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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, who serves on the Caucus’s Executive Committee as a Vice Chairman, is welcoming the new Congressional Western Caucus Chairwoman, Congresswoman Celeste Maloy (Utah-02), who was already in a senior leadership position, and Executive Vice Chairman Congressman Nick Begich (Alaska), who is taking over Chairwoman Maloy’s former role as Executive Vice Chairman, in leading the Caucus for the remainder of the 119th Congress.

The Congressional Western Caucus held its election on January 22 to fill the vacancy of its chair, and Chairwoman Maloy was unanimously elected.

On Saturday, Congresswoman Amata traveled with Speaker Mike Johnson, incoming Chairwoman Celeste Maloy and fifteen Members of Congress to attend the late Chairman Doug LaMalfa’s celebration of life in Chico, California.

Vice Chairman Amata said, “Congratulations to Chairwoman Maloy and Executive Vice Chairman Begich. Both are excellent choices to lead our Caucus, and they will honor the legacy of our friend, the late Chairman Doug LaMalfa. Their districts provide deep familiarity of the issues we work on to champion rural and remote communities. Thank you to both of them for taking on these added leadership responsibilities.”

Congresswoman Amata continued, “The Congressional Western Caucus is one of the largest issue-based caucuses in Congress, including influential committee chairmen and senior Members of Congress within its membership, who often lead major legislation. The Caucus places a focus on the rural and remote parts of our great country, including distant places with technological, infrastructure, or health care access needs, so I’m happy to serve American Samoa as part of the Western Caucus, where issues often reflect some of our work in the Natural Resources Committee.”

Chairwoman Maloy said, “I am deeply honored and humbled to have been elected Chair of the Western Caucus. The trust my colleagues have placed in me especially as I step into the figuratively and literally large shoes of the late Chairman Doug LaMalfa is not lost on me. Doug was a relentless champion for rural America, and filling his shoes, along with those of

the leaders who came before him, is a tall order but it’s one I am ready to attack with everything I have. The Western Caucus name may suggest the West, but our mission is national. Rural America and natural resources live in every state, and I will lead this Caucus with urgency, strength, and grit to ensure those communities are heard, defended, and never ignored.”

Executive Vice Chairman Begich said, “I am honored to be elected Vice Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus and grateful for the confidence my colleagues have placed in me. I want to congratulate my colleague, Congresswoman Maloy from the great state of Utah who will serve as Chairwoman of the Caucus. The Western Caucus plays an important role in advancing policies that strengthen America’s rural communities and promote responsible resource development. These issues are especially important to Alaska, and I look forward to working with Chairman Maloy and my colleagues in the Caucus to ensure rural America has a strong voice in Congress.” Amata’s prior statement is HERE honoring the life and memory of her friend, the late Congressman LaMalfa, who was serving as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus at the time of his passing.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming House passage of major appropriations bills including transportation infrastructure funds she requested, working in communication with American Samoa Government, to include $1 million for the Port of Pago Pago reconstruction project.

“The Port of Pago Pago is critical to our entire supply process, and long-term upkeep and reconstruction efforts are essential to our future and local economy. The maintenance of our port would be part of Coast Guard considerations as they manage their home port decisions throughout U.S. coastlines. I’m delighted our request made it through this bill’s lengthy negotiations, and we’ll continue our efforts on funding priorities in the next appropriations round,” said Congresswoman Amata.

On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, with a bipartisan vote of 341 to 88. This major bill includes Defense, Labor-HHS-Education, and Transportation-HUD funding, effectively three appropriations bills in one. American Samoa’s port funding is part of the Transportation-HUD section.

The House also passed H.R. 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, with a vote of 220 to 207.

Together, these bills support all federal services in these respective areas, notably highways, health programs, and law enforcement.

These bills require Senate passage to become law but have already been through bicameral and bipartisan negotiations ahead of these votes. The House has now completed the 12 appropriations bills that fund the U.S. government for the fiscal year, and they are ready for the necessary Senate votes.

This package of appropriations bills lock in FY26 investments authorized by Congress in America’s military, emergency preparedness, education and health systems, transportation safety, border protections, and infrastructure nationwide.

Passage of all 12 bills highlights the House leadership goal of restoring regular order and fiscal accountability, by reducing reliance when possible on the short term extensions that have been increasingly common in recent years.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH) and 44 of their colleagues sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) demanding the immediate release of Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) funds that Congress has already appropriated and directed to be disbursed. The new letter follows previous letters on the issues led by Congressman Krishnamoorthi in August and Congressman Landsman in April.

In the letter, the Members warn that DHS and FEMA’s continued failure to release EFSP reimbursements is unlawful and is depriving local governments and nonprofit organizations of critical resources needed to keep families fed, housed, and alive. The Members note that nearly $117 million in EFSP funding was frozen in January 2025 and remains withheld a year later, despite a federal court order requiring the funds to be released.

EFSP is a long-standing, life-saving program that enables local governments and nonprofit organizations to provide shelter, food, and emergency assistance to individuals and families experiencing hunger or homelessness. By continuing to withhold these funds, local governments and organizations cannot aid families in crisis.

In the letter, Congressmen Krishnamoorthi and Landsman lay out the real-world consequences of these delays for communities nationwide, including in Illinois. In 2024, the EFSP provided over $5 million in funding to more than 70 counties. However, none of the promised funds have been disbursed, and organizations approved months ago are still waiting.

The letter also raises concern that these delays are occurring amid broader uncertainty about the future of FEMA, heightening anxiety among service providers already waiting for overdue EFSP dollars. 

Given the seriousness of DHS and FEMA’s actions, the Members are requesting answers to the following questions no later than February 26, 2026:

1. Under what statutory authority is FEMA withholding EFSP funds that Congress has already appropriated, obligated, and directed the agency to disburse? Please cite the exact legal provisions you believe permitted this continued delay.
2. GAO has concluded that FEMA’s refusal to release EFSP grants is unlawful and constitutes a violation of the Impoundment Control Act. What specific actions are FEMA taking to come into immediate compliance with this finding, and on what date will all overdue EFSP funds be fully disbursed?
3. If FEMA’s structure or responsibilities are modified, reduced, or dissolved, what binding assurances can you provide that EFSP recipients will receive timely notice and uninterrupted access to the federal support they have been promised? How will the Administration ensure continued assistance for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or food insecurity during any such transition?

The full letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Last week, Representative Jerrold Nadler voted for the FY2026 appropriations package that includes important funding wins for New York City.  

“It is always my number one priority to improve the lives of New Yorkers,” said Congressman Nadler. “These incredible funding wins will do just that. They will improve accessibility, preserve history, upgrade affordable housing, and modernize our parks across Manhattan. I am proud to have fought for and secured this funding, especially at a time when the Trump Administration threatens New York at every turn.”

The appropriations minibus includes ten Community Project Funding requests. They are: 

$3,150,000 to restore and preserve the historic Swedish Cottage in Central Park. The revitalization includes improving the building’s accessibility and modernizing its electrical wiring.

$2,000,000 to renovate Ralph Bunche Park to improve accessibility, safety, and usability. The renovation will create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for residents, workers, and visitors in Midtown East. 

$2,000,000 to upgrade and preserve affordable housing at the Thomas Apartments. Planned improvements include modernization of critical building systems, enhanced living conditions, and preservation of long-term affordability for low-income residents. 

$1,200,000 to replace outdated elevators at the Harborview Terrace NYCHA complex. This upgrade is essential to ensure safe, accessible, and reliable service for residents, especially seniors and individuals with disabilities.  

$850,000 to repair and improve pedestrian pathways throughout Central Park, enhancing safety, accessibility, and infrastructure resilience in one of the nation’s most visited public parks.   

$850,000 to reconstruct and modernize Seabury Playground, addressing safety and accessibility issues to create a resilient, inclusive recreational space for Upper East Side families.  

$850,000 to construct a new ADA-accessible entrance at West 16th Street, ensuring equitable access to the High Line for all visitors and enhancing mobility at a major public park and cultural destination.  

$850,000 to rehabilitate restroom facilities across Hudson River Park, improving cleanliness, safety, and accessibility for millions of annual park visitors.   

$500,000 to revitalize play spaces and outdoor learning areas at the Joan of Arc Educational Complex, thereby enhancing the educational and recreational infrastructure for students and neighborhood families.   

$250,000 to modernize the Roosevelt Island Tram through structural upgrades, improved accessibility features, and enhanced safety systems, ensuring continued reliable transit service.  

More information about Representative Nadler’s FY2026 Community Project Funding requests can be found here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) participated in a Ways and Means Committee hearing on healthcare affordability. The purpose of this hearing was to investigate rising healthcare costs by examining the role of large, vertically integrated health care companies that control affiliates including health insurance carriers, pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and medical practices.  A video and transcript of the Congresswoman’s questions and provided responses can be found below. 

Congresswoman Miller began by highlighting the challenges rural patients face when accessing medical care. She then discussed the rising disparity between insurers’ profits and the costs of medicine and physician services before questioning the witness on the causes of this disparity. 
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, DC – At an Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing this week, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), grilled health insurance CEOs for their companies’ repeated abuse of prior authorization to delay and deny patients’ health care, especially those on Medicare Advantage. 

 “Your companies are charging more, paying less, and then delaying or even denying care due to abusive demands for prior authorizations… Particularly when it comes to Medicare Advantage, not only do you delay that care with prior authorization demands, you sometimes flat-out deny claims after the services are already rendered,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. 

 Congresswoman Schrier took UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Hemsley to task for his company’s conduct – UnitedHealth has a history of Medicare Advantage abuse, demanding more prior authorization than other insurance companies that take care of Medicare Advantage patients. Approximately 80% of UnitedHealth patients who appeal their denied claims have their denials partially or fully reversed, leading to serious questions as to why their claims were originally denied. 

 “To the rest of us, this looks like your business model – it looks like you bet on wearing patients down, on them not appealing, and then they either decide to just eat the costs or they die before they get the care that they need,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “My constituents are sick of it, we’re sick of it, doctors are sick of it, and people deserve better. We need Medicare Advantage reform now.”

 To watch Congresswoman Schrier’s full remarks, click here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement in response to the shooting death of an American citizen by DHS agents in Minneapolis earlier this morning:

For the second time this month, the US government has the blood of an American citizen on its hands. 

Federal immigration agents shot and killed another American in Minneapolis this morning. DHS agents are out of control, resulting in terrified American cities and needless deaths at the hands of our own government. Meanwhile, President Trump, Kristi Noem, and the rest of their pitiful team continue to encourage the violence and lie about the facts. 

It needs to stop now. The world is watching.

Here’s what needs to happen next. 

ICE and CBP need to get out of Minneapolis.

Every agent involved in this shooting must be suspended pending a full and independent investigation and ultimately held to account for their actions today. 

Every shooting by federal agents must be independently investigated. 

ICE and CBP must suspend all enforcement actions that do not involve a specific court order until an investigation into this violence is complete and proper oversight and accountability measures into their conduct are established. 

And, Kristi Noem has got to go. She needs to resign or be fired. If not, Congress must act.

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

Headline: Carter spotlights $4 million in funding for road infrastructure improvements in Pooler

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today announced $4 million in funding for Phase II of Quacco Road improvements in Pooler, Georgia, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.

This funding will widen, enhance traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve safety along this key corridor.

“As the former mayor and longtime resident of Pooler, I’ve witnessed the city’s population explode over the past few decades, leading to strong economic activity and an increase in demand for our roadways,” said Rep. Carter. “As Pooler continues to grow and develop into an economic powerhouse, and this funding will help increase efficiency for current and future residents alike.”  

“Representative Buddy Carter’s support for $4 million in transportation funding represents a significant investment in Pooler’s future,” said City Manager Heath Lloyd. “These resources will enhance safety, improve connectivity, and help ensure our transportation network keeps pace with the rapid growth occurring in our community. We appreciate Representative Carter’s continued advocacy for Pooler and his understanding of the infrastructure needs facing growing cities like ours…here we GROW again!”

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

Headline: ICYMI: Carter presses insurers, PBMs on rising costs as CEOs face scrutiny

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) led a press conference calling for insurance and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform as the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees questioned the CEOs of the nation’s largest health insurers on practices driving higher costs and limiting patient access.

Rep. Carter was joined by members of these committees, Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Rep. Rick Allen (R-GA), and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), in calling for greater transparency and accountability from insurance companies and reform of the PBM industry. These leaders on reform underscored the negative impact of insurer and PBM practices on patients, including increased integration, higher prescription drug prices, and reduced access to life-saving medications, all while these companies line their pockets at the expense of patients.

Rep. Carter Hosts PBM Press Conference

 

Click here to watch

“Across the country, Americans are paying more in premiums, more out-of-pocket, and more at the pharmacy counter, while, at the same time, seeing fewer choices and more restrictions on their care,” said Rep. Carter. “In 2024, the seven largest insurers raked in $1.5 trillion in revenues and reported $71 billion in profits. That raises a very basic question: Is this system designed to serve patients or the companies’ shareholders? It should not be controversial to say that health insurance exists to serve patients. But too often today, it feels like patients are the ones serving the system.”

“Where do those rebates go? Through the PBM. When they own the pharmacy counter, they control physician referrals, and they are the biggest owner of physician groups in the country. Ten percent of physicians are ruled by these insurance companies. They answer to the insurance companies,” said Rep. Harshbarger. “If you don’t remember anything I say, remember this: That’s not competition. That is control, and they control the health care system.”

“PBM reform and bringing down health care costs for American families is a pressing issue, not only in my rural district in Georgia, but across the nation,” said Rep. Allen. “Community pharmacies, which are critical to our rural communities, have consistently pushed for transparency into PBM operations and reforms to their tactics. I have heard about it time and time again in my district. All they want is a fair playing field.”

“When we talk about affordability and health care, we know that it’s the insurance companies and the pharmacy benefit managers that they own that are the reason why prescription drugs are so high and why health insurance premiums are so unaffordable,” said Rep. Malliotakis. “They have vertically integrated the health care system in a way where they are the insurer, they are the PBM, they are the pharmacy, and they sometimes are even the doctor. They’re controlling each and every step of the process.”

Rep. Carter was also joined at the press conference by pharmacists, pharmacy students and pharmacy owners, including by Leroy Strickland of Clayton Pharmacy in Breman, GA, and Jim and Kimberly Richards of Corner Drugs in Chatsworth, GA. All have firsthand experience with the damage that PBMs and insurers have done to patients by restricting medication access and rising costs.

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

Today, Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01) along with the entire Washington congressional delegation, urged President Donald Trump to approve Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance to unlock an estimated $21.3 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resources for families whose homes were destroyed or significantly damaged in the extreme flooding that hit Washington in December.

A Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance ensures that disaster survivors have access to a full range of authorized programs and services, including housing assistance, disaster case management, and crisis counseling. This is the first of two Major Disaster Declaration requests the Governor is expected to make in response to the December flooding; the second will be for funding to help repair Washington state’s damaged infrastructure.

From early to mid-December, severe storms and devastating flooding battered Washington state, threatening lives, property, businesses, and livestock across the state. The flooding caused severe damage that wreaked havoc in communities across Washington and is among the most devastating natural disasters to ever hit the state. Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes, nearly 4,000 homes across 17 counties were affected by flooding, more than 11 percent of affected homes were destroyed or severely damaged, and thousands of homes will require significant repair or replacement.

“We write in support of Washington state’s January 21, 2026 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating flood damages incurred from December 5 through December 22. The individual assistance requested by Governor Ferguson is essential for the thousands of Washingtonians whose homes were destroyed or significantly damaged,” DelBene and the other delegation members wrote in a letter. “We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible.”

Joining DelBene in the letter to President Trump were Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), Emily Randall (WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).

“This system of ‘atmospheric rivers’ has brought torrential rain, wind, and snow to much of the region, resulting in record-breaking flooding and power outages for thousands of residents. Hundreds of communities were immediately at risk, forcing hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians across the state to evacuate, including the entire city of Burlington and Sedro-Woolley. In the city of Pacific, a breached levee left hundreds of homes vulnerable to floodwater. This storm claimed the life of one Washingtonian and has damaged the homes and livelihoods of many more,” the Members continued.

“From the Olympic Peninsula to Central Washington, communities across the state experienced devastating losses. An initial assessment found that catastrophic flooding and devastating winds affected nearly 4,000 homes across 17 counties. More than eleven percent of affected homes were destroyed or severely damaged and thousands of residences will require significant repair or replacement,” the letter concluded. “While the state was able to provide some assistance for residents whose homes were severely impacted, it requires additional federal support to meet the need across the state.”

If FEMA approves Individual Assistance as part of the major disaster declaration, residents would be able to apply for assistance directly with FEMA. Governor Ferguson’s request currently includes Chelan, Grays Harbor, King, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties, as well as 15 federally recognized Tribal nations.

Back in December, Washington’s congressional delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Ferguson’s request for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating storms and severe flooding hitting Washington state. That request was approved. 

The full letter can be found here.