MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Following tireless advocacy, Carter celebrates FDA approval for Barth syndrome treatment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today celebrated the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) announcement that it has granted an accelerated approval for Stealth Biotherapeutics’ Barth syndrome treatment, Forzinity (elamipretide HC1).

This landmark decision comes after tireless advocacy from Rep. Carter, who sent a letter to FDA calling on it to approve the drug, which is saving lives in his home state of Georgia. Barth syndrome is an exceedingly rare disease, impacting 150 known individuals in the United States and at least six individuals in the state of Georgia.

“Lives will be saved because of the FDA’s decision today. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are providing a lifeline to patients with Barth syndrome and their families, who have waited long enough for the hope and relief that Forzinity provides. Today’s approval should encourage other makers of treatments for rare diseases to continue to fight to bring their drugs to market, as there is a successful pathway to do so,” said Rep. Carter.

“Our family is deeply grateful for Congressman Carter’s leadership and unwavering advocacy for the approval of elamipretide. His genuine care for the rare disease community, along with his ability to bring both sides of the aisle together for the common good, has been extraordinary. We are equally thankful for the Congressman and his incredible staff, whose support has meant so much to us,” said Haley Bower, aunt of Hope Filchak who currently takes elamipretide through expanded access program. 

###

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

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley released the following statement on his vote against H.Res. 719:

“Political violence has no place in our nation. I have said this before, and I will continue to say it until this scourge has been eliminated from our politics.

“If Republicans proposed a resolution simply condemning political violence and Kirk’s murder, I would have supported it without hesitation, as I have with Representatives Veasey and Pettersen’s resolution. Republicans’ resolution explicitly honored the ‘life and legacy of Charlie Kirk.’ I cannot in good conscience vote to honor a legacy that includes support for the Great Replacement Theory, says that Black women lack brain processing power, calls the Civil Rights Act a mistake, rejects feminism, calls trans people an abomination, and more.

“I will not be party to the Right’s efforts to turn a terrible murder into a cudgel against their opponents. All leaders across the political spectrum must immediately lower the temperature of our political discourse through real action, instead of fanning the flames.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02)

Washington, D.C.– Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026. This clean, short-term continuing resolution prevents a shutdown by extending the September 30 funding deadline to November 21, 2025, keeping funding at current Fiscal Year 2025 levels and giving the Appropriations process more time to restore regular order and preserve progress on Fiscal Year 2026 funding bills.

“I’m glad to see that our conference has strayed from the idea that government shutdowns achieve anything other than proving chaos is expensive,” said Rep. Mark Amodei. “On the Appropriations Committee, we’ve made real progress restoring regular order by passing all 12 funding bills out of committee, and this short-term funding extension gives us the time we need to finish the job with the Senate. As a reminder, shutdowns cost more, disrupt programs constituents rely on, stall economic growth, threaten national security, and in the end accomplish nothing at all. Under Article I, Congress has a basic duty to keep the lights on, and it’s my hope our Senate counterparts keep that in mind as they prepare to cast their votes next.”

Background

The House Appropriations Committee has successfully advanced all 12 appropriations bills out of committee and the House has passed three of those bills on the floor. Additionally, the House has already moved to conference with the Senate on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts, 2026. This marks the first time since Fiscal Year 2019 that regular appropriations bills are advancing to conference, demonstrating real progress in restoring regular order. 

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

Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) delivered the following remarks on the House floor today in opposition to Republicans’ continuing resolution:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank our Ranking Member Ms. DeLauro. 

 

I’m opposed to this bill. President Trump and Congressional Republicans have created a health care crisis and waged a war on the American health care system.   

 

On the Fourth of July, President Trump celebrated our nation’s birthday by signing Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill into law – cutting more than a trillion dollars from our health care system. You can’t cut a trillion dollars without creating devastating consequences for our constituents. Their new law will cruelly take health care coverage away from 15 million Americans. 

 

And we are already seeing the chaotic impacts of their actions. Just two months after enactment of the Big Ugly Bill, we are hearing from hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes across the country that are being forced to close their doors and cut services. 

 

St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia, Georgia, recently announced it will shut down its maternity unit next month, and they pointed to “recent Congressional cuts to Medicaid” as the reason for the closure. 

 

In rural Virginia, August Medical Group is closing an urgent care and two primary care clinics— citing their “ongoing response” to Republican health care cuts. This is only going to get worse.

Congressional Republicans are also taking away tax credits that help millions of Americans afford their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to enhanced tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act, a record 24 million Americans have coverage through the ACA Marketplaces. But Republicans refused to extend these tax credits for middle class Americans in their Big Ugly Bill and if we don’t act now, millions of Americans are going to be hit with huge premiums for the upcoming year. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that these premium increases will lead to 4.2 million Americans losing their health insurance.

Now, Trump and Congressional Republicans had no problem giving their billionaire friends giant tax breaks in their Big Ugly Bill, but they refused to extend tax credits that make health care more affordable for millions of middle-class families. 

 

This is an outrage. We cannot allow this to happen. Democrats believe we must address this health crisis before millions of people lose their health coverage, see their costs spike, and their hospitals close. 

 

So, I call on my Republican colleagues to join us in ending the chaos. This has to be addressed in the spending bill. Republicans’ spending bill does not address the health care crisis and for that reason, I am opposed.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon, Khanna Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Repeal Costly Tariffs on Coffee

Washington – Today, Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) were joined by Representatives Don Beyer (VA-08) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) to introduce the bipartisan “No Coffee Tax Act,” that will repeal the Trump administration’s tariffs on coffee and lower costs for consumers. 

The U.S. is the largest importer of coffee in the world. Brazil, the top source for U.S. coffee, has faced a 50% tariff under the Trump administration’s tariff policy, contributing to a surge in prices. U.S. retail coffee prices increased by nearly 21% last month compared to the same month last year. The No Coffee Tax Act will bring coffee tariffs back to the level they were the day before President Trump took office. That level was 0% on everything other than coffee substitutes containing coffee. 

“Families across America are feeling the cost of higher coffee prices, which are already up 21 percent, and tariffing a product we can’t grow at a large, commercial scale, only makes it worse. Tariffs are simply a tax on American consumers, raising the price of everyday goods without creating jobs or bringing production on-shore. Article One of the Constitution makes clear that Congress has the authority to set tariffs, and this legislation begins to reclaim that authority. I look forward to working with Rep. Khanna on this bipartisan bill and believe it can help spark the broader debate about Congress reclaiming its constitutional role in tariff policy.” said Rep. Bacon.

“Americans started a revolution over a tax on tea. U.S. coffee prices have increased significantly in the last year, in part due to Trump’s tariffs. If you drink coffee every morning, how can you not be mad about that? Our bipartisan bill is simple: it removes Trump’s tariffs on coffee to bring down costs,” said Rep. Khanna.

For the full bill text, click here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement after voting on H.R. 719, the Honoring the life and legacy of Charles “Charlie” Kirk Act:

“I will condemn political violence every chance I get, no matter the perpetrator or the victim. Every Member of Congress – indeed, every American – ought to do the same. That is why I voted in favor of today’s bipartisan resolution condemning the murder of Charlie Kirk.

“I believe the authors of this resolution were wrong to include certain language that is needlessly divisive at a time when we ought to be doing everything we can to bring people together. I did not let politics stop me from speaking out against a problem that ought to unify everyone, however. Political violence poses an existential threat to our democracy and to our people. There is only one appropriate response to tragedies like the one that befell Charlie Kirk: to turn down the temperature, to recommit ourselves to peaceful discourse, to stand up for the rule of law, and to lay down the burden of hate and division. That is what it means to live free in a democracy.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sam Graves (6th District of Missouri)

WASHINGTON, DC – Leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Republican Conference, and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) joined in calling for improving the safety of America’s public transportation systems, following a roundtable meeting on the issue today held by T&I’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Graves invited Kansas City Chief of Police Stacey Graves to participate in today’s bipartisan closed-door roundtable discussion with transit and law enforcement officials and stakeholders. 

Graves continued, “The next surface transportation reauthorization bill that our committee is currently developing will seek to make federal transit programs work for the traveling public, transit system workers, and taxpayers who expect their tax dollars to be spent wisely for the public good.  Fortunately, the Trump Administration, Secretary Duffy, and FTA Administrator Molinaro are also making safety on our transit systems a top priority of the Federal Transit Administration’s. I look forward to working with them, my committee colleagues, the stakeholders at today’s roundtable, and others to bolster the safety of our publicly funded transit systems. I also want to thank Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves for participating in today’s roundtable and providing the Committee with an invaluable law enforcement perspective on this important public safety issue.”

Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC), Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, led the discussion on the need to identify actionable solutions to improve safety on publicly funded transportation systems and restore the public’s trust in transit.

 “The recent deadly stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail is a stark reminder safety must be at the center of our national transit conversation,” said Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-NC). “While law enforcement and the justice system have their obligations to keep the public safe and ensure that justice prevails, Congress has an obligation to address any shortcomings that threaten public safety and implement appropriate measures of deterrence and prevention. This roundtable was an essential step in ensuring every rider can feel safe when they step onto public transit. By bringing together transit leaders and law enforcement, we’re focused on real, actionable solutions to protect riders, strengthen community confidence, and uphold the fundamental promise of safe, accessible public transportation systems for all Americans.”

“It was impossible not to think of the safety of my own daughter when watching the video of Iryna Zarutka’s brutal murder,” said House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-MI). “No parent should have to fear for their child’s safety on a city bus or train. I stand with Chairman Graves, Chairman Rouzer, and the Trump Administration as they move fast to crack down on crime, secure our transit systems, and restore law and order so American families can travel without fear.”

“As President Trump and Secretary Duffy have made clear, the safety of American families, including those relying on our transit systems to provide for their families, pursue an education, and make those important medical appointments, is a top priority for this Administration. FTA will continue to hold our transit partners and their leaders accountable until we see significant progress in the experience our commuters and transit workers are living through in our major cities. We’ve been given a mandate to clean up our buses and subways and we will deliver for the moms, dads, and children relying on these public services,” said Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Administrator Marcus Molinaro, who participated in today’s roundtable. 

According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), crime on public transportation systems has been generally worse since the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to the five years prior to the pandemic, the average number of homicides on transit systems more than doubled in the five-year period between 2020 and 2024. Over the same period, assaults on transit systems increased by 80 percent.  Recently, on August 22, 2025, Iryna Zarutska was murdered on the light rail system in Charlotte. 

The T&I Committee and the Highways and Transit Subcommittee are in the ongoing process of developing a major bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill for this Congress; this bill will provide funding authorizations and policy changes for federal highways, transit, and other surface transportation programs. The current surface transportation authorization expires on September 30, 2026. One of the chairmen’s goals for the transit portion of the reauthorization bill will be to make transit work for communities of all sizes by ensuring that transit services are safe and reliable. Criminal activity on transit systems can undermine public confidence, decrease ridership, and damage the effectiveness and sustainability of those systems. 

Transit and law enforcement officials and stakeholders who participated in today’s roundtable:

• Federal Transit Administration Administrator Marcus Molinaro
• American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President and Chief Executive Officer Paul P. Skoutelas
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke
• Kansas City, Missouri Police Chief Stacey Graves
• Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO President Greg Regan

 

###

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

Headline: Scott Statement on Partisan GOP Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on House Republicans’ partisan Continuing Resolution: 

“Republicans control the House of Representatives, the Senate and the White House and they promised they would lower costs for Americans. Instead, they slashed health care for 15 million Americans and set off a wave of hospital closures with their Big Ugly Law. We need a government funding bill that preserves access to health care, and Republicans need to work with Democrats to lower costs for America’s working families.  The Continuing Resolution fails to do that, and that is why I opposed the legislation.”

# # #

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

Headline: Scott Statement on Charlie Kirk Resolution

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

“The assassination of Charlie Kirk was a reprehensible act. I unequivocally condemn political violence in all forms. Such violence cannot be tolerated or excused. It tears at the fabric of our society and the rise in political violence is a threat to every single American. The First Amendment guarantees the rights of all Americans to express their views and no one should fear violent reprisal.

“If this resolution had simply condemned political violence, I would have supported it. This resolution was unfortunately intentionally written to be divisive. It inappropriately includes language that glosses over and praises Mr. Kirk’s problematic and regressive views. And it is that language in this resolution that I could not support in good conscience.

“The unnecessary controversy created by this resolution also diverts attention from the Republican government funding bill. Every moment we spend debating what should have been a non-controversial, unifying resolution is a moment we are not debating the policies in the partisan spending bill. The governing spending legislation continues the policies of the Big Ugly Law that slashes health care and food assistance and will make it more difficult to go to college in order to fund tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.” 

Congressman Scott co-sponsored Congressman Marc Veasey’s (TX-33) resolution condemning Charlie Kirk’s assassination and all political violence. CLICK HERE for more information on that resolution. 

# # #

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) jointly announced the introduction of the Sparking Production of Urban and Rural (SPUR) Housing Act. The SPUR Housing Act establishes a fund to increase the capacity of emerging developers – those with limited development experience and limited resources – who are undertaking affordable housing and community development projects. The funds are made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the form of competitive grants for nonprofit housing organizations and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) providing financing, capacity-building training, and technical assistance to eligible emerging developers. 

“The road to lowering housing costs for the American people begins with the increase in construction of affordable housing,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Emerging developers, including many minority developers who have faced historical barriers to entry, need access to the tools and resources necessary to build affordable housing in their communities. By providing these developers with the support to pursue projects in rural and urban communities alike, we can create good-paying jobs, increase our national housing supply, and drive down prices for hardworking families. I’m proud to introduce the SPUR Housing Act with Senator Durbin as we fight to lower housing costs for communities in the heartland and all across this great nation.”

“Despite there being more than 112,000 real estate development companies in the United States, only one percent are owned by Black and Latino developers.  This great divide is spurred by unequal access to capital for minority developers, who often are competing against generational wealth.  Many of these developers are subjected to onerous equity and experience requirements that make it nearly impossible for them to secure financial backing for their projects.  The SPUR Housing Act levels the development playing field and gives Black and Latino developers the resources and experience they need to build and grow their own companies,” said Senator Durbin.

“The communities we serve at Cinnaire — rural and urban alike — share an urgent need for increased affordable housing options,” said Chris Neary, Senior Vice President for Policy, Research and Advocacy at Cinnaire. “The Sparking Production of Urban and Rural (SPUR) Housing Act would tap into the unlocked potential of these communities to create the affordable homeownership and rental opportunities they need to thrive. We applaud Congressman Cleaver for introducing this legislation to address the housing crisis.”

“The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) applauds Representative Cleaver for introducing the Sparking Production of Urban and Rural (SPUR) Housing Act. Our experience has shown us that emerging real estate developers need more access to training, technical assistance, and flexible financial capital to scale their affordable housing and real estate development work, especially in underserved communities,” said Geoff Jolley, Executive Director at LISC Greater Kansas City. “The SPUR Housing Act will provide the resources necessary to build their capacity, which will create desperately needed housing, spurring jobs, economic development, and broader neighborhood revitalization.” 

“As a nationally recognized leader bridging commercial real estate, community and civic partnerships, I commend Congressman Cleaver’s leadership on the SPUR Housing Act,” said Kimberly Brown, Managing Partner at Housing Impact Partners. “My work has shown that when emerging developers have access to capital and supportive policy, they create housing and economic opportunities that organically strengthen our historically underestimated communities.”

The SPUR Housing Act would establish an emerging developer fund to: 

• Expand Financing Tools for Affordable Housing and Community Development Projects – Through predevelopment loans, loan loss reserves, grants, risk sharing, credit enhancements, and capitalized loan funds, SPUR Housing Act funds expand access to capital.
• Increase Access to Capacity-Building Training and Technical Assistance – Nonprofit housing organizations and CDFIs can use SPUR Housing Act funds to provide real estate development capacity building and ongoing technical assistance. 

Emerging developers face a range of barriers to entry and growth including limited access to financing, challenges navigating regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles, and a lack of experience. The SPUR Housing Act aims to address these concerns by helping newer developers access the important financial and technical resources needed to catalyze revitalization and economic growth. Importantly, this legislation builds upon state and local models proven successful in supporting emerging developers addressing the housing and economic development needs of their communities.  

Official text of the SPUR Housing Act is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.