Members of Congress Seek Court Order Allowing for Continued Oversight of ICE Detention Facilities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

12 U.S. House Representative plaintiffs in Neguse et al. v. U.S. ICE et al. are asking the court to require the Trump-Vance administration comply with federal law during the course of their lawsuit.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Adriano Espaillat, Ranking Member Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member Robert Garcia, and the plaintiffs in Neguse et al. v. ICE et al. asked that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia enter an order requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its Secretary Kristi Noem, as well as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its Acting Director Todd Lyons to comply with the federal law granting Members of Congress the right to visit immigration detention facilities without prior notice during the course of their lawsuit. This motion seeks immediate relief to prevent ongoing harm caused by the Trump-Vance administration’s new, unlawful policy that blocks Members of Congress from conducting critical congressional oversight.

At a time when the administration is detaining more individuals than ever before—over 58,000 people—and reports of mistreatment, overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and the detention of U.S. citizens are growing, the need for real-time, on-the-ground oversight has never been more urgent. Today’s filing is part of the Members of Congress’ broader legal effort to hold the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accountable for its flagrant defiance of federal law and constitutional order. 

In addition to the above representatives, the plaintiffs include House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Ranking Member Rep. J. Luis Correa; Rep. Jason Crow; Rep. Veronica Escobar; Rep. Dan Goldman; Rep. Jimmy Gomez; Rep. Raul Ruiz; and Rep. Norma Torres.

“Blocking Members of Congress from oversight visits to ICE facilities that house or otherwise detain immigrants violates federal law, and the Trump administration knows it. Congressional oversight is critical to preventing abuse, protecting human rights, and ensuring transparency. We’ll continue to stand up for the rule of law,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse. 

“Today, we are filing a motion to immediately stop the Trump-Vance administration from unlawfully blocking Members of Congress from accessing immigration detention facilities,” said Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat. “This motion is about defending the legal right and constitutional duty of every Member of Congress to conduct oversight on behalf of the American people. If granted, the injunction will prevent this administration from obstructing lawful visits in the future. Oversight is not optional. It is a core function of our democracy and essential to ensuring accountability and protecting human rights.”

“The court order we seek is necessary so Congress can get back to conducting proper oversight of ICE. Unfortunately, the administration gave us no other choice. We need to be able to do the work our constituents elected us to do,” said Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bennie G. Thompson.

“Trump’s blockade of congressional oversight of America’s immigration detention facilities is illegal and dangerous. Today, we’re filing a motion for a court order to stop this brazen defiance of the law,” said House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin. “If Donald Trump and Kristi Noem believe they can shut the doors on congressional oversight and operate their mass roundups and arrests without scrutiny from Congress or the American people, they are gravely mistaken. We’ll keep fighting in court until we are able to resume unannounced visits of ICE facilities as the law requires.” 

“The law is clear: Members of Congress have the right to inspect conditions at ICE facilities. We are working to expose wrongdoing and uphold the law. ICE is breaking the law to hide the facts from the American people,” said House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Rep. Robert Garcia. “It’s time for the courts to end this illegal behavior, and let us do our jobs. We will have accountability.”

Read the motion HERE.

The congressional leaders are represented in this suit by Democracy Forward Foundation and American Oversight.

How did we get here?

Federal law (Sec. 527, FY2024 DHS Appropriations Act) allows Members of Congress to visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sites where noncitizens are detained without prior notice. But increasingly, these representatives have been stopped at the door.

In response to questions about this, ICE officials announced a new policy requiring a seven-day waiting period and preventing entry to ICE field offices. 

On July 30, a dozen individual Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sued the Trump–Vance administration, challenging the policy as an unlawful obstruction of congressional oversight.

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Brownley, Democratic Women’s Caucus Urge ICE to Require Clear Agent Identification, Crack Down on Dangerous Impersonators Targeting Women

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined her Democratic Women’s Caucus colleagues in a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) expressing deep concerns over ICE impersonators harassing and assaulting women. The members called for ICE to require agents to wear visible, clear identification during enforcement activities and to ensure impersonators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

In the letter, members raised grave concerns about women being assaulted by individuals impersonating ICE agents — taking advantage of the agency’s increased use of masks, plain-clothes, and unmarked vehicles. Lack of uniformity makes impersonating ICE and counterfeit ICE gear more accessible. ICE lacks specific regulations on dress, unlike local police officers, who are required to have distinguishable forms of identification. 

“All our lives, we are taught to fear masked men in unmarked vehicles. We learn we should run from such men to avoid being kidnapped, sexually assaulted, or killed. Yet, ICE is increasingly conducting raids and arrests in masks, plain-clothes, without visible identification or badges, using unmarked vehicles – tactics that cause confusion, terror, and mistrust among the public. These tactics invited perpetrators of violence against women to take advantage of the chaos by impersonating masked ICE agents in order to target and sexually assault women,” the members wrote.

Reports of ICE impersonators attacking women began surfacing shortly after President Trump’s inauguration, coinciding with the direction for ICE agents to increase immigration enforcement activities and operate in masks, plain clothes, using unmarked vehicles. Cases of women being assaulted by ICE impersonators have been reported in several states, including New York, Maryland, and North Carolina.

In the letter sent to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, ICE Associate Director of the Office of Professional Responsibility Jennifer Fenton, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, and White House Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations Thomas Homan, the members demanded the Trump administration respond with a plan to effectively address this this growing threat and to denounce the use of ICE impersonation as a tool for manipulation, intimidation, and violence.

“We call on the Department to implement policies and protocols that are responsive to these serious concerns about women’s safety and law enforcement integrity to protect women from further harm. Your current practices leave women vulnerable to life-altering violence. It’s past time to act. Just like local police officers, ICE agents must be required to wear visible and clear identification to ensure their safety, better protect women, and deter impersonators. Finally, impersonators must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law and this violence must be denounced by this administration,” the members continued.

The full letter can be found here and below: 


August 11, 2025

The Honorable Kristi Noem
Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
2707 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE
Washington, DC 20528

Mr. Todd Lyons
Acting Director
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
500 12th St SW
Washington, DC 20536

Ms. Jennifer M. Fenton
Associate Director
Office of Professional Responsibility
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
500 12th St SW
Washington, DC 20536

Mr. Thomas Homan
Executive Associate Director of Enforcement
and Removal Operations
White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Secretary Noem, Mr. Lyons, Ms. Fenton, and Mr. Homan:

As members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, we write with grave concern regarding the violent attacks on women by masked U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and those who are using this moment to impersonate immigration enforcement officers. All our lives, we are taught to fear masked men in unmarked vehicles. We learn we should run from such men to avoid being kidnapped, sexually assaulted, or killed. Yet, ICE is increasingly conducting raids and arrests in masks, plain-clothes, without visible identification or badges, using unmarked vehicles – tactics that cause confusion, terror, and mistrust among the public. These tactics invited perpetrators of violence against women to take advantage of the chaos by impersonating masked ICE agents in order to target and sexually assault women. This cannot continue and must be addressed immediately. The Democratic Women’s Caucus is committed to defending the rights of all women and girls to live in safety. We call on the Department to recognize this pervasive issue and to take immediate action. We demand that ICE agents visibly and clearly identify themselves when conducting immigration enforcement activities to stop enabling impersonators who leverage women’s uncertainty and fear of immigration consequences to rape, harass, and abuse them.

Reports of ICE impersonators assaulting women started shortly after President Trump’s inauguration, in sync with the administration directing ICE to conduct raids in plain-clothes and unmarked vans. At the end of January, a North Carolina man threatened to deport a woman if she did not have sex with him, showing her a fake business card. In February, a New York man pretended to be an ICE agent, told a woman he needed to speak with her, then tried to sexually assault her. In June, a Maryland man flashed a fake badge, threatened to deport a woman if she did not enter his car, where he then sexually assaulted her. Such horrifying and gut-wrenching stories demonstrate the rise in attacks against women by ICE impersonators, and these are just the incidents we know about. Without a doubt, these crimes against women have been enabled by the administration’s harsh immigration enforcement tactics and consistent violations of due process. For example, Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University graduate student, was accosted and detained by more than five plain-clothes, masked ICE agents and placed into an unmarked vehicle in broad daylight. This horrifying scene appeared more like a kidnapping than an arrest by legitimate law enforcement. To keep women safe, we must effectively address the ability of perpetrators to so easily impersonate an ICE agent.

Experts note that immigration enforcement officers hiding their identities leads to public mistrust and enables imposters to carry out their schemes given the lack of uniformity in their masking practices. The lack of clear uniformity also contributes to the accessibility of counterfeit ICE gear, which is far too easy to purchase. Fake ICE jackets became a ‘best seller’ on Amazon in February of this year. Without outlined protocols and specific regulations, anyone can now throw on a fake ICE jacket, put on a mask, and claim to be an ICE agent to deceive and attack women. Whereas, local police officers are required to have distinguishable forms of identification, including official badges and photo identification, that help individuals determine their legitimacy. ICE agents should not be excluded from such policies especially when it is clear that women’s safety and law enforcement legitimacy are at stake.

Members from both chambers introduced bills that would break this disturbing cycle and end the horrific abuse of these disturbing practices. Now, the administration must take action. We call on the Department to implement policies and protocols that are responsive to these serious concerns about women’s safety and law enforcement integrity to protect women from further harm. Your current practices leave women vulnerable to life-altering violence. It’s past time to act. Just like local police officers, ICE agents must be required to wear visible and clear identification to ensure their safety, better protect women, and deter impersonators. Finally, impersonators must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law and this violence must be denounced by this administration.

We request a response that includes the administration’s plan to effectively address this issue and better protect women from harm by those that impersonate ICE as a tool of manipulation, intimidation, and coercion. 

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Congressman Andy Harris and Secretary Rollins Target Invasive Species, Announce Next Steps to Clear the Chesapeake Bay from Harmful Blue Catfish

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

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is making $6 million in grant funding available for seafood processors to expand operations, transform the food supply chain and create new and better markets for the processing of invasive, wild-caught catfish. Additionally, USDA, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture, is launching a one-year pilot program to purchase up to $2 million through Section 32 of Chesapeake Bay blue catfish. The effort will support regional processors, remove invasive catfish from the Bay, and provide nutritious protein to families in need through food banks and other food distributors. 

“The project here in Maryland I visited today with Representative Harris is a win for our rural communities who now have a new processing facility that will support good paying jobs, a win for our fishermen who are ridding the Chesapeake of a destructive invasive species, and a win for our local communities who have another source of protein for the charitable feeding network,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “President Trump has directed USDA to think creatively, move quickly, and ensure our rural communities are supported so that America prospers for generations to come. This is about more than just a funding announcement, it is about being able to feed ourselves and opening new markets for our fishermen and producers to continue their livelihoods. The Trump Administration is working to ensure rural America is strong, secure, and resilient for generations to come.” 

“I want to thank USDA and Secretary Rollins for making this critical funding available. The $6 million available through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program is a big win for Maryland’s watermen and coastal communities. This investment will help us fight back against the invasive blue catfish species that’s threatening our native fisheries and hurting local economies. It’s just one more way the Trump administration is supporting healthy, competitive, and sustainable seafood production right here at home. Marylanders are grateful for the partnership and support,” said Congressman Andy Harris, M.D.

Background:  

USDA Rural Development is making $6 million available through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. The funding is one of many actions the Trump administration has taken to ensure that healthy, competitive, and sustainable fisheries can produce an abundant, safe, and affordable supply of seafood products. 

The grants will help independent businesses build and modernize processing facilities and equipment, adopt new technologies and train workers, among other activities that will result in an increased processing capacity of invasive, wild-caught catfish. This will not only scale capacity and efficiency but also help to reduce invasive species populations that are decimating marine ecosystems and threatening the economy of the fishing industry.  

Eligible projects may receive grants from $250,000 up to $1 million. Successful applicants must be able to cover 50% of their total project cost. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. on October 6, 2025. Details on eligibility and requirements are available on Grants.gov

News coverage of the announcement can be viewed below:

 The Baltimore Sun: Rep. Andy Harris, USDA launch program to reduce invasive catfish in Bay

WBFF: USDA plans to boost seafood supply chain, tackle invasive species in Chesapeake Bay

Note to media: The photos above may be used in news articles, coverage, and prints with attribution to the office of Congressman Harris. 

Media Contact: Anna Adamian (202) 225-5311| Anna.A@mail.house.gov 

MEDIA ADVISORY: Congressman Andy Harris and Secretary Rollins in Maryland TOMORROW to Make New USDA Funding Announcement About Chesapeake Bay

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

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins will travel to Tilghman Island Seafood in Maryland TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 6, to announce two new USDA efforts to support innovation in the seafood processing industry and supply chain, as well as efforts to combat invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay.

WHO: Secretary Rollins and Representative Andy Harris tour Tilghman Island Seafoods, hold a press conference

WHAT: Secretary Rollins and Rep. Harris will tour Tilghman Island Seafoods’ processing facility and make a major announcement regarding invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay. Following the tour, the delegation will hold a press conference.

WHEN: Wednesday, August 6th, 11:45am Processing Facility Tour (B-Roll Opportunity)
12:00pm Podium Remarks
12:20pm Press Conference
Media setup begins at 11:00am ET

WHERE: Tilghman Island Seafood | 6129 Tilghman Island Rd. Tilghman, MD 21671

Media interested in covering must RSVP to Anna.A@mail.house.gov and press@usda.gov by TODAY, Tuesday, August 5, at 6:00PM ET.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Congressman Andy Harris to Hold Media Availability at White Marlin Open

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

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Andy Harris, M.D., will hold a public event and media availability at the opening of the White Marlin Open.

WHO: Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. will deliver remarks and hold a media availability at the White Marlin Open alongside Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan and local elected officials.  

WHAT: Public event on the importance of protecting Maryland’s coastal economy.  

WHEN: Monday, August 4, 2025, at 5pm EST. 

WHERE:  Harbour Island Marina, 14th Street and the Bay.

NOTE:All press interested in attending must RSVP to Anna.A@mail.house.gov

Key Themes & Topics: 

Protecting Maryland’s Coastal Communities

Congressman Harris will highlight his ongoing efforts to safeguard the economic lifelines of the Eastern Shore—especially commercial fisheries and recreational boaters who support tourism and family-owned businesses.

Rolling Back Wasteful Energy Subsidies

Congressman Harris will spotlight provisions embedded in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (H.R. 1) legislation that rolled back billions in subsidies previously allocated under the Biden Administration’s energy agenda. 

Hoyer, National Capital Region Delegation Statement On Trump’s Police Actions In The District of Columbia

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

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Don Beyer (VA-08), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and April McClain Delaney (MD-06) today issued the following statement on President Trump’s announcement that he would temporarily federalize the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and deploy the National Guard in the District of Columbia: 

“Donald Trump has personally incited more crime in Washington D.C. than perhaps anyone else living. He pardoned the violent criminals who attacked our Capitol on January 6th and put them back in American communities. He even made a man who was filmed urging the crowd to kill D.C. police officers a senior adviser at the Justice Department. 

“Trump’s ‘temporary’ takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department is not intended to prevent crime, it is a soft launch of authoritarianism. Trump has a longstanding pattern of seeking showy displays of power. As he has shown repeatedly, Trump is working to serve himself and is not concerned with keeping American families safe in cities and towns across our country.

“Inflicting new bureaucracy on the Metropolitan Police Department and clouding their work with heavily politicized National Guard deployments is not a solution to crime. By taking law enforcement away from vital missions for this stunt, for instance pulling counterterrorism officers away from their mission and DEA agents away from fentanyl interdiction, Trump’s misuse of federal police harms crime prevention efforts across the country.

“Crime in our nation’s capital is at historic lows today, but still too high for those who are victimized. We want to build on recent crime-fighting successes in ways that respect, protect, and empower Washingtonians. The President’s announcement this morning is an unserious and unacceptable publicity stunt. If he wants to reduce crime in the District of Columbia, he should focus on getting his Republican allies in Congress to restore the funding they arbitrarily stripped out of the city’s budget, which risks cuts to law enforcement and other public safety measures.”

National Capital Region Delegation Statement On Trump’s Police Actions In The District Of Columbia

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (VA-8), Steny Hoyer (MD-5), Jamie Raskin (MD-8), Jennifer McClellan (VA-4), Glenn Ivey (MD-4), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Sarah Elfreth (MD-3), Eugene Vindman (VA-7), and April McClain Delaney (MD-6) today issued the following statement on President Trump’s announcement that he would temporarily federalize the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and deploy the National Guard in the District of Columbia:

“Donald Trump has personally incited more crime in Washington D.C. than perhaps anyone else living. He pardoned the violent criminals who attacked our Capitol on January 6th and put them back in American communities. He even made a man who was filmed urging the crowd to kill D.C. police officers a senior adviser at the Justice Department.

“Trump’s “temporary” takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department is not intended to prevent crime, it is a soft launch of authoritarianism. Trump has a longstanding pattern of seeking showy displays of power. As he has shown repeatedly, Trump is working to serve himself and is not concerned with keeping American families safe in cities and towns across our country.

“Inflicting new bureaucracy on the Metropolitan Police Department and clouding their work with heavily politicized National Guard deployments is not a solution to crime. By taking law enforcement away from vital missions for this stunt, for instance pulling counterterrorism officers away from their mission and DEA agents away from fentanyl interdiction, Trump’s misuse of federal police harms crime prevention efforts across the country.

“Crime in our nation’s capital is at historic lows today, but still too high for those who are victimized. We want to build on recent crime-fighting successes in ways that respect, protect, and empower Washingtonians. The President’s announcement this morning is an unserious and unacceptable publicity stunt. If he wants to reduce crime in the District of Columbia, he should focus on getting his Republican allies in Congress to restore the funding they arbitrarily stripped out of the city’s budget, which risks cuts to law enforcement and other public safety measures.”

Larsen Hosts Roundtable with Community Members on Big Ugly Law Medicaid Cuts

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Last week, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) hosted a roundtable with seven Northwest Washington state community members about how the Medicaid cuts in Republicans’ Big Ugly Law will impact their families. You can watch a recording of the roundtable HERE.

“We’re talking about friends and neighbors who will be losing health care, not other people,” said Rep. Larsen in his opening remarks. “This treatment is not accidental. This law will hurt working families.”

“With the Medicaid cuts in the Big Ugly Bill, where are these unfortunate, disabled people, unable to care for themselves, supposed to go?” said Jeannie Dowd, a Mukilteo resident. “The facilities continue to close and only get worse with this horrendous bill. Not only is this terrible for them, but their families suffer too. We all want the best for our family members and sometimes they need more care than we can provide. We need more places to take care of them, not less.” Jeannie Dowd was invited to attend the roundtable after reaching out to Rep. Larsen’s office in April to share her experience as a caretaker for her brother after he suffered a traumatic brain injury.

“This ruse of weeding out waste, fraud and abuse is just a smokescreen,” said Courtney Criss, a Leadership and Advocacy Manager at Arc of Snohomish County. “It’s not a thing! It is so hard to be eligible for DDA and Medicaid. I don’t know how you could fraud the system, honestly.” Courtney Criss was invited to attend the roundtable after meeting Rep. Larsen when he visited the Arc of Snohomish County in March. She is the mother to four children, two of whom have Down syndrome.

Kathryn Sutton, a self-employed Bellingham resident, spoke about the Big Ugly Law failing to extend the premium tax credit (PTC), which reduces the cost of insurance plans purchased from the marketplace: “[My husband and I] have been fiscally conservative all our life. We don’t have any debt. We are working hard to get our kids through college. And to be in a position I can’t even afford basic insurance… it’s frustrating.” Kathryn Sutton was invited to attend the roundtable after sharing her concerns via Rep. Larsen’s ‘share your story’ webpage. In her submission to the ‘share your story’ webpage, she said: “And why are we in this position? So Jeff Bezos can get a big tax cut. We need the PTC, and Jeff can give up some of his tax cut to pay for it.”

“Some of my clients… who are they going to fall back on? Some of them don’t have family. Some of them don’t have community. They tell me ‘if I don’t come to my appointment, if something happens to me, you’re the only person on the planet who will know…’” said Sandra Carrier, an Everett resident and psychiatric nurse practitioner in private practice who treats patients with Medicaid. “Because of this law, my ability to provide for my family in the practice structure that I chose is going to potentially be removed from me. At my age, with my growing disabilities, what am I going to do?” Sandra Carrier was invited to attend the roundtable after sharing her concerns via Rep. Larsen’s ‘share your story’ webpage.

“This is truly trickle down. Trickle down is pain. It’s not economics, it’s pain,” said Rep. Larsen. “Knowing these messages are people, they’re not just messages, they are from people… It will help me make the case as we try to rebuild.”

As of today, 670 Northwest Washington state residents have shared how the Big Ugly Law will impact them via Rep. Larsen’s ‘share your story’ webpage. 32.2% of responses are from Snohomish County residents, 27.6% are from Whatcom County residents, 19.4% are from Skagit County residents, 16.6% are from Island County residents, and 4.2% are from San Juan County residents.

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Latta Receives Distinguished Leadership Award from the United States Nuclear Industry Council

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

Last night, the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC) presented Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) with the 2025 Distinguished Leadership Award. Congressman Latta currently serves as the chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  

USNIC is the leading U.S. business advocate for advanced nuclear energy and promotion of the American supply chain globally. 

“I’m honored to receive the USNIC Distinguished Leadership Award. Ohio plays a vital role in our nation’s energy landscape, from energy production and research to manufacturing and national security. As Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, I recognize the importance of increasing nuclear energy production as a part of an all-of-the-above strategy to fully unleash American energy. I remain committed to advancing America’s nuclear energy agenda and supporting the growth of our nation’s nuclear industry,” Latta said.   

“The U.S. Nuclear Industry Council (USNIC) is proud to present Congressman Bob Latta with the 2025 Distinguished Leadership Award. His strong support for the U.S. civil nuclear industry throughout his legislative career, including his sponsorship of The Nuclear REFUEL Act of 2025, has proven critical for new American nuclear technology to be developed, deployed, and be able to compete globally,” said Todd Abrajano, President and Chief Executive Officer of USNIC.

Davids Hosts Rural Health Care Roundtable, Highlights Impact of Medicaid Cuts on Kansas Communities

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

PAOLA, KS — Today, Representative Sharice Davids convened a roundtable with leaders from rural hospitals, community health clinics, and other organizations serving rural Kansans to discuss the harmful impact of recent Trump-pushed Medicaid cuts — made to fund tax giveaways for billionaires. With Kansas already having lost several rural hospitals over the past decade, these new cuts threaten to accelerate closures and further limit access to care in rural communities.

 

“Rural hospitals are already stretched thin, and these reckless Medicaid cuts only make it worse,” said Davids. “If we lose a rural hospital, everyone in that community — whether they’re on Medicaid or not — loses access to life-saving care. And these cuts don’t just put lives at risk. They drive up costs for everyone by forcing people to travel farther, wait longer, and delay the care they need. I’ll keep fighting to protect Kansas hospitals and the families who rely on them.”

 

The extreme budget law, signed by President Trump, includes the largest cuts to Medicaid in American history. According to the U.S. Congressional Joint Economic Committee, the new law will strip coverage from 92,937 Kansans, put six rural hospitals across Kansas at risk of closure, restrict reproductive health care, and increase Affordable Care Act premiums by $708 per year for Third District families.

 

Medicaid is a lifeline for rural hospitals, especially in states like Kansas that haven’t expanded coverage. Cuts pushed by President Trump and Congressional Republicans will strip more than $78 million annually from Kansas hospitals, threatening facilities that already serve large numbers of uninsured patients. With Medicaid covering one-fifth of hospital spending, these cuts will increase uncompensated care, worsen overall public health, and could push struggling hospitals past the breaking point — reducing access, worsening outcomes, and forcing Kansans to travel hours for treatment.

“We appreciate Representative Davids’ continued focus on rural health care and her willingness to engage directly with hospitals throughout the district,” said Chad Austin, President and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association. “Her support on issues like 340B, Rural Emergency Hospitals and Medicare Advantage reflects a strong commitment to ensuring hospitals are appropriately supported so we can continue delivering high-quality care in Kansas communities.”

 

“Elizabeth Layton Center appreciates Representative Davids consistent advocacy for the protection of Medicaid benefits for those in need,” said Leslie Bjork, PsyD, LP, Executive Director, Elizabeth Layton Center, Inc. “As the community mental health center serving rurally designated Franklin and Miami Counties, Medicaid is essential in helping the most vulnerable and disabled individuals in our community to access necessary mental and behavioral health care. When people access the healthcare they need, it improves the quality of life for that person and their family and also allows for full functioning within our community. This is a win for everyone!”

 

Participants in today’s roundtable included AdventHealth Ottawa, Anderson County Hospital, Elizabeth Layton Center, Health Partnership Clinic, Heartland Community Health Center, Kansas Hospital Association, and Miami County Medical Center.

 

The harmful provisions in the budget law go far beyond health care. In the Kansas Third District alone, 15,000 households could lose access to emergency nutrition assistance, and local grocery stores — especially in rural communities — may be forced to close. Cuts to clean energy incentives could eliminate up to 10,000 good-paying jobs and increase utility bills by $670 per household. Meanwhile, the law adds $3.3 trillion to the national debt and gives massive tax breaks to billionaires, even as it raises taxes on hardworking families.

 

Throughout her time in Congress, Davids has championed policies to make health care more affordable and accessible. She voted to cap insulin costs at $35 per month for Medicare recipients, extend tax credits that help families afford insurance through the Affordable Care Act, and cap annual out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors. She also supported giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices — saving 74,000 Kansans up to 79 percent — and led efforts to ban surprise medical billing and increase transparency from insurers to help patients avoid costly out-of-network care.