MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), are expressing serious concern over the planned closure of labor and delivery services at Providence Seaside and call on Providence Health & Services to support families and clinicians affected by the decision. 

 

Last week, Providence announced that, on October 4, the Seaside hospital would end obstetrics and inpatient newborn care. The lawmakers sent a letter to Providence President and CEO Erik Wexler expressing concerns for mothers, families, and employees affected by the closure. 

 

“We anticipate that this decision will hurt the health and safety of expectant mothers, newborns, and families, who will no longer have local access to obstetrics care,” cautioned the lawmakers. 

 

The Seaside hospital serves a wide geographic area, and the closure will force patients to travel dangerously long distances—in some cases, more than an hour—to receive both routine and emergency obstetric care. Compounded by Samaritan Health Service’s reported plan to close its Lincoln City and Lebanon labor and delivery departments, Providence’s decision would impede access to maternity care in Oregon’s rural communities, while also putting an undue burden on many families that could cause them to bypass necessary medical care. 

 

“In addition, we expect these challenges will only get worse given the Republican reconciliation bill that gutted the health care system by $1 trillion, thereby making it harder for rural and isolated maternity units to survive,” they wrote. “As a result of these cuts, rural and small hospitals will be forced into impossible choices and unpopular operational decisions, like cutting labor and delivery services, in order to keep their doors open.”   

 

While the lawmakers deeply understand the numerous economic challenges facing rural labor and delivery units across Oregon—including low volumes of births, workforce shortages, and challenging reimbursement rates—they’ve also seen the negative impacts labor and delivery unit closures have on Oregon’s mothers and families. Together, they are calling for Providence Health & Services to support the families, clinicians, and communities it serves.  

 

“We urge you to assist expectant families to find alternative options for safe maternal health care so they do not suffer disruptions in their obstetrics care. In addition, we urge you to provide meaningful support to the physicians, nurses, and other clinicians whose jobs will be affected by the reduction in obstetrics care at Providence Seaside. Finally, we urge Providence Seaside to engage in a transparent process with the community it serves as it winds down local obstetrics care,” continued the lawmakers. 

 

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here. 

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

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) led a group of bipartisan House members in the reintroduction of legislation that would ban greyhound racing in the United States and outlaw gambling on the outcome of greyhound races simulcast from other nations.

“Greyhound racing is cruel, inhumane, and unpopular with the American public – which is why nearly every state has already voted to outlaw it,” said Rep. Carbajal. “As a member of the Animal Protection Caucus, I’m proud to stand with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that will finally put an end to this brutal practice and promote the universal welfare of our greyhounds.”

The lawmakers joining Carbajal in reintroducing the Greyhound Protection Act are Representatives Randy Fine (R-FL-06), Don Davis (D-NC-01), and Zach Nunn (R-IA-03).

“It’s great to work on a bill that protects man’s best friend. These animals deserve to be treated with respect and shouldn’t be exploited. In light of National Dog Day, I’m proud to contribute to this important legislation,” said Rep. Fine.

“Greyhound racing is a cruel and inhumane practice that has no place anywhere in this country,” said Rep. Nunn. “Iowa shut down its last greyhound track because our communities recognized the cruelty behind this industry. This bill follows Iowa’s lead, ensuring man’s best friend is treated with the care and respect every dog deserves.”

Greyhound racing is already illegal in 44 out of 50 states.

As American-raised greyhounds are also being exported to racetracks in other countries, the bill would also outlaw this practice. Read the full bill text here. 

The bill has the endorsement of more than 250 animal rights and protection groups, shelters, and other organizations–including Grey2K USA Worldwide and Animal Wellness Action.

“Greyhounds are sweet, gentle dogs, and for generations they have been exploited by the gambling industry,” said Christine A. Dorchak, president and general counsel of GREY2K USA Worldwide. “We are a dog loving nation, and greyhound racing goes against our values about the humane treatment of dogs.”

“Greyhounds should be safely on the laps of their humans and not taking a lap on a racing oval that puts them at risk of serious injury in front of nearly empty bleachers,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy.  “We are immensely grateful to Rep. Carbajal for leading this fight in Congress.”

Carbajal is a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus and has a 100% lifetime score with the Humane Society.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

Los Angeles, CA — On August 25th, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) joined veterans, veteran advocates, leadership of several Veteran Service Organizations, and fellow congressional members at “Forward Together: Creating Community on the West Los Angeles Department of Veterans Affairs Campus,” a roundtable discussion held at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in Los Angeles. The event — hosted by Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Congressman Mark Takano (CA-39) — focused on transforming the long-troubled West LA VA campus (also known as the Soldiers Home) into a thriving hub of housing, services, and community for Southern California veterans. Also in attendance were Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) and L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

Congressman Sherman, who has long championed housing initiatives and veteran services in Los Angeles County, emphasized the importance of hearing directly from veterans during the redevelopment process.

“This can’t be top-down. It has to come from the veterans who will live here, who know what works, and who have waited far too long for promises to be kept,” Congressman Sherman said. “Today’s roundtable is part of that process — and I intend to keep showing up until this vision becomes reality.”

The West LA VA campus has faced decades of controversy, but redevelopment is now underway to create hundreds of units of permanent supportive housing. Congressman Sherman has played a key role in advancing this effort, helping deliver $1.5 million in federal funding for the project and supporting broader appropriations efforts to secure additional resources.

His office also continues to advocate for veterans in the San Fernando Valley and Westside communities through ongoing federal investment and oversight.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

VATICAN CITY –Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced his audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City, during the Jubilee of hope, as part of the 16^th Annual Meeting of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN). This is the first ICLN meeting led by Pope Leo.  

 

Congressman Gonzalez, along with a bipartisan Delegation of Catholic Members of Congress, discussed with Pope Leo the chosen theme of “The New World Order: Major Power Politics, Corporate Dominion and the Future of Human Flourishing,” emphasizing the importance of authentic human flourishing.

 

“As a devout Catholic, it is the highest honor to meet His Holiness Pope Leo – the first American Pope – and hear his message of compassion, unity, and service to others,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Pope Leo challenged us to build a world rooted in hope, conscience, and solidarity. He also urged us to shape the societies around us with the love of God and neighbor rather than selfish interests.

 

As a key member of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, Congressman Gonzalez also met with senior leader from the Holy See and the United Nations World Food Program to discuss their partnerships with international financial institutions to support humanitarian operations in the Middle East.   

 

CONGRESISTA VICENTE GONZALEZ SE REÚNE CON SU SANTIDAD EL PAPA LEON XIV  

 

CIUDAD DEL VATICANO –Hoy, el Congresista Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) anunció su audiencia con Su Santidad el Papa León XIV en la Ciudad del Vaticano, durante el Jubileo de la esperanza, parte de la decimosexta Reunión Anual de la Red Internacional de Legisladores Católicos (ICLN). Esta es la primera reunión de ICLN dirigida por el Papa León.

 

El Congresista Gonzalez, junto con una delegación bipartidista de Miembros Católicos del Congreso, discutió con el Papa León el tema elegido “El Nuevo Orden Mundial: Política de las Grandes Potencias, Dominio Corporativo y el Futuro del Florecimiento Humano”, enfatizando la importancia del auténtico florecimiento humano.

 

“Como católico devoto, es el honor más alto conocer a Su Santidad el Papa León – el primer Papa de los Estados Unidos – y escuchar su mensaje de compasión, unidad y servicio a los demás. El Papa León nos desafió a construir un mundo arraigado en la esperanza, la conciencia y la solidaridad. También nos invitó a modelar las sociedades que nos rodean con el amor de Dios y al prójimo en lugar de intereses egoístas.”

 

Como miembro del Comité de Servicios Financieros de la Cámara de Representantes de EE.UU., el Congresista Gonzalez también se reunió con dirigentes de la Santa Sede y del Programa Mundial de Alimentos de las Naciones Unidas para discutir sus asociaciones con instituciones financieras internacionales para apoyar operaciones humanitarias en el Medio Oriente.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon, House GOP Military Veterans Share Heartfelt Testimonies on Abbey Gate Anniversary

Washington – Today, Representative Don Bacon (NE-2) and veteran members of the House Republican Conference mark the fourth anniversary of the deadly terrorist attack at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan, which claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and left dozens more wounded. To honor these fallen heroes, the House Republican Conference released a tribute video featuring military veterans serving in Congress. In the powerful video, the veterans–many of whom served in Afghanistan–share heartfelt testimony about the personal impact of the Biden administration’s disastrous withdrawal as they reflect on the devastating, preventable chaos it caused. 

Representative Don Bacon (NE-02) served nearly thirty years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, culminating his military career at the rank of Brigadier General. He served 16 assignments with four deployments to the Middle East, including one to Iraq from 2007 to 2008 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. 

Watch Rep. Bacon’s testimony here, and written as delivered below: 

“I served nearly thirty years in the Air Force. I had multiple deployments in the Middle East. And one of the things that changed my life was 9 /11. We saw the Pentagon hit, the World Towers, and the fourth airliner that crashed in Pennsylvania. We deployed, and we kicked the Taliban out of government. We ended up killing Osama bin Laden. We ended up going in Iraq as well. 

“In Afghanistan we lost 2,459 Americans over the course of those two decades. But President Biden made a terrible decision four years ago to withdraw our forces the way he did. Our military recommended against his withdrawal plans and he overruled them. His withdrawal cost us two decades of investment in Afghanistan and it ended up costing 13 more lives when that bomber attacked our forces that were trying to save lives at the airport in Kabul. 

“Today I’m thinking of Daegan Page, one of the 13 Americans killed, who is from Omaha. I’ve gotten to meet his family. We love his family and our sympathies still go with them. But also the other 12 families that lost their sons and daughters or spouses. 

“President Biden made a terrible decision. He withdrew our air support from the Afghan forces, withdrew our mechanics from the Afghan airplanes and the Afghan soldiers without air power collapsed quickly. President Biden said it would take two years, at least for the government to fail. It took one month because of the reckless decision making that he did. 

“So today, yes, I’m angry. As angry I’ve ever been on anything that any president has done in my lifetime. But I also know that we had men and women serving in uniform, doing the best they could, following orders, serving their country, and we had some that paid the ultimate sacrifice. So today our hearts and minds, our prayers are with those 13 families today.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Today, Representatives Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), and Dan Goldman (NY-10) introduced the Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act. The bipartisan bill, one of several pieces of legislation introduced in response to rampant helicopter noise in the New Jersey-New York Metropolitan Area, directs the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) to study the impact of helicopters on the safety of the airspace and helicopter noise within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty and examine solutions to divert helicopters away from residential and recreational areas. It was first introduced by Nadler and Menendez in the 118th Congress. 

“The New York Metropolitan area experiences some of the most concentrated helicopter traffic anywhere, and the impact on our communities continues to grow,” said Representative Nadler. “In the past five years, the number of complaints about helicopter noise has increased by nearly 2,500 percent, making it one of the most frequently raised issues by my constituents. That’s why I am proud to join Congressman Menendez in introducing the bipartisan Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act, which directs the FAA to study this problem and develop concrete solutions so families and neighborhoods can finally get the relief they need.” 

“It is impossible to ignore the detrimental effects that helicopter noise has on our community and the broader region,” said Representative Menendez. “I’ve heard from constituents in Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, and beyond whose quality of life is severely impacted by non-essential helicopters. The tragic crash of a tourism helicopter in the Hudson River just a few months ago makes it clear that this is a safety issue as well. It’s time for the FAA to act, and I’m grateful to my colleagues for helping to move this forward on a bipartisan basis.” 

“I join my colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation requiring the FAA to examine helicopter noise, safety, and health impacts within 20 miles of the Statue of Liberty,” said Representative Malliotakis. “This report will identify solutions to reduce constant noise as a result of the flight paths, deliver relief to our communities, and address resident’s quality-of-life concerns.” 

“The prevalence of noise pollution from helicopters over New York City is an unnecessary and wholly preventable burden on millions of residents,” said Representative Goldman. “New technologies like Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing Aircrafts (eVTOLs) are expected to be quieter than helicopters and other conventional aircraft and could meaningfully decrease noise pollution over densely populated urban areas. We have an obligation to understand how eVTOLs may help solve the problem of noise pollution, as well as how best to enforce regulations on helicopter flight paths above our city to enhance quality of life, safeguard public health, and restore community well-being.” 

For full bill text, click here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

Photos: Estes Makes District Visits

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

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

“Israel should implement a ceasefire in Gaza and massively increase the flow of humanitarian aid. They must also stop the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and take serious steps to reduce the violence there. I urge President Trump to directly appeal to Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli government to take these steps. If Israel does not take these steps, I believe it is time for the United States government to stop the sale of some offensive weapons systems to Israel as leverage to pressure Israel into taking these actions.

“I support Israel and recognize both the threats they face and the reality that the actions of Hamas and their supporters have driven this conflict. But, right now, it is impossible to see how further military action in Gaza could degrade Hamas’ capabilities to any appreciable degree further than what has already occurred. Yes, the hostages must be returned. It is outrageous that Hamas took the hostages and has continued to hold them. But six months of war since the end of the last ceasefire has done nothing to bring the hostages home.

“I have been opposed to blocking weapons sales to Israel as leverage in the past, but the situation in the Middle East has changed dramatically in recent months. Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran have all been weakened to the point where they pose a substantially reduced threat to Israel. Assad, a crucial ally for all three, has been removed from power in Syria. These are very positive developments that might not have happened if the US had reduced its support to Israel prior to them occurring. But these developments also mean that Israel faces little if any risk to its security if the US blocks the sale of some weapons now. 

“The other risk of any action that attempts to pressure Israel into ending the war is that such action could simply embolden Hamas to keep fighting. I believe this has happened throughout the war as various international groups have consistently failed to hold Hamas accountable for starting the war and for their actions during it, instead placing all the blame on Israel and empowering Hamas to keep fighting and holding the hostages. I do not agree with that approach. But the war is now in a very different place. It appears near certain that Hamas will not simply walk away in response to military force from the IDF. It is time to pressure Hamas by working with alternative Palestinian leadership to rebuild Gaza and give the Palestinian people some hope for their future. I am not naïve that this approach is somehow guaranteed to work, but simply continuing the war has clearly failed to completely eliminate Hamas or gain the return of the hostages. It is time to try something else.

“And the situation in Gaza is at a crisis point. Clearly, the world should not blindly trust how Hamas reports that situation, but the scale of the humanitarian crisis cannot be denied. I also believe that if Israel does not end the war in Gaza, they run the risk of being ostracized globally in a way that is a far greater threat to the long-term security of Israel than anything their adversaries are now capable of doing.

“I do remain concerned that so many people advocating for the US to stop supporting Israel believe that Israel does not have the right to exist as a country. Opposing the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza to stop the war and end the suffering of the Palestinian people is very different from opposing the Israeli government out of a desire to wipe it off the map. Faced with that kind of existential threat, Israel will be far less likely to seek peace in the short term. 

“This broader concern, however, does not change the facts that exist now. Nothing more can be realistically accomplished by Israel continuing the war in Gaza, and the humanitarian crisis there must be addressed.”

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