MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON — This weekend, following House-passage of a clean, short-term continuing resolution to ensure the government remains funded and operating, Speaker Johnson joined Fox Business’ Kudlow and Fox News’ Saturday Morning in America with Kayleigh McEnany to reiterate that Congressional Democrats will own the consequences if they force a government shutdown.

Watch Speaker Johnson on Kudlow here, on Saturday Morning in America here.

On Republican efforts to restore regular order and keep the government open:

Larry, we’ve been working very hard. You and I have talked a lot about how we got to get Congress back to the way the budgeting and appropriations process is supposed to work as we remember. The way it’s supposed to work is 12 separate appropriations bills passed by Congress through regular order with debate and discussion and arm wrestling over what the appropriate amounts of spending are. I’m proud to tell you, we’ve gotten that muscle memory back in the House. The House Appropriations Committee, working in bipartisan fashion, was forced into doing that, but they got it done.

Chairman Tom Cole and the appropriators did a great job. 12 separate appropriations bills passed through committee, three off the House floor. The Senate passed three and they don’t match up exactly, so guess what? We’re going to a conference committee to work that out. That’s the way it’s supposed to work. But we need a little bit more time because the end of the fiscal year falls September 30. So, well in advance, without drama, we put a nonpartisan short-term continuing resolution on the floor, just to keep the government open responsibly so the appropriators can finish this process.

On Congressional Democrats’ ridiculous “counteroffer”:

Think of what they’re demanding, Kayleigh, to keep the government open … We put a very simple, very clean continuing resolution to keep open the government until mid-November so that our appropriators could do the job. Now, what did Chuck Schumer and the Democrats do in exchange? Democrats sent us a counteroffer. Guess what they wanted to do instead of that?

Kayleigh, they wanted to reinstate giving free healthcare to illegal aliens. They wanted us to add $500 million to prop up liberal news organizations. They wanted to add $1.4 trillion in new spending on a short gap funding measure. And we’re just not going to do that. We can’t do that. And it looks like they’re going to try to shut the government down. The Democrat shutdown will be a disaster for the country.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Riley M. Moore is proud to announce that he and his team have officially recovered over $4 million for West Virginians since he took office on January 3, 2025. This update comes less than one month after Congressman Moore announced he and his team had returned more than $3 million to West Virginians.

The Congressman’s casework team is based in the Morgantown and Martinsburg district offices. The staff are well-trained in dealing with the federal bureaucracy and stand ready to assist constituents who are having issues with any federal agency. 

Some highlights of funding recovered for constituents include: 

• Over $1,900,000 from the Internal Revenue Service
• Over $1,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Over $580,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
• Over $423,000 from the Social Security Administration
• Over $24,000 from the Department of Labor
• Over $23,000 from the Department of Defense
• Over $21,000 from the Department of the Army

Congressman Moore issued the following statement:

“My team and I are proud to announce that we have now recovered over $4 million for West Virginians just nine months into my first term. This incredible milestone reflects our continued commitment to delivering real results for hardworking West Virginians.

I will never stop fighting for the people of the Second District. If you or your family are having trouble dealing with a federal agency, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office—we’re here to help.”

NEED HELP? Constituents can request assistance by calling Congressman Moore’s team in Morgantown (304-350-6995) or Martinsburg (304-350-6987)

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

FRESNO, Calif. –  Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) and Beth Van Duyne (TX-24) introduced H.R. 5355 – The Ian Kalvinskas Pediatric Liver Cancer Early Detection and Screening Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen early detection of pediatric liver disease and give families clearer information about lifesaving living liver donations. 
This legislation is named after Ian Kalvinskas, a former intern for the Office of Congressman Jim Costa. Sadly, he lost his life to cancer in July 2025. Learn more about Ian’s story.

“Families like Ian’s shouldn’t have to fight alone. They deserve a system that works for them and gives them every chance to live a full and healthy life,” said Congressman Costa. “This is about the gift of life and giving better opportunities for over 100,000 Americans awaiting an organ transplant every day. By supporting this legislation, we ensure that Ian’s fight and legacy will live on in the lives of the children and families we will save.”
“Far too many families only learn about pediatric liver disease when it’s already too late. By improving early detection and providing parents with clear information on lifesaving living liver donations, this bill gives children a better chance at survival and families hope in the darkest of times. I’m joining Congressman Costa in honoring Ian Kalvinskas’ legacy through this legislation, and I remain committed, as co-chair of the Congressional Organ Transplant Caucus, to advancing commonsense reforms that save lives,” said Congresswoman Van Duyne. “Ian Kalvinskas had a short life. I was privileged to be his transplant doctor.  Despite his liver transplant, his rising star was snuffed out by the return of his liver cancer. However, in his 20 years he pursued and fulfilled his dream to change the world for the better – and did more than many of us accomplish in a much longer life” said Dr. Suzanne V. McDiarmid, MD, a distinguished professor of pediatrics and surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “In the last week of his life – spent in Congressman Costa’s office – his courage – as he told us his hopes for this legislation – made possible the Bill now introduced to Congress this week.  Over the years, I had seen for myself that same courage as he fought his own battles. It was quite remarkable to witness in one so young – courage combined with action that transcended his own suffering. He inspired me then – and still does – to stand taller and try harder to do what is right to protect the children of our Nation.” “Ian was keenly aware that so many children in the U.S. and elsewhere would not have had those advantages. Even before his cancer recurred, one of Ian’s goals was to shape public policy to even the odds for children with life-threatening illnesses, especially those who need an organ transplant,” said Susan Hickman, mother of Ian Kalvinskas. “While Ian didn’t live to make that happen, he would be so gratified to know that this bill could help children with liver cancer and other diseases throughout the U.S. be diagnosed earlier, increasing their chances to live a long, full life. BACKGROUNDPediatric liver diseases like hepatoblastoma and biliary atresia are on the rise. Cases of liver tumors in children are rising, and survival rates fall sharply when diagnosis comes too late, especially for teenagers, and when the disease has already spread. Biliary atresia, a rare but devastating condition that affects roughly one in every 12,000 newborns, is the leading cause of infant liver transplants. Simple, inexpensive tools can make a significant difference. The Ian Kalvinskas Pediatric Liver Cancer Early Detection and Screening Act directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study efforts to improve early detection and treatment of pediatric liver tumors, trends in pediatric liver-transplant wait-list mortality, and the cost-effectiveness of adding simple tools, such as direct-bilirubin testing, to state newborn-screening panels for cholestatic liver disease. It also establishes a national education initiative led by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to provide families plain-language information on early warning signs and the option and safety of living liver donation.  By providing states with the data they need, without imposing a federal mandate, the legislation supports earlier intervention for infants, including timely Kasai procedures that can save lives and reduce wait-list mortality. At the same time, it ensures families nationwide receive consistent, evidence-based information on living liver donation to expand the pool of available organs and promote greater equity in care. This legislation builds on Costa and Van Duyne’s work as co-chairs of the Congressional Organ Transplant Caucus to strengthen patient safety and improve transplant outcomes.
 

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

Estes Votes for Social Security Legislation in Ways & Means Committee

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Mike Kelly (PA-16.), and Blake Moore (UT-01) today introduced the bipartisan Fair Housing for Disabled Veterans Act, a bill to ensure that veterans’ service-related disability benefits are not used to deny veterans access to affordable housing.

Currently, these disability benefits are considered income in calculations for the Low- Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), often pushing disabled veterans above eligibility thresholds and potentially into homelessness. The bill would exclude service-related disability benefits from those income calculations, ensuring veterans are not denied housing assistance.

“Our veterans are being denied access to affordable housing programs because of a flaw in IRS code that classifies their disability benefits as income. Those who served our country, and especially those who sustained a service-connected disability, should never be turned down from the ability to obtain a safe and stable home,” said Congressman Gomez. “With this bill, we’re making sure veterans can access the housing support they deserve after their service and sacrifice to our country.”

“Veterans who have sacrificed for our country shouldn’t face barriers when trying to find a safe, affordable place to live,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Disability benefits are meant to cover the costs of injuries sustained during their service – they’re not income. Our bill would ensure that veterans aren’t unfairly disqualified from affordable housing, allowing them to live with the dignity they earned through their service.”

“This critical legislation ensures veterans can continue to keep more of their hard- earned money and have the resources they need to purchase an affordable home,” said Congressman Kelly, chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax. “This legislation puts the tax code to work for those who have worn the uniform to protect our great nation.”

“As the representative of Hill Air Force Base and an active veteran community, improving servicemember housing has been a priority my entire time in Congress. Homelessness among our veteran population is unacceptable, and our veterans are more than deserving of affordable housing – especially when they are injured while serving,” said Congressman Moore. “I am proud to introduce the bipartisan Fair Housing for Disabled Veterans Act with my Ways and Means colleagues to exclude service-related disability payments from the income calculation for LIHTC eligibility to ensure that our servicemembers and their families are better able to access affordable housing when they return home.”

“VA disability compensation should never be a barrier to accessing stable housing for veterans,” said Jose Ramos, vice president for government and community relations for Wounded Warrior Project. “But currently, wounded warriors are penalized for injuries sustained during service to our country when their VA benefits make them ineligible to rent affordable, stable, and often higher-quality housing created through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. These are often our most vulnerable veterans who need both supports – their VA payments and housing assistance. WWP is grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Linda T. Sánchez and Mike Kelly in introducing the Fair Housing for Disabled Veterans Act to address this problem and help veterans across the country.”

Specifically, the Fair Housing for Disabled Veterans Act would amend the Internal Revenue Code to strike consideration of veterans’ service-connected disability and pension payments when determining income qualifications for properties financed with LIHTC and qualified residential bonds.

The full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) released the following statement after voting no on a partisan Republican bill that would allow the cost of healthcare and energy to skyrocket for millions of Americans:

“If Congress doesn’t act, millions of working Americans will see their insurance premiums grow by thousands of dollars. A 60-year-old couple with a household income of $85,000 in CA-50 will see their health insurance costs increase by $15,745 per year — a 218% increase in premiums. This is in addition to higher costs for groceries, energy, rent, cars and living expenses because of President Trump’s tariffs and attacks on energy projects. Now Republicans want to add this burden on the shoulders of hardworking Americans. I refuse to support this reckless plan.

“San Diego families are already paying the price for Republicans’ economic policies; they should not be forced to pay the price for their shutdown. If Republicans continue to refuse to work with Democrats to keep the government open, they will force troops to work without pay, harm small businesses, risk air travel disruptions, and endanger access to food assistance for vulnerable families. There are approximately 64,500 civilian federal employees in San Diego who, along with our uniformed servicemembers, will have their livelihoods directly threatened. It’s time that they stop playing political games and put the American people first.”

Find a detailed FAQ on what a shutdown would mean for essential services and San Diego families here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today,  Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50) and Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) reintroduced the Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2025 to protect veterans and low-income families from housing discrimination. Over two million veterans and low-income households use Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) to pay rent, but there are no federal protections to prevent individuals from being denied housing based on the source of their income. In 2018, Rep. Peters supported an ordinance passed by the City of San Diego to prohibit source of income discrimination. Many veterans and low-income families have reported discrimination from landlords when using vouchers to pay their rent. California and Virginia have since enacted legislation to prohibit discrimination based on source of income, and the lawmakers’ legislation would expand that progress nationwide. 

The Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2025 would expand protections by adding source of income and military and veteran status to the list of protected classes under the Fair Housing Act of 1968, giving more individuals and families access to affordable housing. It would prohibit landlords from denying housing to individuals who use Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers, benefits received through Social Security, income received by a court order, payment from a trust or guardian, or any other lawful source of income. 

“In San Diego and across the country, there are too many stories of unnecessary loss and debilitating anxiety when looking for housing,” said Rep. Peters. “No American should be denied housing because they’re a veteran or receive government assistance, especially as we face a historic housing shortage and unacceptable levels of veteran homelessness. Our bill would make this type of deplorable discrimination illegal.” 

“The Fair Housing Act was signed into law more than 55 years ago, yet far too many still do not experience the protections it promised,” said Renee M. Willis, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “’The Fair Housing Improvement Act,’ reintroduced by Senator Tim Kaine and Representative Scott Peters, expands upon the 1968 law by prohibiting housing discrimination based on military status, veteran status, or “source of income.” Through this Act, Kaine and Peters aim to create more opportunities to protect housing and service programs designed for veterans and low-income households, while also giving landlords the time needed to implement the law. I applaud Senator Kaine and Representative Peters for reintroducing this crucial legislation, and I urge Congress to enact this bill to help end housing discrimination.”?

“Families that need and receive federal rental assistance should have the same ability as anyone else to rent a home of their choice that best meets their family’s needs,” San Diego Housing Commission President and CEO Lisa Jones said. “Too often, they don’t. The Fair Housing Improvement Act is a crucial step to ensure these families are not denied a home just because of the help they receive.”

“NALHFA commends Senator Kaine and Representative Peters for introducing the Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2025, which would serve as a critical step toward increasing access to affordable housing,” said Jonathan Paine, Executive Director of the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies. “No individual, family or veteran should face discrimination simply because they rely on federal vouchers or other lawful sources of income to pay rent. Expanding these protections strengthens our communities and helps break down barriers to housing opportunity for those who need it most.”

“Prohibiting source of income discrimination is vital to our collective efforts to foster integrated communities, increase economic mobility, and reduce homelessness,” said Thomas Silverstein, Executive Director of the Poverty & Race Research Action Council. “The Fair Housing Improvement Act is a commonsense bill that will help move our society in a more just direction.”

“Evidence shows that when families are unstably housed, there are not only severe consequences for child and caregiver physical and mental health, but these family-level consequences turn into enormous and avoidable economic costs to society for health care, special education services, and more ” says Stephanie Ettinger de Cuba, executive director of Children’s HealthWatch. “Every family deserves the chance to thrive, and that means ensuring that they can access high-quality, affordable homes in neighborhoods with economic opportunities without discrimination.”

In 2023, fair housing complaints increased to over 34,000, with source of income discrimination complaints as the largest category of discrimination not explicitly protected under the Fair Housing Act. People of color, particularly Black women, are disproportionately impacted and more likely than any other group to be evicted or denied housing. 

The following groups and organizations support this bill: 

A Way Home America; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Association of Service Coordinators; Catholic Charities USA; Children’s HealthWatch; Church World Service; Coalition on Human Needs; CSH; Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund; Housing Justice Center; Justice in Aging; Local Initiatives Support Coalition; Mobility Works; My Dog is My Home; National Alliance on Mental Illness; National Alliance to End Homelessness; National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies; National Association of Social Workers; National CAPACD; National Coalition for the Homeless; National Community Development Association; National Domestic Violence Hotline; National Health Care for the Homeless Council; National Housing Law Project; National Low Income Housing Coalition; National NeighborWorks Association; National Network to End Domestic Violence; National Women’s Law Center; Natural Resources Defense Council; New America’s Higher Education Program; Opportunity Starts at Home Campaign; Paralyzed Veterans of America; Poverty & Race Research Action Council; San Diego Housing Commission; The American Institute of Architects; The Kelsey. 

Full text of the bill is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Scott Peters (CA-50), Richard Hudson (NC-09), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) and U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) introduced the Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act, bipartisan legislation to protect seniors’ access to essential laboratory services. Without reform to the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, deep cuts under that payment system are set to begin in January 2026, which will threaten access to common lab tests for America’s seniors.

“It is critically important that seniors have uninterrupted access to innovative diagnostic tests,” said Senator Tillis. “The Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services Act is a necessary step toward ensuring this access and supporting seniors’ health care needs. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to permanently fix flawed data collection and reporting methods which will allow Medicare beneficiaries to continue receiving quality and affordable lab services.”    

“Access to quality clinical labs is essential to keeping our seniors living long, healthy lives,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I’m proud to partner with my colleague Senator Tillis to put forward this legislative fix that will help ensure Georgia seniors will continue to have access to high-quality diagnostic services.”

“Clinical labs drive innovation in health care and better medicine, from early detection to guiding lifesaving treatments,” said Rep. Peters. “The RESULTS Act protects access to these essential medical services and ensures our health system can keep pace with patients’ growing Health care needs. I’m proud to support this effort to strengthen care for seniors and families in California and across the nation.”

“Clinical labs are the backbone of modern medicine, providing diagnostics and detections to inform decisions and give patients and doctors the answers they need,” said Rep. Hudson. “By passing the RESULTS Act, we can stop devastating cuts that would have threatened access to routine and lifesaving tests. This bipartisan bill delivers stability, cuts red tape, and ensures seniors and families can continue to count on timely, accurate results. I’m proud to have led this fight and deliver a commonsense solution that protects patients and strengthens care.”

“Strong clinical laboratories are vital to delivering high-quality care, especially for seniors who depend on timely testing to maintain their health,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “The RESULTS Act will protect access to these essential services and help ensure that families in Florida—and across the country—can continue to receive the care they need.”

“I’ve long championed early detection as the cornerstone of prevention and quality care. Through my work with PA-1 health advocates and partners, I know how critical clinical labs are to keeping our seniors healthy and strengthening our health system. Without ensuring a sustainable solution, labs will close, care will be delayed, and our seniors will pay the price. The RESULTS Act is a bipartisan, commonsense solution to block these cuts, protect essential services, and ensure seniors across the country have access to timely care,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

“Seniors across America rely on timely, accurate lab tests to detect disease, guide treatment, and prevent serious health problems. The RESULTS Act ensures those services remain accessible and affordable while fostering innovation in our health system. I’m proud to partner with colleagues from both sides of the aisle on this legislation to safeguard this lifeline for families in Illinois and nationwide,” said Rep. Krishnamoorthi.

Without congressional action this year, reimbursement for approximately 800 tests—including routine bloodwork, cancer screenings, and tests to manage heart disease and diabetes—will be cut by up to 15 percent beginning January 1, 2026. This is on top of three previous rounds of cuts of up to 10 percent.

The RESULTS Act would provide a sustainable fix by:

• Ensuring a Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) rate-setting process that is accurate and representative of commercial market rates for independent, physician-office and hospital outreach laboratories by leveraging an independent not-for-profit commercial claims database for widely available tests while relying on laboratories to report private payor rates for non-widely available tests.
• Reducing the administrative data collection and reporting burden on clinical laboratories and lessening the administrative burden on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) while preventing destabilizing payment cuts and mitigating future reductions.
• Promoting diagnostic innovation by providing stability in Medicare reimbursement for laboratories to develop and deliver cutting-edge tests for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, metabolic disorders, and emerging public health threats.

“Clinical laboratory services from the most routine to those driving personalize medicine, provide crucial information to patients about their underlying health and are indispensable to clinicians in guiding patient care. Clinical laboratory test results hold the key to preventing, diagnosing, and guiding the right personalized treatment at the right time,” said American Clinical laboratory Association President Susan Van Meter. “ACLA is grateful to Reps. Hudson, Bilirakis, Peters, Fitzpatrick, and Krishnamoorthi and Senators Tillis and for their leadership in championing The RESULTS Act, a smart policy solution that would fundamentally reform Medicare payment to clinical laboratories, providing stability and predictability, ensuring our seniors get the essential results they deserve.”

“The National Independent Laboratory Association (NILA) applauds the bipartisan introduction of the RESULTS Act and urges Congress to quickly pass this vital legislation to strengthen our nation’s clinical laboratory infrastructure,” said NILA’s Executive Director Mark S. Birenbaum, Ph.D. “Our members are facing up to 15 percent cuts to many of the most common laboratory tests; without immediate reform to PAMA this year, regional and community clinical laboratories could be forced to close their doors, leaving patients without access to critical laboratory testing.”

The RESULTS Act builds on the foundation established by the Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act (SALSA). While this bipartisan, bicameral legislation was ultimately not enacted in the previous Congress, it did amass more than 70 co-sponsors in the House and Senate and secured support from dozens of national stakeholder groups representing millions of patients and providers.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, DC – Today, Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50) released the following statement after voting against the politically charged National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026:

“During my first five terms in Congress, I consistently voted for the bipartisan defense authorization bill, because it put the country first. My values have not changed, but this traditionally apolitical bill has. After passing an agreeable deal in the House Armed Services Committee, Republican leadership allowed the loudest voices in their conference to hijack the bill to push their culture wars.

“While I did not vote for the bill, I did vote to begin the process of negotiating a compromise with the Senate. I hope we can strip out hateful provisions through that process, prioritize our service members, and maintain the wins we have secured for San Diego. These wins include my bill to support San Diego’s ship repair industry, $86 million for a child care center at Naval Base San Diego, $103 million for infrastructure upgrades at Naval Base Coronado, improvements to military housing, and a 3.8% raise for servicemembers. We must end the political games and return to an NDAA that advances our national security and supports San Diego’s enduring role in our national defense.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries