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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the CCP, and Congressman Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing “grave concern” over reports that the Trump Administration blocked Taiwan President Lai Ching-te from transiting through New York en route to Central America.

The lawmakers call the reported decision “a stark departure from precedent” and warn that it “sends a dangerous signal to Beijing about our willingness to make concessions with regard to our national strategic interests.”

The letter notes that permitting transits by Taiwan’s leaders is longstanding, bipartisan policy and legally encouraged by the Taiwan Travel Act. The lawmakers write that since the Taiwan Travel Act became law in 2018 “Taiwan’s Presidents Tsai Ing-wen and Lai Ching-te made five total transits through the United States. Each of these visits demonstrated the United States’ steadfast support for Taiwan and its right to participate in global affairs.”

The members also criticized reports that the transit was denied at the request of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In a pointed rebuke, they write: “America’s strategic relationships should not be concessions in trade talks, and Taiwan should be off the table in any negotiation with the PRC.”

In the letter, the lawmakers urge Secretary Rubio to approve any transit request by President Lai and reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Taiwan. They warn that failure to do so will only “reinforce Chinese Communist Party (CCP) narratives that the United States will not live up to its commitments.”

“The Administration’s blocking of President Lai’s proposed transit undermines the warmth, friendship, and mutual respect that Taiwan and the United States have shared for decades,” they write. “It unnecessarily raises doubts about U.S. credibility and reliability among our allies and partners in the region.”

The full letter can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Appropriations; Jim Himes, Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; and Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, today sent a letter to President Donald Trump calling on him to fulfill his campaign pledge to end the war in Gaza by working urgently to return all parties to the negotiation table without delay.

The Ranking Members called on the President to make a permanent ceasefire a core objective of his administration’s diplomatic efforts, along with securing the release of all hostages and advancing a credible effort to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. The letter also implores the President to ensure that Gaza is returned to control by Palestinians unaffiliated with Hamas and to ensure that any efforts to permanently displace Palestinians are rejected.

The full text of the letter can be found below. A PDF copy can be found here.

Dear Mr. President,

As Democratic Ranking Members of House of Representatives Committees, we write to you today with a deep sense of urgency and moral responsibility. The ongoing war in Gaza has reached a point of profound humanitarian crisis, geopolitical instability, and perilous risk for all involved. We urge you to use the full weight of American diplomacy to bring about an immediate, just, and durable end to the conflict.

It is our firm belief that the primary military objectives of this war have long since been achieved. Continued fighting threatens not only to exacerbate regional tensions and increase the humanitarian catastrophe, but also to undermine the long-term strategic security of both Israelis and Palestinians. Now is the time for you to bring all relevant parties—Israel, Palestinian leaders, regional stakeholders, alongside the United States and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff—back to the negotiating table without delay.

Despite recent indications that new humanitarian access will be granted, there is an acute need to dramatically scale up humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza to save the lives of starving, sick, and suffering civilians. We implore your administration to ensure unfettered access for humanitarian aid and to work in close coordination with reputable, experienced aid organizations that understand the region and can operate effectively through time-tested humanitarian mechanisms to ensure food and medical aid reaches civilians without diversion or delay. Time has run out for countless innocent people, and the United States must act swiftly and decisively to save lives.

Moreover, we call on you to make a permanent ceasefire a core objective of your diplomatic efforts. A lasting end to the violence must include the unconditional release of all hostages, whose continued captivity prolongs suffering and impedes any pathway toward peace. Further, Gaza must be returned to Palestinian civilian control without Hamas, and any plans for the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza must be rejected.

Mr. President, while on the campaign trail, you pledged to end the war in Gaza and to restore stability in the Middle East. This is your moment to fulfill that promise. The United States has long been a broker of peace, and stepping back from that vital role is done at our own peril. The path to securing lasting peace, regional stability, and America’s interests in the Middle East lies not in protracted war, but in dialogue, diplomacy, and bold American leadership based on our longstanding democratic and humanitarian values.

Finally, we must underscore that the long-term protection of a Jewish and democratic Israel, as well as a just and secure future for the Palestinian people, are inextricably linked to the possibility of a viable two-state solution. There is no better, more feasible alternative than a two-state solution, which has been U.S. foreign policy for decades and is also a requirement to achieve Israel’s full normalization into the region and the long-delayed creation of a democratic Palestinian state. That vision will not materialize overnight, but it will remain forever out of reach if we do not act now to create the conditions for its future realization.

We respectfully urge you to lead with moral clarity, diplomatic strength, and a renewed commitment to peace.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

August 1, 2025

ICYMI This Week: Congressman Meeks Recognizes the 60th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid  

Republicans’ Big, Ugly Law Rips Healthcare Away from Working Americans

For 60 years, Medicaid and Medicare have helped Americans receive affordable health care. Under Trump’s Big, Ugly Law, we are facing the largest cuts to health care in history. Republicans’ latest agenda rips coverage away from 15 million people, guts Medicaid protections, and increases costs for millions of Americans. It is clear, the Republicans’ plan will leave families sicker, poorer, and more vulnerable just to pay for tax breaks for their billionaire buddies. Democrats are not going for that! Every day we are fighting for affordable access to health care for the American people.

Meeks, DeLauro, Himes, Raskin Call on Trump to Negotiate End to War in Gaza and Surge Humanitarian Aid

I sent a letter to President Donald Trump calling on him to fulfill his campaign pledge to end the war in Gaza and seriously increase humanitarian assistance to the people in Gaza who are starving, sick, and suffering.

Meeks to Introduce Resolution Terminating Brazil Tariffs

“Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Brazil isn’t in the interest of American families, who will bear the brunt of these taxes. It’s simply to protect attempted Brazilian coup leader Jair Bolsonaro from prosecution after he, like Trump, tried and failed to overturn the results of a free and fair election.”

Student Internship Opportunities Now Open for the Fall Semester

Want to gain real-world experience, sharpen your skills, and work alongside a passionate, high-energy team? Fall Internship applications for my office are now open! This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience and see the impact of public service up close in the nation’s capital. Apply now and take the next step in your professional journey.

Share Your Story: How Have You Been Impacted by President Trump’s Executive Orders?

I’d like to hear from my constituents about how the Trump administration’s actions have affected you and your loved ones. Over the past few months, we’ve witnessed mass layoffs across government agencies, executive orders impacting various issues, threats against immigrants, potential tariffs on neighboring countries, and much more. My office is working with state and local officials to learn more about how these actions could affect our district and provide resources for people who have been affected.  Please complete the form here to explain how these actions are affecting you and the organizations, nonprofits and businesses you support.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Representative Sharice Davids welcomed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) announcement that they will begin hiring up to 450 staff to shore up critical operations at the National Weather Service (NWS) — a move that follows her June demand for urgent action from the Trump Administration amid dangerous staffing cuts and a severe Kansas storm season.

 

In June, Davids raised alarms about NWS field offices in Kansas being unable to maintain 24/7 coverage due to hiring freezes and staff cuts ordered by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). She specifically called out the Goodland Weather Forecast Office, which was forced to scale back just days before a devastating EF-3 tornado touched down.

 

“This is what happens when Kansans speak up and hold Washington accountable,” said Davids. “After months of pressing the Trump Administration on dangerous staffing shortages at the National Weather Service, we’re finally seeing movement to get this life-saving agency back on track. These new hires are critical to making sure families, farmers, and first responders across Kansas have the timely, accurate weather information they rely on — especially as storms grow more frequent and severe.”

 

The Trump Administration confirmed this week that NOAA has received permission to begin filling critical roles — including meteorologists, hydrologists, and electronics technicians — despite the hiring freeze currently in effect until at least October 15. These exemptions follow increasing pressure from Davids and others demanding action to restore basic public safety functions.

 

Davids has consistently advocated for federal support that keeps Kansas families safe and informed, including introducing bipartisan legislation to update weather technology and emergency preparedness. She continues to call out the harmful impacts of the Trump Administration’s reckless federal workforce cuts and push for swift action to rebuild critical public safety infrastructure. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins admitted to Davids that certain federal firings have been an “imperfect process.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

OVERLAND PARK, KS — Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids joined a Planned Parenthood Great Plains event to reflect on the current state of reproductive health care in Kansas and the continued challenges ahead. The event, which featured leaders in medicine, law, and community advocacy, marked three years since Kansans overwhelmingly rejected the restrictive abortion amendment. 

“Reproductive health care is essential health care — and it must remain a decision between a person and their doctor, free from political interference,” said Davids. “Even after the clear message Kansans sent three years ago, we continue to see dangerous efforts at the state and federal levels to restrict access to care, including recent federal policies that cut Medicaid and block funding to providers like Planned Parenthood. I remain steadfast in fighting these attacks by supporting legislation that restores access and protects the health and dignity of every Kansan.”

“The August 2 vote showed what’s possible when Kansans lead with compassion, but three years later, access to care is still inaccessible to some and under threat for all,” said Emily Wales, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Great Plains. “We’re proud to stand with Rep. Sharice Davids and all those working to turn that historic vote into meaningful progress not just in law, but in people’s lives.”

Davids recently voted against President Trump’s extreme budget, which includes severe Medicaid cuts and a provision prohibiting Medicaid payments to providers offering abortion services, disproportionately impacting Planned Parenthood. In response, she helped introduce the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act, which would repeal this harmful provision.

Despite the clear will of Kansans expressed three years ago, Republican lawmakers in the Kansas Legislature have continued to push extreme measures aimed at restricting abortion access. While several of these laws have been struck down by the Kansas Supreme Court for violating constitutional rights, the persistent threats and political attacks create an environment of fear and uncertainty for reproductive health care providers and patients alike. Davids condemns these relentless assaults and stands firmly with Kansans in defending their fundamental rights.

Additionally, Davids reintroduced the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act, which aims to secure mandatory federal investment for the Title X Family Planning Program — a vital resource for low-income individuals seeking reproductive health services, including STI testing and birth control. Davids continues to support critical bills such as the EACH Act, which seeks to repeal the Hyde Amendment, and the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would establish a federal right to abortion.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced a resolution to promote science diplomacy. The resolution calls for greater international cooperation, while seeking new ways to advance scientific research and innovation.

“The exchange of knowledge and ideas across borders not only promotes peace but also serves as a powerful instrument to address urgent global challenges. As a physicist, I spent more than two decades working with colleagues from around the globe at Fermilab in Illinois, where international collaboration allowed us to better understand each other and the world around us,” said Foster. “As the Trump Administration continues to attack science, dismiss facts, and weaken international cooperation, it is more important than ever to reaffirm our commitment to global scientific collaboration.”

Before running for office, Congressman Foster worked for over 20 years as a high-energy particle physicist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, managing several multimillion-dollar projects for accelerator construction and research. Foster represents both Fermilab and Argonne National Laboratory as part of the 11th Congressional District.

This resolution is cosponsored by Rep. Laura Friedman (D-CA). A copy of the resolution is available here. 

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

Headline: Scott Demands Answers from HHS Secretary After Firing 10,000 Public Servants

“As a result of these actions, operations of vital programs are in jeopardy—threatening to deprive individuals and families in the most vulnerable communities of invaluable services.”

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

Headline: Scott Statement on Latest Trump Administration Attack on Veterans

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), the Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and Workforce, issued the following statement after the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it would terminate collective bargaining agreements for most VA bargaining-unit employees. 

“When workers come together to bargain, they earn higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. Unions represent and benefit all workers regardless of whether they are in the bargaining unit or not, and unions protect all employees from retaliation and discrimination, and guard against favoritism by management. 

“VA Secretary Doug Collins stripping employees of their bargaining rights is the latest salvo in the Trump Administration’s war on veterans and working people. Veterans benefit from a VA that is staffed by workers that are well-compensated, properly trained, and who work in a safe environment.   

“The VA is already facing severe staffing issues, largely due to the Trump Administration’s ongoing attacks on the federal workforce in recent months. Had the administration consulted with the unions representing federal employees at the VA and other agencies, they would have been informed that blanket hiring freezes and chaotic firings are inefficient and ultimately harmful to the people they are meant to serve. Our veterans deserve better. I will continue to defend VA workers’ rights, work to ensure the VA has the resources it needs to take care of our veterans, and fight to protect veterans’ access to health care.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Earlier this week, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) held a roundtable discussion at St. Joseph Hospital with President John Jurczyk and staff about the harmful impact of the Republicans’ so-called “One Big, Beautiful Bill.” This legislation makes devastating cuts to Medicaid funding that is critical for New Hampshire hospitals and their ability to provide care to patients. 

“The health care cuts contained in the Big Ugly Law will have severe repercussions across New Hampshire communities, from our hospitals to our rural health care centers to our nursing homes. I joined leaders and staff of St. Joseph Hospital to talk about these impacts and what it means for their operations and ability to provide care to patients,” said Congressman Pappas. “I’m thankful for all they do for Granite Staters and the way they continue to meet the needs of patients across southern New Hampshire.”

“The Trump Administration is making the biggest cuts to healthcare in American history. For what?  To pay for another big tax giveaway to billionaires and big corporations. These GOP healthcare cuts are going to jack up healthcare costs for everyone in New Hampshire,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “Hardworking people will feel the pain and pay the price, and that includes hardworking healthcare providers like the team at St. Joe’s Hospital. From Nashua to the North Country, I’ll never stop working to protect your healthcare.”

President Trump and Republicans’ Big, Ugly Law made deep cuts to health care and food programs for working families to cover the cost of $5 trillion in tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. It will leave an estimated 15 million Americans uninsured, including more than 46,000 Granite Staters; trigger $500 billion in cuts to Medicare; increase monthly out-of-pocket costs for families and leave more Americans with overwhelming medical debt; defund Planned Parenthood, leaving more than 1.1 million women without access to needed care like cancer screenings and birth control; and kick millions of Americans off SNAP, leaving them unable to put food on the table – all to give tax breaks to billionaires and big Pharma.

Background:

In response to the passage of the Republicans’ reconciliation bill, Pappas and the New Hampshire delegation held a press conference at Waypoint to highlight the harmful impacts of the bill on New Hampshire. Last month Pappas also met with staff and residents of Hillsborough County Nursing Home to discuss the Republican’s law and its devastating cuts to Medicaid funding will harm New Hampshire nursing homes and patient care.

Pappas voted against Republicans’ reconciliation bill every time it came to the floor. Pappas filed two amendments to the Senate-passed Republican reconciliation bill to protect Granite Staters’ access to Medicaid and food assistance and to prevent Congress from passing the burden of cuts to these programs onto the state; neither was adopted.

In February, Pappas held a roundtable with New Hampshire health care advocates and community leaders to highlight the devastating impact the Republican budget would have on New Hampshire residents’ access to health care and local community health centers’ ability to serve their patients. In April, he held another discussion to highlight the negative impact the legislation would have on people who access care through the Medicaid program and New Hampshire’s Medicaid Expansion. Pappas spoke on the floor several times in opposition to the reconciliation bill and on behalf of his constituents on Medicaid and SNAP.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), co-chairs and vice co-chairs of the Hellenic Caucus, led a bipartisan group of 40 lawmakers in calling on the U.S. Department of State to reject Turkey’s attempts to rejoin the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Turkey was removed from the program by the Trump Administration in 2019 and is currently subject to sanctions under the Countering American Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) because of the Erdogan government’s decision to purchase Russia’s S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system in direct violation of U.S. law.

Underscoring the danger of readmitting Turkey to the F-35 program while in possession of the Russian-made S-400 missile defense system, the lawmakers wrote, “Lifting sanctions or allowing Turkey back into the F-35 program without first removing its S-400s would jeopardize the integrity of F-35 systems; expose U.S. military secrets to Russian intelligence; undermine our defense industrial base and allied confidence in purchasing future U.S. platforms; and disrupt development of the next-generation fighter jet recently announced by the Administration.”

They stressed the bipartisan, bicameral support for Turkey’s removal from the program and continued sanctions: “This is not a partisan issue. Congress has consistently supported CAATSA sanctions and Turkey’s removal from the F-35 program across multiple administrations and with bipartisan support. We urge the Administration to uphold U.S. law, maintain CAATSA sanctions, and protect American defense and intelligence assets. We must continue to hold allies and adversaries alike accountable when their actions threaten U.S. interests.”

“We stand firmly in support of our servicemembers, our defense industrial base, and preserving United States leadership in global aerospace and defense capabilities, and we urge you to do the same,” they concluded.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

The letter is supported by AHEPA, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), American Jewish Committee (AJC), American Friends of Kurdistan, Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), Coordinated Effort of Hellenes, CUFI Action Fund, FDD Action, the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC), Middle East Forum (MEF), and PSEKA – International Coordinating Committee Justice for Cyprus.

Background:

The Trump Administration removed Turkey from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program in 2019. In recent months, it has been reported that the Trump Administration is actively discussing Turkey’s readmission to the program with President Erdogan.

Pappas has led bipartisan efforts under both the Trump and Biden administrations to stop the sale of fighter jets to Turkey in response to Turkey’s continued violation of U.S. law, unprovoked aggression against key U.S. allies, and destabilizing actions throughout the region. Following repeated calls on the State Department to block the sale of fighter jets to Turkey, Pappas secured passage of a bipartisan amendment in the House FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would have prohibited the sale of F-16s to Turkey.

In response to the Biden Administration’s notification to Congress of plans to proceed with the sale of F-16s to Turkey, Pappas again led multiple efforts opposing the proposed sale and advocating for conditions if any such sale proceeded.