MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

The FEMA grant will provide San Bernardino County with over $9 million to hire new firefighters to improve fire response capabilities
Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced $9,360,000 for the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to hire and train 21 new firefighters, helping to expand the region’s 24-hour on-call fire response coverage and improving safety in the Inland Empire. 
“As our region continues to face a worsening, year-round fire season, it is essential that we are equipped with the necessary amount of resources and firefighters to keep Californians safe,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “I am proud to announce this grant funding to hire 21 new firefighters for San Bernardino County who will be tasked with stopping fires before they get out of hand, responding to emergencies, and overall protecting our county. I’ll keep fighting to support our first responders in California and across the country to ensure that they have the ability to do their jobs fully.”
“This SAFER grant represents a meaningful investment in our fire district and the communities we protect,” said San Bernardino County Chairman of the Board Dawn Rowe. “With the addition of 21 new firefighters across the Fire Protection District, we will be able to enhance our 24-hour coverage, effectively addressing the increasing demands of one of the county’s fastest-growing regions.”
The funding comes as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program. The SAFER Grant Program provides funding directly to fire departments throughout the country to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, frontline firefighters available in their communities. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2025

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Rep. Barragán joins Reps. Letlow, Schrier to Introduce Bipartisan Maternal Support Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) joined Reps. Julia Letlow (R-LA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) to introduce legislation aimed at increasing critical support for new mothers and infants through the distribution of newborn supply kits.

The Newborns Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act authorizes an existing pilot program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide items such as diapers, wipes, breastfeeding supplies, and postpartum mental health resources in areas of need. 

“No mother should have to worry about whether she can afford the basic necessities her newborn needs in those critical first days,” said Congresswoman Nanette Barragán. “The bipartisan NEST Act builds on proven partnerships to ensure families, especially those in underserved and maternal health desert communities, have access to essential supplies and postpartum support. This legislation is a practical, compassionate step toward improving maternal and infant health outcomes and giving every child a strong start in life.”

“Motherhood is a tremendous blessing and the highest calling of my life. In the days and moments after giving birth, I want all moms to have the support necessary to create a nurturing environment for their child, especially in maternal health deserts and our rural communities,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow, the primary sponsor of the legislation. “We will keep working with our local hospitals and private sector partners to expand this program and provide meaningful support for mothers and their babies.”

“As a mother and a pediatrician, I understand the physical, mental, and financial challenges that mothers of newborns often face during the postpartum period,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “Mothers need all the support we can provide. That is why I am proud to introduce the bipartisan NEST Act that will ensure mothers have the supplies and resources they need to care for themselves and their newborns.”

“As a healthcare participant in the newborn supply kit program, Woman’s Hospital is proud to provide new mothers in need with essential resources that support a strong start to parenthood,” said Rene Ragas, President & CEO of Woman’s Hospital. “These kits are game changers for our families, offering the peace of mind that comes with having supplies for those first critical days and weeks at home. The kits remove common sources of stress, allowing parents to focus on bonding with their newborn and navigating the early days of family life with confidence and care.”

“Congresswoman Letlow’s leadership in delivering vital support to new moms represents a bold and innovative step forward in addressing maternal health challenges,” said E.J. Kuiper, President and CEO of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. “Maternal health is the cornerstone to ensuring healthy families and healthy communities, and initiatives like this have the power to save lives. Congresswoman Letlow has been a tireless champion for mothers and families in many policy areas, and we are grateful for her continued focus on ensuring that new mothers receive the care, supplies and support they need to thrive.”

“The introduction of the NEST Act is a crucial step forward in ensuring new parents’ access to essential resources during one of life’s most vulnerable moments,” said Kay Matthews, Founder and Executive Director at the Shades of Blue Project. “As someone who has experienced firsthand the challenges of the perinatal period, I know how transformative it can be when families receive the right support at the right time. I’m grateful to Rep. Letlow and Rep. Schrier for their bipartisan leadership on pro-family and cost of living issues—when we invest in moms and babies, we’re investing in American communities, especially those who have been historically underserved.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2025

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Reps. Barragán, Kean, Jr., Miller-Meeks, Auchincloss, Fitzpatrick, and Watson Coleman Re-Introduce Legislation to Protect Patients from High Prescription Drug Costs 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) joined Representatives Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) to reintroduce the Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to make life-saving prescription medications more affordable for patients with rare, serious, and chronic conditions.

This bipartisan legislation would require insurance companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to count the value of copay assistance they receive on a patient’s behalf toward cost-sharing requirements. This change ensures that payments, whether they come directly out of a patient’s pocket or with help from non-profit organizations and prescription drug manufacturers, contribute toward a patient’s annual deductible and out-of-pocket limit.

Rep. Barragán said, “For patients living with complex and chronic diseases, access to prescription drugs that help them manage their condition saves lives, plain and simple. But too many Americans are unable to afford the medications they need because the out-of-pocket costs are too high. This is unacceptable. Americans work hard every day to make sure they can feed their families and take care of their loved ones. They should not be priced out of receiving the life-saving medications they rely on. That is why I am proud to co-lead, the HELP Copays Act, with Congressman Kean. This bipartisan bill will help working American families afford their prescriptions by putting a stop to harmful practices by insurance companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and ensuring that patients’ copay assistance counts towards their cost-sharing requirements. Because drug affordability is not a blue-state issue or a red-state issue — it is an issue that affects tens of millions across the country and in every state.”

Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. said, “Copay assistance programs help make costly medications attainable for Americans who rely on them. Yet under current law, insurers and PBMs can pocket this assistance without lowering patients’ cost-sharing obligations. Our bipartisan legislation will fix that problem by ensuring those savings are passed on to patients. This solution will protect access to essential prescription drugs, reduce overall healthcare costs for families, and hold these health companies accountable.”

Congresswoman Miller-Meeks said, “Too many patients are forced to walk away from the pharmacy counter because their out-of-pocket costs are simply too high. The HELP Copays Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that ensures financial assistance, from nonprofits or drug manufacturers, actually counts toward a patient’s deductible and copay. As a physician, I know how devastating it is when a patient can’t afford the medication they need. This bill puts patients first by lowering their real, day-to-day costs and stopping insurance companies from shifting more of the burden onto families.”

Congressman Auchincloss said, “Drug pricing middlemen want patients to pay deductibles twice. That’s not how insurance should work. With this bill, those schemes stop.”

Congressman Fitzpatrick said, “For people living with chronic and rare diseases, copay assistance is often the only path to staying on lifesaving treatment. Yet far too many are paying twice, while insurers and PBMs pocket that assistance without ever counting it toward a patient’s costs. That’s wrong—and it’s exactly what the bipartisan HELP Copays Act corrects. This is common-sense, patient-first reform to lower out-of-pocket costs and ensure every dollar intended to help a patient actually does.” 

Specifically, the HELP Copays Act would: 

• Clarify the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to require that health plans count payments made “by or on behalf of” patients, including financial assistance offered by non-profit organizations and prescription drug manufacturers, toward cost-sharing requirements.
• Close the ACA’s Essential Health Benefit (EHB) loophole to ensure that any covered prescription drug is defined as “essential” so that all related cost-sharing counts towards a patient’s cost-sharing limits. 

The full text of the House bill is available HERE. An identical companion Senate bill (S.864) was introduced by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Tom Kaine (D-VA) in March 2025.

The legislation is endorsed by the All Copays Count Coalition, a group of nearly 90 national patient and provider advocacy organizations. Read their press release HERE and endorsement letter in support of the bill HERE. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04),Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee Rep. Richard E. Neal (MA-01), and Ways and Means Democrats held a press conference announcing the American Affordability Act, a comprehensive bill aimed at lowering the cost of living for American families.

“Families are doing everything right and still falling behind as costs keep rising,” said Thompson. “The American Affordability Act is about real relief for families: affordable housing, lower energy bills, more affordable childcare and healthcare, and bigger paychecks. This bill delivers targeted tax relief and smart investments that help families make ends meet and restores the promise that hard work should be enough to get ahead in our country.”

“While Donald Trump projects and dismisses affordability fears as a ‘hoax,’ Democrats have been and always will be at the front of the fight to lower costs for everyday workers and families. Tax Ranking Member Mike Thompson knows that whether it’s tackling the housing crisis, making child care more affordable, or lowering health and energy costs, we have so much work to do to ease the minds of the American people and foster opportunity. The American Affordability Act is a blueprint for the next step in our fight for what we are united to deliver: lower costs and easier, better lives,” said Neal. 

Thompson and Neal were joined by Representatives Terri Sewell (AL-07), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) at the press conference. The bill is co-led by 16 Ways and Means Committee Democrats. 

BACKGROUND

As Americans continue to face rising costs for housing, healthcare, childcare, energy, and education, Thompson led Ways and Means Democrats in designing this comprehensive bill to put money back in Americans’ pockets and strengthen our economy.

The American Affordability Act is designed to lower everyday costs and expand economic opportunity through targeted tax relief and strategic investments. 

The bill does the following: 

Makes Housing More Affordable

• Expands the supply of affordable housing by modernizing and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
• Provides refundable tax credits for first-time homebuyers and renters to directly reduce housing costs.
• Encourages the conversion of vacant offices and commercial buildings into housing, revitalizing downtowns and increasing supply.
• Prioritizes developments that serve rural communities, veterans, Native American communities, and extremely low-income households.

Lowers Energy and Transportation Costs

• Restores clean energy tax credits that lower utility bills and promote domestic energy production.
• Expands energy-efficiency credits for home upgrades that permanently reduce heating and cooling costs.
• Makes electric vehicles more affordable, including used EVs, charging infrastructure, and electric bicycles.
• Invests in grid resilience, water reuse, and disaster mitigation to reduce long-term costs from outages and extreme weather.

Supports Families and Childcare

• Creates a fully refundable Child Tax Credit with monthly payments.
• Expands the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to make childcare more affordable for working parents.
• Supports family caregivers and stabilizes the childcare workforce.
• Makes the adoption tax credit fully refundable.

Reduces Education Costs and Boosting Workers’ Pay

• Expands education tax credits to cover more years of college and workforce training.
• Reduces the tax burden on student loan interest and forgiveness.
• Increases take-home pay through deductions for overtime, tips, and certain worker expenses.
• Strengthens the Earned Income Tax Credit, particularly for workers without children.

Lowers Healthcare Costs

• Expands health insurance premium tax credits to reduce monthly premiums.
• Closes coverage gaps and stabilizes premium increases.
• Requires coverage of recommended vaccines to improve access to preventive care.

Original Co-Sponsors of the American Affordability Act include: Mike Thompson (CA-04), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Judy Chu (CA-28), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), John Garamendi (CA-08), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), John Larson (CT-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Dina Titus (NV-01).

Read the full bill text here. 

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

WASHINGTON DC– Ahead of the holidays, U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (MI-11), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), and Hillary Scholten (MI-03), introduced the Trump Tariff Transparency Act, which will highlight the devastating impact Trump’s illegal trade war is having on Michigan small businesses and families. Specifically, the bill would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA), in coordination with the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis, to produce a quarterly report on how much Trump’s tariffs are costing America’s consumers and small businesses.

As families begin to shop in preparation for the holiday season, many consumers say they’ve noticed higher than usual prices for holiday gifts, with overall spending going down from previous years. Many popular holiday items have been especially impacted by tariffs, including toys, personal care products, small appliances, clothing accessories, jewelry, and household tools. Research also shows that tariffs have driven up prices for domestically manufactured and everyday goods, including groceries and other household essentials.

“The one thing I hear over and over again from families and small manufacturers in Michigan is that Donald Trump’s tariffs are making everything more expensive. Our Trump Tariff Transparency Act takes on these erratic tariffs to help bring an end to the pain being felt by Michigan families,” said Stevens. “Michigan has had enough of Donald Trump’s price hikes.”

“As a mom, I know how expensive the holiday season can be – and it’s even worse with Trump’s disastrous trade war. While Trump builds ballrooms, hands massive tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy, and profits off selling out our country’s interests, he’s telling families struggling to afford groceries and heating bills that affordability is a hoax,” said Pettersen. “Trump might’ve been able to lie his way into office, but he’s not going to be able to lie his way out of the pain and suffering that his immoral and unlawful priorities have caused. I’ve heard firsthand from small business owners across my district – from Salida to Golden and everywhere in between – who aren’t going to be able to weather the storm of his failed policies. We need accountability and transparency, and this bill is going to do just that.”

“Michigan families and small businesses shouldn’t have to pay the price for President Trump’s chaotic, reckless tariffs – especially around the holiday season,” said Scholten. “Tariffs are a tax on working families and a burden on our small businesses. As prices continue to skyrocket on everything from beef to coffee to appliances to stocking stuffers, we deserve to know exactly how big that tax is. As a working mom and a member of the House Small Business Committee, I am proud to be introducing this commonsense legislation to study the true toll of this administration’s catastrophic economic policies and work towards finding real solutions for Michigan families and small businesses.”

In October, Rep. Stevens introduced the No Tariffs on Groceries Act to lower the costs of groceries by removing the ability of a president to unilaterally put tariffs on food and agricultural products.

Bill text can be found HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

As a Survivor of Sexual Abuse, Pressley Has Led Efforts in Congress to Center Survivors, Demand Transparency, Accountability

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement after Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that the Department of Justice will fail to release all of the Epstein files to the public by the legal deadline set for today by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law that was forced through by House Democrats and signed into law by President Trump in November.

“Donald Trump and his so-called Department of Justice are now violating federal law as they continue to obstruct the release of the Epstein files and deny survivors the transparency and accountability they deserve. After defying the Oversight Committee’s subpoena, we had to force Donald Trump’s hand to sign the Epstein Files Transparency Act into law—and he is now defying Congress itself.

“For months, we have pushed on every front to meet survivors with the dignity they are due—and time and time again the Trump administration has chosen to shield predators rather than do right by survivors. 

“This does not end here. We will be examining all legal options to force the release of the files and hold powerful abusers, their enablers, and this lawless White House to account. The survivor community is one of strength and resolve, and we will never stop fighting for accountability and healing for all.”

In November, Rep. Pressley applauded the House passage to release the Epstein files, following a day of joining her Democratic Women’s Caucus colleagues for a closed-door, closed press listening session with survivors and a candlelight vigil honoring survivors alongside colleagues and advocates on Capitol Hill.

As a survivor of sexual abuse herself, Congresswoman Pressley has been a dedicated advocate for survivors’ justice and has led committee Democrats in calling for a full Congressional hearing to ensure survivors’ firsthand accounts are heard.

Rep. Pressley has led the demand for a hearing with survivors as the Committee has continued its investigation and after the Congresswoman successfully helped pass a motion by Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Congresswoman Summer Lee to force the Committee to subpoena the Epstein files.

In recent interviews, Rep. Pressley described why her work to subpoena the Epstein files is deeply personal to her.

Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has been a champion for justice for survivors of sexual violence and reproductive freedom.

In July 2024, Rep. Pressley reintroduced the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act of 2024. In June 2024, Rep. Pressley renewed her calls for accountability and survivor-focused solutions following the damning reports of a toxic work environment at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  In June 2024, Rep. Pressley also sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) requesting information about the botched closure of FCI Dublin, abuse of women while they were being transferred to other facilities, and BOP’s management of investigations into the staff sexual misconduct and abuse at FCI Dublin and other federal BOP facilities.

Rep. Pressley is also a lead co-sponsor of H.R. 5388, legislation that would prevent the Secretary of Education from rolling back Title IX protections for survivors, as well as H.Res. 560, a resolution calling for an impeachment inquiry into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, following reporting on new allegations of sexual misconduct committed by the Associate Justice.

In April 2019, following the passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, Rep. Pressley issued a statement honoring her mother, Sandra Pressley, a survivor of domestic violence. Rep. Pressley is also the lead co-sponsor of an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that would establish the first-ever grant program dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, which passed the House of Representatives in March 2021.

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

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

Today, the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force, led by Co-Chairs Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Doris Matsui (CA-07), released the following statement in response to the House passage of the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act (H.R. 1366) and Pet and Livestock Protection Act (H.R. 845).

“In a week dominated by shameless giveaways to Trump’s polluter allies, House Republicans once again doubled down on their crusade to sell off our public lands to the highest bidder and gut critical protections for endangered wildlife. Our public lands and wildlife are a core part of our nation’s identity. Whether it’s the bald eagle, the grizzly bear, or the Florida panther, we have a shared responsibility as Americans to protect and preserve these iconic species and their habitats for future generations. Yet, instead of preserving our treasured natural landscapes and wildlife for future generations, Republicans just gave a free pass to mining companies to dump toxic waste on our public lands and poison our environment and children, all while legalizing the killing of America’s endangered gray wolves. 

“Our Republican colleagues seem to have forgotten that being conservative once actually meant supporting conservation.” 

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

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Senate Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) reintroduced the Clean Competition Act, legislation to make American companies more competitive in the global marketplace and cut planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions with a carbon border adjustment. 

On average, U.S. manufacturers are over 50 percent less carbon-intensive than manufacturers in the rest of the world.  Chinese manufacturers are more than three times as carbon-intensive as American ones, and India’s are more than four times as carbon-intensive.

The Clean Competition Act would create a U.S. carbon border adjustment linked to a new domestic industrial performance standard. Importing foreign producers or domestic manufacturers that exceeded the standard would be required to pay a charge for any emissions over the standard. The levy would begin at $60 per ton and increase by six percent above inflation per year. 

The bill would cover the imports and domestic manufacturing of energy-intensive industries, including fossil fuels, refined petroleum products, petrochemicals, fertilizer, hydrogen, adipic acid, cement, iron and steel, aluminum, glass, pulp and paper, and ethanol.  In 2028, coverage would begin expanding to more complex downstream goods.

The president would be able to negotiate carbon clubs to drive down global greenhouse gas emissions and expand markets for low-carbon industrial goods. In exchange, countries would be able to receive a reduction in foreign carbon intensity charges and first preference for the bill’s foreign assistance funding.

“For too long, American industries producing goods in a less carbon-intensive way have been undercut by foreign competitors with dirtier production processes. Washington saw this firsthand with the closure of the Intalco aluminum smelter due to Chinese overproduction, resulting in the loss of over 700 good-paying union jobs. We can address the climate crisis while defending American industries with the Clean Competition Act,” said DelBene. “A fee on high-carbon producers would incentivize industries around the world to prioritize decarbonization and create a level playing field for American workers in these sectors.”

“American manufacturers are already among the cleanest in the world, yet they face unfair competition from countries that do nothing to curb their pollution.  The free-to-pollute business model is economically disastrous and environmentally dangerous,” said Whitehouse.  “The carbon border adjustment is the world’s last lifeboat to climate safety, and other nations are moving fast: the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism begins in January, and the UK and Australia look poised to join them.  If we don’t act now, American manufacturers will have to pay fees abroad without any protection at home.  The Clean Competition Act buys us entry into this emerging coalition of allies and ensures that foreign competitors who pollute more pay more.” 

The House bill is co-led by Representatives Ami Bera, MD (CA-06), Don Beyer (VA-08), Kathy Castor (FL-14), and co-sponsored by Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Judy Chu (CA-28).  The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (CT), Martin Heinrich (NM), Brian Schatz (HI), Chris Van Hollen (MD), and Peter Welch (VT). ,

It is endorsed by C2ES, Carbon180, Center for American Progress Action Fund, Ceres, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Environmental Defense Fund, Foreign Policy for America, National Wildlife Federation, and Sierra Club.

Text of the bill is available here.  A section-by-section is available here. A one-pager is available here. 

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

Today, Congresswomen Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Gwen Moore (WI-04), along with Members of the House Ways and Means Committee, sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding the agency’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to write code used to manage Americans’ taxpayer data.

A recent study found that AI-generated source code is frequently inaccurate. Developers often spend as much or more time checking and rewriting the code that AI systems produced than if they were to write it themselves.

The lawmakers are seeking answers about the IRS’s plan to rely on AI tools to interface with its decades-old Common Business-Oriented Language (COBOL) systems, which continue to underpin the Individual Master File (IMF), the core repository for taxpayer information since the 1960s. These questions come at an especially critical time when the IRS has already lost 25% of its IT staff since early 2025, and the next tax filing season is just around the corner.

“We hope this Administration shares our goal of ensuring any use of AI by the IRS is appropriately scrutinized, especially given the importance and significance of maintaining the integrity of the IMF and protecting taxpayer data from inappropriate access or exposure,” the lawmakers wrote.

They expressed concerns about the risks of using AI, especially when dealing with systems that manage sensitive taxpayer information and which are also responsible for processing tax returns for hundreds of millions of Americans. In the letter, the lawmakers sought information on the agency’s current and future AI use with its legacy COBOL systems, efforts to address potential inaccuracies and limitations, and taxpayer data protections.

Questions raised include:

• To what extent has the IRS already started deploying AI to interact with its legacy COBOL systems and what future deployments are planned? 
• What processes are in place to review the conversions and AI source coding before, during, and after new AI-created code implementation to ensure it is accurate, including ensuring that AI-generated code is free of hidden errors or unintended behaviors that might not appear during standard testing?
• What specific protections for the taxpayer data protected by Internal Revenue Code section 6103 are in place?

The letter requested a written response from the IRS no later than January 10, 2025.

Read the full text of the letter here.