Reed & Whitehouse Team Up with Protect Our Healthcare Coalition to Urge U.S. Senate to Extend ACA Tax Credits & Lower Health Care Costs for RIers

WARWICK, RI – Over 48,000 Rhode Islanders depend on HealthSource RI for health insurance coverage to protect themselves and their families. Those Rhode Islanders are facing huge increases in their health insurance premiums because of Republican inaction on extending critical Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced tax credits that expired on January 1, 2026.

As a result, about 13,000 are expected to go without health insurance altogether which will strain the state’s health care system and hike up costs for others.

U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse today joined leading advocates from the Protect Our Healthcare Coalition to call on Congress to extend the ACA tax credits and stop health care premiums from skyrocketing for Rhode Island families. The group noted that the issue impacting thousands of Rhode Islanders is also taking its toll nationwide as obstruction by President Trump and Congressional Republican leaders is making health coverage more expensive for millions of Americans.

“President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress are seemingly hell-bent on upending our nation’s health care system. Together, they have slashed $1 trillion from Medicaid, rejected basic medical knowledge on vaccines, and halted life-saving medical research to develop cures and treatments for debilitating diseases, all while making health insurance more expensive and putting basic care further out of reach for millions of Americans,” said Senator Reed. “As so many of our advocates pointed out today – the estimated 13,000 Rhode Islanders who will be priced out of their insurance through HealthSourceRI this year represent only the tip of the iceberg. We need urgent action to help these struggling families and bolster our state’s health care system. Congress must use every tool at our disposal to lower health care costs for all Americans, strengthen care, and ensure every American can have the peace of mind of being insured and having access to affordable health care when they need it.

“Republicans in Congress are feeling the heat of millions of Americans who are about to see their health care costs explode because of their inaction,” said Senator Whitehouse. “We now have a real opportunity to extend the ACA tax credits and save thousands of Rhode Islanders from a looming crisis. I applaud the Protect Our Healthcare Coalition and state leaders for lessening the blow on Rhode Island families while we keep up the pressure in Washington.”

ACA tax credits scale with income. Without the enhanced subsidies for lower- and middle-income individuals, enrollees are facing an average of 101 percent increases for their health premiums while some are seeing their costs rise by over 500 percent. Rhode Island’s economy stands to lose nearly $60 million in federal health subsidies, according to the Protect Our Healthcare Coalition, along with tens of millions of dollars in federal funding that would have flowed to local health care providers if Republicans had joined Democrats to extend the enhanced ACA tax credits.

“The Affordable Care Act is working in Rhode Island, but the promise of affordable and meaningful coverage for all is under threat,” said Shamus Durac, Senior Attorney and Health Policy Analyst with RIPIN and co-chair of the Protect Our Healthcare Coalition. “Because of the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits, the more than 40,000 Rhode Islanders who rely on HealthSource RI for their coverage face astronomical out-of-pocket increases for their monthly premiums. On average, these enrollees will see their monthly costs double, and many low- and moderate-income people see even higher increases, sometimes facing bills that have gone up by hundreds of dollars a month. Without immediate action, we know that many of our friends, family members, and neighbors risk losing the coverage they need to be able to go to the doctor, get their prescriptions, and stay healthy. Fortunately, the House of Representatives has passed a clean extension of the enhanced premium tax credits, supported by Representatives from both parties, and we're thankful that Senators Reed and Whitehouse are calling on the Senate to do the same and protect Rhode Islanders' health coverage.”

“We have just a few weeks left to go in Open Enrollment, and what we’re seeing and hearing from our customers is fear about their ability to stay covered, uncertainty in hard choices about paying significantly higher premiums, and a tendency to choose less comprehensive levels of coverage now that the enhanced tax credits have expired,” said HealthSource RI Director Lindsay Lang. “We’ve been anticipating this for months, and now that it is playing out, the impact to our residents and our healthcare system will be felt almost immediately. A reversal in our hard-fought uninsured rate is not a future we want for Rhode Islanders and it is not a future our healthcare system can sustain.”

“Affordable health care is the cornerstone of health equity and community stability. At Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (Neighborhood), we believe no one should ever have to choose between their health and financial security. Yet without the extension of enhanced premium tax credits, that is the reality many Rhode Islanders face,” said Elizabeth McClaine, Neighborhood’s Vice President of Commercial and Medicaid Products. “Many Rhode Islanders rely on these credits as a lifeline to coverage, and without them, families confront the unthinkable choice of going without care. This is why Neighborhood proudly stands with Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse in urging the U.S. Senate to act now to protect access to affordable and equitable health care for all. Affordable health care should never be out of reach.”

On January 8, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 230-196 for a bipartisan bill to extend ACA premium tax credits by three years. Seventeen House Republicans voted with Democrats after a discharge petition allowed House lawmakers to bypass Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) control of the legislative voting agenda.

Building on this momentum, Senators Reed and Whitehouse travelled back to the nation’s capital following the event to continue advocating for an immediate vote in the U.S. Senate to pass a clean, three-year extension of the enhanced ACA tax credits.


ICYMI: Sen. Tim Scott highlights housing affordability, workforce housing at Beaufort ribbon cutting

Beaufort, S.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chairman of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, recently participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of Pointe Grand Beaufort, a new workforce housing development that will bring hundreds of affordable homes to the Beaufort community. During the event, Senator Scott underscored the importance of housing affordability for working families and said the American Dream begins with having a safe, affordable place to call home.

Click here on the image above to watch Senator Scott’s remarks.

On housing for working families:

“This is about housing for doers. People who work hard, show up every day, and deserve a place to live close to their jobs and their families.”

Scott also spoke about growing up in a single-parent household and watching his mother work long hours as a nurse’s aide, often spending hours commuting to and from work.

“My mom was a doer. She worked long shifts and then had a long drive home. Too often we forget the human cost of having to live so far away from work. When people can live closer, they get more rest, spend less on gas, and have more time with their families. That matters.”

On why developments like Pointe Grand Beaufort matter:

“When we put serving the community first, good things happen. You can do good and do well at the same time.”

Scott emphasized that housing affordability is one of the most pressing issues facing the country and said 2026 must be a turning point for working families.

“If we don’t bring down prices and raise wages, we’re missing a golden opportunity to say to working families, ‘We see you. You matter. The American Dream should be yours.’”

On bipartisan efforts to lower housing costs:

“This isn’t a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. It’s an American Dream issue. When we put politics aside and focus on the people, we can get things done.”

Pointe Grand Beaufort will provide 328 new homes for working families in the Beaufort area, helping teachers, nurses, service workers, and other South Carolinians live near where they work and stay rooted in their community.

Click here to view the photos and here to view a video recap from the event.

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Thune: Calm and Order at the Border, Thanks to President Trump and Republicans

Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Before I begin, I just want to mention Thursday’s appropriations vote in the House.

“Thanks to Speaker Johnson, House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole, and others, the House passed a three-bill appropriations package – Commerce, Justice, and Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment – by an overwhelming, bipartisan margin.

“Now it’s our turn.

“And I hope that we will be able to get these bills passed here in the Senate in the next couple of days.

“We have a lot of appropriations work left to do before the January 30 deadline, and we should not waste any time in getting this bipartisan package over the finish line.

“Mr. President, it’s difficult to overstate just how dramatically the situation at the southern border has changed over the past year.

“In November – the latest month for which we have border numbers – there were just 11,000 total encounters at the southern border.

“11,000.

“Now, to put that number into perspective, Mr. President, the previous November, under President Biden, saw 94,000 encounters.

“The November before that saw a staggering 242,000 encounters.

“And the [November] before that, 235,000.

“This November, there were 11,000.

“And not one individual who tried to cross the border illegally was released into our country.

“Not a single one.

“In fact, it’s been months since an illegal immigrant was released into the interior of our country.

“Contrast this with the Biden years, which saw literally millions of illegal immigrants released into the interior.

“Mr. President, I was down at the border recently, and the situation could not be more different from my 2021 and 2023 visits.

“Back then I was meeting with overwhelmed border agents and visiting overwhelmed border facilities.

“I remember during my 2021 trip, we visited a facility that was at 16 times its allotted capacity.

“Sixteen times.

“During one of my trips, I remember actually seeing with my own eyes individuals attempting to cross the border illegally.

“And I remember talking to Border Patrol agents.

“Border Patrol agents who, by the time of my 2023 trip, had spent two years dealing with record-breaking numbers of illegal immigrants.

“Border Patrol agents who were in desperate need of resources and support from the Biden administration – resources and support that never came.

“I talked to Border Patrol agents on my most recent trip, and what I heard could not be more different.

“Border Patrol agents are telling me that the flood that they once dealt with has shrunk now to a trickle.

“That they’re being supported in their work and allowed to do the job they were hired to do – which is protect our southern border.

“I still, Mr. President, can’t get over the difference.

“In ‘21 and in ‘23, I visited the southern border and I saw chaos.

“In 2026, I visited and I saw calm and order.

“And our country is so much safer because of it.

“I’m grateful for all that President Trump and his administration have done to make – and keep – our southern border secure.

“And I’m proud of the work that we’ve done here in Congress to help ensure that border security is here to stay.

“Our Working Families Tax Cuts legislation made a generational investment in the resources that law enforcement needs to secure the border and deter illegal immigration.

“We funded completion of the border wall.

“New technology and border surveillance equipment.

“Additional Border Patrol agents.

“Expanded detention capacity.

“And expanded partnerships with local law enforcement to enforce immigration law.

“And these resources are already having an effect.

“On my recent trip to the border, agents repeatedly emphasized how they’re seeing effects from our Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, in particular with the addition of needed new personnel and counter-drone technology.

“Thanks to that counter-drone technology, Border Patrol personnel can take over or destroy cartel drones at the border, limiting cartels’ surveillance abilities and ability to transport dangerous items.

“And I’m proud that after four long years of strain thanks to President Biden’s border crisis, Border Patrol agents are finally receiving the resources they need to do their jobs, prevent illegal immigration, and keep us safe.

“Mr. President, January 9 was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.

“And my conversations with Border Patrol agents on my recent trip reminded me of just how blessed we are to have men and women who step up and answer the call to serve as law enforcement officers.

“From the Border Patrol to the Capitol Police and other federal agents, to our local sheriff and police departments, our safety is secured for us by men and women who willingly choose to place themselves between us and danger.

“Too often, the sacrifices these men and women make are not appreciated.

“In fact, we’ve seen a reprehensible amount of hostility toward law enforcement in recent months and years.

“And I hope that today and every day, we will take a moment to remember what our law enforcement officers do for us – and how very lucky we are to have them.”


Tuberville, Senate Republicans Blast Tim Walz for Child Care Fraud and Demand Accountability for American Taxpayers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and the entire Senate Republican Conference in demanding accountability from outgoing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz amid widespread reports of fraud and abuse of federal child care funding in Minnesota.

This effort is in conjunction with the Trump administration, which has paused child care funding to Minnesota and other states pending verification and audits of how funds were used. There is also a current federal investigation into large-scale fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs.

“We write to express serious concern regarding recent reports and federal investigations alleging widespread fraud and misuse of federal funds within Minnesota’s state-administered child care assistance programs. The state’s apparent negligent management of federal funds raises significant concerns about the adequacy of the state’s oversight, verification, and compliance systems for safeguarding taxpayer dollars intended to support vulnerable children and working families. Unfortunately, these latest reports appear to reflect only the tip of the iceberg,” the senators wrote.

Read full text of the letter below or here.

“Dear Governor Walz:

We write to express serious concern regarding recent reports and federal investigations alleging widespread fraud and misuse of federal funds within Minnesota’s state-administered child care assistance programs. The state’s apparent negligent management of federal funds raises significant concerns about the adequacy of the state’s oversight, verification, and compliance systems for safeguarding taxpayer dollars intended to support vulnerable children and working families. Unfortunately, these latest reports appear to reflect only the tip of the iceberg.

Federal prosecutors have been conducting a broader investigation of large-scale fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs. Some authorities estimate that billions in federal funds across various programs, including child care, nutrition, Medicaid, and housing assistance, may have been misappropriated since 2018. One example includes the “Feeding Our Future” scheme, where more than 50 individuals were convicted for diverting hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic relief funds intended for school meals.

Under the leadership of President Trump, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has acted promptly to freeze child care payments to Minnesota pending verification and audits of how funds were used.The Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse, and the United States Senate is exercising its duty to ensure proper stewardship of federal taxpayer dollars for child care programs, and we take this responsibility very seriously. To that end, we are writing to request detailed responses to the following questions, on a question-by-question basis, no later than Thursday, January 22, 2026:

Please describe the state’s ongoing efforts to comply with federal directives to conduct a comprehensive audit of child care centers identified as high-risk.

What is the state’s estimated timeframe to achieve full compliance?

Please detail any additional verification requirements Minnesota has adopted or plans to implement in the near term to support proof of legitimate use of federal child care payments. In your response, please specify whether these verification requirements apply to each federal funding stream used to support Minnesota’s child care programs, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), COVID-19 pandemic relief funds, and any other sources of federal taxpayer dollars. Please also indicate whether any of the providers identified as high-risk receive Head Start or Early Head Start funding.

How often does the state conduct on-site monitoring, inspections, or investigative visits of licensed, registered, and state-exempt child care providers that receive child care subsidies?

How many investigations has the state conducted since January 1, 2018, and what evidence of fraud has been uncovered?

Please detail specific examples of fraudulent billing, including but not limited to billing for children who did not exist or were not present; falsifying attendance records and/or names; enrolling ineligible children to increase reimbursement; overbilling for services not provided; and using fake business structures to draw down additional public funds.

Please describe the prior compliance and enforcement efforts the state has undertaken to address concerns about accountability raised in previous federal audits documenting oversight shortcomings in Minnesota’s child care assistance program.

Please list all regulatory and oversight actions (as well as technology and systems improvements for fraud prevention) that the state has undertaken since January 1, 2018, in response to the findings of federal audits documenting the systemic misuse of welfare funds, including but not limited to the May 2025 HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) audit report.

Please include the dates of implementation and scope of all mandated reforms to comply with federal audits.

In the May 2025 HHS OIG audit report, the OIG made the following three recommendations: (1) recover identified overpayments; (2) strengthen monitoring of attendance records; and (3) implement real-time electronic attendance reporting, as previously recommended by the Legislative Auditor. As of the end of 2025, these recommendations remain open, indicating that they have not been completely adopted by the state. Why have these recommendations not been completely adopted by the state, and who made the decisions not to expeditiously move forward with adopting the OIG’s recommendations?

Please describe any additional reforms Minnesota has evaluated for potential implementation to prevent fraud in the state’s federally funded welfare programs, including but not limited to individual registration requirements, use of fingerprinting technologies, etc.

Please provide detailed documentation for all providers receiving federal child care funds from the state of Minnesota since January 1, 2018, including attendance records, licenses, inspection and monitoring reports, complaints, and investigations.

Sincerely,”

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

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Van Hollen, Sanders Lead Colleagues in Urging Administration to Restore Funding for Full-Service Community Schools

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Appropriations Committee, and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, were joined by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and 10 of their colleagues in urging Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to reverse the Department of Education’s decision to discontinue $168 million in Full-Service Community Schools grants across 12 states. In their letter, the Senators expressed deep concern that the abrupt cuts to this funding in the middle of the school year will force schools to shut down essential programs that support students’ academic performance and facilitate families’ access to food, housing, and health care, among other services. They also criticized the Department’s vague claim that the grants – which have existed for over 15 years – violate civil rights law and stressed that these grant cancellations run directly counter to Congressional intent and long-standing bipartisan support for this program that serves students and families all across the country.

Joining Senators Van Hollen and Sanders on this letter are Leader Schumer and Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.).

“We write to express our strong opposition to the Department of Education’s (“the Department”) recent action on December 12th, 2025, to discontinue $168 million in Full-Service Community Schools grants serving students across 12 states. Pulling expected federal grant funds from public schools in the middle of the school year, built around community partnerships and parent engagement, is just plain wrong. Congress authorized and appropriated funds specifically for the Full-Service Community Schools program because research shows community schools improve student academic achievement, reduce chronic absenteeism, and support student wellbeing. We demand that the Department fully reinstate all Full-Service Community Schools grants that were abruptly discontinued,” the Senators began.

“The Full-Service Community School grant program supports school districts and public schools in their mission to meet students’ needs so they can succeed academically and in life, focusing on the school as a community center that can connect families to food, housing assistance, medical care, and other services,” they continued. “This unnecessary termination of education funding is alarming families, disrupting carefully-planned programs that support children, and jeopardizing services for thousands of students in underserved communities.”

“The Department claims that affected grantees violate civil rights law or conflict with the administration's policy priorities, but this rationale lacks any specificity. Grant recipients received letters providing few details, and just one week or less to appeal. These discontinuations directly contradict bipartisan congressional intent for this program. In 2023, Congress increased annual funding for the Full-Service Community Schools program from $25 million to $150 million, which was maintained in fiscal year 2024 and 2025 appropriations laws, reflecting bipartisan recognition that schools serving high-poverty communities require comprehensive support. All federal grants must abide by applicable requirements, but the Department has failed to produce legitimate reasons, including any grantee performance-related information, to discontinue multi-year grants that Congress authorized and appropriated, that grantees are implementing successfully, and that provide essential services to our underserved students,” they wrote.

“We demand that you reinstate all community school grants that have been abruptly discontinued and respectfully suggest that the Department refocus its efforts to support community schools in their efforts to meet the needs of and improve education outcomes for all students,” they concluded.

Text of the letter can be viewed here and below.

Dear Secretary McMahon:

We write to express our strong opposition to the Department of Education’s (“the Department”) recent action on December 12th, 2025, to discontinue $168 million in Full-Service Community Schools grants serving students across 12 states. Pulling expected federal grant funds from public schools in the middle of the school year, built around community partnerships and parent engagement, is just plain wrong. Congress authorized and appropriated funds specifically for the Full-Service Community Schools program because research shows community schools improve student academic achievement, reduce chronic absenteeism, and support student wellbeing. We demand that the Department fully reinstate all Full-Service Community Schools grants that were abruptly discontinued.

The Full-Service Community School grant program supports school districts and public schools in their mission to meet students’ needs so they can succeed academically and in life, focusing on the school as a community center that can connect families to food, housing assistance, medical care, and other services. Community leadership and school coordinators partner to co-locate services and provide cost-effective resources that are deemed necessary by the families they serve—a community-based approach that has been successful in both rural and urban areas. Multiple studies show that community schools lead to more positive academic outcomes for students and more successful schools. Discontinuing these grants puts students’ progress in jeopardy.

On December 12th, 2025, the Department abruptly discontinued $168 million in grants to community schools just two weeks before their next round of funding was set to arrive. Across the country, nineteen grant recipients received letters alerting them that, effective immediately, their projects would no longer receive future federal funding under their approved grant awards, including in many rural communities. Your decision is forcing schools and community partners to eliminate vital services for students and families in the middle of the academic year, with no transition period or alternative support.

Full-Service Community Schools grants are generally authorized for five years, providing schools and partners with the stability to plan for the reliable delivery of services. The grants that were abruptly cancelled had either two or three years remaining in their approved five-year projects. This unnecessary termination of education funding is alarming families, disrupting carefully-planned programs that support children, and jeopardizing services for thousands of students in underserved communities. Schools that built partnerships with community organizations, hired staff, and made multi-year commitments to families now face breaking those promises through no fault of their own.

The Department claims that affected grantees violate civil rights law or conflict with the administration's policy priorities, but this rationale lacks any specificity. Grant recipients received letters providing few details, and just one week or less to appeal. These discontinuations directly contradict bipartisan congressional intent for this program. In 2023, Congress increased annual funding for the Full-Service Community Schools program from $25 million to $150 million, which was maintained in fiscal year 2024 and 2025 appropriations laws, reflecting bipartisan recognition that schools serving high-poverty communities require comprehensive support. All federal grants must abide by applicable requirements, but the Department has failed to produce legitimate reasons, including any grantee performance-related information, to discontinue multi-year grants that Congress authorized and appropriated, that grantees are implementing successfully, and that provide essential services to our underserved students.

We demand that you reinstate all community school grants that have been abruptly discontinued and respectfully suggest that the Department refocus its efforts to support community schools in their efforts to meet the needs of and improve education outcomes for all students.


Warnock, Ossoff Secure Over $54 Million in Federal Funding to Reduce Car Accidents in Georgia

$54.2 million will be awarded to 21 projects across the state to promote safer roads and streets

The funding is made possible by the Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021

Since launching in 2022, Safe Streets and Roads for All has invested in roadway improvement projects across the country that are proven to dramatically reduce car crashes

Senator Warnock: “Creating safer streets is about protecting lives and bolstering safety for all our neighbors”

Senator Ossoff: “Through the bipartisan infrastructure law, Senator Warnock and I are delivering upgrades to ensure pedestrian and commuter safety across Georgia”

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) announced $54,277,878 in federal funding to improve Georgia’s road and street infrastructure. The money was provided by the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program and will help strengthen road safety for bicyclists, pedestrians, and drivers — including significant projects to help improve road and safety infrastructure in some of the most rural parts of the state.

“I am glad to see Georgians continue to benefit from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation I was proud to champion,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Creating safer streets is about protecting lives and bolstering safety for all our neighbors. I will continue to work to deliver even more investments to upgrade our state’s transportation infrastructure so, regardless of if they’re traveling on foot, bike, or car, Georgians can safely get to where they need to go.”

“Through the bipartisan infrastructure law, Senator Warnock and I are delivering upgrades to ensure pedestrian and commuter safety across Georgia,” said Senator Ossoff. “We will continue delivering infrastructure upgrades across Georgia through this historic bipartisan effort.”

Since launching in 2022, SS4A has funded projects to plan and implement roadway improvements that dramatically reduce crashes. The program is part of the larger National Roadway Safety Strategy, DOT’s comprehensive approach to significantly reduce serious injuries and deaths on the nation’s highways, roads, and streets. Each year, roughly 40,000 motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are killed on U.S. roads.

The Carroll County Roadway Departure Prevention Project will receive $18,751,200 to implement roadway improvement countermeasures along six high-risk rural corridors. Work will include shoulder widening and repaving, high-friction pavement treatments, wider edge lines, centerline and shoulder rumble strips, and enhanced curve delineation, signing, and pavement markings. Between 2018 and 2022, these corridors had 7 fatal and 10 serious injury crashes.

The City of Cedartown will receive $4 million to implement safety countermeasures on North Main Street and U.S. 27 Business and at East Avenue/Wissahickon Avenue and College Street intersection. A single-lane roundabout will replace the four-way stop at East Avenue/Wissahickon Avenue and College Street to address failure-to-yield and speeding, with an estimated 58% crash reduction.

See below for a full list of grant recipients:

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Warnock Statement on AGOA, Haiti HOPE/HELP Reauthorization Advancing to the Senate

Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP).

“I am glad to see that AGOA and HOPE/HELP for Haiti have passed the House with an overwhelming bipartisan majority and are now headed to the Senate. The Senate should pass these trade agreements immediately.”


Warren, Min Release New Details on Trump Ballroom Donations by Giant Corporations With Business in Front of Trump Admin

Members release responses to December inquiry

Microsoft reveals it was solicited for ballroom donations; Meta, Nvidia do not deny possible quid pro quo arrangements

Amazon Response | Apple Response | Comcast Response | Meta Response | Microsoft Response | Nvidia Response

Washington, D.C. – In response to letters sent by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Representative Dave Min (D-Calif.), and nine other members of Congress, giant corporations revealed new details about their donations to President Donald Trump’s ballroom. Notably, Microsoft revealed that the company was solicited for ballroom donations by fundraisers. Meta and Nvidia did not deny possible quid-pro-quo arrangements. Some corporations reported their donations were given with spending conditions attached, while others said they donated with no conditions or restrictions.

Last month, Senator Warren and Representative Min led colleagues in questioning seven giant corporations on their reported donations to President Trump’s White House ballroom and whether there were any quid-pro-quo arrangements connected to them. The corporations — Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Comcast, and Union Pacific Railroad — all have antitrust business pending in front of the Trump administration, raising concerns about influence-peddling and bribery.

Highlights:

Microsoft revealed it was solicited for donations to Trump’s ballroom, writing that it was “contacted by a fundraiser for the effort regarding a possible donation.”

Amazon revealed new details about its donation process, writing that the company “communicated with the fundraising group working on the White House Ballroom project beginning in August 2025, where [they] discussed potential giving amounts and the dinner planned for donors. [They] worked directly with the Trust for the National Mall to coordinate [their] payment, and attended the White House program commemorating the launch of the project on October 15, 2025.”

Some donations were given to the Trust for the National Mall with no specific limitations or conditions, while some were given specifically for the ballroom. Comcast wrote that its “pledged donation included no specific limitations or conditions on how the proceeds were to be used or spent.” But, for example, Microsoft wrote that it “understood that [their donation] (along with contributions from other donors) [would] be used to support the construction of the ballroom.”

Meta and Nvidia did not deny possible quid-pro-quo arrangements, conspicuously dodging the key question posed by their lawmakers in their letters. But Comcast explicitly denied any connection with Administration policy, stating that it “made [its] donation with no expectations of receiving anything in return.”

Some companies specifically mentioned the Trust for the National Mall. Amazon wrote that it “worked directly with the Trust for the National Mall to coordinate [its] payment.” Meta wrote that it “announced that it is making a donation to the Trust for the National Mall, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports the National Park Service and is dedicated to restoring, enriching, and preserving the National Mall, the White House grounds, and the President’s Park.”

Each of these seven corporate ballroom donors stands to benefit from favorable treatment from the federal government related to merger reviews or enforcement actions. For example, Meta would benefit from the FTC choosing not to appeal a recent federal district court antitrust ruling favorable to the company.

“These interests create the potential for a quid-pro-quo exchange of a contribution to the ballroom for regulatory or other favors from the federal government. That risk appears particularly acute amid allegations of this Administration’s politicized decision-making in antitrust cases, not based on law and the interest of the public but based on political favors,” wrote the lawmakers in their initial inquiry. “If your donation was made with the intent to influence government decision-making, it could run afoul of federal bribery law.”

The Trump Justice Department has previously come under public scrutiny for allegedly making antitrust decisions based on political favors, including in settling HPE’s acquisition of Juniper Networks and, most recently, the Department’s decision to rubber-stamp the merger between the country’s two biggest real-estate brokerages, Compass and Anywhere Real Estate.

The following lawmakers joined Warren and Min in sending the letters: U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Representatives André Carson (D-Ind.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), and Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.).

In November, Sen. Warren and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, introduced the Stop Ballroom Bribery Act to root out apparent bribery and corruption involving President Trump’s ballroom, one of the first pieces of legislation addressing the ballroom that would impose donation restrictions.


Welch, Barrasso Lead Bipartisan Effort to Expand Access to Genetic Counselor Services

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), alongside Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), reintroduced the Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act, bipartisan legislation to expand Medicare coverage of genetic counseling services and improve access for seniors and rural communities nationwide. The Senators’ legislation would establish Medicare coverage of genetic counseling services furnished by licensed or certified genetic counselors and reimburse providers for their lifesaving work.

Genetic counselors are licensed health care professionals who help patients understand inherited health risks and interpret genetic test results. There are nearly 7,000 certified genetic counselors in the United States, and the workforce continues to grow. This guidance can help patients and their doctors make informed care decisions, personalize treatment plans, and support earlier and more accurate disease detection.

“Genetic testing and counseling play an essential role in helping Vermonters and their families better understand their health. That includes helping cancer patients access personalized medicine to ensure they get the best possible care. But these services are few and far between in Vermont, leaving rural communities and patients behind,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to join Senator Barrasso in the fight to ensure every patient has the opportunity to make informed decisions about their health care.”

“Coverage for genetic counseling can be life-saving for many patients – especially those facing a cancer diagnosis. By increasing access to these critical services, genetic counselors can help doctors provide clear treatment plans for patients in a timely manner,” said Senator Barrasso. “Our bill will ensure patients in Wyoming and across the country can access the high-quality, life-saving care they deserve as quickly as possible.”

“Genetic counselors help patients figure out what type of care is best for them, often in life-saving situations,” said Senator Rosen. “This bipartisan bill will make sure they can provide that care for as many patients as possible. I’ll keep working to provide quality, affordable health care for Nevada families.”

“Genetic counseling plays an important role in modern medicine, particularly for patients facing serious or inherited health conditions. By recognizing genetic counselors as Medicare providers, this bipartisan legislation will help reduce barriers to care, shorten wait times, and expand access to these critical services—especially for seniors in rural states like West Virginia,” said Senator Capito.

The Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2026 is endorsed by the University of Vermont Health Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program, and the National Society of Genetic Counselors.

“This bill would help us better serve many patients in our cancer genetics program at University of Vermont Health, as well as in other clinical areas of our health system. That’s because access to the latest genomic information at the time of a cancer diagnosis can positively impact treatment plans, help identify future cancer risks and benefit family members. Genetic counselors play a key role in providing access to this important information. Many patients who receive cancer diagnoses are covered by Medicare, and not having access to genetic counselors creates significant barriers to accessing critical health information for those patients. I am grateful that Senator Peter Welch supports this effort to help Medicare patients have access to genetic counselors so they can receive the necessary genomic information for their health care,” said Wendy McKinnon, Lead Cancer Genetic Counselor, UVM Health in the Cancer Genetics and Prevention Program.

“As a genetic counselor, I know how Medicare beneficiaries face unnecessary barriers to accessing the care they need,” said Carrie Haverty, MS, CGC, President-Elect, National Society of Genetic Counselors. “Our expertise goes far beyond interpreting test results – we help patients understand complex diagnoses, support informed decision-making, and provide compassionate counseling during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. These conversations empower patients, improve health outcomes, strengthen adherence to recommended treatments, and ultimately help reduce overall health care costs. Recognizing genetic counselors as Medicare providers is a critical step toward ensuring that every patient can access the comprehensive support they serve.”

This Congress, Senator Welch has led the introduction of several bills to make health care more accessible and affordable for Vermonters, including the 340B Pharmaceutical Access To Invest in Essential, Needed Treatments & Support (PATIENTS) Act, Eliminating Thickets to Improve Competition (ETHIC) Act, Maximizing Opioid Recovery Emergency (MORE) Savings Act, Share the Savings with Seniors Act, Comprehensive Alternative Response to Emergencies (CARE) Act, Strengthening Medicare and Reducing Taxpayer (SMART) Prices Act, Social Security Emergency Expansion Act, Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act, End Price Gouging for Medications Act, Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act, Protecting Pharmacies in Medicaid Act, Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act, Repealing the Trump Sick Tax Act, and the Rural Hospital Support Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

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Young, Hassan Introduce Legislation to Boost Child Tax Credit for Working Families

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced the Stronger Start for Working Families Act, which would provide a tax cut to 3.5 million working families with children by allowing them to begin receiving the full Child Tax Credit (CTC) starting with the first dollar they earn.

“The Child Tax Credit is one of our most effective tools for helping working families make ends meet and ensuring children have the stability they need to thrive. By starting refundability at the very first dollar earned, our bill will expand access to the Child Tax Credit for low-income parents while strengthening the incentive to enter or remain in the workforce,” said Senator Young. “This is a practical, bipartisan step we can take to support families, reward work, and help more Americans climb the economic ladder.”

“Families across New Hampshire and the country are working hard to provide for their children, but too many are struggling with rising costs for essentials like groceries, child care, and utilities,” said Senator Hassan. “The Child Tax Credit supports parents in raising the next generation, but right now, many hard-working families are not able to access the full tax cut because they don’t get paid enough at work. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense bill that will help working families make ends meet and build a stronger future for their kids.”

Under current law, millions of working families do not receive the full value of the Child Tax Credit because their income isn’t high enough to maximize the refundable portion of the credit. The Stronger Start for Working Families Act would cut taxes for these families by allowing them to begin earning refundable CTC benefits beginning with the first dollar of income that they earn, rather than only for income over $2,500. According to the Tax Policy Center, this change would provide a tax cut to nearly 3.5 million families with kids in 2026.

The bill is supported by the following organizations: Prosperity Indiana, America Forward, American Compass, BPC Action, Bread for the World, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Niskanen Center, R Street Institute, RESULTS, Third Way, Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute, and United Way of Central Indiana.

“Across the country, working families are feeling financial strain as costs continue to rise. We hear stories from families, and the organizations that serve them, about choosing between groceries and a filled prescription, keeping their houses cold in the winter to keep skyrocketing energy bills down, choosing overtime when they want to go back to school, and sometimes making these tough calls and still not having enough to pay their bills. We support the Stronger Start for Working Families Act as it responds to the needs of Hoosier families who want to give their children what they need to grow up healthy, focus on their education, and prepare for their futures,” said Aspen Clemons, Executive Director of Prosperity Indiana.

“Middle class security is out of reach for far too many American families. Senators Hassan and Young understand that putting the American dream within reach will require both getting more support to working families, and making sure their work is rewarded. The pro-family, pro-work Stronger Start for Working Families Act advances both principles, by making sure the Child Tax Credit benefits families starting with the first dollar they earn,” said Chris Griswold, Policy Director for American Compass.

“BPC Action applauds Sens. Hassan and Young for leading the Stronger Start for Working Families Act, which allows families with the most need to access a larger Child Tax Credit sooner while maintaining a strong incentive for parents to work,” said Michele Stockwell, President of BPC Action. “This bill signals a pragmatic, pro-family reform that will improve economic security and well-being for millions.”


ICYMI: Historic $233 Million Investment in Rural Health Care Headed to Montana

Washington, D.C. - In December, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that Montana will receive more than $233 million in Fiscal Year 2026 through the Rural Health Transformation Program. This funding is part of the landmark “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which Congressman Zinke supported and was signed into law in July. It represents the largest federal investment in rural health care in U.S. history. Montana secured the fourth-largest allocation of any state.

“This historic funding is a game changer for Montana’s rural communities,” said Zinke. “Access to quality health care close to home is essential and has historically been hard to come by for our families and workers in small towns. As anyone living in the rural West knows, D.C.’s one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work in our communities. This investment empowers Montana’s health care workers and officials to keep our communities healthy in a way that makes sense for Montana and our way of life.”

Montana will use this funding to boost the rural healthcare workforce, secure financial stability for providers, and focus on prevention and community health. It also aims to expand technology through improved interoperability and electronic medical record upgrades. Key initiatives include creating a Rural Center of Excellence, launching new care and payment models, implementing SNAP waivers, forming an EMS Compact, and introducing Medicaid reforms like telehealth and remote patient monitoring.

Read Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services press release here.

Read the Montana program funding summary here.

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Congressman Aderholt Highlights Family-Focused Priorities as RSC Unveils Reconciliation 2.0 Framework

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Chairman of the House Values Action Team (VAT), participated today in a news conference alongside Republican Study Committee leadership to commend the release of the RSC’s framework for a second reconciliation bill, commonly referred to as Reconciliation 2.0.

Speaking as both VAT Chairman and an RSC Member, Congressman Aderholt praised the framework as a critical opportunity to secure additional conservative wins, codify key presidential executive actions, and rein in wasteful spending initiated under the Biden Administration.

“The House Values Action Team is a caucus of Members committed to defending and advancing what we call civilizational issues, family, faith, and freedom,” said Aderholt. “I am proud to stand with Chairman August Pfluger and my RSC colleagues to commend this framework for a second reconciliation bill, which represents our best opportunity to deliver lasting, conservative reforms for the American people.”

Congressman Aderholt highlighted several provisions in the framework that are of particular importance to VAT Members, including:

• Eliminating the marriage penalty in the Child Tax Credit, ensuring families are not financially punished for marriage.

• Fixing 401(k) contribution maximums that currently disadvantage families with a single working parent.

• Making permanent the ban on federal funding for abortion providers, a key victory from the first reconciliation bill that is set to expire on July 4, 2026, unless Congress acts.

• Eliminating Medicaid and ACA tax credit funding for gender procedures and elective abortions.

• Establishing an excise tax on higher education institutions that allow biological males to compete in female sports.

“These policies are about standing up for families and making sure federal law reflects common sense and core American values,” Aderholt said. “Republicans are working to deliver for the American family, and Reconciliation 2.0 does exactly that.”

Congressman Aderholt’s full remarks from today’s news conference can be viewed here:

https://youtu.be/3_Q5Et3ORi8

The RSC’s Reconciliation 2.0 framework will guide House Republicans as they move forward with the next reconciliation package in the coming months.

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Amo Statement Marking One-Month Anniversary of Tragic Brown Shooting

"One month after the shooting at Brown University, my heart remains with the victims, Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, their families, survivors, and our Rhode Island community.

I am deeply grateful to the countless community members and local leaders — from police and firefighters to medical professionals and local businesses — who responded during and after the shooting. Their willingness to step up reminded us of what community truly means. Students are returning to classes next week and I remain committed to supporting students, faculty, staff, and our entire community.

As we continue to heal, we are painfully aware that far too many communities are impacted by gun violence. That is why I will keep fighting for commonsense gun safety measures, to honor those we’ve lost, and work to ensure this never happens in another community.”


Rep. Ansari Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Expressing Support for Protesters Demanding a Free and Democratic Iran

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) led a bipartisan group in introducing a resolution commending the bravery and resolve of the Iranian people in their fight for a free and democratic Iran and opposing the brutality of the Islamic Republic, which uses violent military force to suppress civilian protesters. Ansari is the daughter of Iranian immigrants and the first Iranian American Democrat elected to Congress.

The resolution also urges immediate expansion of unrestricted internet access and civilian lines of communication across Iran, which have been severed by the Iranian regime, and demands the regime cease its threats, intimidation, and violence toward peaceful protesters.

The bipartisan measure is cosponsored by Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jim Himes (D-CT), Stephanie Bice (R-OH), Mike Carey (R-OH), and Brad Schneider (D-IL).

“Right now, millions of people across Iran are bravely taking to the streets to demand freedom and an end to the barbaric regime,” said Ansari. “These protests are not just about economic opportunity, but about human rights and dignity. The Iranian people are demanding an end to the Islamic Republic. With a unified, bipartisan voice, I am leading Congress in condemning the regime’s brutality towards protesters and standing with the people of Iran in their fight for freedom and democracy.”

Read text of the Resolution HERE.

“The Iranian people have made clear that they will no longer live under the shadow of a despotic, malignant regime,” said Rep. Foxx. “They’re taking a stand for freedom, self-determination, and for a life not marred by oppression, coercion, and silence. To the Iranian people: the Congress of the United States stands alongside you in your pursuit of a better and brighter future.”

“The Iranian people deserve international support for their protest for a free and democratic Iran,” said Rep. Ross. “They have shown extraordinary bravery, risking their lives to demand human rights, equality, and freedom from the oppression of the Islamic Republic. The people of Iran have the right to determine their future.”

“The people of Iran are calling for the most basic promise of a free society—the right to speak openly, to gather without fear, and to choose their own future,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “When a regime answers those peaceful calls with prisons, bullets, and internet blackouts, the free world is called to choose. History will record our choices. This resolution places the United States and Congress on the side of those fighting for liberty, and against a regime that survives only by terror and repression. Peace is not by silence, but by standing strong for freedom.”

“The protestors in the streets of Iran have shown enormous courage in their stand against the brutal and repressive Islamic Republic regime,” said Rep. Himes. “I am proud to join my colleagues in support of the Iranian people and their fight for self-determination after years of censorship and tyranny.”

“After 47 years of living under an oppressive regime, the Iranian people are taking to the streets in mass, risking their lives for one thing: freedom,” said Rep. Bice. “This resolution honors their brave efforts and recognizes that the United States Congress stands with the Iranian people. The people of Iran deserve the right to dignity, democracy, and self-determination.”

“I am proud to join in leading this bipartisan resolution that affirms Congress’s support for the Iranian people,” said Rep. Schneider. “The good people of Iran have been oppressed by the theocratic regime for nearly fifty years, and the United States must stand firmly with them as they rise up to reject and remove the tyrannical, murderous government that has too long abused them.”

“The oppressive regime in Iran has been willing to summarily murder its own people in the streets and sow chaos around the world for far too long,” said. Rep. Carey. “The protestors taking to the streets are displaying enormous courage in their efforts to free themselves from this tyrannical government and its evil ambitions. May God bless the Iranian people in their efforts to rid themselves of oppression and guide them in their quest for a better future.”

Text of resolution HERE and below.

RESOLUTION TEXT

Whereas for nearly five decades, the people of Iran have endured brutal repression under the Islamic Republic, a regime that denies basic human rights, silences dissidents, and responds to peaceful protest with violence;

Whereas once again, the people of Iran are courageously taking to the streets to demand economic opportunity, human rights, dignity, and freedom;

Whereas the Islamic Republic has responded to the ongoing protests with brutality by killing protestors, arresting thousands, and restricting internet access and telephone lines;

Whereas the people of Iran are in part protesting the Islamic regime’s economic mismanagement, corruption, internal suppression, and unjust executions;

Whereas access to free expression, open information, and uncensored communication are fundamental human rights;

Whereas the inspiring 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests demanded an end to the Islamic Republic and its violence, including against Iranian women and ethnic minorities;

Whereas the barbaric so-called Morality Police and other arms of state suppression have a lengthy history of repressing the Iranian people’s fundamental freedoms, including the freedom to assemble, the freedom of religion, women’s rights, and LGBTQ rights;

Whereas the Islamic regime has engaged in systematic efforts to intimidate, harass, detain, and harm political dissidents, activists, and journalists both within Iran and beyond its borders;

Whereas the people of Iran deserve the right to dignity, democracy, and self-determination and to be free from the brutality of the Islamic Republic;

Whereas on January 26, 2023, the United States House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 7, commending the bravery, courage, and resolve of the Iranian people;

Resolved, That the House of Representatives:

Commends the bravery and resolve of the Iranian people in their fight for a free and democratic Iran;

Strongly condemns the brutality of the Islamic Republic which uses violent military force to suppress civilian protesters;

Demands that the Iranian regime cease its threats, intimidation, and violence against peaceful protesters; release all political prisoners; and allow unhindered medical assistance to demonstrators wounded by the regime’s violent repression;

Recognizes the right of the Iranian people to freely determine, through free and fair elections, the nature of their political regime;

Urges immediate expansion of unrestricted internet access and civilian lines of communication across Iran; and

Implores the Government of the United States to work in coordination with its allies to consider and implement concrete measures to deter further lethal violence against protesters.

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Arrington Calls for Reconciliation 2.0

Washington, D.C. – Today, during a press conference with the Republican Study Committee, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) called on Congress to pass a second budget reconciliation bill to accelerate economic growth and make life more affordable for working families. Arrington outlined the goals of reconciliation 2.0: to lower the cost of health care; lock in President Trump’s America First trade agenda; and root out waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs to prevent what happened in Minnesota from ever happening again.

Click HERE to watch

Remarks as Delivered:

“Thank you. Chairman Pfluger, my friend, my neighbor, my fellow West Texan. You had me at hello. Reconciliation 2.0, the most powerful and potent legislative tool in the toolbox for us to fix what's broken, to clean up this mess, and to give our fellow Americans a safer, stronger, more prosperous and more affordable country...

“Look, policies have consequences, and the four years of the Biden-Harris Administration, of total Democratic control, with failed economic policies and unbridled, unprecedented trillions of dollars in deficit spending, pushed our economy to the brink of a sovereign debt crisis, put us in a recessionary situation, and made life unaffordable.

“They lit the fuse on the cost-of-living crisis in this country; we haven't seen this level of unaffordability in almost a half a century. They were paying people not to work. They were giving health care and welfare to people in this country illegally. They were bailing out student loans and union pensions. They were expanding the IRS by tens of billions of dollars. They were taxing our job creators. They had a whole of government assault on the lifeblood of our economy, which is our domestic conventional fuel supply, and the list goes on.

“That was the Molotov cocktail that put us in an economic tailspin and put our families, our working families, in a bad way.

“The American people gave us unified Republican leadership. They gave us Donald Trump, a new CEO, competent leadership. They want common sense policies, and they want to be able to feed their families and pay the bills. We passed the One Big Beautiful Bill. It's big because it was the largest tax cut, spending cut, welfare reform, and energy deregulation in the history of our country. It's beautiful because of its impact on our fellow Americans who are struggling every day because of the disaster, the self-inflicted disaster of the Biden failed economic agenda.

“Look at what's happening. Real wages are up for the first time in four or five years prior to the Biden Administration, because they're outpacing inflation. Core inflation is coming down. Interest rates in the long-term and short-term are coming down. Business investment is up. Consumer spending is still strong. Growth is at 4.3 percent. We put a 2.6 percent assumption in the One Big Beautiful Bill, and you would have thought people went crazy. Are you sure you can achieve 2.6 percent? Growth was 4.3 percent last quarter; the quarter before, 3.8 percent—because policies have consequences, and we created economic freedom.

“Instead of lighting the fuse of inflation with bad policies, we’re lighting the fuse of prosperity with economic freedom. And by the way, the One Big Beautiful Bill was the largest tax refund—$100 billion and another $100 billion in less withholdings. People are putting more money in their pockets.

“Listen, and I'm just talking about the affordability issue. I do think it's the most important issue for November. I think it's the most important issue for the American people. They have total confidence that President Trump's going to secure the border. He's going to enforce the law and keep them safe, and he's going to restore respect on the global stage with peace through strength. The question going into November is, can we accelerate what we're seeing with gas prices coming down, rent coming down, and lower mortgage rates?

“People paid an average of $1,000 more for their monthly mortgage because of the failed policies of the Biden Administration. In just a year of good economic policies, they're paying $200 less.

“All boats will rise on prosperity.

“We have the lowest poverty rate in recorded history from when we put these policies in place in the first Trump Administration. We've got to double down like never before, because we have to dig out of a big hole, and we have to Reverse the Curse. That is what this is about up here. That's why I love these guys, and I commend them for their efforts. And that's why I have confidence that when November comes, life will be better. Quality of life will be better.

“And the American people? We will earn their confidence to keep this unified Republican leadership team in place and continue to do great things for the greatest country in human history.”


Bacon, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation Prohibiting a U.S. Invasion of a NATO Member State

Washington – Last night, Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Chairman Don Bacon (R-NE), Subcommittee on Europe Ranking Member Bill Keating (D-MA), Danish Caucus Co-Chair Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Lead Democrat for the U.S. Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA) introduced the No Funds for NATO Invasion Act to prohibit the use of federal funds for an invasion of any NATO member state or NATO-protected territory.

“The No Funds for NATO Invasion Act makes clear to our allies and partners, as well as those around the world, that it is unacceptable to invade the territory of an ally of the United States. It is important to remember that for almost 80 years, NATO has been the foundation for peace and cooperation between the United States and our European allies. Without question, it has led to greater economic opportunity, enhanced safety and security measures, and peace with our allies that has had a direct impact on every American’s life,” said the Members of Congress. “This bipartisan legislation, which prohibits the use of any funds to invade a NATO member state or NATO-protected territory, demonstrates the strong commitment in the House of Representatives to support our NATO allies. We must cease the inflammatory rhetoric, work together to take advantage of our shared opportunities, and, most importantly, to counter the real threats from those who do not share our values.”

The No Funds for NATO Invasion Act would:

Prohibit any federal funds from being made available for the invasion of a NATO member state or any territory protected by Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Prohibit any officer or employee of the United States from taking any action to execute an invasion of a NATO member state or any territory protected by Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

Original Cosponsors Include: Dina Titus (NV-1), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Johnny Olszewski Jr. (MD-2), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Christopher R. Deluzio (PA-17), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Wesley Bell (MO-1), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Gabe Amo (RI-1), Jim Costa (CA-21), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Jason Crow (CO-6), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Greg Stanton (AZ-4), Ami Bera (CA-6).

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Congressman Baird Introduces Legislation to Support Hemp Farmers

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced the Hemp Planting Predictability Act to provide a two-year extension on the hemp provision passed in the FY2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations bill that restricts the definition of legal hemp. Congressman Baird was joined by House Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer (KY-01), House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02), Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14), and Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08).

"Planting and growing crops requires planning well in advance," said Congressman Baird. "Congress created a regulatory environment in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed for certain investments, and farmers were operating within this environment. The hemp provision included in the Continuing Resolution and Appropriations bills passed in November 2025 disrupted planting decisions that had already been made. Congress should not have passed such a sweeping policy change that upends a growing industry. Instead, Congress should have given farmers more time, creating a more stable environment for farmers to modify their future planting decisions. I am proud to introduce this legislation to ensure farmers have predictability and sufficient time to adjust to new laws that affect their livelihood."

"I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Rep. Baird’s bill to extend the implementation of new hemp restrictions by two years," said House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman Comer. "This common-sense extension gives farmers and America’s hemp industry the time they need to adapt while Congress works to establish a clear, reasonable regulatory framework. I have championed the hemp industry since my time as Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture and remain committed to bipartisan solutions in Washington that support our local farmers and provide certainty for this growing industry."

"Recent changes to hemp production and processing regulations pulled the rug out from under Minnesota’s hemp producers, craft brewers, and retailers at a time when too many business owners are already dealing with high prices and uncertainty," said House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Craig. "I’m proud to be introducing this common-sense legislation with my colleague Rep. Baird to fight these ill-thought-out policies and support the farmers and small business owners who make up Minnesota’s $200 million hemp industry."

"I’m proud to support this legislation to delay the harmful hemp provision and give Congress the time we need to do this right," said Congressman Moore. "A decision with major consequences for farmers and small businesses belongs in the Agriculture Committee, instead of being buried in a government funding bill. I’ll keep fighting to ensure North Carolina’s hemp growers have a seat at the table and aren’t regulated out of business."

"I’m proud to work alongside Congressman Baird and local businesses in Colorado’s 8th District on this much-needed fix to support responsible hemp production," said Congressman Evans. "Colorado’s 8th District is home to 59 operating hemp facilities — including processors, retailers, extraction sites, and ingredient labs — that play a critical role in our state’s economy and help thousands of veterans access products that improve their physical and mental health. While we develop a long-term regulatory framework that improves public safety and grows domestic supply chains, this bill provides a path forward for the hemp industry, supports local jobs, and strengthens American competition."

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Rep. Becca Balint’s Statement on Passage of ACA Premium Tax Credits Extension

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement following passage of Democrats’ three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits:

“During what has been a really hard week for Americans, I am grateful to share the good news that we were able to secure House passage of a three-year extension of the ACA premium tax credits – a crucial step forward in our work to address soaring health care costs. In the end, several Republican members joined us, Speaker Johnson’s work to keep this from getting to the floor failed, and the collective voice of the American people prevailed.

“Now, we need the Senate to do its part to get this across the finish line so we can focus on finding long-term solutions for our expensive, broken health care system. I encourage all Vermonters to keep the pressure on, share your stories, and make your voices heard.”

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Barr Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Oversight of Government Spending

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) and Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA) reintroduced the Fiscal State of the Nation Act, which seeks to create an annual report to enhance bipartisan oversight of our nation’s financial health. With the U.S. national debt nearing $40 trillion, the need for fiscal accountability has never been more urgent. However, it is difficult for lawmakers to address the deficit without access to impartial and accurate data.

This legislation would require the Comptroller General of the United States to present an annual, nonpartisan presentation to a joint hearing of the House and Senate Budget Committees regarding the financial state of our nation and its future trends. The joint hearing would also be open to all other Members of Congress who wish to attend.

The presentation would consist of data from the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) auditor report, with explicit details about U.S. government financial statements and future financial outlook. While some of this GAO data is available online, it is buried across hundreds of financial statements on different agency websites. Passage of the Financial State of the Nation Act would give Congress access to full, nonpartisan data and analysis from the Comptroller General of the United States and the GAO.

“I am proud to lead this critical legislation alongside Rep. Peters to ensure Congress has clear, concise, and nonpartisan information about the financial state of our nation,” said Congressman Barr. “With better data and greater transparency, lawmakers can make more informed decisions to control spending and work toward reducing the deficit.”

"Our national debt is out of control, and our annual deficits are now worse than they were during the Great Depression. All this borrowing means less money is available in the system to help San Diegans afford homes, invest in their businesses, or take out loans. The Fiscal State of the Nation Act will cut through the noise of biased information Members of Congress receive every day and instead give us a sober and thorough analysis of how current and future policies influence our fiscal health," Rep. Peters said.

“With federal debt already as large as the economy and projected to rise to 120 percent of GDP by 2035, Congress would benefit from a regular reminder to confront the numbers and the tradeoffs required to address them. Representatives Peters (D-CA) and Barr (R-KY) deserve credit for reintroducing the Fiscal State of the Nation Act, which would institutionalize an annual bicameral fiscal check-in led by the Budget Committees and the Comptroller General. A consistent, nonpartisan hearing will not solve the debt on its own, but it is a necessary step toward accountability and developing practical, actionable solutions,” said Maya MacGuineas, President, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

“Our nation’s fiscal health is a fundamental part of its continued growth, prosperity and security. The Fiscal State of the Nation Act represents a critical step towards greater transparency, providing a deeper understanding of the long-term economic impact of current and future policies,” said Mark Koziel, President and CEO of the American Institute of CPAs. “By requiring an annual report on the federal government’s consolidated financial statements to Congress, this legislation ensures that policymakers have the information needed to make sound decisions for our country’s future, and we thank Rep. Barr and Rep. Peters for their dedicated leadership on this important issue.”


Barrett Continues Blueprint Rollout, Introduces Plan to Make Housing Affordable for National Guard and Reservists

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) today introduced the Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act (H.R. 7009) to help make it more affordable for members of the National Guard and Armed Forces Reserve to buy a home. This legislation would lower the out-of-pocket cost of purchasing a home by expanding eligibility for VA home loans, which are offered to service members, veterans, and surviving spouses at a competitive interest rate with no down payment required.

This legislation is part of Barrett’s Blueprint for a Better America, a bold policy framework he announced yesterday to disrupt the broken status quo in Washington and stand up for working families. One of the five main goals of the blueprint is to revive the American dream and lower housing costs for families, which is paramount at a time when the average age of first-time home buyers in America is now 40 years old and continues to rise.

“VA home loans are a critical resource that make it possible for countless service members, veterans, and their families to buy their first home. This program helped me and my wife buy the home we still raise our family in today,” said Barrett. “Every person who sacrifices and puts on the uniform, including our National Guard members and reservists who stand ready to serve when disaster strikes, deserves the opportunity to buy a home they can afford. Expanding eligibility for this life-changing program is the right thing to do and will help make the American Dream a reality for families in our communities.”

Under current law, eligibility rules generally restrict National Guard and Reserve members from receiving a VA home loan unless they have served at least 90 days of non-training federal active duty or six years in the National Guard or Reserve. The Home Affordability for Guard and Reserve Act would expand eligibility and allow Guard and Reserve members who have served 14 total days of active duty, inactive duty training, or annual training duty to apply for a VA home loan. This would make VA home loans accessible to nearly every service member who is in good standing and ready to deploy if called upon.

Click here to learn more about the VA Home Loan Program.


Barrett Helps Introduce Legislation to Ban Stock Trading by Members of Congress

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) joined House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil in introducing the Stop Insider Trading Act. This legislation bans each member of Congress, his or her spouse, and his or her dependent children from purchasing publicly traded, individual stocks.

This legislation is Barrett’s first new addition to his Blueprint for a Better America, the bold policy agenda he announced yesterday to take on the status quo in Congress and the federal government.

“The American people are sick and tired of Washington playing by a different set of rules — and rightfully so. Half of the members of Congress are already millionaires, which is increasingly out of sync with the ordinary people in their districts,” said Barrett. “Building wealth isn’t inherently wrong, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of breaking trust with those we represent. This long overdue legislation is a necessary step towards restoring accountability and eliminating the corruption that has helped career politicians get rich while working families were left behind.”

The Stop Insider Trading Act will:

Ban each member of Congress, his or her spouse, and his or her dependent children from purchasing publicly traded stocks;

Require members to file a public notice at least seven days, but no more than 14 days, in advance of each intended sale of stocks they already own; and

Require the House and Senate Ethics Committees to penalize members who break the law with a fee equal to $2,000 or 10% of the value of the stock, whichever is greater, as well as any net gain realized from the sale.

"The American people deserve to know their Member of Congress is not profiting off insider information. The Stop Insider Trading Act ensures that cannot happen," said Chairman Steil. "This legislation is critical to restoring the public's trust in their elected officials. If you want to trade stocks, go to Wall Street, not Capitol Hill.”

Click here to read the one pager.


Bean, Steil Introduce Bill to Ban Congressional Stock Trading

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) joined U.S. Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) in introducing the Stop Insider Trading Act, legislation to restrict members of Congress, as well as their spouses and dependents, from trading individual stocks.

Congressman Bean said, "Too many in Congress seem more focused on playing the markets than serving the American people. We can’t allow Crazy Town to prioritize its stock portfolios over the future of our nation. Our job is to represent the people—not to act like day‑traders with privileged information.”

Congressman Steil said, "The American people deserve to know their Member of Congress is not profiting off insider information. The Stop Insider Trading Act ensures that cannot happen. This legislation is critical to restoring the public's trust in their elected officials. If you want to trade stocks, go to Wall Street, not Capitol Hill."

BACKGROUND

The Stop Insider Trading Act will:

Ban Members, their spouses, and their dependent children from purchasing a security issued by a publicly traded company.

Require Members of Congress to file a public notice at least 7 days, but no more than 14 days, in advance for each intended sale with the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Require the House Ethics Committee to issue a fee equal to $2,000 or 10% of the value of the covered investment, whichever is greater, and the net gain realized from the sale.

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Reps. Beatty and Lee Honor 113th Delta Sigma Theta Founders Day with Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) and Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) introduced a resolution honoring the 113th Founders Day of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. The Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 at Howard University by 22 visionary college women and has grown to over 1,050 chapters and 350,000 members worldwide.

“For 113 years, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated has never waited for permission to lead or for justice to come slowly. From marching up Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., demanding the right to vote, to leading the global fight for equitable education, health, economic opportunity, and political power for Black women, Delta women have always met the moment with purpose and courage. As a proud Delta, I carry that legacy with me every day in Congress. This resolution honors not only our Founders, but the generations of women who turned sisterhood into service, and service into lasting change. Delta’s history is not just something we celebrate; it is something we continue to live, “ said Congresswoman Beatty.

“On Founders' Day, we celebrate a legacy built by courageous women and carried forward by generations of dedicated sisters. As a Delta, I am proud of the Sorority’s unwavering commitment to justice and community empowerment. As we mark 113 years, I’m honored to introduce this resolution with Rep. Joyce Beatty recognizing the decades of sisterhood, excellence, and service,” said Congresswoman Summer Lee.

“Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded 113 years ago by 22 visionary collegiate women at Howard University,” said International President Cheryl W. Turner. “Their courage, conviction, and commitment to the tenets of sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action have grounded our organization for more than a century and continue to inspire generations of women to lead with purpose and impact. Today, with more than 350,000 initiated members and over 1,050 chapters worldwide, we proudly advance our Founders’ vision as One Delta, One Mission: Anchored in Legacy, Evolving with Intention. We thank our members, Congresswoman Summer Lee and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, for honoring this legacy and for their leadership in recognizing the transformative work of our Sorority.”

The resolution celebrates Delta Sigma Theta's dedication to addressing critical issues through its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust, which focuses on economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement. The organization has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives, including the establishment of the Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital in Kenya and its designation as a special consultative non-governmental organization to the United Nations.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1913 by 22 trailblazing women committed to promoting academic excellence and advocating for marginalized communities. Over the past 113 years, Delta Sigma Theta has led transformative initiatives such as the Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy, which prepares young women for leadership roles, and Financial Fortitude programs that address wealth inequities.

The sorority's members have included trailblazers such as Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Secretary Marcia Fudge, and Dr. Dorothy I. Height. Its global footprint spans across the United States, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean, embodying the Founders' vision of impactful sisterhood.

A copy of the resolution text can be found here.

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Statement from Congresswoman Beatty on the Department of Justice Investigation into Chair Jerome Powell

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) released a statement on the Department of Justice Investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell:

“Chair Powell serves with dignity, honor, and integrity, and has done so throughout his tenure, remaining focused on the Fed’s dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment.

It is increasingly clear that the weaponized Department of Justice criminal investigation is a political attack and yet another attempt by Donald Trump to undermine and seize control of the Federal Reserve, putting the stability of the economy and household finances at risk.

Over the last year, President Trump has demonstrated a disturbing pattern of politicizing the Fed, attempting to intimidate members of the Federal Open Market Committee into lowering interest rates, threatening to unlawfully remove Chair Jerome Powell, attempting to push out Fed Board Governor Lisa Cook, and appointing partisan individuals to the Board whose views on monetary policy align with his political agenda.

The strength of our economy depends on an independent Federal Reserve, and every American should be deeply alarmed by the Trump Administration’s blatant politicization of our central bank and interest rate decisions—consequential decisions that must be driven by evidence, data, and economic reality, not partisan political pressure. This is guaranteed to negatively impact American households through inflation, the labor market, savings, and housing costs.”

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Reps. Bera, Kim Lead DOMINANCE Act to Break China’s Chokehold and Secure America’s Energy Future

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Ranking Member Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) and Chair Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies (DOMINANCE) Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen U.S. energy security, reduce reliance on the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and build resilient critical minerals supply chains with trusted allies and partners around the world.

Critical minerals are essential to U.S. national security, advanced manufacturing, and next-generation energy technologies. Yet today, the PRC controls roughly 70 percent of global rare earth mining and nearly 90 percent of processing—giving Beijing outsized leverage over supply chains that underpin America’s economy and defense industrial base. The DOMINANCE Act confronts this challenge head-on by aligning U.S. diplomatic, development, and financing tools to secure diversified, transparent, and reliable critical minerals supply chains outside of the PRC’s influence.

“We cannot let China weaponize its chokehold over critical minerals against the United States and our allies,” said Rep. Bera. “The DOMINANCE Act takes a thoughtful approach to strengthen our national security and economic resilience by building secure, diversified supply chains with our allies and partners. It aligns our diplomatic and development tools, formalizes U.S. leadership in the Minerals Security Partnership, establishes high-level leadership at the State Department to drive energy diplomacy, and expands educational fellowships to train the next generation of experts in mining and energy. I’m proud to work with Congresswoman Kim on this bipartisan effort to reduce our dependence on China and put the United States on a path toward long-term energy security.”

“Critical minerals power everything from our national defense to cutting edge technologies that drive American innovation. We can no longer cede control of the very supply chains that determine our economic competitiveness to the Chinese Communist Party.” said Rep. Kim. "The DOMINANCE Act addresses this challenge head on by aligning our diplomacy, financing, and partnerships with our allies to build trusted, resilient supply chains. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort and work alongside the administration as we unleash the next generation of American energy dominance.”

“For too long, China has had a chokehold on the global critical mineral supply chain. This is an unacceptable threat to our economic and national security,” said House Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast (FL-21). “I am proud to co-sponsor the Dominance Act, which will give the U.S. the tools it needs to end Chinese coercion over these essential resources. This is a must-win for the U.S. and our allies throughout the globe.”

“For too long, the Chinese Communist Party has maintained a strategic chokehold on the minerals essential to our national security—controlling 92% of global rare earth processing—while our own mining workforce faces a 50% retirement cliff," said Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-04). "I am proud to be an original sponsor of the DOMINANCE Act, which includes my bill, the Critical Mineral Mining Educational Act, to transform the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs into a front line for our national security. By leveraging the Fulbright program to invest in American human capital and allied expertise, we will finally break our reliance on China and secure the talent needed for a resilient, 21st-century supply chain.”

“Energy security is national security. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the DOMINANCE Act, which strengthens America’s diplomatic, financial, and technical tools to ensure that we are leaders in shaping the world’s energy future and its supply chains,” said Rep. Johnny Olszewski (MD-02). “I am particularly gratified that it includes my bipartisan legislation to build a sustainable critical mineral workforce, helping to ensure we can compete with global adversaries in the 21st century."

“China has a chokehold on critical minerals, and it’s not shy about weaponizing that leverage,” said Rep. Jefferson Shreve (IN-06). “The DOMINANCE Act strengthens America’s security by mobilizing U.S. tools and trusted allies to build reliable, diversified supply chains—so Beijing can’t hold our economy or defense base hostage.”

“China’s monopolization of critical mineral markets poses serious economic and national security risks to the US,” said Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01). “I am proud to support the DOMINANCE Act, which will unleash U.S. critical mineral production and ensure that our domestic critical mineral supply chain is competitive and secure.”

"The PRC has a stranglehold on the global critical mineral supply chain and has demonstrated a willingness to weaponize that control—threatening America's semiconductor industry and putting Arizona's economy at significant risk,” said Rep. Greg Stanton (AZ-04). “The bipartisan DOMINANCE Act will strengthen U.S. partnerships with allies to diversify and secure the critical mineral supply chains our nation depends on."

“As President Trump threatens our energy resiliency with tariffs and unnecessary conflicts, the DOMINANCE Act will diversify our supply chains abroad, strengthen our infrastructure, and invest in educational opportunities,” said Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01). “Formalizing U.S. participation in the Minerals Security Partnership and designating an Office of Energy Security Compacts at the State Department will also enable a more streamlined decision-making approach with our closest allies, as we import, export, and invest in key minerals and other materials, ensuring that the United States maintains its global leadership in energy expertise and production.”

Specifically, the DOMINANCE Act will:

Strengthen U.S. and allied critical minerals supply chains while reducing dependence on strategic competitors, including the PRC;

Formalize U.S. participation and leadership in the Minerals Security Partnership and related international coordination mechanisms;

Authorize Energy Security Compacts to align tools across agencies including the State Department, Department of Energy, Development Finance Corporation, Export-Import Bank, and Department of Commerce;

Establish a Bureau of Energy Security and Diplomacy and a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary to lead U.S. international energy and critical minerals diplomacy;

Expand mining and critical minerals education through a new Fulbright fellowship and visiting scholar programs.

Organizations supporting the DOMINANCE Act include: American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF), American Critical Minerals Association (ACMA), American Energy Leadership Institute (AELI), Atlantic Council, Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action), ClearPath Action, Climate Leadership Council, Progressive Policy Institute, SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, Third Way, and the U.S. – ASEAN Business Council (USABC). Read their quotes of support HERE.


Beyer To Oppose Appropriations Minibus

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents a Northern Virginia congressional district with one of the largest concentrations of federal workers and contractors in the U.S. House, today announced his opposition to H.R. 7006, the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.

Beyer led congressional opposition to the Trump Administration’s illegal destruction of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). His district includes major State Department facilities, and is home to civil servants from numerous federal agencies including hundreds of workers who lost their jobs last year at USAID.

Beyer said:

“I cannot support or fund a status quo that accepts Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s destruction of USAID. I continue to believe that was an illegal, immoral, and illegitimate act. It was a major disaster for my constituents and the region, and it also failed to save taxpayers money as promised. Meanwhile our warnings that destroying USAID would lead to preventable deaths around the world and damage relations with developing nations sadly have already come to pass.

“The bill also fails to constrain an erratic, out-of-control president increasingly bent on illegal military actions. Trump’s abject stupidity regarding possible military actions in Greenland, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, and elsewhere in the wake of the unconstitutional attack on Venezuela does not have the support of the American people, and Congress must act to stop it.

“While I appreciate and support the important work my appropriator colleagues have done to improve this bill by stripping Republican poison pills from it, I believe Congress must do more to stand up to this corrupt, lawless president. I will vote no.”

Beyer previously served in the State Department as a U.S. Ambassador during the Obama Administration.


Congressman Biggs Applauds House Passage of His  Legislation Combatting Exploitation of Children

Congressman Biggs’s Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment (CSAFE) Act was adopted unanimously by the House of Representatives. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement:

“The passage of my CSAFE Act delivers long-overdue legal clarity and serious consequences for criminals who coerce and exploit children,” said Congressman Biggs.

“The internet has become a hunting ground for predators who use manipulation, coercion, and psychological warfare to target children in the darkest ways imaginable. For too long, gaps in federal law have allowed these offenders to hide behind screens, anonymity, and outdated statutes while young lives are shattered. The CSAFE Act closes those gaps and gives law enforcement the clear authority necessary to hunt down and prosecute those who exploit children.

“I am grateful for the bipartisan support behind this effort and the critical input from the White House in crafting this legislation. I urge my Senate colleagues to quickly pass the CSAFE Act so President Trump can sign it into law.”