MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott DesJarlais (4th District of Tennessee)

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) announced today that he has reintroduced the Protecting Horses from Soring Act into the 119^th Congress. 

 (Rep. DesJarlais rides a Tennessee Walking Horse in January 2023 in Shelbyville, TN.) 

Rep. DesJarlais said, “For years the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry has been subjected to egregious overburdensome regulations by the federal government. No one understands the unique care these animals require more than their loving owners.” 

 

The Protecting Horses from Soring Act of 2025 (H.R. 1675) requires USDA to work with the Horse Industry Organization to establish industry-specific regulations and properly trained inspectors.

“Tennessee Walking Horses have a unique gate and stature. For far too long The United States Department of Agriculture has made up arbitrary regulations that are overly generalized and far off base from the capabilities of the horses who compete in this industry,” he said.  

The Tennessee Congressman says he’s proud that the billion-dollar tourism industry is located right in the heart of the Fourth Congressional District. 

“The annual Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration is something everyone should experience. People come from all over the country to be a part of this historic ceremony and compete against the best in the world. Families of multiple generations pass down these time-honored traditions of caring for these majestic horses.” 

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today introduced the Mobility Means Freedom Tax Credit Act to provide a 50 percent tax credit in the out-of-pocket expense of up to three mobility devices a year. The tax credit would apply to wheelchairs, braces, walkers, crutches, orthotics and prosthetics that help the physically disabled remain mobile.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Having the proper mobility devices improves peoples’ quality of life, allowing them to better navigate their homes and communities. Further, the bill would reduce financial and mobility barriers to enter or re-enter the workforce. ‘Mobility means freedom’ and this measure advances that goal.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), the Ranking House Member of the Helsinki Commission and a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. withdrawal from an ongoing investigation of Russian war crimes in Ukraine:

“I am appalled by the Justice Department’s decision to withdraw the United States from the International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA), an organization responsible for documenting Russian violations of international law in its genocidal war against Ukraine. The decision will only make it easier for Russia to escape accountability for its heinous crimes against Ukrainians. Additionally, I call on the Administration to resume government funding for Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab (Yale HRL) which has been tracking the mass deportation of children from Ukraine. Once again, President Trump’s agenda is undermining our longtime European allies to the joy of the Kremlin, while he continues to play favorites with Putin and betray Ukraine.”

Congressman Cohen also co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent Wednesday with concern about the ongoing abduction of children by the Russian Federation and the Belarusian government. See that letter here.

Congressman Cohen also introduced legislation on Tuesday to prohibit arms sales or information sharing with the Russian Federation. See his release on the legislation here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) tonight held an in-person Town Hall meeting with nearly 900 constituents with special guest Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM).

More than 800 people crowded into the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church sanctuary to hear a lively discussion of reactions to the Trump-Musk transformation of the federal government and its workforce by what are clearly illegal and unconstitutional actions.

Congressman Cohen discussed his serious concerns about threats to social safety net programs such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He also expressed concern at plans to gut federal support for biomedical research like that underway at St. Jude, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, the U of M and Vanderbilt.

The congressman also took questions on Musk, DOGE and the threat to federal workers, and spoke directly to Memphians who work in the Food and Drug Administration, the Post Office, and elsewhere about their concerns. He expressed skepticism over Musks’s track record of integrity in his business dealings, encouraging local authorities to carefully examine any and all contracts involving Elon Musk — including with xAI — and spoke about the importance of protecting the Memphis sands aquifer and local fresh drinking water.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

Supports research funding for the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, CongresswomanKim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act (Innovative FEED Act). This bipartisan legislation would update FDA processes to create a more efficient approval process for livestock feed additives. Representative Schrier is joined in introducing this legislation by Representatives Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Jim Baird (IN-04), Jim Costa (CA-21), and Erin Houchin (IN-09).   

“Our farmers, ranchers, and dairymen are essential to our nation’s economy and well-being, and they rely on innovative products like new feed additives to help keep their animals healthy and businesses productive,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Some additives even reduce methane emissions from cows and can have an outsized impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation makes much-needed updates to the FDA’s regulatory process that will improve animal health, reduce emissions, support American farms, and give U.S. farmers parity with foreign/international producers.”   

Feed additives are an important tool for American farmers, as they play a crucial role in ensuring livestock health, improving productivity, and reducing the presence of pathogens like salmonella and E. coli. While innovation in feed additives has increased significantly in recent years, FDA regulatory processes have remained the same. This discrepancy has left the door open for new products to be stuck in a prolonged approval process. The subsequent lack of access to innovative feed additives is detrimental to American farmers, especially as other countries have already made similar changes to their regulatory process.  

To resolve this issue, the Innovative FEED Act would:   

• Create a new regulatory pathway for  “zootechnical animal food substances” and define them as substances that only act within the gastrointestinal tract of animals to lower foodborne pathogens, reduce byproducts from animals, or affect their gut microbiome. 
• Make clear that zootechnical animal food substances would be regulated within FDA’s existing Food Additive Petition (FAP) process for market approval rather than the New Animal Drug Application process, saving innovators significant time and money to market. FAP requires FDA to review the safety and efficacy of these substances before market authorization. 
• Spur innovation in feed products that provide American farmers with tools to help nourish their animals and support farmers’ profitability. 

The approach of this legislation is broadly consistent with the regulatory approaches of other countries, thereby creating a level playing field for American innovators and farmers.  

“Farmers in NY-23 and across the country rely on innovative feed additives to improve animal health and productivity, but outdated FDA regulations have created costly and time-consuming approval barriers,” said Congressman Langworthy. “The Innovative FEED Act would level the playing field for American innovators and farmers by staying consistent with the regulatory approaches of other countries. On National Agriculture Day, it is important to renew our commitment to thanking farmers by taking federal actions to make their lives and jobs easier, not harder.”

“For years, FDA regulations on animal feed have failed to keep pace with innovations in the market. Some producers are waiting over 10 years for approval. That’s simply unacceptable. Our bipartisan Innovative FEED Act would remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers, making it easier for industry innovators to bring their feed to market,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. “The benefits for Maine would be significant—not just for our livestock farmers, but for our growing aquaculture industry, leading to exciting new investments in things like microalgae and seaweed, which have shown great promise in reducing methane emissions in cattle. This is the kind of commonsense legislation that can help our farmers and our environment.”

“Farmers deserve access to the best options to keep their livestock healthy and their operations strong,” said Congresswoman Erin Houchin. “The FEED Act cuts unnecessary regulations and ensures that feed additives promoting animal health can be approved in a timely manner. Our farmers work hard every day to feed America, and they shouldn’t be held back by outdated bureaucratic hurdles. This bill will help level the playing field and give American Ag producers access to the same advancements available in other countries.”

“We commend Representatives Nick Langworthy, R-NY, and Kim Schrier, D-WA, for their bipartisan Innovative FEED Act to modernize the Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory framework for approving animal feed ingredients,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation.

“U.S. dairy farmers benefit from access to safe and effective feed additives as they continue to innovate on multiple fronts. This bipartisan initiative will help them do just that, and we look forward to working with Reps. Langworthy and Schrier and their co-authors to enact this bill into law.”

“NASDA supports the Innovative FEED Act’s goals to promote voluntary adoption of innovative new tools producers can use increase the efficiency of their livestock operations,” said NASDA CEO Ted McKinney. “Most state departments of agriculture inspect and regulate animal feed ingredients, which will include the new products covered under this legislation. This bipartisan legislation is important and timely to ensure that producers, regulators, and the feed industry can collaborate to increase innovation amidst a competitive market in a way that is safe for animals, producers, and consumers.”

“Supporting the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act is a critical step toward empowering American farmers with the tools they need to drive innovation in agriculture,” said Chuck Conner, President and CEO, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. “By modernizing the regulatory process, this legislation paves the way for the introduction of advanced feed technologies that can improve livestock production, reduce environmental impact, and enhance economic opportunities for farmers across the country.”

“IFEED will create a regulatory pathway to modernize animal food policies, resulting in a more efficient and predictable process for animal food products with novel benefits, such as reducing human foodborne illness, while maintaining rigor in food safety standards and transparency,” said Berit Foss. PhD, Vice President of Feed and Sustainability, National Grain and Feed Association. “NGFA and its members appreciate the bipartisan support for this critical legislation and strongly encourage its implementation.”

“The American Feed Industry Association thanks Reps. Nick Langworthy, Kim Schrier, Jim Baird, Chellie Pingree, Erin Houchin, Jim Costa and the many other bipartisan original sponsors for introducing the Innovative FEED Act,” saidConstance Cullman, President and CEO, American Feed Industry Association. “This bill is necessary to fix a broken regulatory system that has forced animal food innovators to pursue foreign markets and not America first. By more appropriately regulating 21st century feed and pet food ingredients, this bill will help usher in the animal nutrition innovations U.S. farmers and ranchers need to enhance animal health and production and support on-farm conservation, while providing pet owners with more nutrition options to support their aging pets.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Kim Schrier (WA-08), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), and Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced the National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that would take steps to enhance landslide preparedness and improve public safety. 

Congresswoman Schrier’s bill would reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act, originally signed into law in 2021. The law directed the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to establish a National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program. The program’s objective is to identify and understand landslide hazards and risks, reduce losses from landslides, protect communities at risk of landslide hazards, and help improve communication and emergency preparedness. 

Washington State has a history of landslides, most notably the 2014 State Route 530 Landslide. Moreover, as wildfires and storms continue to grow in strength and severity in Washington and throughout the West, burned areas are a growing, immense landslide threat. This legislation aims to work towards addressing this issue.  

“Our communities felt the devastating impact of landslides firsthand when the SR 530 Landslide claimed 43 lives, making it the deadliest in U.S. history,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “This bill will make crucial investments to further our understanding of landslides, improve our preparation for these natural disasters, and ultimately safeguard our communities.” 

Washington knows too well the devastating effects of landslides and communities across the country also see the severe impacts of natural disasters,” said Congresswoman DelBene. We must provide safeguards to prevent future tragedies and mitigate risks when possible. This legislation will help ensure our communities are better prepared and able to employ the best science and technology to prevent, plan, and respond to natural disasters.” 

“Landslides are dangerous, damage our infrastructure, and can cut off access for emergency services. Southwest Washington experienced several landslides recently, including ones that impacted Interstate 5, Amtrak operations, and access to Mount St. Helens – and these disasters impact entire communities and take all hands on deck to overcome,” said Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez. “This bipartisan legislation will help our communities stay prepared and identify landslide-prone areas before it’s too late, which is an essential part of keeping folks safe.”

“Washington state is no stranger to landslides and the devastation they bring,” said Congressman Newhouse. “To better prepare for these natural disasters, we need the best science and technology that ensures our communities are able to prevent and respond when the time comes. This legislation is a step in the right direction towards saving lives and protecting our local communities from the unpredictable threats of landslides.”

“It is absolutely critical to reauthorize the National Landslide Preparedness Act to continue the vital work that safeguard’s our vulnerable communities from devastating and often lethal landslides. I know first-hand the monumental impacts our community was challenged with during the 2014 Oso landslide,” said Darrington Mayor Dan Rankin. “In just over two minutes, we lost 43 of our family, friends, and neighbors. We lost our main highway for over six months. We lost the ability to communicate beyond the slide via phone or internet for more than 72 hours. Medical services were severely impacted, and prescription services and transactions were also not available. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the immediate impacts of this one event. I thank Representative Schrier for her efforts to reauthorize and fund this important program so that communities like Darrington have the data that we all need to make important decisions about land use in hazard areas, training for our emergency services, and redundancy in infrastructure so precious time is not lost in the time of need. We have made great strides to protect and inform our communities across the country but there is still work to be done especially in this time when climate born chaos seems to be an everyday occurrence.”

The National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the USGS to: 

• Develop a national strategy for landslide hazards, risk reduction, and response. 
• Develop a publicly accessible national landslide hazard and risk inventory database. 
• Expand the early warning system for debris flow. 
• Establish emergency response procedures for the rapid deployment of federal scientists, equipment, and services to areas impacted by a significant landslide event. 
• Advance the accounting of subsidence and groundwater resources. 
• Establish 3D elevation program and a corresponding committee. 
• Establish regional partnerships in high landslide hazard regions.

The bill allows USGS to provide grants to research, map, assess, and collect data on landslide hazards, and the National Science Foundation may provide grants to eligible entities for landslide research. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and the other five Democratic physicians serving in the U.S. House of Representatives formally announced the launch of the Congressional Doctors Caucus. The caucus is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Americans, advancing pragmatic health care policy and providing fellow Members with insights on critical health issues.

In addition to Congresswoman Schrier, who is the first pediatrician elected to Congress, other members of the caucus include:

• Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) – Internal Medicine
• Herb Conaway Jr., M.D. (NJ-03) – Internal Medicine
• Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) – Pulmonary & Critical Care 
• Kelly Morrison, M.D. (MN-03) – Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) – Emergency Medicine 

“As Republicans in Congress slash Medicaid, condone the questioning of proven safety and efficacy of vaccinations, and endanger our public health by knee-capping key agencies and medical research, I’m proud to join my fellow Democratic Doctors in creating this Doc Caucus,” said Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. “Together, we will stand up for patients, providers, innovation, science, and common sense improvements that enhance health care and bring down costs.”

“As physicians, we bring firsthand experience with the challenges facing patients and providers every day,” said Representative Ami Bera, M.D. “This caucus will harness our collective expertise to advance practical, evidence-based solutions that lower costs, expand access and strengthen care delivery. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure every American has access to quality, affordable care.”

“Medicine is not just a profession; it is a calling—a lifelong commitment to alleviating suffering, saving lives, and advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves,” said Representative Herb Conaway Jr., M.D. “By launching the Doctors Caucus, we are continuing that commitment. I’m proud to join my fellow Democratic doctors in creating this caucus, where we will fight for patients and providers. Considering the present political landscape, it is more important than ever that we stand together.”

“At a time when Republicans are attacking science, slashing health care, and putting politics over patients, Democratic physicians must be organized to fight back,” said Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. “The Congressional Doctors Caucus will be vigilant and active to do all we can to ensure healthcare policy is patient-centered and science-based. We will push back against dangerous misinformation and stand up for every American’s right to have meaningful access to high-quality, affordable health care.” 

“We are seeing health care, evidence-based science, and lifesaving research come under attack more than ever before by the Trump-Vance Administration and their Republican majority in Congress. As doctors, we will always stand up for the health and well-being of all Americans,” said Representative Kelly Morrison, M.D. “I am proud to join this group of Democratic doctors to fight every day to protect and expand access to the lifesaving care that Americans need and deserve.”

“I am excited to launch the Doctors Caucus that will fight for quality, affordable health care for American families,” said Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. “As doctors we understand the pain and suffering that people endure for not having access to care. We will work to ensure that every American has the health care they need.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), and the other Democratic doctors in the House of Representatives – Representatives Ami Bera (CA-06), Herb Conaway Jr. (NJ-03), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), and Raul Ruiz (CA-25) – released the following statement after Congressional Republicans passed a continuing resolution that did not include a fix to the physician fee schedule cuts that went into effect at the beginning of the year: 

“The Trump Administration and Republican leadership has once again turned its back on physicians and patients across the country. As Democratic physicians in Congress, we are disappointed to see that the GOP’s partisan funding bill failed to address physician fee schedule cuts that went into effect on January 1, 2025. 

Despite bipartisan support for a deal that averted these cuts in December, Republican leadership caved to Elon Musk and killed the deal. Now the Republican majority has excluded any physician payment relief for the second time, and patients will pay the price. These reimbursement cuts will only worsen the physician workforce shortage, increase consolidation in the health care industry, close rural practices, and further drive up costs for seniors. 

We won’t stop working to provide a bipartisan fix to this issue, and we remain deeply concerned about the continued attacks we’re seeing on health care, with House Republicans attempting to slash Medicaid funding by $880 billion and posing a devastating threat to the health care coverage that 80 million Americans across the country rely on.

Physicians and patients need immediate relief and long-term, sustainable reform to Medicare reimbursement. They deserve better than empty promises and another failed deal. We stand ready to work with our colleagues in a bipartisan fashion to substantively address this issue and provide meaningful relief to physicians and the patients they care for.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), and Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02) sent a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Tom Schultz calling for the reinstatement of fired USFS employees and for the Trump Administration to refrain from further workforce cuts. 

Representatives Schrier, Gluesenkamp Perez, and Larsen were joined in sending the letter by Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representatives DelBene (WA-01), Randall (WA-06), Jayapal (WA-07), Smith (WA-09), and Strickland (WA-10). 

“The Trump Administration’s reckless decision to indiscriminately fire dedicated USFS employees without deeply considering the ramifications of such an action – especially at a time when the agency was already understaffed – not only displays an astounding level of incompetence, it hurts the Eighth District and all of Washington State,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Here in Washington State, we treasure our public lands and know that keeping our forests healthy – which can only be done if the USFS is appropriately staffed – is vital both for recreation and for preventing catastrophic wildfires. That’s why I’m leading my colleagues in the Washington delegation in calling on the administration to reinstate these employees and stop with these impulsive, ill-considered actions that put our state’s safety, economy, and way of life at risk.”

USFS staff are essential to keeping cherished public lands in Washington State safe and accessible to the public. They also help to maintain the health of our national forests, which is a crucial component in reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. As a part of the Trump Administration’s reckless cuts to key federal agencies, thousands of USFS employees have been fired in recent weeks, including those who work on critical issues such as wildfire mitigation and firefighting. 

“For many communities in our districts, USFS firefighters and support personnel serve as their primary protection in the wildland urban interface,” wrote the lawmakers. “USFS also plays a critical role in reducing fire risk to nearby communities and smoke exposure to the entire region by implementing forest management, reducing fuel loads, conducting prescribed burns, and partnering with localities, states, nonprofit organizations and companies for these purposes.”

Already, these cuts have impacted access to popular recreation sites such as the Denny Creek Trailhead. Following the first round of USFS cuts, Congresswoman Schrier spoke out, warning of the detrimental effect these terminations would have on the Eighth District and the entire state. 

Washington State has been disproportionately impacted by these cuts. 125 terminations have been confirmed by the NFFE Local 34, which comprises more than 30% of total staffing for some offices like Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie. 

“The United States Forest Service maintains some of our most pristine public lands and safeguards our communities from wildfire and smoke. We request that you recognize the countless ways in which previous and future USFS cuts indelibly harm the Evergreen state’s way of life,” wrote the lawmakers. “We request that you immediately reinstate terminated employees and refrain from further staff reductions such that USFS can carry out all wildland fire mitigation efforts designated by Congress, operate and maintain recreation services through the peak summer months, and have enough staff to support wildfire response during peak times. Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter.”

The full letter can be found HERE.