuable additions to our library and schools. He will be deeply missed. May God bless his family and loved ones in this time. American Samoa honors him as a public servant and statesman. God has welcomed him home as a man of faith.”

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October 18, 2025

Amata Welcomes Announcement of Military Payday Despite Shutdown

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomed the announcement that the federal government is meeting its payment obligation to the U.S. Armed Forces, despite the government shutdown.

“This is the first payday since the shutdown for our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen, and I’m happy for them that the administration has prioritized their pay despite the shutdown so that our dedicated military are not working without pay at this time,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I also very much hope that the Senate acts to restore government funding and end this unnecessary shutdown well before the next payday at the end of this month for our military families that depend on their well-earned paychecks.”

The Trump administration diverted funds that had not yet been spent in order to pay military personnel this time, but reportedly might not be able to do so again at the next pay period. While the Armed Forces were paid, hundreds of thousands of civilian federal employees are either furloughed or working unpaid, expecting future reimbursement of their scheduled pay.

As September closed out without the 12 appropriations bills passed into law, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a clean seven-week extension of funding, called a Continuing Resolution (C.R.), often referred to as a “stopgap” bill. These have been commonly used in recent years to avoid shutdowns, and allow more time for major agreements on appropriations work. This time, Senate Democrats voted against cloture, requiring 60 votes, stalling the funding extension in the Senate unless five Senators were to decide to change their votes. Instead of the clean seven weeks extension, Senators who voted no are calling for the addition of $1.5 trillion over the next ten years to reopen government.

“As to funding disagreements, bipartisan consensus should be built while the government is open and meeting it’s obligations,” concluded Congresswoman Amata. “This shutdown causes all sorts of needless uncertainty for people and businesses, delays in government grants, and puts pressure on all federal employees including our Service Members that they might have to work without pay while many have mortgages, bills, rent, loan obligations and more. The Senate should reopen government so that Congress can instead use this time for regular work on full-year appropriations.”

The House Appropriations Committee has passed all 12 appropriations bills in regular order, ahead of some recent years, and the Senate has completed work on eight of the 12 bills.

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October 18, 2025

Amata Honors US Navy’s 250th Birthday

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring the anniversary of the United States Navy’s founding in 1775, when the Continental Navy was established the year before the Declaration of Independence. The milestone will be marked with a major celebration in Philadelphia, including a parade, flyovers, fireworks, concerts, and the presence of numerous Navy and historic ships on the river. This year’s Navy birthday coincides with a federal holiday, as Columbus Day 2025 is also on October 13th.

Congresswoman Amata in House floor speech supporting Navy Blue Water Veterans (file photo)

Congresswoman Amata released the following statement:

“Happy 250th birthday to the United States Navy, and today we especially honor and celebrate all our Sailors! In American Samoa, we have a strong tradition of service in the nation’s Armed Forces, but it started out with our connection to the Navy. Our earliest known U.S. serviceman is Navy Seaman Tafaega of Olosega Island, Manu’a. He was already serving before the turn of the century in the Spanish American War and then World War I. For the first half of the 1900s the Navy was a major part of American Samoa’s history, with a base using our exceptional harbor.

File photo – Cleaning and preserving the historic marker of Navy Seaman Tafeaga of Manu’a, the first known U.S. Service Member from American Samoa

“The U.S. Navy is a powerful force for freedom in the world, securing peace and commerce throughout the oceans, with a great 250-year history, including the immense mission and importance of the Pacific theater of World War II.

“Thank you to the men and women in our Armed Forces, and enjoy this special celebration of the Navy and all our Sailors, past and present. These honors are much deserved. Our military families are so proud of our Toa o Samoa, but also miss them deeply, and will be thinking of them during these patriotic reminders from Philadelphia. God bless all our Sailors!”

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October 18, 2025

Pallone: The Trump Administration is Intentionally Creating a Telehealth Crisis for America’s Seniors

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

Amid Widespread Reports of Disrupted Access to Care, Pallone Urges Kennedy and Oz to Stop Playing Games With Health Care and Use Existing Legal Authority to Ensure Seniors Can Continue to Access Telehealth Services

Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) wrote to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz today urging the Administration to use its existing legal authority to ensure seniors can continue to access telehealth services and the hospital at home program.

Seniors across the country have reported widespread disruptions and inability to schedule routine telehealth appointments since the beginning of the month. The Trump Administration appears to be exploiting the problem amid the ongoing government shutdown rather than using its existing legal authorities to allow providers to continue to see patients via telehealth appointments.

“It is critical that you take action to prevent disruption to vital services that Medicare beneficiaries rely on,” Pallone wrote. “We strongly urge you to take steps to create clarity and certainty for providers and patients—including extending the current 10-day temporary hold and reminding health care providers that they have 12 months to submit Medicare claims after a service is furnished. This clarity will ensure that Medicare providers know they can hold their claims until an extension is resolved.”

CMS has issued a 10-day temporary hold on telehealth claims which is the bare minimum under statute. Without further action by the Administration, all telehealth claims will be denied on a rolling basis beginning October 15, 2025. However, the agency has greater authority to indefinitely hold payments during the government shutdown in order to allow providers to continue to offer telehealth services for patients and receive reimbursement once a government funding agreement is reached.

“CMS should also issue clear and timely guidance to providers and exercise maximum regulatory and enforcement flexibility so Medicare beneficiaries can continue to access essential services, including patients who rely on the hospital at home program,” Pallone continued in his letter. “It is time for this Administration to recognize its failure to act is only making worse the health care crisis that it created—with millions of Medicare beneficiaries across the country paying the price.”

The Acute Hospital Care at Home program allows certain patients to receive care in the comfort of their homes, rather than in a hospital.

Congress significantly expanded Medicare’s widely popular telehealth program during the Covid-19 pandemic and has continued to extend it in the years since. Authorization for the telehealth program expired on September 30, 2025, along with the lapse in government funding. However, rather than using its existing authority to grant flexibility to ensure seniors can continue to utilize telehealth services, the Trump Administration appears to be intentionally making the situation worse by causing widespread disruption and denying access to care in an effort to score political points.

“The Trump Administration’s failure to provide certainty to providers is resulting in widespread disruption, chaos, and denial of health care services. Seniors and individuals with disabilities across the nation are having their telehealth appointments canceled or subject to unexpected out-of-pocket expenses—forcing some to forego necessary and lifesaving care,” Pallone continued.

Read the full letter HERE.

October 18, 2025

Pallone Blasts RWJ Barnabas Health’s Closure of Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Calls for Community Leaders to Mobilize Against Plan

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

“This plan puts profits over working people in order to build a concierge hospital for wealthier patients,” NJ 6th District Congressman says.

LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced his strong opposition to RWJ Barnabas Health’s (RWJBH) plan to move its hospital from Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch to a new hospital in Tinton Falls. The plan would move key services such as labor and delivery, acute care in-patient beds and the hospital license to the new facility in Tinton Falls leaving behind a shell of the current services.

“This plan puts profits over working people in order to build a concierge hospital for wealthier patients,” said Congressman Frank Pallone. “Effectively closing Long Branch’s hospital will leave thousands of families without access to health care and will further strain other hospitals in the region at the same time the Trump Administration is slashing funding to health care. RWJ Barnabas Health’s unacceptable abandonment of the Long Branch community calls into question the health system’s status as a non-profit hospital.”

Pallone blamed Governor Phil Murphy and his Acting Health Commissioner for rejecting his plans to keep the Long Branch hospital open.

“I put forward a plan to allow a new hospital to be built in Tinton Falls, while keeping Long Branch a full-scale acute care hospital. RWJ Barnabas originally accepted the plan but then changed it at the prompting of the Acting State Health Commissioner, and ultimately the Governor. It is their fault this is happening, but they have the power to stop it. Now is the time for elected leaders and our community to tell Governor Murphy and Acting Commissioner Brown that this is unacceptable and to reject this proposal,” Congressman Frank Pallone continued.

“For generations, families in Long Branch have relied on this hospital for acute care, births, and access to all kinds of health services that will now be lost,” said Long Branch Mayor John Pallone. “Last year, we celebrated the 135th anniversary of the founding of the Monmouth Medical Center. I’m extremely disappointed with the plan to move the hospital’s key facilities out of Long Branch and will do everything I can to stop this transfer of services. The people of Long Branch deserve to keep their hospital.”

Studies show hospital closures in urban and low-income areas disproportionately harm Black, Latino, and immigrant communities, deepening long-standing disparities in health outcomes.[i][ii] The relocation of services to more affluent areas effectively redirects health care resources away from those who need them most. New Jersey’s regulations plainly state, “The Department also must guard against the closing of important institutions and the transfer of services from facilities in a manner that is harmful to the public interest.” [iii] Allowing a hospital system to abandon a lower income and diverse community to build a concierge hospital that attracts more wealthy patients establishes a precedent that others may replicate.

Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch has widely been recognized for its outstanding quality and dedication to patient safety and experience. It is an award-winning hospital that is rated better than many of the other hospitals in RWJBH’s system. This year, it was ranked the 9th best hospital in New Jersey by Newsweek, making it the 2nd best hospital in the RWJBH system.[iv] According to the RWHBJ’s website, the hospital annually receives accolades for being one of the safest hospitals in the region and is a top-performing health care organization that has achieved the 95th percentile or above for performance in patient experience. [v]

MMC serves thousands of low-income and minority residents in Long Branch and the region. For decades, the hospital has provided essential maternity, and specialty care to residents who already face barriers such as transportation challenges, chronic illness, and lack of insurance coverage. Abandoning the Long Branch community will lead to worse health care outcomes for many. Other hospitals in the region will be forced to absorb an influx of patients, potentially leading to longer wait times, staff burnout, and greater financial strain.

On October 16^th, the Department of Health deemed the RWJBH application complete, which triggers a requirement for the hospital system and the Department of Health to hold separate public hearings before a final decision is rendered within 120 days.

[i] https://biologicalsciences.uchicago.edu/news/hospital-closure-inequality

[ii] https://www.facs.org/media-center/press-releases/2025/hospital-closures-disproportionately-affect-socioeconomically-disadvantaged-communities/

[iii] N.J.A.C. 8:33-1.2(a)

[iv] https://rankings.newsweek.com/americas-best-state-hospitals-2025/new-jersey

[v] https://www.rwjbh.org/monmouth-medical-center/

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October 18, 2025

Meeks Issues Statement on Zelensky Meeting

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

Washington, DC — Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued a statement on President Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Once again, President Trump failed to deliver today on providing any support for Ukraine, and instead continues to appease Vladimir Putin through his inaction and blatant revisionist history about Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.

“Anyone still claiming that Donald Trump has pivoted on his position toward Putin should see his remarks today – as well as his speech at the U.N. General Assembly – for exactly what they are: a delusional ‘will he, won’t he’ negotiating tactic that is as toothless as Trump’s supposed support for Ukraine. Vladimir Putin certainly sees through it, which is why he continues to manipulate Trump, delay negotiations, and continue Russia’s brutal, unjustified war. This isn’t Trump bringing peace through strength; this is weakness through appeasement.

“It’s past time for Congress to take the action Trump refuses to take to put real pressure on Putin. The Speaker must bring my Ukraine Support Act to the floor for a vote.”

October 18, 2025

House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Urges Trump to Attend Key Indo-Pacific Summits to Demonstrate U.S. Leadership

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, led a bipartisan letter to President Trump urging him to attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Malaysia, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea, and a Quad Leaders’ Summit in India. The letter points to the importance of the Indo-Pacific for American security and prosperity, particularly as it relates to our strategic competition with the PRC, and how these multilateral summits represent unique opportunities for the president to demonstrate U.S. leadership and counter PRC ambitions in the region.

“Your participation in these summits would be a powerful response to Xi’s diplomatic campaign, reassuring allies and reaffirming America’s leadership in the region,”the lawmakers said. “Your presence and voice will demonstrate that America remains committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific. We urge you to announce your decision to attend these summits as soon as possible.”

Cosigners include Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, Young Kim and Ami Bera, and Chairman and Ranking Member of the South and Central Asia Subcommittee, Bill Huizenga and Sydney Kamlager-Dove.

The letter in full is available here.

October 18, 2025

ICYMI This Week: Rep. Meeks Blasts Republican Shutdown and Joins NY Dems in Push to Reopen the Government

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

October 11, 2025

ICYMI This Week: Rep. Meeks Blasts Republican Shutdown and Joins NY Dems in Push to Reopen the Government

Congressman Meeks Addresses Republican Shutdown and Condemns Baseless Indictment of Attorney General Letitia James

Donald Trump’s sham indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James is a clear attempt to weaponize the justice system against anyone who holds him accountable. AG James has always led with integrity, upheld the law, and defended the Constitution. While she continues to do her job with honor, House Republicans are preparing for a fourth week of vacation as our troops and public servants worry about their next paycheck. Speaker Johnson must bring Congress back to work so we can reopen the government and lower health care costs for hardworking Americans.

New York Democrats Unite to Condemn GOP Shutdown

I stood with the New York Democratic delegation at City Hall to say: enough is enough! Republicans need to return to Washington and stop obstructing essential work. We stressed that political games are no substitute for governance and it’s critical that we lower health care costs for Americans.

Ranking Member Meeks Marks the 2nd Anniversary of the October 7th Terrorist Attacks

“On this solemn anniversary, we pause to remember and mourn the lives lost, the families shattered, and the enduring pain caused by the brutal terrorist attacks of October 7th. We stand in solidarity with Israel and all the innocent victims who suffered in that darkest of hours. Our hearts remain with all those forever changed by that day.”