MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), joined TxDOT Commissioner Alejandro “Alex” G. Meade III, Mayor Victor D. Treviño, state officials, and local constituents for the groundbreaking ceremony of the much-anticipated Lomas Del Sur Overpass Project. This transformative infrastructure project will replace the current closed intersection at SL20 and Lomas Del Sur Boulevard with an elevated bridge structure to significantly improve traffic flow and safety in one of Laredo’s fastest growing areas. Following the formal groundbreaking, Congressman Cuellar participated in a tour with TxDOT officials of two major infrastructure projects: the US 59 Loop Upgrade Project and the new SH 84 Hachar-Reuthinger Connector.

The Lomas Del Sur project will construct an overpass with two main lanes in each direction with the capacity to expand to three lanes in the future as well as frontage road ramps and a shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists along the west frontage road. Once complete, the 1.3-mile project will help alleviate congestion, enhance mobility, and improve access for families, businesses, and emergency services.

Thanks to federal funding secured by Congressman Cuellar, 80 percent of the $49.5 million total construction cost for the project will come from federal dollars, with the remaining 20 percent provided by the state of Texas. The project will be built by Anderson Columbia over an estimated 522 working calendar days and delivered in four phases.

Congressman Cuellar continues to champion federal investments in South Texas infrastructure that strengthen local economies, improve quality of life, and prepare our communities for future growth. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, he remains committed to bringing critical transportation dollars home for use on projects like this one.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar Ph.D. (TX-28) joined City of Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor D. Treviño, El Metro Transit Director Robert J. Garza, El Metro Transit Assistant General Manager Monica Garcia, and local constituents for a public transportation ride along to highlight the largest fleet expansion in Laredo’s history. Together, they boarded one of the new buses to showcase its modern features and celebrate this historic investment, made possible through $11,884,590 in federal funding secured by Congressman Cuellar from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration.

The $11,884,590 federal investment, combined with local funds, allowed El Metro to modernize its fleet, improve service reliability, and reduce the city’s carbon footprint. The new buses will provide a cleaner, more comfortable, and more accessible experience for riders across the community, connecting seniors, students, workers, and families to jobs, education, healthcare, and opportunity.

Congressman Cuellar believes investing in modern public transportation is essential to providing safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly options for all residents. He recognizes how these investments drive economic growth, lower emissions, and improve quality of life. He remains committed to securing additional federal funding to help communities like Laredo continue expanding and enhancing their transit systems.

As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Cuellar has been a steadfast advocate for infrastructure improvements across South Texas, delivering critical funding for projects like this one.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

“As a father, I understand how important – and difficult – it is for parents to find affordable child care that they can trust,” continued Congressman Cuellar. “This bipartisan effort will help working families stay on the job without having to choose between their paycheck and their kids. It also gives small businesses new ways to support their workers. That’s good for families, good for employers, and good for our economy.”

“By investing in child care affordability, we’re investing in the future of our economy. I’ll keep working across the aisle to ensure South Texas families have the tools they need to succeed – both at home and in the workplace.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

August 8, 2025 – The Monopoly Busters Caucus Chairs, U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Pat Ryan (NY-18), and Angie Craig (MN-02), released the following statement opposing the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) proposed settlement allowing UnitedHealth Group’s $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys, a provider of home health and hospice care. The divestiture of 164 facilities fails to curb UnitedHealth’s market dominance, threatening higher costs, reduced care access, and limited nurse employment options.

“We are unequivocally opposed to the DOJ’s proposed settlement, which fails to address the severe consequences of allowing UnitedHealth to acquire Amedisys. The healthcare system is already grappling with a crisis of corporate consolidation that drives up costs and limits access to care. Greenlighting UnitedHealth’s roll up of home health and hospice services will supercharge healthcare dysfunction and create more headaches for patients. It further reduces patient access to affordable care, particularly in rural areas, while limiting nurses’ employment options and suppressing wages.

“The DOJ’s proposed settlement won’t stop UnitedHealth from further consolidating its control over the healthcare system. Its weak and flawed remedy includes divesting some overlapping Amedisys health and hospice care providers to a private-equity-owned competitor with a history of predation and profiteering at the expense of the sick. The core issue isn’t just about overlapping markets but UnitedHealth’s broader strategy of taking over various parts of the healthcare chain, from insurance to data systems.

“When a company as powerful as UnitedHealth is allowed to continue buying up smaller healthcare corporations, it leads to a broken system where prices are high, competition is stifled, and patients and healthcare workers are the ones who pay the price. This settlement is a failure by the DOJ to do their job and protect Americans from the dangers of a monopolized healthcare system. It’s a clear signal that the system is rigged in favor of wealthy corporations, not the patients and workers who deserve affordable, quality care.”

Background

In June 2023, UnitedHealth announced its $3.3 billion acquisition of Amedisys, following its 2023 purchase of LHC Group for $5.4 billion, positioning it as one of the largest home health and hospice providers in the U.S. The DOJ, joined by Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York, sued to block the merger in November 2024, arguing it would eliminate competition between two of the nation’s largest providers, potentially controlling 30 percent or more of home health or hospice markets in eight states and adding nearly 500 locations across 32 states. 

The lawsuit emphasized risks to patients through higher costs and reduced care quality, to insurers through diminished negotiating power, and to nurses through fewer employment options and suppressed wages. The proposed settlement, filed August 7, 2025, requires divestiture of 164 facilities across 19 states, representing $528 million in annual revenue, and imposes a $1.1 million penalty on Amedisys for Hart-Scott-Rodino Act violations. The settlement awaits final approval from a Maryland district court after a 60-day public comment period.

Issues: Science, Technology, & Antitrust

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement thanking U.S. Rep. Danny Davis (IL-07) on his years of public service:

“Congressman Danny Davis has been a champion for his constituents and the people of Illinois for nearly 30 years. He’s advanced civil rights for all, passed legislation to improve healthcare for Black men and boys, and advocated for criminal justice reform. We are a better country due to his public service, and I know we will continue to benefit from his lasting legislation. I’m grateful for my good colleague’s work, and I wish him a happy retirement.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) stood alongside fellow Members of Congress from Illinois, Citizen Action/Illinois and healthcare advocates to oppose Republican cuts to Medicaid. Today marks 60 years since Medicaid has been established, a bleak birthday after President Trump gutted the popular healthcare program by $1 trillion.

“Today, we should be celebrating 60 years of Medicaid, but instead, we’re trying to save it from President Trump and his Congressional Republicans,” said Rep. Kelly. “The fight to save Medicaid isn’t over. In Illinois, 3.4 million people rely on Medicaid as a lifeline. I will not let a bully like President Trump sacrifice our healthcare to give more tax breaks to the wealthy few.”

Earlier this month, Donald Trump and House Republicans passed the Big, Ugly Bill, which will take healthcare away from more than 15 million people. In Illinois, nearly half a million people are at risk of losing healthcare, including 38,000 people in the Second District. Rep. Kelly joined every House Democrat in voting against the bill.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

“The role of HHS should be to protect the health of all those living in this country and provide essential human services, not to be a watchdog for DHS or act as immigration enforcement,” the Members stated in the letter. “For decades, the U.S. has ensured emergency medical care to anyone in need, regardless of immigration status. The use of Medicaid data for immigration enforcement weaponizes health care as a surveillance mechanism for DHS.”

The Members continued to outline the devastating consequences of misusing sensitive health data under the Trump administration, jeopardizing the privacy of over 79 million Americans.

“As a result, HHS erodes trust in the U.S. health care system, and we fear the consequences of this betrayal on public health. Immigrants across the country, no matter their status, will fear repercussions for seeking out emergency medical care. Black and Brown Americans, already skeptical of the integrity of the health care system, may also avoid seeking care or coverage for fear of persecution. Even slight delays in care can have disastrous health consequences for these communities and the broader U.S. population.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement in response to the Israeli Security Cabinet approving a plan to take control of Gaza City: 

“We all want this awful war to end. However, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to take over all of Gaza City is tactically questionable and strategically self-defeating. If implemented, the decision is more likely to play into Hamas’s original objectives in starting this war and further unite much of the world against Israel than it is to bring home the last surviving hostages and advance the security needs of the nation.

“It is always necessary to remember that, on October 7, 2023, Hamas started this war with the intent of destroying Israel and killing its citizens. Israel has the absolute right to protect its citizens, secure its borders, and rescue its hostages. 

“At the same time, in fighting what is unquestionably an existential war against absolute evil, Israel must also uphold its responsibility to do all it can to protect civilians in Gaza and enable humanitarian aid to reach those in need.

“Again, the world wants this war to end. The world must also be committed to working with Israel, the United States, European countries, and our Arab allies to open new pathways for relief, recovery and renewal—both for the people of Gaza and the people of Israel.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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