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Pappas Bill Will Protect Critical American Infrastructure from Foreign Purchase

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

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to provide greater oversight and protections for critical American infrastructure from foreign interference, including infrastructure related to drinking water. The legislation also strengthens existing federal authority to review, investigate, and block foreign real estate transactions that could jeopardize America’s national security. Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14) and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) co-lead the legislation.

The Critical Infrastructure Security Act expands protections for critical infrastructure and requires the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to annually review, update, and report on facilities and property of the United States government deemed sensitive and subject to CFIUS’s authority to review and investigate certain real estate transactions.

“New Hampshire must remain vigilant in protecting infrastructure from foreign interference by adversaries like China, including properties related to drinking water and national security,” said Congressman Pappas. “The recent international sale of property in New Hampshire underscores the need to provide greater oversight and protections for critical American assets and strengthen our ability to review, investigate, and block foreign real estate transactions that could undermine our safety and security. This is a common-sense, bipartisan step that will help safeguard our infrastructure from those who may wish to do us harm, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and pass it quickly.” 

“Our critical infrastructure facilities deliver the essential services that keep our country open for business,” said Congressman Weber. “Allowing adversaries like China to have free rein over our land, particularly near our critical infrastructure facilities, is a major national security risk. Giving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) the authority to review these purchases counters our adversaries’ plots to weaken our nation and improves our ability to protect our way of life.”

 “Anytime we see a foreign adversary or competitor buy up land near sensitive American facilities — whether it’s farmland or other land near sensitive American facilities — our communities need to know if it poses any threats to our economy or national security,” said Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, a former intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve for over a decade and a member of the House Armed Services Committee. “That’s why I’m building a bipartisan coalition to tackle these challenges in Congress, and this bipartisan bill is an important piece of the effort.”

Background:

Since taking office, Pappas has led the fight in Congress to stand up to China’s growing aggression, hold it accountable for human rights violations and trafficking deadly fentanyl into the United States, and ensure that Americans can outcompete the world.  

Earlier this year, Pappas helped introduce the Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act to crack down on foreign drug trafficking and sanction Chinese suppliers of key fentanyl ingredients; it passed with bipartisan support in the House. Pappas helped craft and fought to pass the CHIPS and Science Act, bipartisan legislation that jump-started American manufacturing of critical semiconductor chips found in everything from microwaves to cars. In 2023, Pappas introduced the STOP CCP Act, which would require financial and visa sanctions on members of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party as a result of the numerous human rights violations, including genocide, that the Chinese Communist Party has committed.

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Pappas Introduces the Protect Patients from Costly Care Act

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

Bill would repeal Trump’s ‘Sick Tax’ and Big Pharma Handouts in his ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

This week Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) is introducing new legislation in the House, the Protect Patients from Costly Care Act, to repeal changes to Medicaid cost-sharing requirements and handouts to Big Pharma in the Republicans’ reconciliation tax and spending bill. Representatives Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Cleo Fields (LA-06, John B. Larson (CT-01), André Carson (IN-07), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), and Angie Craig (MN-02) are original cosponsors of the legislation.

The bill would repeal the “sick tax” imposed by President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Act (OBBBA), which imposes additional out-of-pocket fees on certain Medicaid enrollees before they can see a provider, and allows providers to refuse to administer care if they are unable to pay the fee. The bill would also repeal provisions in the OBBBA that exclude certain drugs from the Medicare drug price negotiation program, allowing pharmaceutical companies to evade accountability for high-priced prescription drugs.

“President Trump and Republicans in Congress weren’t satisfied with simply cutting Medicaid funding, forcing providers to close and kicking millions off their health care. They also had to make sure that their legislation would force Medicaid patients to pay a ‘sick tax’ and help Big Pharma evade accountability for making drug prices unaffordable,” said Congressman Pappas. “We won’t stand for it. If Republicans are serious about addressing high costs, then they should join us to move this legislation forward, protect patients from high costs, and protect the progress we have made to ensure life-saving medications are accessible to everyone who needs them.”

This legislation is supported by Protect Our Care and Patients for Affordable Drugs Now.

“Congressman Pappas is taking an important step to roll back some of the most harmful provisions of Donald Trump and Republicans’ health care cuts,” said Leslie Dach, Chair, Protect Our Care. “Because of Republicans, prescription drug prices and out-of-pocket costs are set to skyrocket for those who can least afford it, leaving them nowhere to turn for life-saving medications and care. The Protect Patients From Costly Care Act is a vital step toward combating the GOP War on Health Care and protecting the health and dignity of millions.”

Merith Basey, Executive Director of Patients For Affordable Drugs Now, said, “The Protecting Patients from Costly Care Act is a targeted fix that restores integrity to the Medicare Negotiation Program — which is supported by Americans across party lines. We thank Congressman Pappas for standing with patients over Big Pharma.”

Background: 

Congressman Pappas is a steadfast advocate for lowering health care and prescription drug costs, expanding access to care, strengthening the industry’s workforce and training programs, and protecting vital programs that Granite Staters rely on, including Medicare and Medicaid. Pappas fought to pass historic legislation that finally allowed the government to negotiate for lower drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, capped the cost of insulin at $35, and capped out-of-pocket medical expenses for Medicare recipients.

Pappas voted against the 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 states; neither was adopted.

Earlier this year, Pappas helped introduce the Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act, which would make Medicare’s coverage of audio-only telehealth services permanent, the Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act, which would expand low-income seniors’ access to prescription drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit program, also known as Medicare Part D, the Rural Health Innovation Act, which would strengthen access to care in rural areas by establishing a competitive grant program for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) or Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to increase staff, equipment, technology, and more, and the Restoring Essential Healthcare Act, which would repeal the federal ban on Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

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House Passes Pappas’s Bipartisan Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act to Crack Down on Opioid Trafficking

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

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), a member of the Bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus, helped pass his Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act through the House of Representatives. The bipartisan Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act amends the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to make Chinese entities sanctionable as “foreign opioid traffickers” if they produce, sell, finance, or transport synthetic opioids or precursors, but fail to take credible steps to prevent opioid trafficking, including through cooperation with U.S. counternarcotics efforts and know-your-customer procedures. This legislation previously passed the House with bipartisan support in the 118th Congress.

“Fentanyl overdoses continue to kill tens of thousands of Americans every year. We must take every step to prevent more senseless deaths by holding traffickers and cartels accountable and stopping Chinese precursor chemicals before they reach our shores,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation will enable the United States to crack down on foreign drug trafficking and sanction Chinese suppliers of key fentanyl ingredients. I remain committed to working to find solutions that will stop the flow of deadly drugs into our communities and save lives.”

Background:

Pappas has led the effort in Congress to permanently classify all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs so law enforcement can keep them off the streets and hold traffickers accountable, and helped pass the HALT Fentanyl Act earlier this year. He also leads the DISPOSE Act, which would create fentanyl and precursor chemical destruction facilities in three critical drug trafficking choke points: Mexico, Colombia, and Peru; it was included in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025.

Pappas also leads the Dark Web Interdiction Act, the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, and the OPIOIDS Act in the House.

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Congressman Crow Issues Statement Opposing the Annual Defense Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after voting against a highly partisan version of the National Defense Authorization Act.

In a statement, Congressman Crow said: 

“As a veteran who has dedicated my life to serving our country, I will not vote for a bill that undermines the safety and security of our servicemembers.

“We should not be ripping health care from our troops, putting donors in charge of our national security, and deploying active duty troops in U.S. cities. 

“These are not normal times. I will not be part of this administration’s efforts that trash our troops and make us less safe.”

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VIDEO: Rep. Neguse Joins Ally and Melissa Tumblin to Introduce “Ally’s Act,” Legislation to Expand Coverage for Specialized Hearing Devices

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

Washington, D.C. — Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse has once again teamed up with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) to introduce “Ally’s Act,” a bipartisan bill that would ensure private insurance companies cover osseointegrated hearing devices (“OIDs”), including bone anchored hearing aids (“BAHA”) and cochlear implants. The legislation is inspired by Ally Tumblin, a 16-year-old Colorado native, who was born without a right ear or hearing canal—conditions known as microtia and aural atresia—and requires the use of a BAHA. 

After Ally’s insurance company denied coverage of her hearing device, her mother, Melissa Tumblin, formed the organization Ear Community in 2016 to advocate for insurance coverage of these devices to ensure no person is left unable to hear because of private insurance companies’ refusal to provide coverage. Then, in 2019, during Congressman Neguse’s first term in the U.S. House, he received a letter from Ally detailing her circumstances. After learning about her situation and the similar circumstances of Americans living with microtia and aural atresia, Neguse first introduced Ally’s Act. 

“The bill is really simple. It is an effort to help Coloradans and Americans ensure that they have access through their health insurance plans to bone anchored hearing devices, which, right now, are not available on the vast majority of health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. We’ve got to change it. And really, this bill only came about because of Melissa and Ally Tumblin. It was their story—and Ally’s story—that really helped us conceive of Ally’s Act, and I couldn’t be more grateful to both of them for their courage and their willingness to be a part of the solution,” said Congressman Neguse in a video highlighting the bill. 

Watch the full video HERE. 

 “Bone anchored hearing systems and cochlear implants are the only hearing devices some children and adults can benefit from. When an insurance provider denies coverage for someone in need of one of these hearing devices, the opportunity for communication and to pursue certain careers is taken away. These hearing devices are medically necessary and it is imperative that private insurers provide access to these types of hearing devices, including the necessary hearing health care that is associated with them. Ally’s Act would ensure fair and consistent coverage for these hearing devices, improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people,” said Melissa Tumblin, Ally’s Mother and the Founder and Executive Director of Ear Community.

“When a child is denied the ability to hear because of an insurer blocking access to care, that’s not just a policy failure—it’s a moral one. Ally’s Act is our answer. It’s a commitment to every family: your child’s future won’t be decided by red tape. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, I’ve made it a priority to ensure our laws are not only inclusive in intent, but effective in impact—for every child, every family, and every ability,” said Representative Fitzpatrick.

The bill is also widely supported by individuals born with microtia and atresia, as well as by medical organizations representing ear, nose, and throat specialists. See what they’re saying below.

“The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association applauds Representative Neguse for reintroducing Ally’s Act,” said American Speech-Language-Hearing Association President Bernadette Mayfield-Clarke, PhD, CCC-SLP. “Nobody should be denied life-changing hearing technology, including implantable hearing devices, and related audiologic services because of arbitrary private insurance restrictions. Effective communication is not only necessary for academic, social and career success, but it is essential to our ability to connect with others. We believe it as a basic human right that should be accessible and achievable for all. This important legislation stands to make a real difference in the lives of people of all ages with hearing loss.”

“American Cochlear Implant Alliance enthusiastically supports Ally’s Act, legislation intended to ensure that Americans have access to hearing implants including cochlear and osseointegrated implants,” said Donna L. Sorkin, Executive Director, American Cochlear Implant Alliance. “Representative Neguse has demonstrated leadership and understanding of the extraordinary value of appropriate hearing healthcare for people of all ages, allowing those who need them to hear to pursue education, participate in the workplace, and enjoy a high quality of life.”

“When patients need osseointegrated devices or cochlear implants for severe hearing loss, insurance denials create devastating financial barriers on top of an already challenging medical condition,” said Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. “We’re grateful to Representatives Neguse and Fitzpatrick for Ally’s Act, which will ensure coverage for these life-changing devices and allow otolaryngologists and their patients and families to focus on clinical treatment and outcomes—rather than battling coverage denials and financial burdens.”

This bill is endorsed by over 55 advocacy, academic, and non-profit organizations, including Ear Community; the American Cochlear Implant Alliance; the American Academy of Audiology; the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery; the National Rural Health Association; Waiting to Hear; HearStrong; Lemon Aids 4 Hearing; Songs for Sound, Inc.

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Rep. Neguse and Colleagues Secure Agreement from USFS to Provide Protective Masks for Wildland Firefighters After Decades-Long Ban

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

Pictured Above: Rep. Neguse, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, questions Chief Schultz during today’s hearing. 

Washington, D.C. — During yesterday’s hearing in the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands titled “The State of Our Nation’s Federal Forests,” in response to questioning from Ranking Member Joe Neguse of Colorado, Chief of the Forest Service Tom Schultz confirmed that, going forward, wildland firefighters will be provided N95 masks. This kind of protective equipment has not previously been approved for use, despite an increasing number of firefighters getting sick from smoke exposure while in the line of duty. 

Chief Schultz’s commitment and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS)’s new guidance followed sustained pressure from Rep. Neguse and his colleagues, who have repeatedly urged the agency to address unsafe working conditions for federal wildland firefighters. In several letters sent before today’s hearing, the lawmakers pressed for answers about the protective equipment provided to firefighters. Public reporting has documented that, for decades, the USFS failed to provide protections for its workforce—sending them into heavy smoke without masks or other basic protections.
Find the exchange between Rep. Neguse and Chief Schultz confirming wildland firefighters’ access to N95 masks HERE. Below is a transcription: 
NEGUSE: In a recent article that I’m sure you’re familiar with in the New York Times. And I guess, so the question I have for you is: Has the agency considered, in light of that reporting, and again, I know you’re, you know, new to the agency relatively, but has the agency considered making PPE [Personal Protective Equipment] available to wildland firefighters? And I’m not talking about a mandate, but just in terms of having availability in the same way that Cal Fire has done, other states are now considering, and of course, many other Western countries.

CHIEF SCHULTZ: So, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Neguse, first of all, in the article, Forest Service employees were interviewed for that and their input was not included in the article. So, I would argue that that article was fairly one-sided, just to clear the record on that. In terms of what we do provide firefighters, N95 masks are available, should a firefighter choose to wear that. They’re provided on fires. What we do not provide are respirators, and that’s something that they’re…

NEGUSE: Can I ask about the mask on that front? And I will…just on the N95 mask. So, does the wildland firefighter have to ask for that, or are they, are they now, it’s the policy of the Forest Service that they’re made aware that they have the ability to access those masks if they choose? 

CHIEF SCHULTZ: Mr. Chairman, Mr Neguse, yes, they’re aware that they are available on fires. As part of when we deploy to a fire, the logistics team, they do order that that is available to firefighters. That it’s N95 masks—not respirators—N95 masks.

NEGUSE: And I would say on that point, I thank the Chairman for his indulgence. I think it would be important for the Forest Service, I mean, you’ve done this now during the course of this hearing, but perhaps taking another step to pronounce that very publicly, because that was not, that was, that’s not the understanding I think, based off of what I’ve, we’ve all collectively read. But I hear you, and so I’d look forward. We sent a letter to you, along with many other members, on this subject that just asked a series of questions to try to get some clarity for our wildland firefighters, and so I would hope that we could continue to work with you on that. 

CHIEF SCHULTZ: And Mr Chairman, Mr Neguse we, we got your letter yesterday. So we appreciate that. And we will work toward answering those. But we do. We take it very seriously. Firefighter health. It was mentioned earlier, too. It’s not just physical health in terms of respiration, but also psychological health. So that’s something we are very serious about, that we do have suicides occasionally. So, firefighters’ safety is of critical importance to the agency, and we’re working with our firefighters to make sure that they are protected and have appropriate PPE to keep them safe. 

NEGUSE: Thank you.

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Congressman Neguse and Senator Bennet Celebrate $2.6 Million in ‘Joint Chiefs’ Funding for Headwaters of the Colorado

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

The Colorado lawmakers leading the Joint Chiefs Reauthorization Act also emphasized the need to expand this critical USDA program.

Lafayette, CO — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, and Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement celebrating $2,612,692 in funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership Program(Joint Chiefs) for the Headwaters of the Colorado Initiative. This project will focus on reducing wildfire risk in the wildland urban interface, improving stream health, and improving habitat for wildlife on a landscape scale and across ownership boundaries. 

Neguse and Bennet have long been champions of the Joint Chiefs initiative. In 2021, they introduced the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership Act to formally authorize the program, successfully enacting it later that year in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Since then, they have led efforts to expand the initiative to better support forest and grassland restoration projects across both public and private lands.

“As Federal representatives for the headwaters of the Colorado River, we know how important protecting vital water sources, strengthening wildfire mitigation, improving watershed health, and building forest resilience is to our communities. That’s why we’re honored to welcome more than $2 million in ‘Joint Chiefs’ funding for critical investments that will do exactly that.”

“This funding is a step in the right direction. It represents forward momentum in supporting collaborative, science-based efforts to restore and preserve the lands spanning the Colorado River Basin. And it underscores the importance of reauthorizing the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership Program in a bipartisan manner, so we can continue advancing watershed, forest, and grassland restoration across our nation’s treasured lands.”

Learn more about the Headwaters of the Colorado Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership Project HERE. 

Since first being launched in 2014, the Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership has invested $423 million in 134 projects in 42 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico to help reduce wildfire threats to communities, protect water quality and supply, and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.

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Rep. Neguse and Colleagues Demand Update on Working Conditions for Federal Wildland Firefighters

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

Washington, D.C. — As the Trump administration continues to cut funding for the United States Forest Service (USFS), public reporting has surfaced underscoring the dire working conditions for wildland firefighters employed by the agency. In response, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the House Federal Lands Subcommittee, led more than a dozen of his colleagues in a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz expressing extreme concern and demanding urgent answers on plans to remedy the current state of affairs. 

Since assuming office, Donald Trump has cut the Forest Service’s workforce by 10%; an agency where roughly 75% of the staff are trained in wildland firefighting. These terminations, coupled with an increased number of firefighters getting sick from smoke exposure while fighting wildfires, are straining the agency’s workforce and weakening the nation’s federal disaster response and emergency operations. 

“We are writing to express extreme concern about recent reports of inadequate working conditions for wildland firefighters employed by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and understaffing across the agency. Given the increasing severity and frequency of wildfires across the country, especially in the Western United States, it is critical to ensure that our federal firefighting workforce is sufficiently staffed, trained, fed, and ready to respond to wildfire emergencies,” wrote Congressman Neguse and colleagues.

The questions Neguse and colleagues requested a response to include: 

  1. How many federal wildland firefighters are currently employed by USFS?

  2. How many employees are currently employed by USFS who are red-card certified?

  3. What steps has USFS taken, and plans to take, to ensure there is always adequate food, fuel, and other basic supplies provided for wildland firefighters without any lapse?

  4. Going forward, will protective equipment such as N95 masks be free and easily available to USFS firefighters? Will this equipment be part of the cache automatically sent to all large fires moving forward?

  5. Has the USFS conferred with or received any guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regarding the wearing of N95s on firelines and/or holding firelines?

  6. What steps is USFS taking to support wildland firefighters in response to the health risks associated with wildland fire response?

“This has been a brutal fire season. Prolonged drought is fueling fierce wildfires that endanger the health and safety of federal wildland firefighters,” said Randy Erwin, National President, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM). “Making matters worse, the Trump Administration chose to eliminate seasoned firefighters through DOGE and other misguided schemes—compounding long-standing recruitment and retention challenges tied to low pay and poor working conditions. Unsurprisingly, the Forest Service and USDA have remained tight-lipped about the crisis and any plan to address it.”

Full text of the letter available HERE and below. 

It was co-signed by Representatives Huffman, Brownley, Carbajal, Costa, Dexter, Dingell, Elfreth, Gray, Harder, Hoyle, Lee, Leger Fernández, Min, S. Peters, Salinas, Schrier, M.D., and Whitesides. 

September 4, 2025

The Honorable Tom Schultz

Chief

U.S. Forest Service

Washington, D.C. 20240

Dear Chief Schultz,

We are writing to express extreme concern about recent reports of inadequate working conditions for wildland firefighters employed by the United States Forest Service (USFS) and understaffing across the agency. Given the increasing severity and frequency of wildfires across the country, especially in the Western United States, it is critical to ensure that our federal firefighting workforce is sufficiently staffed, trained, fed, and ready to respond to wildfire emergencies.

Recent reporting has indicated unsafe working conditions for federal wildland firefighters as they face the toxicity of wildfire smoke without adequate protective equipment–exposing these brave men and women to extreme health risks. The toxic wildfire smoke that wildland firefighters are exposed to has been linked to countless dangerous health conditions, including cancers, and yet your agency has not provided protective equipment to firefighters, even on a voluntary basis. The USFS’ own research has outlined the dangers of wildfire smoke and called for additional protective equipment, but the agency has not done so.

These firefighters have also been asked to take on additional responsibilities outside the usual scope of their duties in response to diminished staff capacity at USFS. Firefighters have reportedly been asked to cover ranger station positions, mow lawns, and clean toilets. Many employees who support wildland fire operations have been subject to layoffs and subsequent re-hiring which places additional strain on remaining employees, including firefighters. 

Additional reports outline how firefighters battling active wildfires in the Pacific Northwest also “went hungry for several days, ran short of medical supplies, and had to scrounge for chainsaw fuel” because of staff vacancies in key positions who support the frontline firefighters. This is completely unacceptable and shameful. The brave men and women who are putting their lives on the line to battle wildfires deserve much more, and at the very least, they should be able to count on the USFS to provide reliable food and supplies.

Many of the employees who have left the USFS since the start of the year have also held Incident Qualification Cards, or red cards, which are issued to individuals who successfully complete the required training, experience, and physical fitness test by firefighting agencies. These individuals provide invaluable support during fire emergencies and are often called in by agency leadership to fill gaps in personnel during emergency scenarios, despite their regular, full-time jobs outside of incident response within the agency. You have acknowledged the importance of these red-card holding employees, requesting that any employees who left the agency this year but hold a red card come back to work for the summer months. 

In addition, despite statements from the USFS and U.S. Department of Agriculture that your agencies have hired 96-99% of your firefighters for the season, reports also indicate that there are 4,500 vacant firefighting positions at USFS, or 27% of the workforce. The American public and fire managers deserve to know the truth about the number of employees who are employed at the agency, and the extent that the workforce is understaffed. 

In response to these concerning reports about the working conditions and staffing of your agency, we request urgent answers to the following questions: 

  1. How many federal wildland firefighters are currently employed by USFS?

  2. How many employees are currently employed by USFS who are red-card certified?

  3. What steps has USFS taken, and plans to take, to ensure there is always adequate food, fuel, and other basic supplies provided for wildland firefighters without any lapse?

  4. Going forward, will protective equipment such as N95 masks be free and easily available to USFS firefighters? Will this equipment be part of the cache automatically sent to all large fires moving forward?

  5. Has the USFS conferred with or received any guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regarding the wearing of N95s on firelines and/or holding firelines?

  6. What steps is USFS taking to support wildland firefighters in response to the health risks associated with wildland fire response?

Thank you for your ongoing attention to our national wildfire preparedness and response capacity. We look forward to your response.

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Rep. Neguse to Host In-Person Town Hall in Eagle County

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

Lafayette, CO — This Sunday, September 7th, 2025, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse will host a town hall in Eagle County. Neguse will be joined by local leaders, provide an update on his work for the people of Colorado’s 2nd District, and take live questions from audience members.

Eagle County Town Hall

When: Sunday, September 7, 1:30 p.m. MT (Doors open at 1:00pm MT)

Where: Vail, Colorado 

RSVP for this community gathering HERE.

Media availability will be provided. Please email Grace.Martinez@mail.house.gov for further details. 

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ICYMI: House Democrats Introduce Sweeping Legislation to Repeal Trump Health Care Cuts

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

Underwood legislation to extend popular tax credits is a key piece of the legislation and will protect health coverage savings and care for millions of American families 

WASHINGTON — On the 60th Anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare, House Democrats introduced the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act, sweeping legislation that would repeal the devastating cuts to working families’ health care implemented in Donald Trump’s Big Ugly Bill.

Rep. Lauren Underwood’s Health Care Affordability Act is a critical piece of the legislation, and would extend popular tax credits for people who get their health care through the Affordable Care Act, making them more generous and available to more Americans.

“As a direct result of Donald Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, millions of American families will soon be getting notices that the cost of their health coverage for next year will be skyrocketing,” said Rep. Underwood. “Many of those families will be forced to go without coverage, and the consequences will be devastating. The Big Ugly Law is the largest cut to health care in American history, and we are out of time. Republicans must act now to pass our legislation, correct this disaster, and protect care for working families.”

The cost savings from the Health Care Affordability Act have led to a record-breaking and historic expansion of health care coverage.

More than 24 million people signed up for health care through the Affordable Care Act this year, including 3.2 million new enrollees. Four in five Americans have found health coverage for $10 or less per month and families of four with Marketplace plans are saving an average of $2,400 on their annual health care premiums. The tax credits are set to expire on December 31, 2025.

But Republicans have refused to extend these savings, and the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 4.2 million Americans will lose their coverage as a direct result of the associated cost increases. Americans can expect to see notifications from their coverage providers informing them about increased costs over the coming weeks. 

The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act restores critical funding to Medicaid that was cut in the Big Ugly Bill and extends the popular tax credits from Underwood’s Health Care Affordability Act. Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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