MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

MI Congresswoman puts Michigan families first by championing affordability at the checkout line

WASHINGTON, D.C. – ICYMI: Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens is leading the charge to stop Donald Trump from driving up the cost of groceries with reckless tariffs after introducing her No Tariffs on Groceries Act. The initiative underscores her leadership in Congress to protect Michigan families from unilateral tariff hikes and reaffirms her commitment to lowering prices at the checkout line. 

Here’s what Michiganders are hearing about the bill:

WPBN:

• This week a new bill has been introduced meant to make your next trip to the grocery store a little bit cheaper.  It’s called the No Tariffs on Grocery Act.

• Many families say food costs are hitting them hard. According to recent data, grocery prices are up, and Michiganders are feeling the pressure.

• Congresswoman Haley Stevens is pushing a bill she says will make your next shopping trip cheaper. It’s called the No Tariffs Groceries Act.

• “My bill is very simple. The No Tariffs on Groceries Act lowers costs. My bill will require Congress to give permission if the president proposes to put tariffs on food, and to stipulate that tariffs cannot go into place without a subsequent act of Congress to improve them.”

• Stevens says President Trump’s tariff policies have already driven up prices for food like beef, bacon, and coffee. She calls it a matter of fairness.

• “While billionaires get a break. Billionaires. Every day people are paying more. Michiganders are paying more. It is not acceptable.”

 

WOOD:

• New legislation meant to address Donald Trump’s tariffs was announced on Wednesday.

• Representative Haley Stevens says it is meant to take on President Trump’s tariffs.

• Stevens says they are causing Michiganders grocery costs to inflate excessively.

• She’s calling the No Tariffs on Groceries Act a matter of fairness.

 

The Progressive Grocer: Michigan Congresswoman Introduces ‘No Tariffs on Groceries Act’

By: Marian Zboraj

• This week, a Michigan congresswoman unveiled her “No Tariffs on Groceries Act,” a new bill that would lower the cost of groceries by removing the ability of the U.S. president to unilaterally place tariffs on food and other agricultural products.

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers, grocery store prices experienced a 0.6% monthly increase in August — the highest monthly jump in nearly three years. On a year-over-year basis, food at home rose 2.7%. Heavily imported goods, like coffee and tomatoes, notched some of the biggest increases.

• “The one thing I hear over and over again from Michiganders is that Donald Trump’s tariffs are making everything more expensive – especially groceries,” said U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham.

• “Michigan has had enough of Donald Trump’s price hikes, and I am taking on these erratic tariffs to bring relief to Michigan families.”

 

Supermarket News: New bill aims at removing tariff costs from groceries

By: Bill Wilson

• A federal lawmaker has introduced legislation aimed at combating rising grocery costs caused by tariffs.

• U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) proposed the No Tariffs on Groceries Act this week, which would require congressional approval for any tariff-related increases in food costs

• “When it comes to putting food on the table, when it comes to feeding yourself, no president should be able to act alone without oversight or authorization,” Stevens said.

• In August, grocery store prices posted the largest month-to-month increase of the year at 0.6%, according to Consumer Price Index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The annual inflation rate for food at home stood at 2.7%.

 

Roll Call: At the Races: Partisans in crime

By: Daniela Altimari, Niels Lesniewski, and Mary Ellen McIntire

• Rep. Haley Stevens, a Michigan Democrat [..]has unveiled legislation designed to stop Trump from imposing tariffs on groceries.

• “Michigan has had enough of Donald Trump’s price hikes, and I am taking on these erratic tariffs to bring relief to Michigan families,” Stevens said in announcing her bill.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) joined elected officials representing areas surrounding the Penn Station complex in sending a letter to National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) President Roger Harris regarding reports of purportedly discriminatory arrests made by Amtrak Police in Penn Station.

According to reporting, Amtrak Police started targeting a men’s bathroom Penn Station, focusing on members of the LGBTQ community. Amtrak Police made 23 arrests in June and are now making as many as 20 arrests per day for “public lewdness” through their targeted campaign using undercover plainclothes police officers. The police are reportedly employing questionable and potentially discriminatory tactics by using apps popular with gay men and approaching and propositioning people trying to use the bathroom.

“First, we demand that Amtrak Police immediately cease identifying and targeting members of the LGBTQ community for search, seizure and arrest on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, which likely constitutes discriminatory treatment in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” the lawmakers wrote.

“Second, we request an urgent meeting for further discussion with you and representatives from Amtrak Police,” the lawmakers continued. “Specifically, it is imperative that Amtrak provide clarification or justification for its reported arrest campaign and commit to exploring alternatives that further Amtrak’s goals without subjecting New Yorkers to arrest and detention solely on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The lawmakers went on to explain that there is a long and painful tradition of police forces using loitering, identification, prostitution, lewdness, and similar laws to target LGBTQ people for harassment, arrest, and incarceration. While Amtrak is entitled to ensure that its facilities are not used for illicit purposes, the lawmakers do not believe Amtrak should be doing so with a hostile arrest campaign reminiscent of anti-LGBTQ policing during the Stonewall era.

Representative Nadler joined State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, State Senator Liz Krueger, and Assembly Member Tony Simone in sending the letter. 

Read the full letter here and below.

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Dear Mr. Harris:

According to the reporting, Amtrak Police made 23 arrests for “public lewdness” at Penn Station in June 2025 and is now making up to 20 such arrests per day. The reporting also indicates that many of these charges have been ultimately dropped but only after LGBTQ New Yorkers have been handcuffed and arrested. In at least one case, an arrestee was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Finally, the reporting indicates that undercover Amtrak Police are using constitutionally dubious tactics to target individuals they perceive as targets for arrest, including by using apps popular with gay men and by approaching and propositioning users of the bathroom.

First, we demand that Amtrak Police immediately cease identifying and targeting members of the LGBTQ community for search, seizure and arrest on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, which likely constitutes discriminatory treatment in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Second, we request an urgent meeting for further discussion with you and representatives from Amtrak Police. Specifically, it is imperative that Amtrak provide clarification or justification for its reported arrest campaign and commit to exploring alternatives that further Amtrak’s goals without subjecting New Yorkers to arrest and detention solely on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

As you may know, there is a long and painful tradition of police forces using loitering, identification, prostitution, lewdness, and similar laws to target LGBTQ people for harassment, arrest, and incarceration. Just a few years ago, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey settled a class action lawsuit over similar arrests and promised to end patrols similar to those currently being conducted by the Amtrak Police. While Amtrak is entitled to ensure that its facilities are not used for illicit purposes, we do not believe Amtrak should be doing so with a hostile arrest campaign reminiscent of anti-LGBTQ policing from the Stonewall era.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Please contact Representative Nadler’s office at your earliest convenience to schedule our meeting request in order that we may discuss this important issue further.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) led a group of bipartisan House members in the introduction of the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act, legislation that would fund upgrades to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure to make them more resilient against threats ranging from cyberattacks to extreme weather. 

“It goes without saying that safe, reliable water infrastructure is essential for everyone’s wellbeing,” said Rep. Carbajal. “However, the systems that deliver our drinking water and flush out wastewater are vulnerable to a multitude of threats. This bipartisan bill is a bold investment in securing our water infrastructure to ensure it remains functional for years to come.”

The lawmakers joining Carbajal in reintroducing the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act are Representatives David Valadao (R-CA-22), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA-02), Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), and Brian Mast (R-FL-21). 

“In the Central Valley, clean and reliable water is critical to our farms, families, and small businesses, but aging infrastructure, extreme weather, and even cyber threats puts our water systems at risk,” said Rep. Valadao. “This bipartisan bill reauthorizes critical programs to increase our resiliency and ensure our utilities have the necessary resources to continue operations, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in support.”

“My constituents in Louisiana live on the front lines of the climate crisis and understand the importance of resilient water infrastructure more than most. Generations have seen firsthand how strong levees, pumps, and drainage systems make the difference between safety and devastation. Investing in resilient water infrastructure is not just about protection; it’s about preserving our way of life. That’s why I’m proud to support the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act. This bill ensures that local water systems have the resources they need to modernize aging infrastructure and keep homes and businesses safe,” said Rep. Troy A. Carter, Sr.

“Every family deserves safe, reliable water, and in South Jersey we know how quickly storms, flooding, or aging systems can put that at risk. We’ve seen what happens when pipes break or when infrastructure can’t keep up with severe weather. This bill gives our water systems the chance to compete for funding to strengthen their infrastructure, upgrade outdated technology, and even guard against new threats like cyberattacks. I am proud to join my colleagues in leading this bill,” said Rep. Van Drew. 

“The Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act is a crucial step in ensuring that our drinking water and wastewater utilities have the needed resources to tackle natural disasters and potential cybersecurity risks. This legislation is long overdue, as our aging water systems risk both economic and environmental consequences if not addressed,” said Rep. Mast.

The legislation would reauthorize the following three water infrastructure resilience programs for five years (Fiscal Year 2027-2031), at current authorization levels:

1. Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program

• Safe Drinking Water Act section 1459A(l). This program, authorized for $25 million, awards grants to eligible entities for the purpose of increasing resilience to natural hazards including earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, and hydrologic changes.

Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Program

• Safe Drinking Water Act section 1459F. This program, authorized for $50 million per year, awards grants to eligible entities for the purpose of increasing resilience to hazards, extreme weather events, and reducing cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program

• Clean Water Act section 223. This program, authorized for $25 million per year, awards grants to eligible entities for the purpose of planning, designing, or constructing projects that increase the resilience of a publicly owned treatment works to natural hazards or cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent Clean Watersheds Needs Survey and Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment, the United States will have to spend at least $1.25 trillion over twenty years to meet the nation’s water infrastructure needs. Aging water infrastructure as well as human-made and naturally occurring disasters can impact the ability of water and wastewater utilities to function, particularly in the face of increasingly erratic and extreme weather. Cyber threats are also increasing across critical infrastructure sectors in the U.S., including for water and wastewater systems, according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Continued funding for the nation’s water, wastewater, and stormwater agencies to undertake resilience projects helps to meet the urgent need to safeguard water sector critical infrastructure.

The bill has the endorsement of the National Municipal Stormwater Alliance, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and American Rivers Action Fund.

“NMSA believes that investments to strengthen the resiliency of Publicly Owned Treatment Works, including stormwater infrastructure, are essential to ensuring the continued delivery of critical Clean Water services in the face of the anticipated increase in frequency and scale of natural hazards. Thank you Representatives Carbajal, Mast, and Valadao for introducing this important legislation to support these efforts,” said Seth Brown, Ph.D., PE, National Municipal Stormwater Alliance (NMSA) Executive Director.

“The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies applauds Representatives Carbajal, Mast, and Valadao for their leadership in ensuring that our nation’s water supply, water system infrastructure, and cyber infrastructure are safeguarded from future threats. The Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act will ensure that our drinking water and wastewater utilities have the resources to address floods, droughts, and cyber security risks. This is crucial for reducing the vulnerability of water service to disruptions that would carry severe economic and public health consequences,” said Tom Dobbins, CEO, The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies.

“NACWA applauds Representatives Carbajal, Mast, and Valadao for introducing the Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act of 2025. Reauthorizing the Clean Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Program will help ensure continued federal support for projects that help utilities withstand natural disasters and cyber threats,” said Adam Kranz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA).

“The Water Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability Act is a forward-looking investment in our communities and river health. By helping local governments modernize aging water systems, this bipartisan bill delivers relief to families and strengthens our economy. We applaud Representatives Carbajal, Mast, and Valadao for their leadership in taking steps to ensure that our water infrastructure is affordable, resilient, and supports healthy rivers for generations to come,” said Tom Kiernan, President and CEO, American Rivers Action Fund.

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

Congresswoman Dina Titus introduced a resolution today recognizing the cultural, spiritual, and economic value of the 618 million acres of public lands in the United States and encouraging people to visit those lands on fee-free Public Lands Day. Representatives Vasquez and Ciscomani joined the Congresswoman in leading this bipartisan resolution.

“Public lands are central to our national heritage,” Congresswoman Titus said. “They are our common ground as Americans, owned by the people and preserved for generations. They include places that represent our culture and history, are engines for rural and national economies, and are hallowed ground for tribes. It is my hope that people will take this day to visit our forests, our wild and scenic rivers, our national monuments and conservation areas. It is a day to recognize the beauty of this nation.” 

Congresswoman Titus has been a long-time champion of preserving public lands. From leading the charge to protect Gold Butte and Basin & Range to conserving Tule Springs, she believes that everyone has a responsibility to be good stewards of our nation’s unique landscapes. In 2023, she also worked to secure a National Monument designation for Avi Kwa Ame, permanently protecting this sacred land in Southern Nevada.

Under the Trump Administration, there have been unprecedented attacks on public lands in Nevada. Congresswoman Titus worked across the aisle to defeat efforts to sell off these treasured lands in Nevada to pay for tax cuts for billionaires earlier this year during the reconciliation process. Now, more than ever, it is critical to celebrate these special places and underscore their cultural and spiritual significance, as well as their contribution to our economy. 

“New Mexico’s public lands are irreplaceable — they drive rural economies, preserve our history, and provide us with water, wildlife and so many cherished memories and experiences for all our families,” said Congressman Vasquez. “That’s why I founded the Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus and why I’m encouraging every New Mexican to get outside today and enjoy the beauty of everything our state has to offer on National Public Lands Day.” 

“I’m proud to co-lead this resolution recognizing National Public Lands Day. Arizona’s 6th congressional district is home to some of the most iconic and breathtaking public lands in the nation. From Sabino Canyon to Mount Lemmon to Mount Graham to Saguaro National Park and beyond, they each play a vital role in our heritage, economy, and way of life,” Congressman Ciscomani said. “By coming together to celebrate and protect these lands, we honor the natural treasures that unite us as Americans and ensure they remain for future generations.”

In addition to Representatives Vasquez and Ciscomani, the following members are original cosponsors of the resolution: Ansari, Holmes Norton, Cleaver, Brownley, Smith (WA), Carter, Espaillat, Suozzi, Elfreth, Case, Torres, Neguse, Quigley, Watson Coleman, Horsford, Vargas, Meng, Escobar, Kim, LaLota, Hoyle, Evans (CO), Bonamici, Lawler, Fitzpatrick, Lee (NV), Krishnamoorthi, DeGette, Stanton, and Pettersen. 

The resolution is endorsed by Conservation Lands Foundation, Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO), Nevada Conservation League, Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter, National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Trail Access Project; Friends of Avi Kwa Ame, Friends of Sloan Canyon; Get Outdoors Nevada, The Wilderness Society, League of Conservation Voters, Nevada Environmental Justice Coalition, Native Voters Alliance NV, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, Friends of Red Rock Canyon, Save Red Rock, The Black Mountain Institute at UNLV (BMI), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

The resolution notes: 

• There are more than 85 million acres of national parks.
• There are approximately 38 million acres protected by 31 national monuments, 25 national conservation areas, and other designations. 
• There are 263 wilderness areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 
• There are more than 200 wild and scenic rivers in 40 states. 
• There are 570 national wildlife refuges.
• Public lands managed by the BLM generated $252 billion in economic activity in 2024. 
• Outdoor recreation $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2023. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) published a column in the Derby Informer on how the Working Families Tax Cuts will benefit all Americans immediately and going forward once the 2025 tax filing season begins in 2026. 

Read the column here or below.

OPINION: How the summer’s tax cuts benefit you

This summer, congressional Republicans sent the One, Big, Beautiful Bill to President Trump for his signature on our nation’s birthday — July 4, 2025. This historic package will directly benefit all Americans by permanently locking in lower individual rates and providing additional tax relief to hardworking people across our great nation.

Kansans will see these tax cuts immediately when they file their taxes in 2026. The lower rates we enacted in 2017 through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are now permanent, which will continue to enable Kansans to keep more of their own paycheck instead of sending it to Washington. Even the New York Times admitted that a majority of Americans will benefit from making these lower rates permanent.

This package, also known as the Working Families Tax Cut, provides significant tax relief, particularly for families earning under $100,000. The average American taxpayer is projected to see a tax cut of approximately $3,752 in 2026, with families earning less than $50,000 benefiting from a 14.9% tax reduction. For a family of four earning under $100,000, this translates to an additional $600 in tax cuts compared to current law, and overall take-home pay will increase by up to $11,700 due to tax cuts and economic growth.

Additionally, families will benefit from the $2,200 enhanced Child Tax Credit, the creation of the Trump Savings Accounts for every child born over the next three years, and the increase of the standard deduction by $1,500. Individuals in certain industries will see added relief with the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, and retirees will benefit from a senior’s credit, which aims to reduce the tax burden on Social Security recipients.

This historic legislation is full of pro-growth provisions for Kansans, which will increase wages for workers by up to $7,200. Immediate expensing of domestic R&D will stimulate innovation in our region, particularly in technology and aerospace manufacturing. The immediate deduction of machinery and equipment will encourage capital investment, which will lead to higher productivity and higher wages.

Republicans in Congress are continuing to work with President Trump to deliver a golden age of prosperity and growth to the American people. I will continue to do my part in Congress to cut taxes, eliminate red tape, and ensure a bright future for Kansans and all Americans.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement:

“Freedom of the press is one of the cornerstones of our democracy, and it must not be compromised by political pressure.

“Sinclair’s decision to ban Jimmy Kimmel from its stations under pressure from Donald Trump’s Administration is censorship. Until this ban is lifted, I will not be doing interviews with Sinclair-owned media outlets.

“We cannot allow this kind of political interference in our free press.”

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

Starting in January 2026, Washington seniors and other beneficiaries enrolled in traditional Medicare will face new prior authorization for their health care. As an NBC News article puts it, the new program “amounts to a federal expansion of an unpopular process called prior authorization, which requires patients or someone on their medical team to seek insurance approval before proceeding with certain procedures, tests, and prescriptions.” Prior authorization, more common in Medicare Advantage and one of the reasons beneficiaries choose traditional Medicare, often needlessly delays or denies lifesaving care.

Recently, DelBene led a group of 17 House Democrats in a letter to CMS Administrator Oz, raising concerns about the new proposal and asking several important questions about how the model will be implemented. Most concerning is that Medicare Advantage plans will be the ones providing the prior authorization services, potentially profiting from denying care, and using AI to make decisions about what kinds of treatments are approved. 

Washington health care leaders are speaking out about how the new concerns will delay or deny care and force providers to spend more time on the phone and less with their patients.

“As clinicians, our goal is to always ensure our patients receive the care they need as soon as possible. A new requirement to obtain ‘prior authorization’ for traditional Medicare patients will delay patient care,” said Tim Dellit, MD, UW Medicine CEO, Dean of the School of Medicine, University of Washington. “Though almost all of our current prior authorization requests from private insurers and Medicare Advantage are ultimately approved, the process adds a significant burden on the patient and the physician. Moreover, adding the use of AI to make prior authorization decisions means fewer trained clinicians will have eyes on the process, and the opinions of our highly trained and experienced physicians could be overruled by an algorithm. The result will be additional burden and delays for those needing vital healthcare deemed necessary by their doctors.” 

“As a public hospital, EvergreenHealth is accountable to providing all community members with access to the highest quality care, including our senior population largely covered by Medicare,” said Ettore Palazzo, MD, FACP, EvergreenHealth CEO. “Over the past several years, we have seen patient volumes and acuity in our Geriatric Care practice increase significantly, and we anticipate that expanding prior authorization requirements will create detrimental outcomes, by creating unnecessary delays and barriers to care while adding cost.” 

“It is well documented that prior authorization often results in delayed services for patients and additional burden for providers. We are concerned that the WISeR model provides an incentive for insurers to deny services and worry that the model would set a precedent for expanding prior authorization into traditional Medicare. We should be working to ensure all seniors have access to care, not adding new barriers that make it health care more difficult for Medicare patients,” said Cassie Sauer, CEO, Washington State Hospital Association.

“CMS’s new WISeR pilot is a step in the wrong direction. At a time when patients and physicians are calling for relief from the harmful delays and burdens of prior authorization, this program expands them—using untested AI and prepayment reviews that risk putting cost savings ahead of patient care. Physicians are deeply concerned that this will limit access, increase administrative waste, and undermine recent progress toward reform,” said John Bramhall, MD, PhD, President, Washington State Medical Association.

“Family physicians consistently identify prior authorization as one of the most burdensome administrative tasks they and their staff face daily. These requirements continue to expand in scope and complexity, pulling time and attention away from patient care and delaying necessary care,” said Sonal Patel, MD, MPH, President, Washington Academy of Family Physicians. “Of particular concern is this model’s dependence on artificial intelligence vendors, whose financial incentives are tied to increased denial rates. While physician-led reviews of procedures with high rates of overuse may benefit the health care system by reducing unnecessary interventions and costs, the expansion of prior authorization denial into Traditional Medicare with AI as the gatekeeper raises serious concerns about who is making medical care decisions. Extending prior authorization into Traditional Medicare will divert limited physician and Medicare resources, decreasing the time and resources available for patients.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

September 26, 2025

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) led members of the Illinois delegation in a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary expressing concern about the proposed removal and relocation of FDA Division of Food Processing Science and Technology staff from Illinois—where it is currently located at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s (IIT) Institute of Food Safety and Health (IFSH) in Bedford Park—to the Washington, D.C. area.

“Such a decision would weaken our global leadership in the food space by eliminating the benefits of this co-location and collaboration with longstanding partners in academia and industry,” the lawmakers wrote. “We request that FDA maintain its DFPST operations in Illinois and continue to foster its relationship with IFSH in the state.

IFSH is a food science collaborative research consortium involving IIT, the FDA, and the food industry. Its goal is to advance food safety, defense, and nutrition through research, sharing knowledge, and innovative solutions. IFSH plays a critical role in the federal government and industry’s research in many important food categories such as infant formula safety, fresh produce safety, contamination prevention strategies in food and packaging, and curating science to help develop regulatory guidance moving forward.

“By allowing the food industry, academia, and FDA to partner directly, IFSH fuels proactive prevention of food safety issues,” the lawmakers continued. “Breaking or diminishing that consortium model would slow crisis response, threaten public safety, and ultimately lead to higher costs in the long run.”

In addition to Rep. Casten and Sen. Durbin, the letter was signed by Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Reps. Danny K. Davis, Bill Foster, Jesús G. “Chuy” García, Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Mike Quigley, Jan Schakowsky, Brad Schneider, and Lauren Underwood.

A copy of the letter can be found here. Text of the letter can be found below.

Dear Commissioner Makary:

We write to express our concerns over the reported consideration of the removal and relocation of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Division of Food Processing Science and Technology (DFPST) staff and operations out of Illinois – where it is currently located at Illinois Institute of Technology’s (IIT) Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH) – to the Washington, D.C. area. Such a decision would weaken our global leadership in the food space by eliminating the benefits of this co-location and collaboration with longstanding partners in academia and industry. We request that FDA maintain its DFPST operations in Illinois and continue to foster its relationship with IFSH in the state.

In 1988, FDA established its first Center of Excellence at Illinois Institute of Technology. Since that time, IFSH has developed into a one-of-a-kind applied food science research consortium comprised of the IIT, FDA, and companies in the food industry. In collaboration with FDA, IIT provides stakeholders with the opportunity to develop and exchange knowledge, experience, and expertise in the areas of food safety, food defense, and nutrition. IFSH is strategically located in the Chicago region – one of the world’s leading food and beverage industry hubs – and is recognized as a global leader in food science research, advancing innovations in food safety, food defense, food processing, and nutrition. Due to the success of this model, FDA has established additional centers nationwide, focusing on other critical aspects of its mission.

By bringing together the federal government, a major research university, and private industry, IFSH produces a significantly greater return on federal investment, enabling FDA to achieve more with less by partnering directly with industry and IIT and saving taxpayer dollars through greater government efficiency. By allowing the food industry, academia, and FDA to partner directly, IFSH fuels proactive prevention of food safety issues. Breaking or diminishing that consortium model would slow crisis response, threaten public safety, and ultimately lead to higher costs in the long run.

The 2022 powdered infant formula crisis and the 2022 avian flu outbreak in cattle, in which IFSH assisted with research and helped inform safety protocols, prevention strategies, and regulatory guidance, are recent examples of the strength of this collaboration and its ability to work together to better understand how to protect the American people. IFSH, FDA, DFPST, and industry partners are collaborating to enhance prevention strategies through research and technological advancements, ensuring that the food and beverages we consume are safe for everyone.

For these reasons, we reiterate our request that FDA refrain from relocating the DFPST to Washington D.C.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.

Sincerely,

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

This week, congressional Republicans are holding both House and Senate in recess, refusing to meet or negotiate legislation to stop catastrophically large health care premium increases caused by their Big Ugly Bill. As the approaching government funding deadline puts more attention on health care costs, Republicans are increasingly relying on mass deception about the effects of their bill’s massive cuts to Medicaid, and the ways it will affect hospitals in rural communities.

The Big Ugly Bill and Rural Hospitals: The Facts

H.R.1 as enacted and signed into law by President Trump cuts an estimated $911 billion from Medicaid, according to KFF and the Congressional Budget Office – the largest cut to Medicaid since the program was created. Under the law, these cuts are permanent.

Some Republican holdouts on the bill were concerned that these cuts would lead to widespread closures of hospitals in rural communities. To win their votes, Republicans added a temporary $50 billion “rural health fund” to offset some cuts in rural areas, which expires in five years.

The full impact of the bill’s Medicaid cuts, however, includes an estimated $137 billion in cuts to rural areas, which means Republicans’ “rural health fund” does not restore anywhere near the funding they voted to cut from rural areas. Put another way: the net effect of the Big Ugly Bill with the rural health fund is still a huge cut to rural hospitals. And the cuts are permanent, whereas the fund is temporary.

Most Republicans represent rural areas, so they are sensitive to hearing negative feedback about their law’s impact on rural health. They have a new strategy to respond to the backlash to their votes to defund rural hospitals: they are lying about it.

Would You Rather Have $137 Billion Or $50 Billion?

To deflect criticism for their votes to cut Medicaid and endanger rural hospitals, top Republicans in Congress and Trump Administration officials at federal health agencies are speaking about their temporary rural health fund as a new benefit they are bestowing on rural communities, calling it “the largest investment in rural healthcare in history.”

This “investment” is an $87 billion funding cut!

If someone stole $137 from you and then gave you back $50, you probably would not see that as a good thing. You would want all of your money back!

Republicans, however, are claiming that Democratic’ legislation to restore full funding to Medicaid is a “cut” to rural hospitals because it replaces their $50 billion “rural health fund” with fully restored Medicaid funding. President Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy, and other Republicans in Congress are now peddling this extremely cynical lie.

Every Republican repeating this claim is lying to the American people. They voted to cut rural health, and they know it.

The Truth: Republicans And Trump Are Shutting Down Rural Hospitals

This issue is not just semantics, word games, or math: rural hospitals are already closing because of the Republican tax law:

CNN: Rural Health Clinics Are Closing After Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ Raising The Legislation’s Political Risks

If Republicans in Congress did not want rural health facilities to close, they should not have voted to cut this funding. 

Lying about it now will not undo their Medicaid cuts, only their votes can.