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

WASHINGTON – Representative Lauren Underwood, a registered nurse, introduced bipartisan legislation to improve access to substance use disorder treatment for seniors. The Residential Recovery for Seniors Act would require Medicare to cover high-quality residential addiction treatment programs. The legislation is co-led by Reps. Paul Tonko (NY-20), Carol Miller (WV-01), and David Valadao (CA-22).

“Substance use disorders among seniors are on the rise, and I’ve heard from so many families who have lost older relatives to addiction,” said Representative Lauren Underwood. “We cannot accept this as a new normal. Our bipartisan legislation will make sure seniors in our communities can get help when they need it and have access to the high-quality recovery care that they deserve.”

“The disease of addiction has touched every corner of our communities, so our response addressing this crisis must be equally extensive,” said Congressman Paul Tonko. “Given the alarming rise in substance use disorder among our seniors, making sure they have the treatment and care they need is of particular importance. Our Residential Recovery for Seniors Act delivers that lifesaving care for older adults and people with disabilities. I’m proud to join my colleagues in pushing this commonsense, compassionate bill, that delivers the support needed to those on the path to recovery.”

“In a state where seniors represent more than 20 percent of the population, substance use disorders among older adults remain a serious yet frequently overlooked challenge. This bill is an important step to expand access to recovery care for seniors and support families facing addiction. By allowing Medicare to cover residential addiction treatment programs, we are strengthening the continuum of care and ensuring seniors have access to structured, medically appropriate recovery services when they need them most,” said Congresswoman Carol Miller.

“Substance use disorder can affect anyone, and over the last two decades, overdose deaths among older Americans have increased at an alarming rate,” said Congressman Valadao. “While Medicaid covers residential addiction treatment, too many seniors who rely on Medicare are left without access to these critical services or forced to pay out-of-pocket for expensive services they can’t afford. In the Central Valley, we’ve seen the devastating impact of the opioid crisis firsthand, and we need to ensure every American has the care they need to recover. I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this bipartisan bill to expand access to lifesaving treatment and better support seniors struggling with substance use disorder.”

Around 7 million seniors have a substance use disorder, but accessing addiction treatment is difficult for many seniors because Medicare does not cover the residential treatment many patients require. This gap in coverage can cause delays in care, seriously worsening their condition or even leading to hospitalization.

The Residential Recovery for Seniors Act would expand Medicare coverage for residential treatment options for older adults, and people with disabilities, by creating a new benefit under Medicare Part A.

The Residential Recovery for Seniors Act is endorsed by the following organizations: American Society of Addiction Medicine, Legal Action Center, Pyramid Healthcare, Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, Smart Recovery, The Kennedy Forum, Treatment Communities of America, New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addictions Agencies Inc., National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, HIV Alliance, Shatterproof, Gaudenzia, Faces & Voices of Recovery, Powell Recovery Center, Inc, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, and the Mental Health Association of Maryland.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

VIDEO: Rep. Jimmy Gomez Delivers Update on Relief Efforts for Families Impacted by the Lineage Logistics Fire

Congressman urges residents still in need of assistance to contact his office as recovery efforts continue

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

VIDEO: Rep. Jimmy Gomez Delivers Air Purifiers to Small Businesses Impacted by Lineage Logistics Fire

Congressman urges residents to support local businesses recovering from smoke and poor air quality

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

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) released the following statement on the United States of America’s 250th anniversary of independence:  

“As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence, we reflect on the extraordinary courage and conviction of the patriots who gathered in Philadelphia to declare that all people are created equal and endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

“For two and a half centuries, generations of Americans have worked to preserve and strengthen the freedoms established by our Founding Fathers. From the brave men and women who have defended our nation in uniform to the countless Americans who have contributed to their communities, each generation has helped carry forward the promise of the American dream.  

“The United States of America is the longest lasting, freely elected government in the world. As we commemorate this historic milestone, we honor our nation’s rich history, celebrate the enduring principles that unite us, and further liberty and opportunity for future generations. As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, it is a tremendous honor to represent the people of Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District and continue working to preserve the freedoms and opportunities that have made out nation the best nation in the world. May God continue to bless the United States of America, and happy Independence Day.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that, as the nation today celebrates its milestone 250^th anniversary of declaring independence from Great Britain in part because of taxation without representation, Congress must take the nation’s founding slogan to heart and pass her D.C. statehood bill.

“Forcing the nearly 700,000 Americans who live in the nation’s capital to continue to live as second-class citizens doesn’t just violate a main pillar of the revolution that sent our Founders to war, it betrays the very spirit of July 4th itself,” Norton said. “On no other holiday is our nation’s inequitable treatment of D.C. residents more deeply felt or more at odds with the nation’s democratic values than on July 4th. District residents not only pay federal taxes without voting representation in Congress, they pay more federal taxes per capita than the residents of any state in the nation.

“July 4th doesn’t allow us to look away. It summons our moral outrage to continue our fight for statehood, for equality, and for the full benefits of citizenship that these 700,000 Americans have always deserved.

“As my time representing D.C. comes to a close, I carry both frustration and hope. Statehood will not come on my watch; not under this Congress and not under this White House. But I know the fight I’ve waged for the last three decades has not been in vain. Every injustice I’ve named and every wrong I’ve brought to light related to statehood is a stone laid in the foundation for those who come after me. My hope is that the next generation of D.C.’s leaders will finish what we started, finally delivering the full measure of American citizenship to the 700,000 people who live in our nation’s capital.”

Under Norton’s leadership the House passed the D.C. statehood bill twice, for the first two times in history. D.C. pays more federal taxes than 26 states and more federal taxes per capita than any state.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, known as Independence Day:

“As we mark this milestone anniversary of our nation’s independence, let us do so as our Framers intended: ‘out of many, one.’

“Born in defiance, nurtured through revolution, and tempered in our upbringing by challenge after challenge, America at 250 nevertheless remains a young nation, ever focused on the open horizon ahead. Much we have overcome, much we will surely still face. Our democracy, while imperfect, continues to be history’s greatest experiment in striving for a more perfect society.

“I have had the honor of serving in state and federal elected office for nearly a quarter of our history as an independent nation. During that time, I have seen our republic at its best and at its most strained. I have seen moments of bipartisan unity and bitter division. No matter what we faced in our politics, however, so far we have met Benjamin Franklin’s challenge to his fellow Americans. We have kept our republic, which was no small task.

“As we look to America’s next 250 years and beyond, let us renew our resolve to keep fighting for our Constitution and the ideals espoused by our Declaration of Independence. We are better served by standing together than apart, by finding commonality with our neighbors than by highlighting our disagreements. Let us embrace what I call the psychology of consensus – not only in Congress but in our daily interactions as fellow Americans – and seek foremost what we can achieve through unity of purpose.

“May God bless America, this land that we love, and all who defend and sustain it.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

San Francisco — Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the 250th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress adopting the Declaration of Independence:

“250 years ago, brave patriots gathered to declare independence with the ideals that all are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights. Their work was unfinished, but they entrusted future generations with the sacred responsibility of democracy—of constantly striving to build a more perfect Union. Today, it is our turn to accept that responsibility as we continue to conduct the great American experiment.

“As America celebrates our 250th anniversary, let us remember that our founders believed democracy would succeed because of the goodness of the American people. Their faith has sustained our nation across centuries and through moments of both triumph and trial. It reminds us that America is strongest when we are guided by faith and charity—which gives us hope.

“After 250 years, it is my hope that We the People remain committed to ensuring our Flag is still there with liberty and justice for all—because the work of democracy is never finished. It requires courage, participation and an unwavering belief that tomorrow can be better than today. That has always been America’s promise, and it must be our resolve for the next 250 years and beyond. Happy Independence Day!”

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

Headline: Scott Statement on America 250

NEWPORT NEWS – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on America 250: 

“As we commemorate America 250, we have an opportunity to reflect not only on how far our nation has come, but also on the work that remains to ensure the promise of America is available to everyone.

“Throughout our history, our country has moved forward because ordinary people refused to accept that freedom, opportunity, and justice should belong only to a select few. Generation after generation, Americans have challenged our nation to live up to its founding ideals: that all people are created equal, that justice should be impartial, and that one’s opportunity should not depend on one’s race, wealth, or circumstance.

“From the abolition of slavery and Reconstruction to Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act, our nation has taken important steps toward fulfilling those ideals. Each of these milestones expanded opportunity, strengthened our democracy, and brought us closer to becoming the nation we aspire to be. But none of this progress was inevitable. It was achieved because Americans organized, marched, advocated, voted, and never stopped believing that our country could do better.

“As we look ahead to our next 250 years, we must also be honest about the challenges before us. Across the country, rights and opportunities that generations fought to secure are being challenged. Access to the ballot box, equal educational opportunity, reproductive freedom, and long-standing protections against discrimination are no longer issues we can take for granted. Progress that took decades to achieve can be weakened if we fail to defend it.

“But America’s history also shows us that when our nation falls short of its ideals, Americans rise to meet the moment. Every major advance in our history was achieved because people refused to accept setbacks as permanent and worked together to move our country forward. The responsibility to protect our democracy and expand opportunity now belongs to us, just as it belonged to those who came before us.

“That is why I remain optimistic about America’s future. Our story has never been one of perfection. It has been a story of progress, sometimes painfully won. If we remain committed to equal justice, democratic participation, and opportunity for all, then future generations will inherit a nation that is stronger, more inclusive, and closer to the promise of a more perfect Union. That work continues today, and together, we can ensure that America’s best days remain ahead.”
 

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

WHITTIER, Calif. – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence:
“Our country was founded on an enduring promise: that all people are created equal and have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For 250 years, we have strived to live up to that promise, working to build a more perfect union even in the face of extraordinary challenges.

“Like millions of immigrants before them, my parents came to this country believing in that promise and instilled that faith in my siblings and me. It has guided my career fighting for working families, defending our democracy and expanding opportunity for everyone.

“Today, we celebrate our nation’s founding, honor those who came before us and recommit ourselves to building a future that lives up to our highest ideals.

“Happy Independence Day! May the next 250 years bring us ever closer to fulfilling the promise of America.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $5,580,000 to Easton Airport in Talbot County through the Airport Improvement Program.

The awards include $3,396,293 for runway paving and expansion of the Runway 4/22 safety area and $2,183,707 for additional runway paving and a 900-foot extension of Runway 4/22. Together, the projects will improve safety and bring the runway into conformity with current FAA standards.

Statement from Congressman Harris:

“Easton Airport is a key part of Maryland’s Eastern Shore transportation network. These FAA investments will advance critical runway improvements, and I’m proud to have helped deliver the funding needed to keep the project on track.”

For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov