MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $428,578 research grant. The funding supports research into focused ultrasound therapies for tendinopathies, which are chronic pains in the tendons. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Many people suffer from tendinopathies, such as tendonitis and tendinosis. 

“This HHS grant for more than $428,000 helps Virginia Tech test focused ultrasound therapies for the treatment of tendinopathies.”

BACKGROUND

Earlier this month, Congressman Griffith visited the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC in Roanoke, Virginia. The Institute is responsible for more than 40 faculty-led research teams. Congressman Griffith spoke with Institute leadership and met with different research leaders to learn more about their progress.

This August, Congressman Griffith announced a series of HHS grants to Virginia Tech for research.

In July, Congressman Griffith announced separate HHS grants to Virginia Tech for cancer research.

The awarding office of this HHS grant is the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

August 19, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today introduced the Health Privacy From Global Bureaucrats Act. This bill prohibits the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from sharing taxpayer, patient, and vaccine data with the World Health Organization (WHO) and foreign governments.
“No foreign government or international organization should have unfettered access to your private medical records and tax returns,” said Rep. Steube. “Americans deserve the peace of mind knowing their personal information is not being passed around the World Health Organization and neighboring states. My bill will make sure bureaucrats at the IRS and HHS respect your right to privacy as a U.S. citizen.” 
Background: The Health Privacy From Global Bureaucrats Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of the Treasury to prohibit the release of taxpayer, patient, and vaccine data to the World Health Organization and foreign governments.
Read the full bill text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), as a member of the Congressional Arts Caucus, today introduced the Fine Arts Protection Act with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) to hold the Trump administration accountable for protecting historical works of art owned by the federal government.

The legislation directs the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to survey the art in General Services Administration (GSA)’s Fine Arts collection, provide an estimate of the value of the collection, and examine whether GSA is the best suited agency to house the collection.

“Trump’s decimation of the Fine Arts Program at GSA threatens the preservation of national artwork reflecting our rich, diverse culture and history,” said Rep. Titus. “It is critical that we hold our federal agencies accountable for protecting these national treasures and ensure the public has full access to the 26,000 works of art exhibited in museums and federal buildings around the country. The Fine Arts Protection Act will safeguard the public’s right to access art dating back to the 1850s and will maintain the preservation of historical artifacts that describe our shared American story, like Ben Shahn’s 1942 fresco The Meaning of Social Security. Art commissioned by the federal government is a vital part of our national heritage and deserves to be preserved for future generations. Yet Trump continues his assault on American culture, turning our artistic institutions into his own propaganda machine.” 

“The Trump Administration’s mass layoffs at the GSA’s Fine Arts Program have put the future of more than 26,000 works of public art in jeopardy — from New Deal murals to modern masterpieces that tell the story of our nation’s history and values. Gutting the very staff responsible for preserving and inspecting these works leaves priceless cultural treasures at risk of neglect, damage, or even disappearance,” said Rep. Pingree, Co-Chair of the bipartisan Arts Caucus. “The public has a right to know the value and condition of art commissioned with their tax dollars, and to be assured it will be cared for and accessible for generations to come. The Fine Arts Protection Act will bring critical transparency and accountability to the stewardship of this collection, ensuring these treasured works remain accessible to the people they were created for.”

Representatives Nadler, Kamlager-Dove, Holmes Norton, and Johnson also signed onto the Fine Arts Protection Act as original cosponsors.

Background

Through its Fine Arts Program, GSA maintains one of the oldest and largest public arts collections in the United States. The civic artworks in the collection date back to the 1850s and are displayed in federal buildings and courthouses across the United States. Through this program, GSA also manages art that was created under New Deal programs. Today, more than 20,000 New Deal works of art are on long-term loan to museums and other nonprofit institutions.

In April of 2025, Rep. Dina Titus led other members of the Congressional Arts Caucus in a letter to GSA raising concern over reports that over half of the Fine Arts Program’s staff, who play a critical role in preserving the collection, had been put on leave. The letter underscored that art plays an important role in helping us preserve and understand our country’s history. It also asserted that the public has a right to access art that was commissioned by the federal government.

As Co-Chair of the Congressional Humanities Caucus and a member of the Congressional Arts Caucus, Congresswoman Titus has fought to protect historical and cultural artifacts from attacks under the Trump Administration. In May 2025, Congresswoman Titus published an op-ed sounding the alarm on the Administration’s unprecedented attacks on the nation’s cultural fabric.

During the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, Congresswoman Titus’s letter calling for robust funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities garnered a record 153 bipartisan signers, reflecting the enduring support these institutions have across the political aisle and the widespread recognition of their importance in our communities.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Speaker Johnson’s office – in coordination with the Bossier Clerk of Court Jill Sessions – will host a passport fair for all Louisiana residents hoping to either renew or acquire a passport. Any Louisianian with upcoming plans to travel outside of the country is encouraged to attend and prevent future passport emergencies.

Click here for details and required documents to bring on Tuesday, courtesy of the Bossier City Clerk of Court.

WHO: Speaker Johnson’s Staff, Bossier Clerk of Court Staff

WHAT: Passport Fair

WHEN: Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 10:00AM – 2:00PM

WHERE: Bossier Parish Courthouse, 204 Burt Blvd., 3^rd Floor, Benton, LA 71006

For more information, please contact Speaker Johnson’s Bossier City Office at 318-840-0309 or direct questions pertaining to passport applications to the Bossier Parish Clerk of Court at 318-965-2336.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — One month after President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill, the American people are celebrating the historic wins included in the legislation. Republicansprevented the largest tax hike in American history for working-class families and also secured additional tax savings for millions of tipped and hourly workers. 

The One Big Beautiful Bill eliminates federal taxes on tips and overtime pay, putting real money back into the pockets of the Americans who keep this country running. These changes mean an extra $1,500 a year for tipped workers and hourly employees working overtime.

“The One Big Beautiful Bill wasn’t written for the elites, the media, or a political party – it was written by and for hardworking Americans,” Speaker Johnson said. “With this historic bill, we’re eliminating tax on tips and overtime so that millions of American workers will get to keep more of what they earn. No matter their job or their zip code, Americans are going to feel real, positive results from this legislation.”

Here’s what Americans are saying about no taxes on tips and overtime:

“I think it is going to help a lot of people in the server industry, especially mothers, single mothers.” — Candace Wright, Server, Alabama

“I think that [Not Tax on Tips] really has a farther reach than we’ve yet to see. And I’m really excited about this for a lot of people that work hard and I feel are undervalued and unappreciated.” — Rob Barker, Restaurant Manager, North Carolina

“Tips are like 90% of my income. A little more money in the working people’s pocket lets us enjoy our cities a bit more.” — Hugo Lanos, Bartender, Florida

“It will help our team make a lot better plans of what they will utilize their money for…” — Mike Ellis, County Coroner, South Carolina

“Any more money on our checks is going to be better — that we don’t have to give to the government.” — Jake Gambache, Bartender, Minnesota

“Well, I have four children, so that extra money will be pretty handy. So it would either go towards them or towards my house bills.” — Liz Johnson, Restaurant Worker, Michigan

“I feel like I’ll be able to save a lot more money. We appreciate being able to keep a little bit more of what people give us.” — Kelly Metzger, Server, Ohio

“The Big Beautiful Bill which will end taxes on tips makes things a lot easier around the Taylor household. [B]eing able to keep all of my tips will make it a lot easier for me to afford these extra things that we might not be able to do otherwise.” — Jessica Taylor, Server, Minnesota

“Many of our folks are part-time, either supplemental income to the family or are students putting themselves through school… this will help them achieve their goals.” — Susan Quam, VP, Wisconsin Restaurant Association

“No tax on tips is important to me and my family because it returns more of the hard-earned money that we’ve earned to our family to be able to provide for the incidentals in our family including my son’s medical needs, and ensure that we are able to pay for my older two’s college educations.” — Maliki Krieski, DoorDash Driver, Wisconsin

“Having somebody step in and be more willing to help out because they know that they’re not going to be taxed on that overtime — it will make a HUGE difference.” — Avery Harrell, Nurse, Texas

“We have definitely in our hospitality world — we keep money set aside to prepare for the taxes we have to pay so it will be nice to be able, instead of saving for taxes, to be saving for our future.”— Tyler Michael Ogle, Server, Nevada

“We’ve always owed at the end of the year. This time, I might be able to put it into a college fund.”— Jessica Burrus, Waitress, California

“I think any amount of money saved will have great impact… that would affect absolutely every non-manager in the house. Everybody’s tipped here.” — Chuck Bussler, Restaurant Owner, Hawaii

“You’re talking $2,500 to $3,000 in their pocket a year. That’s real life-changing money.” — Kyle Citrano, Restaurant, Texas

“A lot of people look to restaurants as like a starter job for them or maybe a start to the restaurant industry. So I think we can get a wider variety of applicants if we don’t tax their tips.”— Dutney Block, Restaurant Manager, Nevada

“It will definitely mean more money for groceries. If my grandma needs something, I’ll be able to help her out.” — Michael Cooke, Server, Louisiana

“No taxes. That’s pretty good for my employees – they generate quite a bit of tips. It’s going to help them a lot.” — David Thao, Café Owner, California

“It means more knowing that the money you meant for the person is actually going to the person.” — Hannah Soltay, Server, Ohio

“I believe this is going to generate more spending around the town, and maybe even travel in the future. Or people can start saving and make bigger purchases along the way.” — Devin Williams, Waiter, Georgia

“I’ll be able to do a little bit more with my money. I might stash a little bit more away for having to pay for college or groceries, and just like helping out around with my parents and whatnot.” — Owen Reibel, Server, North Carolina

BOTTOM LINE: Republicans are delivering historic, targeted tax relief while Democrats stood in the way. The One Big Beautiful Bill fulfills President Trump’s promises — and proves that when Republicans govern, working Americans win.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2025

Contact: Liam.Forsythe@mail.house.gov

Rep. Barragán Marks 90th Anniversary of Social Security at Lynwood Senior Center, Pledges to Fight Cuts and Protect Benefits

LYNWOOD, CA — Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) joined seniors at the Lynwood Senior Center to mark the 90th anniversary of Social Security as part of the House Democrats’ Save Social Security Day of Action. Barragán warned that the Trump administration’s deep cuts to the Social Security Administration (SSA) are making it harder for Americans to receive the benefits they’ve earned and pledged to fight back against efforts to undermine the program.

“Social Security is not a gift, it’s your money, your benefits, and the government’s promise to you,” said Rep. Barragán. “Under Donald Trump, the SSA has lost 7,000 workers, the largest staffing cut in its history, leading to longer wait times, closed field offices, and fewer services. These cuts threaten the livelihoods of more than 6.3 million Californians, including over 115,000 in my district. I will fight like hell to protect Social Security so every American can retire with dignity.”

The Lynwood Senior Center, which opened in 2007, serves as a hub for recreation, wellness, and social services for residents 55 and older. In Fiscal Year 2024, Rep. Barragán secured $1 million in federal funding to upgrade the center’s facilities, including roof and HVAC repairs, kitchen improvements, and a new senior fitness zone.

During her visit, Rep. Barragán heard directly from seniors about the importance of Social Security and the challenges they face accessing services. She highlighted her support for legislation like the Hands Off Social Security Act, which would require congressional approval for any changes to benefits or SSA operations, and theSocial Security 2100 Act, which would expand benefits by requiring the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share.

“Social Security has kept millions of Americans out of poverty for 90 years,” Barragán added. “We owe it to future generations to protect and strengthen this program for the next 90 years and beyond.”

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

Headline: Carter Lands Federal Grant to Improve Pooler Recreation Center

POOLER, GA – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today announced a grant award through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to the City of Pooler for improvements to the Pooler Recreation Center. 

The matching $250,000 grant is part of LWCF’s mission to protect a “seamless system of parks from backyard to backcountry.” This project will rehabilitate a playground, develop a splashpad, install landscaping, and make general site improvements.

“I was proud to help secure this funding for the City of Pooler. When completed, the Pooler Recreation Center will be an excellent place to beat the South Georgia heat and get kids outside. It’s important that we invest in community hubs like this, so all children and families can play and enjoy the great outdoors,” said Rep. Carter. “Exercise is an important part of this administration’s mission to Make America Healthy Again.”

“We are excited to accept the grant support from the Land Water and Conservation Fund! This investment will help build on Pooler’s commitment to creating a welcoming space for our community to stay active outdoors and ensuring Pooler continues to be the recreation leader for the region,” said Pooler Mayor Karen L. Williams. “We are grateful for Congressman Carter’s support in fostering healthy and active lifestyles for our residents.”

The LWCF was made permanent by the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, supported by Rep. Carter.

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

Headline: Carter Celebrates Trump Executive Order Advancing Key Priorities of the American-Made Medicines Caucus

Carter Celebrates Trump Executive Order Advancing Key Priorities of the American-Made Medicines Caucus

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

Headline: ICYMI: Carter Hosts Roundtable on Meeting Georgia’s Energy Demand with American Petroleum Institute

ATLANTA, GA – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) hosted a roundtable with American Petroleum Institute (API) examining how the federal government can help alleviate the increase in forecasted demand for Georgia’s energy grid.

From left to right: Justin Sykes, Cynthia Niemeyer-Tieskoetter, Rep. Buddy Carter, Mike Watson

Over the next ten years, Georgia Power expects up to 9,400 MW of load growth, largely driven by increased development and data centers. American natural gas is a clean, reliable, and affordable solution to this problem. 

Republicans in Congress delivered wins in the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act by mandating quarterly onshore and offshore gas lease sales that will unleash American energy production and investments to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Attendees from American Petroleum Institute, American Chemistry Council, Georgia Natural Gas Association, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Manufacturing Association, Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia, and McGuire Woods participated in the conversation. 

“With the rise of AI data centers and other technological advances, we need every electron we can get to keep our state, and nation, powered. Georgia must ensure we have the tools to properly arm our grid with the resources needed to continue serving the community without delays or outages. That’s why I’m a big proponent of an ‘all-of-the-above’ type energy strategy, because every energy source will be needed to keep pace with 21st century innovation,” said Rep. Carter.

“As AI, geopolitics and emerging technologies fuel unprecedented U.S. growth, smart energy solutions are more critical than ever. The oil and gas industry is ready to meet this rising demand, and we applaud Congressman Buddy Carter’s leadership, both on the Energy and Commerce Committee and in his Georgia community, for championing policies that plan for lasting energy leadership and success,” said Mike Watson, American Petroleum Institute Director of Federal Relations.

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