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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced $5,306,794 in grant funding for the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health to expand access to and improve HIV prevention, early intervention and treatment services for underserved communities in San Bernardino County. 
“Everyone in our community deserves access to quality health care and treatment options to prevent the devastating effects of HIV,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “This grant funding represents a significant step forward in expanding early intervention and treatment services across San Bernardino County, bringing us closer to ending this disease and ensuring no one is left behind.”
“Securing funding through the HIV Emergency Relief Project Grants and the Ending the HIV Epidemic Program represents a major advancement in San Bernardino County’s efforts to address HIV prevention, care, and treatment. These funds will enable the Department of Public Health and community partners to expand access to critical medical and support services, enhance testing and prevention efforts, and ensure individuals living with or at risk of HIV receive the comprehensive care they need. We are deeply committed to improving health access, strengthening our public health infrastructure, and making measurable progress in ending the HIV epidemic within our communities,” said Josh Dugas, Director of the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.
The funding comes as part of four grant awards secured under the Biden-Harris Administration from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources & Services Administration. Included in the funding is $2,444,965 from the FY25 HIV Emergency Relief Project Grant Program, $1,076,917 from the FY25 Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, $122,744 from the FY25 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Early Intervention Services (EIS) Grant Program and $1,662,168 from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A HIV Emergency Relief Grant Program.  Rep. Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer where they urged House Republicans to use their second chance to do the right thing and stop the GOP Tax Scam.  

LEADER JEFFRIES: It’s an honor and a privilege to be joined today by Leader Chuck Schumer. We’ve been working closely with Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats in a unified way to stop the Republican One Big, Ugly Bill from ever becoming law. Later on today on the House Floor, Republicans will have an opportunity to stop the GOP Tax Scam and address the concerns that have been raised by dozens of House Republicans with respect to the damage that the One Big, Ugly Bill will do to everyday Americans. The GOP Tax Scam represents the largest assault on healthcare in American history. More than 16 million Americans will lose access to healthcare in the United States of America as a result of the One Big, Ugly Bill. Hospitals will close, nursing homes will shut down and people will die because they’ll lose access to the medical care that they need. Tens of millions of additional Americans will pay higher premiums, co-pays and deductibles.

There are more than a dozen House Republicans who have indicated that they don’t support cutting Medicaid for the people that they represent. Those House Republicans have a chance to stop this bill from even being sent over to the United States Senate by voting no on the rule today. Other House Republicans have indicated that they don’t support the cuts to the clean energy tax credits that have generated jobs and economic opportunity in their communities. Yet somehow, mysteriously, they voted for the One Big, Ugly Bill a few weeks ago. But now, these House Republicans have the ability to stop the GOP Tax Scam from being sent over to the United States Senate.

It’s strange to me that you have Republicans who voted for a bill that they apparently disliked, and then publicly sent a letter to their Senate Republican colleagues to say, stop these provisions from ever becoming law. I mean, that’s the height of irresponsibility. Vote yes and then hope for the best. No, you have a job to do in the House of Representatives, and now you have a second chance to actually stop this One Big, Ugly Bill and the provisions that you disagree with, whether that’s the cuts to Medicaid or the cuts to clean energy tax credits, or the prohibition against regulating artificial intelligence across all 50 states or the aggressive overreach that many Republicans have complained about in terms of trying to strip away the ability of federal courts to issue contempt orders against an out-of-control executive branch. Every single one of those Republicans, dozens of them, now have an opportunity to actually act responsibly. Vote no against the rule that will be on the Floor of the House and stop the GOP Tax Scam from even going over to the United States Senate. I’m thankful again for the leadership and presence of Chuck Schumer. It’s now my honor to yield to him.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) grilled Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on reports that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is creating a massive government database with Americans’ sensitive personal information.

Bessent refused to answer whether he supported the central government database and could not explain how he would protect the financial and tax data of millions of Americans fed into it from abuse or a data breach.

The video can be found here, and the transcript is below.

DelBene: Mr. Secretary, do you support the government having a consolidated database containing Americans’ sensitive financial health and personal information?

Bessent: I support protecting Americans –

DelBene: Do you support the consolidated database?

Bessent: I support protecting Americans’ personal –

DelBene: So, I think it’s very concerning that you’re not able to say, “No.” This is not a partisan question. In fact, just last week, Republican Representative Warren Davidson responded to reports that DOGE is merging huge sets of data from across federal agencies into a centralized repository. He said, “It’s dangerous when you start combining all those data points on an individual into one database. It’s a power that history says will eventually be abused.” While I could not agree more and would also add that this kind of database would be a gold mine for malicious actors who are eager to exploit American sensitive data. Mr. Secretary, Section 6103 sets forth the confidentiality and disclosure rules for tax returns and tax information. Just because DOGE wants to compile people’s sensitive information into one place, doesn’t mean the confidentiality rules go away. Is that correct?

Bessent: We adhere to 6103.

DelBene: So, it seems like you know that should be a simple one too. We should absolutely be clear that the confidentiality rules did not go away. In fact, earlier in this hearing, you asserted that the Treasury Department is following, I think you said, the proper provisions within the Privacy Act, all proper provisions within the Privacy Act, and Section 6103. So, my question for you is, how can we be sure that’s happening? I mean, especially knowing that the President illegally fired 18 inspectors general, including Treasury – Acting Treasury IG Sherpa. How do we know? I’m sorry, you’re just – you saying that isn’t good enough. We’re an oversight body. How do we know?

Bessent: Again, I will say that we are following the law and that –

DelBene: But we need – that’s not good enough, Mr. Secretary. We should have officials within Treasury coming. We should – this is a statement to my colleagues on the other –

Bessent: I’m here today –

DelBene: But you’re not answering how we know that. You’re just saying we are.

Bessent: What would an acceptable answer be to how do we know?

DelBene: Let’s bring them, let’s bring people who are building a database. Let’s go through the details of exactly what you are doing with that data. What protections are in place that we should have hearings doing that. In fact, we requested hearings on this from our partners on the other side of the aisle, refused to bring people from DOGE, et cetera into this committee, so we can be sure that consolidated a database –

Bessent: A judge in the Southern District of New York has ruled that all of our protocols are –

DelBene: Mr. Secretary. We are a co-equal branch of government. We are the oversight body. I’m answering – I asked that question because it is part of my job not to have you just say it. So let’s look at it. I think because we actually have the authority to get that detail. We are oversight. We are not just here to have you say, don’t worry about it. We are here to get detail. And I want you to be clear that it helps – This is a risk to the American people. This is sensitive personal information. There is no clarity on how this is being protected. Early on in this administration, people are given access to information with no controls. We have not had folks come into hearings. That’s not good enough, Mr. Secretary, and I’m supportive of making sure that we are using technology in smart ways. I’m also very supportive of making sure that we are protecting people’s personal information and we are following the law. 6103 is clear, and there is no and now this consolidation, there’s no approval on how this consolidation takes place. And you can’t even be clear to me that you that you know you’re – about where you stand in terms of making that happening. So I don’t think we’re getting the information.

Bessent: So, Representative, maybe it did not filter up to you, but we provided a staff-level briefing several weeks ago.

DelBene: Then let’s bring folks – I want to ask the questions. Frankly, it’s not about whether or not you had a staff-level brief. Let’s bring experts to answer detailed questions in this body, so that we get those answers. You know, I have a technology background. I’m happy to have those detailed conversations of exactly who’s given access, how that access is given, and how we are making sure that information is protected. We absolutely have to make sure that there are no violations there are the right protocols put in place. We have no data to say that. We just have, you’d say, just, trust me, it’s okay. That’s not good enough.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a Ways & Means Committee hearing featuring U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday in Washington, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) highlighted the importance of passing the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in order to avoid a tax increase on American families and small businesses.

“Current tax rates are set to expire at the end of the year. If we don’t pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, hardworking American taxpayers would see their taxes increase. We cannot let that happen,” said Rep. Kelly. “This legislation makes tax cuts permanent and creates much-needed certainty for American families and small businesses.”

“The One Big Beautiful Bill will make the 2017 tax cuts permanent. This will provide individuals and businesses with certainty and build economic momentum. The legislation is squarely aimed at boosting the working and middle class and reinvigorating American manufacturing,” said Sec. Bessent in prepared remarks.

You can watch a clip of Rep. Kelly’s exchange with Sec. Bessent here.

BACKGROUND

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes permanent the successful 2017 Trump tax cuts and includes critical pro-growth policies that will cut taxes by an additional $1,300 for a family of four and deliver higher wages and incomes for millions of Americans. A recent report from the Council of Economic Advisers shows the legislation will produce up to $13,300 more in take-home pay for a typical family and up to $11,600 more in wages for American workers.

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Is Pro-Growth Tax Policy
Permanent extension of the Trump tax cuts, alongside additional pro-growth policies, will fuel a resurgence in economic growth:

• America’s real gross domestic product (GDP) to increase by an estimated 5.2 percent over the next four years and 3.5 percent in the long term.
• 9.8 to 14.5 percent boost in investment in the next four years and a 4.9 to 7.5 percent boost in long-term investment.
• 6.6 to 7.4 million full-time jobs saved or created in the next four years and 4.2 million saved or created in the long term.

FACT SHEET: The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Fuels America’s Economic Growth

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Makes Families & Workers Thrive Again

• Makes the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent – protecting the average taxpayer from a 22 percent tax hike.
• Saves the average American family from a $1,700 tax hike – the equivalent of 9 weeks of groceries.
• Delivers an additional $1,300 tax cut for the average American family.
  — Delivers up to $11,600 in higher wages per worker.
  — Delivers up to $13,300 more in take-home pay for a family with two children.
• Delivers on President Trump’s priorities of no tax on tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and tax relief for seniors that will put more money annually in the pockets of millions of Americans:
  — Up to $1,750 for overtime workers.
  — $1,700 for tipped workers.
  — Up to $450 for seniors.
• Locks in and boosts the doubled Child Tax Credit for more than 40 million families and provides additional tax relief for American families.
• Preserves and increases the doubled guaranteed deduction for 91 percent of all taxpayers.
• Expands 529 education savings accounts to empower American families and students to choose the education that best fits their needs, whether it is K-12 materials or obtaining a postsecondary trades credential.
• Supports working families by expanding access to childcare and making permanent the paid leave tax credit.
• Puts American families in control of their health care by expanding health savings accounts and cementing into law a Trump Administration policy that offers more choice and flexibility for health coverage options.
• Starts building financial security for America’s children at birth with the creation of new savings accounts.

Source: United States House of Representatives – CONGRESSMAN JIM HIMES (4th District of Connecticut)

Himes Statement on Trump Administration Actions in California | Press Releases | Congressman Jim Himes

 

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – CONGRESSMAN JIM HIMES (4th District of Connecticut)

Himes Advocates for Anti-Corruption in Cryptocurrency | Press Releases | Congressman Jim Himes

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) is pleased to announce six remarkable students from Florida’s 26th Congressional District have earned appointments to prestigious United States Service Academies such as the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

These talented young men and women were nominated by the Congressman and have now been accepted as members of the Class of 2029 for their respective academies.

The students and their respective academies are:

• William Brockmeier – U.S. Military Academy, Gulf Coast High School
• Christian Febres – U.S. Military Academy, Doral Academy Preparatory
• Luca Guerra – U.S. Military Academy, Rise Preparatory Academy
• Alejandro Merlano Jr. – U.S. Military Academy, Divine Savior Academy
• Valeria Isabel Gumucio-Colmenares – U.S. Naval Academy, Divine Savior Academy
• Patrick McDonald – U.S. Naval Academy, Naples Classical Academy

Military Academy Nominations

The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. For more information, please review the page of Frequently Asked Questions for those seeking a Military Academy Nomination.

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Congressman Díaz-Balart may nominate up to 15 individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to our district. To request a Military Academy Nomination from our office, please complete the form below. Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies and serving our country.

To find out more on requesting a Military Academy Nomination from our office, please visit Military Academy Nominations | Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

As President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans work to gut the Affordable Care Act (ACA), U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14) and Dwight Evans (PA-03) and U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (WI) and Jeanne Shaheen (NH) introduced legislation today in the House and Senate to restore a key initiative of the health care law that helps American families navigate the ACA marketplace and connect them with high quality, affordable health care plans. The Expand Navigators’ Resources for Outreach, Learning and Longevity (ENROLL) Act would ensure the Navigator program, established under the ACA to help Americans navigate, shop and enroll in affordable health care plans, will continue despite the Trump Administration cutting funding by 90 percent in February. 

“Florida families value and appreciate affordable health coverage.  In fact, over 4.7 million Floridians selected an affordable marketplace plan for 2025—almost one-fifth of the nation’s 24.2 million enrollees. Robust outreach and assistance by Navigators is vital to families so they can evaluate options and choose a health plan that is right for them.  Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has slashed Navigator support and complicated the lives of families who need advice on lifesaving health coverage,” said Representative Castor. “President Trump and Congressional Republicans appear dead set on making Affordable Care Act coverage more expensive, driving up premiums and putting hardworking families at risk. I am proud to work with Senators Baldwin and Shaheen and Representative Evans to protect American’s health, well-being and pocketbooks by ensuring Navigators stay on the job.”

“The Affordable Care Act Navigators program provides free, objective, expert advice and information to Americans in red, purple and blue states alike to help them find affordable health coverage that meets their needs. A similar cut to the program in President Trump’s first term resulted in more people being uninsured, and letting his new cut stand is likely to raise costs for working-class Americans at a time when the cost of living is already high,” said Representative Evans. “One of the ways the Navigators program has helped American families is by helping hundreds of thousands of eligible consumers in Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage. President Trump recently promised not to touch Medicaid, and keeping people who qualify for Medicaid from getting covered breaks that promise, as far as I’m concerned.”

“We have seen this movie before: when he doesn’t get his way to fully repeal it, Donald Trump tries every which way to chip away at the Affordable Care Act and kick Wisconsin families off their health care, and sadly, it works. At a time when Wisconsinites are worried their care is on the chopping block under Republicans’ plan to give tax breaks to the wealthy, the Trump Administration is also gutting a key program that helps our neighbors find health care coverage that they can afford,” said Senator Baldwin. “Wisconsin’s Navigator has connected thousands of families with good health care coverage, ensuring more Wisconsinites can access the care and treatment they need to stay healthy. We should be investing in bringing the cost of care down for Wisconsinites, not jacking up costs and eliminating proven resources that connect more families with affordable insurance.” 

“We’ve seen this before: When the first Trump administration slashed funding for the Navigator program, ACA health care enrollment shrank by more than 2.5 million – and when that funding was restored, enrollment rose and reached historic levels. Despite the hard facts that it helps everyday Americans access critical health care, the administration is gutting the Navigator program again and leaving Granite Staters in rural and underserved areas behind,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our ENROLL Act is urgently needed to restore this funding so Granite Staters—and all Americans—have access to the help they need to make informed decisions about their health insurance coverage.”

In 2017 and 2018, the first Trump Administration cut funding for the Navigator program by 84 percent, contributing to 2.5 million fewer people accessing healthcare through the ACA Marketplace over the course of the first Trump Administration. Navigator funding was restored in 2021, and enrollment reached historic levels for the 2025 plan year. In February 2025, the Trump Administration slashed nearly 90 percent of funding for the Navigator program, threatening to leave millions of Americans without critical assistance to access health insurance at a time of increased uncertainty due to Congressional Republicans’ sabotage of the ACA. 

The ENROLL Act would:

• Ensure that Navigators have the resources they need to assist Americans in finding affordable health care coverage by restoring funding for the program to $100 million annually;

• Promote public education and assistance that helps consumers, including those who may need extra help signing up, find coverage rather than prioritizing application numbers;

• Clarify that Navigator responsibilities include enrolling consumers in lifesaving Medicaid and CHIP coverage;

• Provide Americans with information on comprehensive health insurance that protects individuals with pre-existing conditions.

The ENROLL Act is supported by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Federation of Teachers American Heart Association, American Public Health Association, Community Catalyst, Epilepsy Foundation MomsRising, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, National Health Council, National Immigration Law Center, National Kidney Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Psoriasis Foundation and Young Invincibles.

“Marketplace Navigators are a crucial resource for the more than 24 million people who access their health coverage through the ACA Marketplace and anyone who has questions about their coverage options. Appropriately funding health care Navigators is essential for making sure consumers—especially those with complex medical conditions like cancer—can get access to the most appropriate health insurance coverage that will meet their needs. We commend Senator Baldwin, Senator Shaheen, and Representative Castor for acting to reverse the significant and damaging funding cuts that were enacted earlier this year and urge the Senate and House to pass this legislation quickly,” said Lisa Lacasse, President of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

“At a time when health care is under relentless attack, advancing the ENROLL Act is a clear signal that there are leaders in Congress committed to putting people over profit. The current administration has gutted funding for Navigators, trusted community members who guide people through the daunting, complex process of enrolling in coverage. Restoring that funding is essential to ensuring everyone, especially those facing the greatest barriers, can enroll in the most affordable, comprehensive options for their families. We thank Senator Baldwin and Representative Castor for their leadership and for standing with communities who depend on this trusted, unbiased help,” said Mona Shah, Senior Director of Policy and Strategy, Community Catalyst.

A one-pager on this legislation is available here. Full bill text of this legislation is available

here.