MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Headline: Scott Sounds Alarm on Jobs Day

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) did not release a jobs report due to the government shutdown.

“Workers, economists, and businesses rely on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports to understand the health of our economy and the labor market. Without the September jobs report, policymakers and the public are denied an opportunity to understand the challenges facing the American economy.

“Private sector estimates suggest that job growth—already anemic since President Trump took office for a second term—continues toslow. According to the latest data available, job growth since January 2025 has averaged just 70,000 per month, in comparison to 336,000 per month during the Biden Administration. Real wage growth continues to slow. The overall unemployment rate, as well as rates for women, Black workers, and Hispanic workers, has increased since the start of the year.

“The takeaway is clear: The Trump Administration’s policies are hurting Americans. Worse, the Trump Administration is then preventing the government from accurately measuring the impact of these harmful policies. The first Trump Administration’s failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic killed thousands of Americans. Then, President Trump demanded that we stop testing for it. Earlier this year, Congressional Republicans passed and the President signed the ‘Big Ugly Law,’ which included historic cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Then last month, President Trump ordered the end of a report that tracks household food security. Now, President Trump’s reckless tariffs are killing jobs, and policymakers are left in the dark without a jobs report.

“From abruptly firing the former BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, to nominating and then withdrawing the nomination of E.J. Antoni who claimed the BLS ‘rigged’ data, to now threatening additional firings across the federal government, President Trump risks compromising the credibility of BLS data.

“Americans must have confidence that they can trust our institutions to produce reliable data. Without reliable data, policymakers cannot understand the scope of the problem they are trying to address. What’s more, just because the Trump Administration does not measure the impact of their policies, does not make the harm go away. Americans know the truth. Costs are going up, it is harder to find work, and the President’s policies are the cause.”

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

Headline: Scott Slams Continued GOP Vacation During the Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after House Republicans announced they would be in recess again next week despite the ongoing government shutdown:

“House Republicans announced they will be on an extended vacation next week, despite the government having been shut down since October 1^st. They have been on vacation since September 19^th and appear to have no interest in ending this shutdown for the American people. Republicans currently control the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives and it is incumbent on them to govern responsibly and end their shutdown.

“House Democrats returned to Washington this past week, and we remain ready to negotiate a bipartisan funding solution that protects the health care of the American people.”

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

Headline: Virginia Delegation Slams White House Threat to Furloughed Workers’ Back Pay

Washington, D.C. –  Today, the Democratic members of Virginia’s congressional delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to OMB Director Russ Vought clarifying that threats to withhold or cancel back pay to furloughed federal workers would be illegal. The letter was signed by Representatives James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (VA-08), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), and Eugene Vindman (VA-07). 

“We are writing in response to reports that the White House is considering guidance that would compromise back pay for thousands of federal employees furloughed during the current Republican-driven government shutdown. This proposal is both preposterous and unlawful, as it would misrepresent congressional intent and contradict established legal interpretation,” the members wrote to Vought. 

“The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (GEFTA) was enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support and signed by President Trump on January 16, 2019. It was explicitly intended to guarantee that all federal employees furloughed during any lapse in appropriations receive back pay once the government reopens,” the members added.The legislation was carried in the House by Congressman Beyer. 

“Any new OMB position that conditions back pay on a specific appropriation is a distortion of congressional intent and a transparent attempt to use federal employees as leverage in a political dispute. These are real people with families who rely on their paychecks to make ends meet and should not be subjected to additional harm for political gain.

We call on OMB to uphold the law as written and intended, ensuring that furloughed employees are entitled to full back pay consistent with GEFTA and prior executive branch guidance,” the members concluded. 

Full text of the letter is here and follows:

Director Vought,

We are writing in response to reports that the White House is considering guidance that would compromise back pay for thousands of federal employees furloughed during the current Republican-driven government shutdown. This proposal is both preposterous and unlawful, as it would misrepresent congressional intent and contradict established legal interpretation.

The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (GEFTA) was enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support and signed by President Trump on January 16, 2019. It was explicitly intended to guarantee that all federal employees furloughed during any lapse in appropriations receive back pay once the government reopens. Upon receiving President Trump’s signature, the Trump White House described the law as “requir[ing] the compensation of government employees for wages lost, work performed, or leave used during a lapse in appropriations that begins on or after December 22, 2018.” The plain language of the statute, along with interpretations by the Trump administration’s Office of Personnel Management and the Council of Economic Advisers issued within the last two months, affirms that back pay is guaranteed at the end of a government shutdown. According to OPM’s guidance for a 2025 shutdown, “after the lapse in appropriations has ended, both excepted and furloughed employees will receive retroactive pay at the employee’s standard rate of pay.”

Reports suggest the White House has now conjured an unconvincingly narrow interpretation of the January 25, 2019 amendment to GEFTA, which provides that furloughed workers shall be compensated “subject to the enactment of appropriations Acts ending the lapse.” That language was a procedural clarification ensuring furloughed employees were eligible for backpay at the end of a shutdown. In no way does it constitute a limitation on whether backpay may be administered.

Any new OMB position that conditions back pay on a specific appropriation is a distortion of congressional intent and a transparent attempt to use federal employees as leverage in a political dispute. These are real people with families who rely on their paychecks to make ends meet and should not be subjected to additional harm for political gain.

We call on OMB to uphold the law as written and intended, ensuring that furloughed employees are entitled to full back pay consistent with GEFTA and prior executive branch guidance.

The Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 (GEFTA) was enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support and signed by President Trump on January 16, 2019. It was explicitly intended to guarantee that all federal employees furloughed during any lapse in appropriations receive back pay once the government reopens. Upon receiving President Trump’s signature, the Trump White House described the law as “requir[ing] the compensation of government employees for wages lost, work performed, or leave used during a lapse in appropriations that begins on or after December 22, 2018.” The plain language of the statute, along with interpretations by the Trump administration’s Office of Personnel Management and the Council of Economic Advisers issued within the last two months, affirms that back pay is guaranteed at the end of a government shutdown. According to OPM’s guidance for a 2025 shutdown, “after the lapse in appropriations has ended, both excepted and furloughed employees will receive retroactive pay at the employee’s standard rate of pay.”

Reports suggest the White House has now conjured an unconvincingly narrow interpretation of the January 25, 2019 amendment to GEFTA, which provides that furloughed workers shall be compensated “subject to the enactment of appropriations Acts ending the lapse.” That language was a procedural clarification ensuring furloughed employees were eligible for backpay at the end of a shutdown. In no way does it constitute a limitation on whether backpay may be administered. 

Any new OMB position that conditions back pay on a specific appropriation is a distortion of congressional intent and a transparent attempt to use federal employees as leverage in a political dispute. These are real people with families who rely on their paychecks to make ends meet and should not be subjected to additional harm for political gain.

We call on OMB to uphold the law as written and intended, ensuring that furloughed employees are entitled to full back pay consistent with GEFTA and prior executive branch guidance.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON— Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.), Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) released the following statement on the importance of reauthorizing the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA): 

“The United States and Africa share a proud history of partnership in international trade and cooperation. Since 2000, the Ways and Means Committee has been the architect, keeper and champion of AGOA, which has rightfully earned its place in the centerpiece of U.S. trade relations. AGOA has expanded trade and investment in sub-Saharan Africa while promoting job creation and strengthening democratic institutions and worker rights throughout the continent. 

“Allowing AGOA to expire is unacceptable. It has always been renewed on time and never lapsed. Letting it expire now, while the Trump Administration is already shrinking away from Africa by dismantling USAID and other development assistance programs, would be a grave mistake, undermining decades of trust, stability, and U.S. leadership. 

“At a time when the Trump administration is fueling an increasingly hostile and unlawful trade war, that is already shaking confidence and killing investment, turning our backs on African partners would be disastrous. We call on House Republicans to work with us to find a bipartisan solution to lift the IEEPA tariffs and reauthorize AGOA. AGOA has stood proudly as a beacon of bipartisan success, and it must remain so for many years to come.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez issued the following statement on the government shutdown:

“Republicans control the House, Senate and White House. This shutdown is a direct result of their failed leadership.

“Speaker Johnson and House Republicans rushed through a partisan bill that does nothing to prevent health care premiums from rising by as much as 114 percent for millions of Americans – knowing it had no chance of passing the Senate. They then cancelled votes and skipped town instead of negotiating.

“It’s time for Republicans to stop playing political games, return to the table and work with Democrats on a bipartisan solution that protects health care and reopens the government.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez released the following statement in response to President Trump’s announced tariffs on pharmaceuticals and other products to take effect on October 1:

“Prescription drug prices are already unaffordable for many Americans, and President Trump’s new tariffs will only drive costs higher. To make matters worse, he is also threatening additional tariffs on critical medical supplies, including everything from surgical masks to respirators and wheelchairs to hospital beds.

“Seniors and families cannot afford to see their medical bills go up any more under this president. And they can’t delay taking their medicine while they wait years for manufacturing to be moved to the United States — a ridiculous idea with the tariffs set to take effect in a matter of days. 

“It’s clear the president has no concrete plan to bring back manufacturing. He hasn’t invested in American workers or created an attractive, stable business climate for domestic investment. Instead, he has just issued thinly veiled threats and shakedowns that are meant to bring in more revenue for him to abuse, while leaving Americans more vulnerable and less healthy. 

“It’s on Republicans to stop caving to him and join Democrats to end this chaos and restore some sanity in this country.”

Background

Ranking Member Sánchez introduced the Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act, a bill that would turn off most of President Trump’s tariffs and require congressional approval for any new tariffs imposed by the president. The bill has the support of all Ways and Means Democrats.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Representatives Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) and Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) yesterday introduced the bipartisan Medicare Advantage Prompt Pay Act, a bill to improve Medicare Advantage’s (MA) billing practices, offer certainty to health care providers who contract with MA plans and ensure that seniors are not stuck with unfair, confusing or delayed bills after receiving critical care. 

“More than half of seniors eligible for Medicare are enrolled in Medicare Advantage,”said Congresswoman Sánchez. “However, too many are hit with confusing medical bills due to delayed and inconsistent Medicare Advantage billing practices. Our bipartisan bill will bring much-needed clarity to the system, ensuring healthcare providers are paid promptly and patients aren’t hit with unexpected bills long after they received care.”

“Medicare Advantage plans are delaying payments to rural hospitals and providers – resulting in service cuts, staff shortages, forced closures, and patients with unexpected medical bills months or even years later,” said Congressman Arrington. “My bipartisan Medicare Advantage Prompt Pay Act fixes this problem by requiring plans to pay hospitals and doctors on time or face penalty. By holding plans accountable and making the process more transparent, this bill protects patients, supports the hospitals and doctors who care for them, and ensures Medicare Advantage works as intended.”

“Nevadans who rely on Medicare Advantage deserve the peace of mind that when they go to the doctor’s office or hospital, their MA plan will pay providers for their care in a timely manner, and they won’t be sent a delayed bill many months later,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan legislation makes commonsense fixes to Medicare Advantage’s billing practices that will help health care providers and patients by bringing transparency and stability to the program.” 

“Tennessee seniors should not have to worry about whether their Medicare Advantage plan will pay for their care in a timely manner,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Medicare Advantage Prompt Pay Act would improve Medicare billing practices by offering certainty to health care providers who contract with MA plans, ensuring that seniors are not burdened by unfair or overdue bills.”

While Medicare Advantage plans provide critical coverage to seniors, health care providers regularly report service and payment delays, inconsistent policies, and inappropriate denials by MA plans. Currently, there are no clear guidelines for how quickly an MA plan must reimburse providers for in-network claims. This creates unnecessary delays that could lead to providers dropping contracts with plans, jeopardizing in-network access to care for many who rely on Medicare Advantage. 

The bill would address these issues by requiring MA plans to pay providers faster and more reliably. It defines ‘clean claims’ according to widely accepted national standards, sets minimum timely payment standards, and aligns rules for in-and out-of-network claims. These commonsense changes would give health care providers the certainty they need to keep partnering with MA plans and ensure that coverage continues to work for seniors.  

This legislation is endorsed by the Federation of American Hospitals, American Hospital Association, National Rural Health Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, America’s Essential Hospitals, American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Psychiatric Association, Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Nevada Hospital Association, Texas Hospital Association, California Hospital Association, Vizient and OCHIN. 

The full text of the bill can be found HERE. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Representatives Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) and Blake Moore (R-Utah) today introduced the bipartisan Fair Housing for Disabled Veterans Act, a bill to ensure that veterans’ service-related disability benefits are not used to deny veterans access to affordable housing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The full text of the bill can be found HERE. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of his legislation, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026, which will keep the government open and serving the American people:

“Today, my House Republican colleagues joined me in taking responsible action to keep our government open and working for the nation. Keeping the lights on is not a partisan issue – and this clean, short-term funding extension reflects that. By acting in good faith to prevent the chaos of a shutdown, we are preserving stability for families and communities, protecting the real progress already made on appropriations bills, and strengthening our position to complete the Fiscal Year 2026 process responsibly,” said Congressman Cole.

“The contrast with Democrats on this is telling. They tried to hijack a simple government funding extension with a partisan grab bag of unrelated provisions – demanding $1.5 trillion in new spending just to keep the government open for four weeks. It is wrong and they know it. House Republicans rejected that approach and chose stability, discipline, and results instead,” said Congressman Cole.

“I am very proud to have voted to keep the government open and serving the American people today, and I remain committed to completing the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process through regular order,” said Congressman Cole.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Last week, and every day since, Senate Democrats have vote to irresponsibly shut down the United States government – and the American people are paying the price.

The impact of this is real. A government shutdown means pain, risked livelihoods, and throwing the entire nation into chaos and uncertainty. It means the paychecks of some of our nation’s finest, like our military men and women, law enforcement, border patrol, and FAA employees, are halted. During the middle of hurricane season, it jeopardizes flood insurance. It cuts off nutrition support for low-income mothers and children in need. It furloughs and risks the jobs of federal employees throughout Oklahoma at Tinker Air Force Base, Fort Sill Army Installation, the FAA training center, Kerr Water Labs, the National Weather Center, and so much more. It threatens healthcare services, as federal health agencies are limited and the funding needed to process grants that support rural hospitals cannot be processed. It delays vital services for veterans, who we owe so much to. It jeopardizes our energy dominance and our national security.

These are not hypothetical consequences. These are very real, and every day families will bear the burden.

I authored the clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution that Democrats rejected and continue to reject day after day. It keeps the government open and working for the American people. Moreover, as the author, I can guarantee you I know exactly what is in the legislation: no partisan provisions, no poison pills, no political gimmicks. It really is just a short-term, responsible extension of government funding. 

My House Republican colleagues and I got our job done by passing my continuing resolution. Yet, my Democrat friends on the other side of the Rotunda continue to abandon the most basic duty of public service: keeping the government working for the people.

So, today, as I have every day and every year, I encourage them to put the American people first and join us in voting to keep the government open.