MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Today, Representative Rick W. Allen (R-GA-12), Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee, was joined by Representatives Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01), Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA-25), and Bob Onder (R-MO-03) in reintroducing the Safe Step Act, a bipartisan bill to ensure patients can safely and efficiently access the best treatment available by improving step therapy protocols.

“Health care decisions should be made between the patient and physician. Too often, one-size-fits-all federal mandates can hinder a provider’s ability to prescribe the treatment or medication that best suits a patient’s unique medical condition, said Rep. Allen. “The bipartisan, bicameral Safe Step Act would implement commonsense guardrails to ensure patients can safely access the treatment they need by improving step therapy protocols. I have often said that we need to restore patient-centered, cost-effective, and market-driven solutions to our health care system. This legislation does just that, and I am proud to be leading this effort in the 119th Congress.”

“Step therapy can cause unnecessary harm and slow patient recovery while frustrating doctors who are doing their best to care for their patients. By reintroducing the Safe Step Act, we are reaffirming the value of the doctor-patient relationship and moving our country closer to the best form of patient-centered care,” said Rep. McBath. “We must always fight to put people first, and this legislation helps ensure doctors and patients can make the best possible health care decisions. I’m grateful for my colleagues’ collaboration on this bill this Congress.”

“As a physician, I’ve seen firsthand how delays in care caused by step therapy can hurt patients and frustrate providers,” said Dr. Miller-Meeks. “The Safe Step Act is about restoring trust in the doctor-patient relationship and ensuring Iowans can get the treatment their doctors know they need without unnecessary barriers. I’m proud to join this bipartisan, bicameral effort to put patients first and deliver commonsense reforms that improve care.”

“As a physician, I believe treatment decisions should reflect individual health needs and not rigid insurance protocols,” said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25). “The Safe Step Act requires insurance providers to implement clear, timely exception processes for step therapy protocols in cases where a prescribed medication fails, would cause harm, or delay poses real risk. This bill protects patients from unnecessary suffering and ensures they can access effective care when they need it most. By cutting through red tape, we are putting patients and their doctors back in charge of health care decisions.”

“As a physician, I am acutely aware that the delay in receiving effective treatment can result in severe or even irreversible consequences. The Safe Step Act addresses this issue by establishing a clear, prompt, and transparent process,” said Rep. Onder. “This ensures that patients and their doctors, rather than insurance protocols, have the authority to make informed decisions about the best course of care.”

BACKGROUND: Step therapy is a prior-authorization policy that requires patients to try and fail on one or more insurer-preferred treatments before coverage is granted for the medication originally prescribed by their clinician. While intended to reduce unnecessary utilization, these protocols too often force a trial-and-error approach that can jeopardize patient health, increase administrative burdens, and undermine continuity of care. The Safe Step Act requires group health plans to offer a clear, timely exceptions process when step therapy is not in a patient’s best interest. Exceptions must be granted when:

• The insurer-required treatment has been ineffective.
• It is expected to be ineffective and delaying care risks irreversible harm.
• It will cause or is likely to cause an adverse reaction.
• It is expected to prevent the patient from performing daily activities or work.
• Other circumstances determined by the Employee Benefits Security Administration apply.

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

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on a continuing resolution, H.R. 5371 – theContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026. This continuing resolution now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Government funding runs out at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, September 30.

Following passage of the continuing resolution, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“I am glad we passed a continuing resolution to keep the government open. This is a straightforward bill with no controversial policy riders or poison pills attached.

“While I want a glide path that protects Americans and recognizes a return to a pre-COVID style Obamacare exchange insurance program, Senate Democrats have indicated they are willing to shut down the government if they do not get their way in fixing their broken health care program. If Senate Democrats do not support this short-term continuing resolution, it is clear they do not want solutions. They just want to blame Republicans and President Trump for essentially the failures that Democratic policies created.

“At a hearing this week, Democrats argued people could not afford health insurance without the COVID-era “enhanced” premium tax credits. But Democrats created the cliff for these credits! Democrats set the credit expiration date for December 31^st, 2025. 

“They are saying without it, Obamacare doesn’t work. So they are saying they want to shut down the government because the programs they created did not work as expected.

“I am willing to negotiate on the issues, but they failed at creating an affordable insurance plan for the American people. In most cases, whether paid by the government or the people, health insurance costs are far higher today adjusted for inflation than they were before Obamacare.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke on the House Floor to highlight how Republicans are determined to shut down the government in order to continue their relentless attack on the healthcare of the American people.

LEADER JEFFRIES: I rise today in strong opposition to legislation that continues the relentless Republican attack on the healthcare of the American people. What we’ve seen throughout this year, notwithstanding Republican promises to lower the high cost of living, which Republicans promised to do on day one of the Trump presidency. But we know costs aren’t going down here in the United States of America. They continue to go up. Inflation is going up. Life is becoming more expensive for the American people, in part as a result of Donald Trump’s tariffs that House Republicans continue to rubber stamp. Democrats recognize that the cost of living in the United States of America is far too high. We have to fix our broken healthcare system, and we also have to clean up corruption in this town so that we don’t have a government of the elites, by the elites and for the elites. We deserve a government of the people, by the people and for the people. That’s why we oppose this reckless Republican spending bill.

The Republican assault on healthcare has been relentless. Largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Millions of Americans losing their healthcare as a result of the Republican One Big Ugly Bill. Hungry children have had food stolen from their mouths as a result of the One Big Ugly Bill. That is going to make them vulnerable to sickness, illness and disease. And all of this was done so that Republicans could reward your billionaire donors with massive tax breaks. In addition to the unprecedented assault on Medicaid as a result of the Republican One Big Ugly Bill, the American people are confronting the possibility that Medicare could be cut by $536 billion this year, the largest cut to Medicare in American history, as a result of what Republicans have done as part of their relentless assault on the healthcare of the American people. Premiums, copays and deductibles are skyrocketing over the next few weeks. Tens of millions of Americans are about to confront dramatic increases in their healthcare. Thousands of dollars—in some cases, tens of thousands of dollars—in additional expense per year because of what Republicans have unleashed on the American people as part of this unprecedented assault on healthcare.

I heard earlier today some of my colleagues on the Republican side saying that the healthcare issue was not germane. That we’re raising issues around Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act or increases in premiums, co-pays and deductibles or the fact that Republicans are dramatically ending medical research in the United States of America, including as it relates to research for children with cancer. Who does that? And the fact that all across this country, as a result of actions Republicans have taken and are continuing to take in targeting the healthcare of the American people, hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics are closing, including in all of your districts and throughout rural America. So don’t come back and argue to us that these issues are not germane. Let me tell you what’s germane. Protecting the healthcare of the American people is germane, and that’s what Democrats are doing in fighting back against this partisan Republican spending bill.

There is an alternative. It’s been introduced by Senator Patty Murray and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, supported by Democrats in the House and the Senate. It keeps the government open. It allows for a bipartisan negotiation as it relates to a spending bill that would actually meet the needs of the American people in terms of their health, their public safety and their economic well-being, to actually try and make progress on lowering costs in America, which you promised to do as Republicans, Mr. Speaker and failed to do. That’s the legislation that we should be taking up. Republicans know that this partisan, reckless, dirty spending bill is dead on arrival in the United States Senate. And yet, Republicans continue to refuse to even discuss protecting the healthcare of the American people in the face of a relentless Republican assault that will actually harm people and cause American children, families, seniors, veterans to lose their lives. We have a choice to make here in the House of Representatives.

It appears that Republicans believe that healthcare should simply be a privilege available only to the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected. We strongly disagree. Access to high-quality, affordable healthcare is a right, and Democrats are on the Floor of the House of Representatives vindicating that right at all times. And that’s why we’re voting no.

Some have suggested that our principled opposition to the partisan Republican spending bill may result in government funding lapsing. But we’ve heard all year how Republicans have a mandate, how Republicans have the presidency, how Republicans control the House, how Republicans control the Senate. Well, if that, in fact, is the case, as is the moment, temporarily, Republicans will own a government shutdown. Period. Full stop. It’s the Republican shutdown. We’re fighting for the healthcare of the American people. We will do that today. We will do that tomorrow. We will do that next week. We will do that next month. We will do that this year. We will do that next year. We will do that at all times. We’re standing up for the healthcare of the American people. Cancel the cuts. Lower the cost. Save your healthcare.

Full floor speech can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted for H.Res. 719, which honors the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk. Rep. Kelly co-sponsored the legislation, which was introduced by Speaker Mike Johnson.

“Charlie helped to shape the politics of today. If you are grieving Charlie’s sudden death, I encourage you to think about this: As tragic as his loss is, what if Charlie had never lived? What if he didn’t create a movement that has grown even larger over the last week? As we honor Charlie’s life, may we also recognize how he inspired a new generation of young, eager Americans to grab the reins and help to shape the future of our nation,” said Rep. Kelly.

The resolution:

• Condemns the assassination of Charles “Charlie” James Kirk and all forms of political violence;
• And, honors the life, leadership, and legacy of Charlie Kirk.

PHOTOS: On Monday, Rep. Kelly joined Speaker Johnson during a ceremony in Statuary Hall to honor Charlie Kirk.

You can find Rep. Kelly’s statement following the death of Charlie Kirk here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted in favor of H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026. The continuing resolution will fund the government through November 21, 2025.

“Congress has a responsibility to keep the government funded and open, and this legislation does just that,” said Rep. Kelly.

The House Appropriations Committee has successfully advanced all 12 appropriations bill out of committee and the House has passed three of those bills on the floor.

The House has already moved to conference with the Senate on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Acts, 2026.

Learn more about the legislation here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) released the following statement after the House voted on a continuing resolution that leaves millions of Americans with rising healthcare costs. 
“This budget fails to meet the real priorities of my constituents and the people of the San Joaquin Valley. I do not support shutting down the government, but I will not stand by and allow my constituents to face higher health care costs or see their care stripped away. Democrats put forth a compromise proposal that keeps the government open and permanently locks in lower healthcare costs through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). We owe it to the Valley and to the nation to deliver a budget that truly puts people first.” said Congressman Costa. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) voted against the partisan government funding bill that fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits that lower premiums for millions of Americans. Republicans drafted this bill without any input from Democrats.

“Republicans refused to correct ripping away healthcare from 15 million Americans in their Big Ugly Law and other things my constituents count on. And now, millions of Americans are about to see their healthcare premiums skyrocket. Republicans need to get their act together, work with Democrats to fully fund the government, and reverse the measures that take away healthcare from my constituents.”

A report released over the summer shows premiums for health insurance bought through the Affordable Care Act open marketplace are set to increase an average of 16% in Wisconsin, with some as high as 34.5%. These rate hikes are largely due to Republicans’ refusal to permanently extend a key tax break for families, the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit, in their Big Ugly Law.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

September 19, 2025

“Political violence has no place in our democracy, and I fully agree with the portions of the Charlie Kirk resolution that condemn it. In this moment, the most important outcome of today’s vote is that the House of Representatives went on record against political violence. “However, I strongly disagree with the way this resolution reads as an endorsement of Charlie Kirk’s worldview. We can condemn the violence committed against him while disagreeing with his positions and approach to political discourse. “It would have been far better to pass a bipartisan resolution that clearly and unequivocally condemns all political violence—whether from attacks on Speaker Pelosi, the attack on Minnesota House Speaker Hortman, or anywhere else—without turning it into a partisan effort. “Even with those serious reservations, I believe the condemnation of political violence is too important to ignore, which is why I supported that central principle in today’s vote.” ###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Congressman Baird Votes to Avert Government Shutdown, Return Congress to Regular Order

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Today, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) issued the statement below following House passage of the Republican spending bill proposal that will leave millions of Americans with higher healthcare costs. The bill comes on the heels of President Trump and House Republicans’ “Big Ugly Bill”, which includes severe cuts to healthcare and food assistance for millions of Americans, all to give over $5 trillion in tax cuts to our wealthiest citizens. The Republican spending bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

“Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House. Today’s vote shows they would rather shut down the government than work with Democrats to protect healthcare for the American people. Democrats put forward an alternative proposal that would address the Republican-led healthcare crisis, lower costs for families, and protect Congress’ constitutional power of the purse. But instead of working with us on a bipartisan solution, Republicans are forcing through a partisan bill that will make matters worse. I won’t rubber-stamp this extreme bill that will rip healthcare away from millions of people. I urge our Senate colleagues to reject this harmful bill and join us in demanding Republicans come to the table to negotiate,” said Rep. Carbajal.

Democrats in both the House and Senate have argued that any stopgap funding bill needs to protect the expanded tax credit subsidies for health insurance purchased through Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges. Those tax credits and the eligibility for them were expanded by Democrats in 2021 under then-President Biden and are scheduled to expire at the end of December. If the tax credits are not protected in the stopgap bill, millions of Americans could lose their health insurance.