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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today observed the wholesale destruction of democratic representation in the state of Tennessee by the Tennessee General Assembly that he has tried to prevent and made the following statement:

“While we expected this egregious result, it’s hard to contemplate how much harm the General Assembly has done to the voice of Black voters in Tennessee, and specifically in Memphis. The procedures outlined in this hastily drawn legislation are obviously inadequate. The time factor for creating new district lines for candidates is clearly inadequate and confusing for voters after established lines have been in place and candidates have been campaigning for two months. The new arrangement cannot result in fair representation. 

“Beyond all that, the fact that each of these new districts was drawn to divide almost exactly into thirds the Black voting population of the 9^th District suggests serious racist and unethical intent and raises legal issues about the use of race being the true predominant factor in this redistricting effort.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) will join leaders of the Historic Clayborn Temple for a press conference on Friday to discuss the $3.1 million he secured through the annual appropriations process for restoration of the church ravaged by fire one year ago.

The church was the organizing headquarters for striking sanitation workers in 1968.

What: A press conference to discuss the $3.1 million Congressman Cohen secured in his Community Project Funding request in the annual appropriations process

Who: Speakers will include Congressman Cohen; Anasa Troutman, Founder and CEO of The Big We from Historic Clayborn Temple; Willie “Hank” Henry, the District Director of the 9^th Congressional District who attended meetings at the church during the 1968 strike; and Dorcas Young Griffin, deputy chief administrative officer, Shelby County

Congressman Cohen will be available after the press conference to discuss other matters.

When: Friday, May 8, at 10:30 a.m.

Where: Historic Clayborn Temple is at 294 Hernando Street, Memphis (38126) Street parking is available on Hernando Street.

Please RSVP to Congressman Cohen’s communications director at Bartholomew.Sullivan@mail.house.gov

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

New Emergency Food Bank Recovery Hub will more than double capacity, improve efficiency, and reduce food waste

ABOVE: Dr. Leonard Hansen, Rep. Harder, and Stockton Emergency Food Bank Board Chair Don Ruhstaller present a check for the new distribution hub

STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced more than $1 million in federal funding he secured for a massive food storage expansion at the Stockton Emergency Food Bank. In response to growing food assistance demand and chronic infrastructure challenges, Harder secured funding for a new, 17,400 square-foot Food Recovery Hub warehouse to expand the Food Bank’s storage and service capacity and reduce food insecurity in the Valley.

The Stockton Emergency Food Bank is a lifeline for struggling families:

• The Food Bank serves an average of 500 vehicles per distribution, supporting over 21,000 people each month.
• But demand for food assistance is on the rise – nearly 200,000 residents in San Joaquin County in 2024 were food insecure, and federal cuts to food assistance programs are kicking thousands more off of CalFresh.
• The Food Bank is also facing chronic infrastructure challenges, including a warehouse that is nearly 50 years old and no dedicated loading dock for food transportation.

“Food banks play a critical role in our communities providing families with essential resources – that’s why I fought for the Stockton Emergency Food Bank to receive federal funding to expand their services,” said Rep. Harder. “Many of the families that use food banks work full-time jobs but still can’t make ends meet with rising costs. This expansion project will make sure that more families have access to this lifeline with dignity. We can’t let our community go hungry.”

The new Food Recovery Hub will better support the Food Bank’s mission to address hunger and food insecurity in the Valley:

• The new 17,400 square-foot warehouse will more than double capacity and include a dedicated loading dock.
• These upgrades will significantly improve efficiency and expand the Food Bank’s ability to recover, store, and distribute fresh and shelf-stable food from local and regional partners. 
• This increased capacity will also reduce food waste while ensuring more food reaches families who need it most.

“Our goal is not only to provide food and nutrition education, but to do so in a way that honors the dignity of every person we serve,” said Leonard Hansen, Stockton Emergency Food Bank President and CEO. “This Community Project Funding grant will allow us to expand our food recovery efforts, operate more efficiently and reach more families across Stockton and San Joaquin County suffering from food insecurity.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

Annual “One Voice” trip connects local leaders with federal lawmakers to discuss Valley priorities

PICTURES from the speaker series are available here

WASHINGTON – Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) hosted dozens of local leaders, community advocates, and Valley elected officials on Capitol Hill this week for the annual San Joaquin One Voice advocacy trip. One Voice connects Valley advocates with federal lawmakers to discuss regional priorities and collaborate on future funding opportunities. 

“My number one job is showing up and listening to Valley issues, and it was great to welcome so many Valley leaders to Washington,” said Rep. Harder. “The best ideas don’t come from bureaucrats sitting behind desks in D.C., they come from the people on the ground who know exactly what their communities need. I’m grateful for the important discussions and exciting opportunities that come out of this annual tradition, and I’m going to keep working with local leaders to make sure our families have the federal support they deserve.” 

Throughout the week, Harder held discussions and speaker series with a wide range of Valley representatives, including San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency, Stockton Metropolitan Airport, and the City of Mountain House.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition in Massachusetts’ Third District. The winners were announced at her annual art competition reception held at The Chelmsford Center for the Arts.
“Every year, this competition reminds me just how much talent we have right here in the Third District,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Nate’s painting stopped me in my tracks – there’s a real stillness and maturity to it that you don’t expect from a high school student. I’m so proud of him and every student who had the courage to put their work in front of a panel of judges. The fact that ‘Midsummer Indolence’ will hang in the United States Capitol is a tribute not just to Nate, but to the incredible arts community we have across this district.”
The winner of this year’s competition is Nate Kim, an 11th grader at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. His piece, titled “Midsummer Indolence,” was created using oil paint on canvas and depicts a young child fishing by a pond, surrounded by lush green grass and plants. The painting will be displayed in the United States Capitol later this year alongside winning pieces from other congressional districts.
Trahan also announced the runners-up for this year’s competition:
Second Place: Yumeng Mia Li from the Groton School with her submission titled “The Wash”
Third Place (tie): Westford Academy student Navya Katru’s “Suspension” and Concord Academy student Krithik Davarjan’s “Green Miles of the Routine: The Milkman”
This year’s winners were selected by a three-judge panel: Sara Bogosian, President and Executive Director of the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell; Eileen Williston, Executive Director of The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord; and Emily Mazzola, Curator at the Fitchburg Art Museum.
About the Congressional Art Competition: Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent across the country and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 700,000 high school students have participated. Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of local artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. First-place pieces are displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, and the winner will be invited to a celebratory reception in Washington, D.C. in June.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

Members cite new research showing 988 Lifeline has prevented thousands of youth suicide deaths nationwide

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

TAMPA, Fla. – Ahead of Mother’s Day, Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Lauren Underwood (IL-14) reintroduced H.R. 8651, the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act. The bipartisan legislation builds on earlier congressional efforts to strengthen and deepen the understanding of how medications affect pregnant and lactating women and their infants. It would modernize FDA regulations, raise awareness of research that includes pregnant and lactating women, and encourage high-quality priority research projects to be conducted at the NIH—to help ensure moms and babies stay safe and healthy.

“Excluding pregnant and lactating women from research and trials creates significant information gaps that can impact the health of mothers and babies,” said Rep. Castor. “We can and must do better. Expectant mothers and their doctors deserve clear, accurate guidance about how medications affect both mom and baby so they can make informed decisions and achieve the best possible health outcomes. Too often, a blanket assumption that medications are unsafe during pregnancy or breastfeeding is simply wrong—and in some cases, it can put moms and babies at greater health risk of costly complications. I’m grateful to my colleagues, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Lauren Underwood, for their partnership in advancing this bipartisan effort to expand high-quality scientific research and improve health outcomes through the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act.”

“It is vital that we continue to advance medications and treatments for pregnant and lactating women to keep them healthy,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “I am proud to work alongside Representatives Castor and Underwood to push for updated FDA regulations, continued educational materials, and overall awareness of how medications impact pregnant and lactating women.”

“Pregnant and lactating people must be protected through research, not excluded from it,” said Rep. Underwood. “The exclusion of this population from clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines led to a serious information gap that resulted in lower vaccination rates for pregnant people. Evidence now shows that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for people who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. We must do more to protect this population, and the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act takes important steps to ensure that pregnant and lactating people can safely access life-saving vaccines and therapeutics.”

“The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has long advocated for the inclusion of pregnant people in clinical trials to help ensure the safety and efficacy of medication taken during pregnancy. Ninety percent of pregnant individuals take at least one medication during pregnancy, and yet seventy percent of medications approved by the FDA have no human pregnancy data. Not only does this present challenges for clinicians who have to manage the treatment of chronic conditions during pregnancy, but it creates uncertainty for patients when there is a lack of critical data on the effects of medications and therapeutics taken during pregnancy and lactation,” said ACOG President Camille A. Clare, MD, MPH, CPE, FACOG. ”By taking steps to ensure pregnant and lactating women are included in clinical trials, the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act will help give our patients and their physicians peace of mind when taking needed medications during pregnancy and lactation. We applaud the continued leadership of Representatives Kathy Castor, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Lauren Underwood for introducing this legislation and ensuring that this issue remains at the forefront.”

“As the nation’s leading nonprofit fighting for the health of all moms and babies, March of Dimes strongly supports the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act of 2026. Despite the prevalence of pregnancy complications, pregnant and lactating individuals are often excluded from clinical trials for the therapeutics they depend on. This legislation takes important steps to better our understanding for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding of how to take medications and vaccines safely and effectively. We applaud Representatives Kathy Castor, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Lauren Underwood for their continued leadership,” said Stacey Y. Brayboy, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, March of Dimes.

“The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) is pleased to see the reintroduction of the Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act. By advancing the inclusion of pregnant and lactating populations in clinical research, this legislation will drive safer, evidence-based treatments and healthier outcomes for moms and babies alike. SWHR thanks Representatives Castor, Fitzpatrick, and Underwood for introducing this important legislation and their continued leadership in this space,” said Kathryn Schubert, President and CEO, Society for Women’s Health Research.

“Inclusive clinical research isn’t just good science; it’s essential for the health of pregnant and lactating individuals. As the CEO of HealthyWomen and a practicing maternal and fetal nurse, I have seen firsthand how critical it is to equip expectant and new mothers with accurate, evidence-based information on how to best care for themselves and their babies, including medication use and vaccine uptake. But too often, this information is unavailable, sparse or delayed, leaving pregnant and lactating individuals uncertain during a vulnerable time. That’s why we are proud to support this bill that takes a crucial step toward ensuring that clinical trials and research are inclusive and accessible to pregnant and lactating individuals,” said Beth Battaglino, RN-C, CEO of HealthyWomen.

“Including pregnant women in research is not a risk to be avoided—but an opportunity to embrace. For the first time in decades, researchers have begun to learn how to identify and prevent preeclampsia with new therapies on the horizon. However, the therapeutic pipeline only reaches patients if pregnant women are included in clinical research, and the federal investment is there to support it. The Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act delivers both. We thank Representatives Castor, Fitzpatrick, and Underwood for their leadership and urge Congress to pass this bill without delay,” said Eleni Tsigas, CEO, Preeclampsia Foundation.

The bill is supported by the following organizations: Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM); American Academy of Pediatrics; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP); HealthyWomen; Lupus Foundation of America; March of Dimes; Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance; Preeclampsia Foundation; Society for Birth Defects Research and Prevention; Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine; Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR); U.S. Breastfeeding Committee; VAMPSS (Vaccines and Medications in Pregnancy Safety Studies) / American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; Wake Up Narcolepsy, Inc.; WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.

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

Headline: Carter introduces bill establishing life imprisonment for attempting political assassinations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today introduced the Zero Tolerance for Political Assassins Act, a bill mandating 25 years to life imprisonment for individuals who attempt to assassinate federal politicians.

Political violence erodes the very fabric of our democracy. In the United States, change is enacted by the people for the people. When radicalized individuals escalate hatred toward others over differing ideologies, they trample on the rights that every American exercises at the ballot box.

President Donald Trump has survived three assassination attempts to date, inspired by radical leftist rhetoric from politicians such as former President Joe Biden and disgraced former FBI Director James Comey. Unfortunately, we live in a world where Democrats have inspired lunatics in their party to attempt unthinkable acts. That ends now.

The Zero Tolerance for Political Assassins Act would apply to the following targets: President, Vice President, Presidential Staff, Cabinet Members, Supreme Court Justices, and Members of Congress.

“The American people spoke in November 2024, electing Donald J. Trump with a mandate to deliver a safer and more prosperous nation. Yet recently, at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the President was the target of a third assassination attempt. The cowards who carry out acts of political violence are the greatest threats to democracy,” said Rep. Carter. “My bill ensures they face proper justice and the full weight of the law.”

Read full bill text here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

JOHNSONVILLE, NY — Today, Congressman Paul D. Tonko visited a Rensselaer County home undergoing weatherization improvements to view the ongoing progress, meet with the homeowner and local advocates, and discuss ways to help more families take advantage of the benefits provided by home weatherization.

During the visit, Tonko highlighted his Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act, a bipartisan bill that would invest federal funding in home weatherization efforts to help low-income families save hundreds of dollars on their energy bills while making their homes safer, healthier, and more energy efficient. Tonko’s legislation was recently advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee by a unanimous vote of 50-0.

“I was thrilled to visit this local home today to see firsthand how weatherization improvements can help families save on their energy bills and make their homes more energy efficient,” Congressman Tonko said. “With millions of American families facing rising utility costs thanks to Trump-caused inflation, the time is now for Congress to take action to help lower energy prices — and my Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act does just that. The Weatherization Assistance Program is already saving families hundreds each year on their home energy bills, and with my legislation, we can continue to improve upon this vital program and ensure that communities here in our Capital Region and beyond have the resources and support they need to carry these efforts forward.”

Data shows that home weatherization efforts, or weatherproofing, reduces energy burdens by providing safe, cost-effective energy efficiency retrofit investments including sealing and insulating. Additionally, households receiving services from the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) save an average of $372 each year on their energy bills.

The Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act would strengthen the WAP program by:

·         Reauthorizing the WAP through Fiscal Year 2030; and

·         Raising the statutory Average Cost Per Unit from $6,500 to $12,000, allowing households to receive more assistance and allowing WAP implementers to pay competitive wages and retain their workforces.

Photos from today’s visit can be found on Congressman Tonko’s social media platforms at Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, or X (formerly Twitter).

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