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

(Washington, D.C.) – This week, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Sam Graves (R-MO) introduced a resolution to designate September as “National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month”, hoping to raise awareness and understanding of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) while calling for additional research to develop new treatments and ultimately a cure. Congressman Cleaver previously introduced the bipartisan resolution last year with fellow Missouri lawmaker Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO).

“With roughly 600,000 Americans impacted by PKD across the United States, and roughly fifty percent of those impacted experiencing kidney failure by age sixty, it is imperative that we take action to combat this vicious disease,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I’m proud to join my friend Rep. Graves to introduce a resolution that will designate the entire month of September as National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month in the hopes of bringing attention and spurring additional research that can help find new treatments that will save lives.” 

“Polycystic kidney disease affects many Americans, but isn’t often talked about,” said Congressman Graves. “With additional research, we will be able to develop new treatments to help those diagnosed with PKD live a better, longer life, and hopefully a cure. I’m proud to join Rep. Cleaver to bring attention and awareness for all who are living with this devastating disease.”

PKD is one of the most prevalent genetic kidney disorders in the United States, affecting approximately 600,000 Americans nationwide. With very few treatments and no cure for PKD, the disease is one of the four leading causes of kidney failures in the United States, with nearly fifty percent of individuals with PKD experiencing kidney failure by the age of 60.

This month, Congressman Cleaver was awarded the 2024 Congressional Champion of the Year Award by the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation for his leadership in PKD awareness and support for research and development of new PKD treatments. 

Official text of the resolution 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.

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

(Kansas City, MO) – U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after the Missouri Legislature formally passed legislation to enact mid-decade redistricting in Missouri without an updated census.

“Despite tens of thousands of Missourians taking the time to call their state lawmakers and travel to Jefferson City to voice their opposition, Republicans in the Missouri Legislature followed the marching orders dictated by power brokers in D.C. and took the unprecedented step of enacting mid-decade redistricting without an updated census.

“While I’m grateful to the lawmakers in both parties who refused to go along with this power grab, I’m deeply disappointed that Missouri’s Legislature put the wishes of Washington above the voices of their own constituents and the needs of our communities. Whether it is families in Kansas City, the labor community, the business community, or the faith community, I know that the people of Missouri share in that disappointment.

“However, I want to be very clear to those who are frustrated by today’s outcome: this fight is far from over. Together, in the courts and in the streets, we will continue pushing to ensure the law is upheld, justice prevails, and this unconstitutional gerrymander is defeated.”

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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.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement to applaud the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of new disaster recovery assistance for livestock producers impacted by floods and wildfires. Through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW), USDA will provide $1 billion to help producers offset rising supplemental feed costs caused by natural disasters. 

“The flooding of Tulare Lake in 2023 was devastating for the Central Valley, and I’ve worked for years to make sure our producers have the tools they need to recover,” said Congressman Valadao. “Dairy farmers faced heavy property damage, feed losses, and transportation costs from moving livestock, and today’s USDA announcement is a major step forward. Expanding the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) will help address these losses and move us closer to making our farmers and dairymen whole. I’m grateful to USDA for their partnership throughout this process and look forward to working directly with the administration to make sure we get relief into the hands of CA-22 producers as soon as possible.”

Background:

Congressman Valadao has long led efforts to secure relief for Central Valley producers. In the 118th Congress, he introduced the Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, which would provide an additional $14 billion to USDA to aid producers impacted by natural disasters in 2023. He also introduced the Emergency Assistance for Dairy Producers Act, which aimed to ensure dairy producers impacted by the historic flooding of Tulare Lake in 2023 could qualify for Commodity Credit Corporation emergency assistance funds.

Visit the USDA website to learn more.

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

Provisions will support water infrastructure, mitigate flooding in coastal areas and continue advancing efforts to deepen the Port of Brownsville

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

This amendment comes as a response to the tragic passing of Brownsville native, Seaman Angelina Resendiz

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) joined Reps. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (NC) and Raphael Warnock (GA) to introduce the Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Services (RESULTS) Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation reforms Medicare’s Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule to protect timely access to routine and lifesaving lab tests for seniors. 

“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.” 

Overview:

Currently, reimbursement rates for clinical laboratory tests are based on data from less than one percent of labs. While the potential cuts have been continuously delayed by Congress, without permanent action, there will be increasing cuts to payments for tests, jeopardizing care. The RESULTS Act will strengthen how Medicare sets and updates payment rates for these tests. It builds on prior efforts from Congress by allowing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to use comprehensive private claims data to establish fair, market-based rates for widely available tests. The bill reduces administrative burden on labs, adds guardrails to avoid destabilizing cuts, and updates reporting timelines so patients, providers, and payers can plan with confidence.

American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) President Susan Van Meter: “Clinical laboratory services, from the most routine to those driving personalized medicine, are indispensable to clinicians and patients. ACLA is grateful to the bipartisan sponsors of the RESULTS Act for advancing a smart solution that brings stability and ensures seniors get the essential results they deserve.”

National Independent Laboratory Association (NILA) Executive Director Mark S. Birenbaum, Ph.D.: “Many common tests are facing cuts of up to 15 percent. Without immediate reform, regional and community labs could be forced to close, leaving patients without access to critical testing. NILA applauds the bipartisan introduction of the RESULTS Act and urges swift passage.”

“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.

“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.”

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

“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. Krishnamorthi.

“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.”    

Senator Raphael Warnock: “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.”

What the RESULTS Act Does:

• Uses an independent, comprehensive commercial claims database to set fair, market-based rates for widely available tests

• Cancels pending cuts in 2026 by freezing rates at 2025 levels during implementation

• Caps future year-over-year reductions at 5 percent once fully implemented in 2029

• Excludes non-market Medicaid managed care rates from payment calculations

• Dramatically reduces reporting burden by shifting data collection for widely available tests away from individual labs

• Extends the interval between data collection periods from three to four years

• Maintains direct reporting only for non-widely available tests and Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory Tests

Read the full bill text here: [LINK]

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) issued this statement following the House passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“As Fort Bragg’s Congressman, I’m proud to deliver a defense authorization bill that puts our troops, their families, and our veterans first. This NDAA secures critical investments for our military, and North Carolina’s military community. The bill implements President Trump’s agenda, restores America’s commitment to Peace Through Strength, and ensures our Armed Forces remain the most lethal and capable in the world. From pay raises to readiness upgrades at Fort Bragg, this bill is a win for every soldier and family who sacrifices everything for our nation.”

Fort Bragg & NC-09 Wins:

• $44.7 million to construct training facilities at Forward Operating Base Freedom (Freedom Village) at Fort Bragg.
• $5.3 million for SOF Joint Intelligence Center (JIC) at Fort Bragg.
• $19 million for Automated Infantry Platoon Battle Course.
• $24 million for Aircraft Maintenance Hangar.
• $80 million for Power Generation and Microgrid.
• $6.5 Million for SOF Mission Command Center.
• $7.5 million for advanced drone development in North Carolina. 

National Defense Priorities Delivered:

• Delivers a 3.8% pay raise for all U.S. troops—strengthening quality of life for military families.
• Codifies 15 Trump Executive Orders, reinforcing priorities like lethality, merit-based promotion, and accountability in the ranks.
• Provides new DoD authorities and funding to support border security operations in coordination with DHS.
• Funds President Trump’s signature defense platforms: the Golden Dome, F-47 fighter aircraft, submarines, warships, and autonomous systems.
• Drastically reforms the DoD acquisition process, cutting red tape and letting innovation reach the battlefield faster.
• Strengthens the defense industrial base, boosting American manufacturing and supply chain resilience.
• Further counters China, Iran, North Korea, and other threats with investments in artificial intelligence, hypersonics, unmanned systems, and advanced warfighting tech.

House Republicans are implementing President Trump’s Peace Through Strength Agenda and are delivering generational investments in America’s national security.

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

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, and Congresswoman Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08) held a press event to call out President Trump and Congressional Republican’s assault on our health care system that is raising prices, kicking people off their health coverage, and making families sicker.

The leaders emphasized the urgent need to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies, which lowers health insurance costs for millions of Americans, including 218,000 in Washington. These enhanced subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year, and Republicans have voted multiple times against extending them.

This week, Washington Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer released final 2026 health insurance rates for the individual exchange, showing a 21% increase from 2025. The rate increases, combined with the expiring subsidies, are estimated to increase premiums by 65% next year for people who received subsidized coverage through WA Health Plan Finder. 80,000 Washingtonians are expected to lose coverage if the subsidies expire.

The event also featured health care providers and Washingtonians who have benefited from the ACA subsidies, underscoring the real-life impact of these policies on families’ ability to access care.

“One of the biggest concerns I hear from Washington families is how fast health care costs are rising. Since taking office, President Trump and Congressional Republicans have done nothing but break their promise to lower the high cost of living. Their megabill and other policies are an assault on the health care system that is driving health care costs higher and kicking people off their coverage,” said DelBene. “Congress must act immediately to prevent millions of families across the country from losing their Exchange coverage by extending the subsidies. We have to prioritize policies that help address the needs of working families, not the wealthy and well-connected.”

“I’m grateful to be in the great state of Washington today alongside my colleagues Rep. Suzan DelBene and Dr. Rep. Kim Schrier, Governor Bob Ferguson, Commissioner Patty Kuderer and medical professionals to stand up against the all-out Republican assault on health care,” said Jeffries. “Donald Trump and House Republicans have created a health care crisis in the United States of America. They have imposed the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, ripping health care away from tens of millions of Americans, forcing the possible closure of hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics while millions will face dramatic increases in their health care premiums, co-pays and deductibles. No matter what it takes, House Democrats are committed to making sure we bring the right to high-quality health care to life and aggressively push back against this unprecedented Republican assault on the health and well-being of the American people.”

“The cruel attacks on health care access by the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans are morally bankrupt,” Ferguson said. “Failing to extend these common-sense tax credits is one more way the federal government is making health care less affordable and less accessible to residents across our state. Congress must act now to extend these credits and protect health care access for tens of thousands of Washingtonians.”

“It is morally bankrupt that Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are giving tax breaks to billionaires while ripping away health insurance from working families across my district. At a time when so many are already struggling, their Big Ugly Bill is about to skyrocket health insurance premiums for hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians. I will continue to fight, along with my Democratic colleagues, to reverse these reckless policies,” said Schrier.

“Affordable health care is a cornerstone of community well-being,” said Jon Duarte, President and CEO of Overlake Medical Center & Clinics. “Yet rising costs compounded by escalating payment shortfalls and federal funding cuts threaten access to that care. Both Overlake and MultiCare are committed to meeting the health needs of our communities — now and in the years to come. To fulfill that commitment, we must protect the programs that make care accessible and sustainable.”

You can watch the video of the event here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

WASHINGTON – Following President Donald Trump’s announcement of federal National Guard support for Memphis, Congressman David Kustoff released the following statement:

“I support President Trump’s decision to send the National Guard to Memphis. I thank the President for his commitment to curb violent crime. It is important for the long term success in Memphis to have additional and permanent federal law enforcement officers and agents who can work in conjunction with state and local officials. I will continue to work with the White House to secure these important resources.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) announced that Marcia Latta, Ed.D., has been named one of three winners of this year’s Congressional Families Leadership Award. The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s bipartisan Congressional Families Program recognizes two members of Congress or their spouses, a celebrity, and a healthcare organization each year for their significant contributions to cancer prevention and early detection. 

The Program’s signature event brings together lawmakers, spouses, and leaders in the cancer prevention community to celebrate individuals who use their platforms to educate the public on lifesaving prevention and early detection practices. Dr. Latta is an active member of the Congressional Families Program Advisory Committee and serves on its Executive Council, the Program’s leadership team. 

“I am incredibly proud that my wife, Marcia, is being honored with the Congressional Families Leadership Award from the Prevent Cancer Foundation. For years, she has been a strong advocate for cancer prevention and awareness, supporting families and encouraging healthier communities. Her dedication and leadership have made a meaningful impact in our community and beyond. This recognition is a testament to her steadfast commitment to the health and well-being of others,” Congressman Latta said.  

“I am so honored to receive the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families Leadership Award. As someone who has lost loved ones to these diseases, this effort is deeply personal,” Dr. Latta said. “Cancer is a disease that impacts nearly every family at some point. Anytime I can, I share insights and information to help reduce cancer risks. Hopefully, with progress being made we will see all forms of this terrible disease eradicated in the foreseeable future.”   

“Through this award, we recognize Marcia for her impactful work to bring awareness of cancer prevention and early detection to fellow Ohioans to help them stay ahead of cancer,” said Lisa McGovern, Executive Director of the Congressional Families Program. “As a lifelong educator, she knows the importance of using her voice to inspire others, and we are proud of her commitment to sharing vital information with her community.” 

A member of the Congressional Families Program Executive Council and dedicated advocate involved in the Program since 2012, Dr. Marcia Latta brings a personal passion to the fight against cancer. She has been deeply affected by these diseases—losing a close friend to breast cancer and witnessing her father’s battle with melanoma, diagnosed at age 70 after a lifetime of working under the sun as a farmer. His early diagnosis and multiple surgeries reshaped Dr. Latta’s perspective on sun safety and cancer prevention, a message she shares with constituents. Motivated by these personal experiences, Dr. Latta has become a powerful voice for cancer awareness and education, leveraging her platform to inform and inspire others through compelling op-eds, impactful social media outreach and public service announcements for skin cancer prevention. 

Others being honored this year are actress Olivia Munn, who is a breast cancer survivor, and Dr. Wayne Kye, husband of U.S. Representative Grace Meng (NY-6).