Van Hollen, Gillibrand, Luján, Lee Reintroduce Legislation to Expand Community Schools

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03) reintroduced the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act, legislation to provide essential resources for school districts to plan for, implement, expand, and support full-service community schools. Community schools are public schools that provide wraparound support services, such as medical, mental, and nutrition health services, mentoring and youth development programs, technical assistance, and continuing education courses for students and families. Full-service community schools have a proven track record of producing tangible results for students – including advancing academic achievement, as well as reducing chronic absenteeism and suspensions. There are more than 700 community schools serving students across all 24 of Maryland’s school districts.

“A quality education is a cornerstone of our children’s success, but for many students, the challenges they face outside of the classroom impact their success inside the classroom. Community schools offer a solution – empowering local education and community leaders to connect families with vital services they need while providing a top-notch education. As we’ve seen across Maryland, this innovative approach has been proven to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and their families. This bill will further invest in and create a pathway for more community schools, ensuring all of our students have the support they need to succeed,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Factors affecting student success extend well beyond the classroom. Unfortunately, many students in southern Nevada cannot meet their basic needs off school grounds, then struggle to keep up their mental and physical health and academics,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “That’s exactly why we need a fully resourced Full-Service Community Schools Program to help schools meet students where they are and bridge these gaps in education. I’m proud to join Senator Van Hollen to reintroduce the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act to support the essential programs our students need.”

"Every student deserves the chance to succeed both inside and outside the classroom,” said Senator Gillibrand. "The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act will help provide critical academic opportunities, mentoring programs, and nutritional services so that students in all communities can thrive. I am proud to lead this legislation alongside my colleagues and will continue to work to provide comprehensive support to students and parents in New York and across the country.”

“Community schools bring community resources into school buildings to improve children’s well-being, especially in low-income and rural schools. Investing in our community schools is an investment in the well-being and success of future generations,” said Senator Luján. “To support our students, families, and communities, I’m partnering with my colleagues to reintroduce the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act. Our bill will expand access to community schools and ensure more schools can adopt this holistic model to support students in New Mexico and across the country.”

In addition to Senators Van Hollen, Gillibrand, and Luján, the legislation is cosponsored in the U.S. Senate by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act would:

Invest $3.65 billion over the next five years to plan, implement, expand, and support full-service community schools serving low-income students;

Provide renewable grant opportunities and additional resources to existing community schools to build collaborative leadership structures and strengthen wraparound services that support the needs of students, families, and neighborhoods.

Build out community school infrastructure by funding the establishment of state-level teams that provide professional development opportunities and resources for community school staff, and collaborate with local education agencies on integrating supports for community schools;

Ensure Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Tribal organizations receive priority consideration in the application process and are included in stakeholder coordination efforts;

Set aside up to 5% of funds for technical assistance and support to leverage federal, state, and local resources that address healthcare and early childhood education, connect local education agencies with other statewide institutions, and inform LEAs of funding opportunities.

The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act is endorsed by the National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, National Indian Education Association, Institute for Educational Leadership, Coalition for Community Schools, First Focus on Children, National Association for Elementary School Principals, MENTOR, Journey 4 Justice, Maryland Out of School Time Network, Maryland State Education Association, American Federation of Teachers New Mexico (AFT NM); CA Partnership for Future of Learning, EdTrust, Forum for Youth Investment, Healthy Schools Campaign, Idaho Community Schools Coalition, Maryland Center for Community Schools, National Center for Community Schools, Netter Center, University of Pennsylvania, North Carolina Community Schools Coalition, and the Nevada State Education Association.

“Every day, the challenges that students and families face outside the classroom reveal themselves inside the classroom—challenges like poverty, food insecurity and a lack of access to healthcare. That is why the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act is so critical; it invests in the proven strategy of wrapping services around students—from mental and physical healthcare to nutrition and after-school programs—paired with strong academic supports and parent engagement. This bill is a vital step toward ensuring every child, no matter their ZIP code, has the support system they need to succeed,” said Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers.

“The Coalition for Community Schools, including our hundreds of national, state, and local partners, is excited to support the Full-Service Community Schools Expansion Act of 2026. We are proud to work with Senator Van Hollen and our community school leaders across the country to inform legislation that reflects how community schools make a difference in the lives of students and families, and to be bold in funding level that recognizes the high need and demand across the country for this evidence-based strategy. We are grateful for the support and leadership of Senators Van Hollen, Luján, and Gillibrand, and look forward to working with them and other members of Congress to champion this significant legislation,” said Eddie Koen, President at the Institute for Educational Leadership.

“Community Schools are reshaping education in Maryland, driving stronger academic outcomes and deeper connections between schools, families, and communities. To keep this momentum going, we must invest in quality, broaden access, and equip districts with the tools needed to realize and sustain the benefits of Full-Service Community Schools,” said Ellie Mitchell, Director, Maryland Out of School Time Network

“Educators understand firsthand that our students learn best when their needs are met. Community schools are a proven model, address the ‘whole child,’ and ensure that students and families receive the community-centered support they need to succeed. The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026 would enable us to build upon the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future that has made Maryland a leader in community school expansion. We appreciate Senator Van Hollen’s support for community schools in Maryland, and we invite Congress to take up this critical legislation,” said Paul Lemle, President of the Maryland State Education Association

“All students, no matter who they are or where they come from, deserve a safe, welcoming, and affirming learning environment where they can thrive and learn without limits. Community schools offer the chance for success to students through creative and targeted educational opportunities. Students, parents, community members, and educators come together to create spaces where students want to be, reducing chronic absenteeism, meeting vital needs of both students and families, as well as a working environment where educators and staff want to pursue excellence each day. We commend Senator Van Hollen and Representative Susie Lee for introducing the Full-Service Community Schools Expansion Act of 2026, which would improve and increase the federal investment in the community schools program. They understand and share in the vision that every student must be prepared to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world, and this federal legislation helps communities put students on that path,” said Kimberly Johnson Trinca, Director, Government Relations, National Education Association.

"The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland is proud to support the reintroduction of the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026. Community schools are a central component of the nationally recognized Blueprint for Maryland’s Future—a 10-year reimagining of the delivery of public education. Many community schools have outpaced traditional schools in standardized test performance increases across Maryland. This innovative model addresses students' needs holistically by partnering with their communities. PSSAM applauds Senator Van Hollen for his steadfast support and leadership on this important legislation," said Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director, Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland.


Warnock Leads Entire Fulton County Congressional Delegation in Letter to Department of Justice Demanding Answers on Fulton County Elections Raid Subpoena

Senator Reverend Warnock is demanding answers from the Department of Justice and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on the recent subpoena issued in the Fulton County Elections Raid case

The Senator organized multiple lawmakers to join his efforts

Senator Warnock and lawmakers: “The subpoena does not appear limited to a specific alleged incident, precinct, witness or irregularity. Instead, it seeks personal identifying information for thousands of people who helped administer an election more than five years ago.”

ICYMI from Capitol Beat: Georgia Democrats seek answers from Justice Department over Fulton election worker subpoena

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is demanding answers from the Department of Justice and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche relating to the subpoena issued by U.S. Attorney based in North Carolina regarding the recent Fulton County Election Raid. The Senator’s efforts were joined by the entire Fulton County Congressional delegation of U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), and Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA-06),

“Fulton County election workers have already endured years of threats and harassment from false claims about the 2020 election,” said Senator Reverend Warnock, lawmakers. “The Department’s subpoena risks compounding that harm by demanding the residential addresses and personal contact information of thousands of people who served in election administration.”

On April 17, 2026, a federal grand jury subpoena was issued to the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections seeking rosters and information of election staff members, including person’s name, position, residential address, email address, and personal telephone numbers. The subpoena was issued in the Northern District of Georgia, but it identifies an Assistant United States Attorney from the Middle District of North Carolina as the requesting prosecutor.

In January, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant at an elections office in Fulton County and seized nearly 700 boxes of original ballots and records from the 2020 presidential election. The search was related to an effort by President Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate alleged voter fraud in the county, which has long been a centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s baseless claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him. A review by President Trump’s own DOJ during his first term was unable to find any evidence to support allegations of widespread fraud that could have changed the result of the 2020 presidential election.

“The 2020 Presidential election in Georgia has been counted, recounted, audited, certified, litigated, and repeatedly confirmed,” continued Senator Reverend Warnock, lawmakers. “Nevertheless, false claims about the 2020 election have continued to erode trust in our elections and fuel harassment against election workers and volunteers.”

In addition to the January raid in Fulton County, the DOJ has filed a lawsuit against Fulton County for its election records. The DOJ is also suing two dozen states for non-public voter roll information. In February, Senator Warnock, Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), and Lucy McBath (D-GA-06) sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding answers and an immediate briefing from the DOJ following the raid of the Fulton County elections center.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:

Dear Acting Attorney General Blanche:

As elected representatives of Fulton County, Georgia, we write with grave concerns regarding the Department of Justice’s (the Department) recent federal grand jury subpoena seeking sensitive personal information for individuals who served as election workers, staff, contractors, or volunteers in Fulton County during the November 2020 General Election. We request an immediate briefing on this matter from the Department of Justice and answers to our written questions below.

On April 17, 2026, a federal grand jury subpoena was issued to the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections seeking rosters of election staff members sufficient to identify each person’s name, position or function, residential address, email address, and personal telephone number. The subpoena applies broadly to individuals assigned to review mail-in ballots, serve on voter review panels, work at mobile voting locations, transport ballots or election media, work or volunteer on Election Day, participate in the risk-limiting audit or recount, serve as precinct managers or assistant managers, or otherwise work for or contract with the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections.

This demand is deeply troubling. The subpoena does not appear limited to a specific alleged incident, precinct, witness, or irregularity. Instead, it seeks personal identifying information for thousands of people who helped administer an election more than five years ago. Many of these individuals were or remain public servants, temporary workers, or volunteers who performed routine election administration duties. Their service should not expose their home addresses, personal email accounts, or phone numbers without a clear, lawful, and narrowly tailored basis.

The Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections has moved to quash the subpoena, arguing that the request is “unprecedented,” “harassing,” “overbroad,” and “untethered to any reasonable need.” The motion also notes that the subpoena is unlikely to support a federal prosecution because the statutes of limitations for any conceivable 2020 election-related federal offense appear to have expired.

The structure of the subpoena raises additional concerns. Although the subpoena was issued in the Northern District of Georgia, the materials identify an Assistant United States Attorney from the Middle District of North Carolina as the requesting prosecutor. The subpoena attachment also instructs Fulton County to send responsive materials to the identified Assistant United States Attorney and a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent, rather than clearly directing production to the grand jury itself.

The 2020 Presidential election in Georgia has been counted, recounted, audited, certified, litigated, and repeatedly confirmed. Nevertheless, false claims about the 2020 election have continued to erode trust in our elections and fuel harassment against election workers and volunteers.

Fulton County election workers have already endured years of threats and harassment from false claims about the 2020 election. The Department’s subpoena risks compounding that harm by demanding the residential addresses and personal contact information of thousands of people who served in election administration.

We expect your full compliance with federal law and regulations governing grand jury subpoenas, the handling of sensitive personal information, and the protection of election workers from intimidation or misuse of federal law enforcement authority. The Department must also avoid even the appearance that federal criminal process is being used to revive baseless claims about a settled election or to target the people who administered it.

Given these concerns, we request that your office provide a briefing to our offices no later than May 22, 2026, and provide written responses to the following questions by June 1, 2026:

What is the legal and factual basis for seeking personal identifying information of Fulton County election workers, staff, contractors, and volunteers?

Clarify the legal and factual basis for the substantial breadth of categories of individuals regarding whom the subpoena seeks information.

Did a federal grand jury authorize the issuance of the subpoena? If so, where is that grand jury impaneled? Why is the return of the subpoena directed to an Assistant U.S. Attorney and not to the grand jury?

What specific federal offense(s) is the Department investigating through this subpoena? Identify the statute of limitations timeframe for each specific federal offense.

Why did the Department seek residential addresses, personal email addresses, and personal telephone numbers, rather than less sensitive records sufficient to identify job function or role?

Why does the subpoena cover thousands of individuals rather than a narrower set of records tied to specific incidents, precincts, witnesses, or identified investigative needs?

What supervisory approvals at the Department of Justice were required before the U.S. Attorney’s Office sought personal information from election workers and volunteers?

Why is the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina involved in grand jury proceedings in the Northern District of Georgia concerning Fulton County election workers?

Has the Department served similar subpoenas, preservation requests, records requests, search warrants, or demands to other Georgia counties, other states, election boards, election offices, election vendors, or state officials related to the 2020 election?

What safeguards will the Department apply to protect the personal information of election workers, including limits on access, retention, sharing, disclosure, and future use? Which individuals will have access to this personal information?

Will the Department commit that the information sought in the subpoena, if received, will not be shared with individuals or entities outside the Department, including state officials, political actors, private parties, or members of the public?

What steps did the Department take before issuing this subpoena to evaluate its effect on election worker safety, recruitment, retention, and public trust in election administration?

Did the Department consider less intrusive means of obtaining any information it claims is relevant to its investigation? If so, please explain what alternatives were considered and why they were rejected.

Georgia’s election workers and the public deserve to know why the Department is seeking their personal information and what safeguards will prevent misuse of this sensitive information.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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Warnock Statement on President Trump’s Renewed Call to Ban Private Equity from Mass Purchasing Single-Family Homes

Today, President Trump called on the House to pass Senator Reverend Warnock’s ban on large corporations’ mass purchasing single-family homes, denying first-time homebuyers access to homeownership

The Warnock private equity ban was included in the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act, which passed the Senate 89-10

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement after President Trump again called on the House to pass Senator Warnock’s ban on large corporations’ mass purchasing single-family homes, denying first-time homebuyers access to homeownership. Georgia’s housing market is suffocated by private equity, with more than one in four single-family rental homes in metro Atlanta owned by large corporations. The American people believe homes should be for people, not corporations—recent polling shows 73% of Americans want to ban Wall Street from owning single-family homes.

“Private equity’s greed is squeezing first-time homebuyers out of the market and pushing the American Dream further out of reach. I welcome anyone who wants to join my fight to finally ban private equity from mass-purchasing single-family homes. The Senate passed my ban 89-10, let’s get this signed into law this week!”

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At Hearing, Warren, Army Secretary Calls for Congress to Authorize the Military Right to Repair, Debunks Defense Contractors’ Claims Undermining Reforms

Driscoll: “We, the U.S. Army and the broader military, must maintain the right to take advantage of all the new tools because if we don't, our adversaries will and we are put at a meaningfully worse position.”

Video of Exchange (YouTube)

Washington, D.C. — At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) questioned Army Secretary Dan Driscoll on claims from big defense contractors’ lobbyists opposing reforms. Secretary Driscoll agreed with the senator on the importance of the military’s right to repair its own equipment.

The Department of Defense (DoD) spends billions of dollars buying equipment, but contractors impose repair restrictions preventing servicemembers from fixing their weapons and often overcharge. Senator Warren pointed to Black Hawk helicopter knobs, used to scroll through information, that could be replaced for $15 but instead cause the helicopter to go entirely out of commission when broken unless the Army agrees to pay the contractor $47,000 to replace the entire system’s screen.

Last year, Senator Warren fought to include her and Senator Tim Sheehy’s (R-Mont.) bipartisan Warrior Right to Repair Act in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26 NDAA). Both the House and Senate bills included bipartisan military right to repair reforms that were stripped out at the eleventh hour behind closed doors under pressure from major defense contractor lobbyists.

During the hearing, Secretary Driscoll rebuked claims made by defense contractors against right to repair that the Army can’t be trusted with sensitive data as “one of the more preposterous things I have heard,” noting that the Army is highly capable of handling sensitive data and does not want to take data but to purchase it.

Senator Warren also slammed defense contractors’ counterproposal of “data as a service,” which would allow companies to “meter and bill” the DoD every time they access the materials. One defense contracting company already charges the Air Force $900 a page for upgrades to its maintenance manuals. Secretary Driscoll said soldiers already have trouble in peacetime accessing this information. In a war, not having access to the right to repair “could be the decisive point between us being successful somewhere 6,000 miles away in the Indo-Pacific or failing our mission if we cannot repair our equipment.”

“Data as a service is just another attempt to gouge American taxpayers and put our servicemembers at risk,” said Senator Warren.

Secretary Driscoll also reaffirmed his commitment to passing a right to repair law this Congress as “one of the most important things.”

Secretary Driscoll continued, “We, the U.S. Army and the broader military, must maintain the right to take advantage of all the new tools because if we don’t, our adversaries will and we are put at a meaningfully worse position.”

Senator Warren concluded the hearing by calling on Congress to pass right to repair reforms in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. She has been a leader on right to repair in the military, securing support from defense officials and military leaders in the Trump administration to make sure servicemembers can repair their own equipment. Last year, Secretary Driscoll announced that the Army will ensure right to repair provisions are included in future Army contracts.

Transcript: Hearings to examine the posture of the Department of the Army in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2027 and the Future Years Defense Program.Senate Armed Services CommitteeMay 12, 2026

Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We need a military right to repair law.

Got an example today, and that is Black Hawk helicopters. There’s a tiny knob that pilots need to scroll through for information, and every month, about four of them break. The Army could replace them for about $15 bucks, but because the Army doesn’t have the right to repair, the whole helicopter goes offline, and the contractor charges $47,000 to replace the entire screen.

Let that sink in: $15 or $47,000.

Now, Secretary Driscoll, you and other military leaders have repeatedly said that Congress needs to pass the right to repair law. Last year, both the House and Senate both passed reforms, but the big defense contractors’ lobbyists killed it behind closed doors.

So, let’s talk out in the open about what those lobbyists are claiming. Let’s just get it out here.

Number one: They say contractors can’t hand over their IP and data because the Army would steal it.

Secretary Driscoll, what do you say to big contractors that claim the Army can’t be trusted with sensitive data?

Secretary Dan Driscoll: Senator, I would say that’s one of the more preposterous things I have heard in the last 18 months.

Senator Warren: But you have heard it?

Secretary Driscoll: I have heard it often that we, the United States Army, would take this data and do something nefarious at worst, or perhaps at best, from a moral perspective, we would haphazardly handle it. The U.S. Army and the Pentagon in particular are exceptionally good at handling sensitive data, and we have incredible processes in place. I would say more so than any other organization, and so my reply is, and has always been, we don't want to take any data. We just want to purchase it.

Senator Warren: OK, so let’s do another one. Big contractors claim that DoD doesn’t need right to repair reforms because you already have all the authority you need to access technical data for repairs. Now, it turns out, when you look at that existing legal authority, it explicitly says that technical data “does not include computer software.”

Secretary Driscoll, it’s 2026. Most weapons run on software. If the Army can’t use software to repair its own equipment and weapons, is that a problem for readiness?

Secretary Driscoll: Unequivocally yes.

Senator Warren: Yeah. So, in fact, for example, the Army is already unable to repair the Avenger air defense system because it doesn’t have the software it needs. So, right to repair must include software.

Let’s do one more. Big contractors have floated the idea of “data as a service," which is really just code for “Pay per View.” It means that the Department is “metered and billed” every single time they access the materials. It’s pretty easy to see how costs would add up in those circumstances since one contractor is already charging the Air Force $900 a page for upgrades to its maintenance manuals.

Secretary Driscoll, aside from the cost of pay-per-view, what happens if the Army is trying to repair a piece of broken equipment in a remote area and has to keep messaging the contractor to get access to the manual?

Secretary Driscoll: Senator, this is what happens frequently, whether the specifics are true today or directionally true. Directionally, soldiers struggle mightily to keep a lot of our equipment online, and this is not in a moment of conflict. That could be the decisive point between us being successful somewhere 6,000 miles away in the Indo-Pacific or failing our mission if we cannot repair our equipment.

Senator Warren: It is a reminder. We've got to have this access. I just want to say, this business of “data as a service” is just another attempt to gouge American taxpayers and put our servicemembers at risk.

Last question, Secretary Driscoll. Does the Army need Congress to pass right to repair reforms in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, or should we let big contractors kill it once again behind closed doors? What do you think here? This one is known as low and slow over the plate.

Secretary Driscoll: Yes. This is one of the most important things, and I don't say this to be over the top. I am not intending to play into the set of questions. We, the U.S. Army and the broader military, must maintain the right to take advantage of all the new tools because if we don't, our adversaries will, and we will be put at a meaningfully worse position.

Senator Warren: I very much appreciate the job you are trying to do.

Senator Warren has been a leader on right to repair in the military:

In March 2026, at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, Senator Warren debunked large defense contractor claims that right to repair would infringe on trade secrets and secured commitments from military leaders from all services on providing Congress with data to identify programs lacking technical data needed for repairs by the end of the month.

In December 2025, Senators Warren and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) released a statement in response to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26 NDAA) not including bipartisan language from their bill to give the military the right to repair their own equipment.

In November 2025, Senator Warren, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, wrote to the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), the trade association for big DoD contractors, regarding its opposition to the bipartisan right to repair reform in the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

In July 2025, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sat down with CBS’s Caitlin Huey-Burns to highlight their Warrior Right to Repair Act of 2025.

In July 2025, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Warrior Right to Repair Act of 2025, legislation that would require contractors to provide the Department of Defense (DoD) with access to technical data and materials the military needs to repair and maintain its own equipment.

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Welch, Blackburn Celebrate Senate’s Unanimous Passage of Bill to Require Baby Changing Stations on Amtrak Trains

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) today celebrated the Senate’s unanimous passage of their bipartisan, bicameral Baby Changing on Board Act. The Senators’ bill would require each Amtrak train to be outfitted with baby changing stations in all accessible restrooms and to post adequate signage indicating their availability. The Baby Changing on Board Act also directs Amtrak to utilize current funding streams to install baby changing stations on new cars until Amtrak can meet a minimum service requirement.

The House companion bill, led by Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-02), passed the House with bipartisan support in June. The amended Senate bill now heads to the House for final passage before reaching the President’s desk.

“Not having safe and sanitary spaces for parents to care for their children while traveling can make any journey more challenging. Amtrak can—and must—do more to increase access to private, sanitary spaces for parents to care for their children,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to have earned unanimous support from the Senate on our bipartisan legislation and urge my colleagues in the House to make Amtrak more family-friendly.”

“The route from Memphis to New Orleans – one of the main Amtrak routes used by Tennesseans – is almost nine hours, meaning traveling families need access to changing facilities for their children,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Baby Changing on Board Act would ensure that each Amtrak train is outfitted with baby changing stations at no additional cost to the American taxpayer, ensuring that families can care for their children. I’m glad to see this bipartisan legislation pass the Senate and better support traveling families.”

In Fiscal Year 2025, Amtrak set an all-time ridership record with 34.5 million passenger trips and operated routes connecting 46 states, Washington D.C., and three Canadian provinces. The average duration of a trip on Amtrak’s most traveled route, the Northeast Regional, can last between 3.5 and 8 hours, from D.C. to New York and from D.C. to Boston, respectively. Amtrak’s longest daily route, connecting San Francisco to Chicago, can take passengers 52 hours to travel. Parents and families who are traveling often need to change a newborn child’s diaper every two hours, making accessible, safe, and comfortable changing facilities essential.

Learn more about the Baby Changing on Board Act.

Read the full text of the bill.

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Welch Highlights Bills to Support Farmers, Protect Creators in Hearing with Director of the U.S. Copyright Office

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, questioned Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office, in an oversight hearing for the U.S. Copyright Office.

Senator Welch questioned Director Perlmutter on two bills he has championed, the Freedom for Agricultural Repair and Maintenance (FARM) Act, and his bipartisan TRAIN Act, which would help creators—musicians, artists, writers, journalists, and others—access the courts to protect their copyrighted works if, and when, they are used to train generative AI models. The legislation would also allow copyright holders to access training records used for AI models to determine if their work was used—a process currently used for internet piracy.

Sen. Welch: First of all, I speak to you as a Senator from Vermont, which is, as you all know, is the music capital of the world: Noah Kahan in Strafford, Vermont; Phish in Burlington; Grace Potter in Moretown. So, I’ve got my plug in. But here’s a concern they have: the TRAIN Act, which Senator Blackburn and I introduced, is about having copyright enforcement for people whose works have been utilized in large language models. And what it would do is create a good faith opportunity for people to get information, get a subpoena, to determine whether their work has been used and them not being compensated. Do you have a point of view on the TRAIN Act and what it’s intended to do?

Director Perlmutter: Well, definitely I support the idea that we need transparency for copyright owners to be able to know when their works are used. The TRAIN Act seems to me to be a very creative idea of how to go about doing that. And it is similar, in some ways, to an approach being discussed in France right now. I think we should consider all options on the table. The issue has been in many of these areas, if you require—if you just on its own require disclosure—how much detail needs to be disclosed, and that’s where a lot of the debate has been. And the TRAIN Act represents an alternative approach.

Sen. Welch: But absent the ability of the artist to actually get information about the use of her or his product, they basically lose any protection that copyright is intended to provide, correct?

Director Perlmutter: Yes, I agree that this needs to be dealt with.

Watch Senator Welch’s full remarkshere:

Senator Welch also discussed the importance of his legislation to allow farmers the opportunity to repair their own equipment, called theFreedom for Agricultural Repair and Maintenance (FARM) Act:

Sen. Welch: One of the concerns I’ve had is that farmers these days no longer can fix their tractors. They’re under prohibitions from the tractor companies, and if there’s anything that farmers do well, it’s fix things. And it’s estimated that the farmers lose about $4.2 billion a year. $3 billion to tractor downtime and $1.2 billion in excess repair costs. Now, it may seem odd that I’m asking you about Right to Repair, but I understand that you are involved in the Right to Repair with respect to how copyright has an impact on it. Could you elaborate on that?

Director Perlmutter: Copyright ends up being a very important part of Right to Repair because so much of the machinery and technology these days is software-enabled and software is protected by copyright. And the law makes it illegal to circumvent technical measures used to protect copyrighted works like software, so copyright does get implicated. And over the years, in the tri-annual rulemaking that we operate for the Librarian of Congress, we have recommended and the Librarian has adopted various exceptions to allow the repair of machinery. We believe that the time is ripe for Congress to consider making some of those exceptions permanent, including for repairing farm machinery.

Sen. Welch: So, this is a tractor, for instance, that you might buy for—at least can be a half a million dollars—and it would allow the person who bought it to fix it?

Director Perlmutter: Yes.

Sen. Welch: Well, I appreciate your cooperation on the Right to Repair and giving the consumer—the person who paid the big price—the opportunity to keep that equipment going without all this downtime and expense. Thank you.

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Senator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to protect the arts and artists’ creativity in the Senate, including as a lead cosponsor of the TRAIN Act. Senator Welch also joined Senator Blackburn in leading the introduction of the Visual Artists Copyright Reform Act (VACRA), bipartisan legislation to modernize copyright registration for visual artists to make it easier and less costly for high-volume visual artists to register and protect their works.

The Senator has also championed legislation to give farmers and consumers the right to repair their own equipment and restore competition in the agricultural repair market, including the FARM Act and the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act (REPAIR Act) to ensure car owners and independent repair shops have expanded options for automobile repairs.

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Welch Joins Markey, Cantwell, Schumer and 22 Colleagues in Slamming Trump for Terminating National Science Board, Continuing War on Science

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.), U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and 22 colleagues in demanding answers from President Trump and Acting Head of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Brian Stone on why the president dismissed all members of the NSF’s National Science Board (NSB), the advisory group that governs the agency.

President Trump’s mass firing of NSB members follows a pattern of his administration terminating medical and scientific advisors, including the NSF’s outside advisory committees and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine advisory committee.

The Senators wrote: “This is yet another attack in this administration’s relentless war on science, forcing an agency into crisis. NSF now lacks a board, a permanent director, and a deputy director. The agency has also lost more than 30% of its staff since January 2025 due to the administration’s reckless mass terminations. In addition, the NSF terminated hundreds of active research awards and has been issuing new awards at the slowest pace in at least 35 years. The timing of the NSB terminations also raises significant suspicion of the motivation for the firings. The board was next scheduled to meet on May 5, 2026, and reporting indicates that a report on the United States ceding scientific ground to China was set to be released as part of the meeting—a report Congress urgently needs as experts and recent forecasts indicate that our country’s scientific and innovation leadership is at risk due to this administration’s actions undermining research.”

“We are also greatly concerned by political interference by the White House over this independent agency. Terminated NSB members have stated that OMB instructed NSF leadership not to share details of the agency’s budget plans with the full board, despite the NSB’s statutorily mandated role in approving NSF’s spending,” the Senators continued. “With the NSB now entirely vacated, there is no independent check on OMB’s influence, if not control, over NSF grant-making, strategic direction, and spending priorities. As one former board member warned, NSF could ‘essentially become a pass-through for implementing things in the domain of sciences and technology that the administration just wants to do.’”

The Senators requested the following information by May 29, 2026:

The legal and constitutional basis for the President’s termination of all NSB members on April 24, 2026.

How NSF will perform the NSB’s statutory functions—including approval of major awards and expenditures, establishment of NSF policies, and provision of advice to the President and Congress—during any period in which there is no functioning board.

Whether President Trump intends to appoint new NSB members and, if so, by what timeline.

Communications between OMB, the White House, or any other Executive Office of the President and NSF leadership directing NSF not to share budget, grant-making, or strategic planning information with NSB members.

What steps NSF has taken, or plans to take, to ensure that the mandated report on the state of science and engineering in the United States—including the forthcoming report on United States’ scientific competitiveness relative to China—is completed and transmitted to Congress in accordance with the agency’s statutory obligations.

In addition to Senators Welch, Markey, Cantwell, and Schumer, the letter is signed by Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Read and download the Senator’s full letter to President Trump and Acting Head of NSF Stone.

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Welch Statement on Millions Dropping Federal Marketplace Health Care Coverage

NOTUS Finds 1 in 5 ACA marketplace enrollees dropped coverage since January

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, today released the following statement in reaction to new reporting from NOTUS that one in five Americans enrolled in health coverage through HealthCare.gov lost insurance coverage after President Trump and Congressional Republicans declined to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits:

“This reporting should be a wake-up call for Republicans. The data makes clear that Democrats’ warnings were right: Millions of hardworking Americans are being forced to go without health care coverage because we failed to extend critical health care tax credits. This is a bipartisan problem that will be felt in red and blue states alike,” said Senator Welch. “Instead of spending billions on tax cuts for the rich, a reckless war, and glitzy ballrooms, we should invest in making health care more affordable and accessible to everyday Americans. I urge my Republican colleagues to come back to the table and work with Democrats to extend these vital tax cuts, so families can access the care they need.”

More than 30,000 Vermonters access health coverage through the ACA marketplace and utilize the expanded premium tax credits that expired at the end of 2025. Nationally, nearly 20 million working Americans who rely on the ACA marketplace are now facing higher premiums, with many seeing their premiums double, or even triple. Compared to 2025, nearly 1 million fewer Americans have selected an insurance plan through the ACA marketplace. In the face of unaffordable premiums, 40% of marketplace enrollees who chose to stay with a marketplace plan selected lower tier coverage.

Congressional Democrats have repeatedly urged their Republican colleagues to work with them to extend the tax credits and protect access to care for millions. Senator Welch helped unveil Senate Democrats’ plan to extend the tax credits for three years, but Republicans opposed the bill. Senator Welch was part of a bipartisan working group fighting to extend the credits, and spoke with President Trump and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy in the Oval Office about the urgent need to extend the credits.

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Whitehouse, Marshall Introduce Legislation to Fix Delays in Care for Seniors

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) have introduced the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation designed to reform Medicare Advantage (MA) and ensure seniors receive the reliable, patient-centered care the program promises.

Medicare Advantage now serves more than half of all Medicare beneficiaries — and that number is growing. But as enrollment has surged, so have reports of delayed approval, surprise denials, confusing appeals processes, and disruptions to care that seniors depend on. Prior authorization is a requirement imposed by insurers that forces patients and providers to seek advance approval for care, often delaying treatment and adding administrative hurdles even when the services are medically necessary. This bill directly addresses those failures while preserving benefits.

“Americans are rightfully fed up with health care bureaucracy, and prior authorization is one of the worst offenders: delaying treatment, driving up costs, and putting paperwork ahead of patients. We need to cut this red tape so providers can deliver timely, high-quality care,” said Whitehouse.

“As a physician and someone who ran a hospital, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when bureaucratic barriers get between a patient and the care they need — and it is not acceptable,” said Marshall. “This bill makes expectations clearer, timelines shorter, and protections stronger. It fixes what’s broken without changing what’s working. Our seniors deserve better, and this bill delivers.”

Whitehouse has been a leading voice for prior authorization reform in the Senate. Earlier this year, Whitehouse reintroduced his Prior Authorization Relief Act to cut the administrative burdens associated with prior authorizations in value-based payment models and provide faster, easier, and cheaper care to patients.

The Medicare Advantage Improvement Act would:

Require standard prior authorization approvals within 72 hours, expedited decisions within 24 hours, and real-time approvals for routine low-risk services integrated with electronic health records — and once care is approved, plans cannot require new authorizations mid-treatment.

Ensure that once a service is authorized, coverage cannot be retroactively denied (except for fraud or error), automated denial algorithms are prohibited, and prompt-pay protections ensure providers are reliably compensated for approved care.

Require MA plans to publicly report detailed prior authorization data, giving patients, providers, and policymakers the information they need to hold plans accountable.

Prevent MA plans from applying stricter medical necessity standards than original Medicare and codify clear inpatient admission standards to protect seniors from unexpected costs and coverage disputes.

Strengthen network adequacy requirements for rehabilitation hospitals and long-term care hospitals, improving access to post-acute care for seniors recovering from serious illness or injury.

The full text of the bill is available here. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives.

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Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on U.S. Army Posture for Fiscal Year 2027

Watch Video Here

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a hearing to examine the posture of the United States Army amid growing global threats from adversaries, ongoing modernization efforts, and the Army’s role in supporting joint operations.

Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and Acting Chief of Staff of the Army General Christopher C. LaNeve both testified before the committee.

In his opening remarks, Chairman Wicker emphasized the growing importance of land power in deterring and responding to threats from Russia, China, Iran, and other adversaries. The Chairman also highlighted the critical role of the U.S. Army in supporting joint operations, strengthening logistics and sustainment capabilities, and applying lessons learned from ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Read Chairman Wicker’s hearing opening statement as delivered.

The Senate Armed Services Committee meets today to receive testimony on the posture of the United States Army. I want to thank our witnesses, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and Acting Chief of Staff of the Army General Chris LaNeve, for being here. Thank you gentlemen.

Today, the Army is being asked to conduct more demanding missions, in more locations against more capable adversaries, than at any time in a generation. Russia’s war of choice in Ukraine has underscored the enduring importance of land power in high-intensity conflict. In that theater, the U.S. Army has played a critical role in helping Ukrainians plan for and resource their forces through the Security Assistance Group, Ukraine. Our Army has also harvested many lessons from that partnership to inform our modernization.

At the same time, we are witnessing the Army’s essential contributions to ongoing operations in CENTCOM. U.S. Army Soldiers, like those from the 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, are using Patriot systems to help defend our service members, partners, and allies against persistent missile and drone threats. Similarly, the Arkansas National Guard’s 142nd Field Artillery Brigade is employing ground-based missiles to strike enemy targets deep inside Iran. These actions demonstrate both the reach of America’s Army only five years since President Trump rightly chose to build new weapons instead of tolerating Vladimir Putin’s constant violations of the INF Treaty.

Meanwhile, the pacing challenge posed by China demands that the Army be prepared to support Joint Force operations across vast distances, under persistent threat, and at a tempo we have not seen in decades. Many think of the Western Pacific as a solely naval and air theater, but our two witnesses certainly do not agree with that. Our ground forces continue to make absolutely crucial contributions to security in the First Island Chain, including through massive and growing partnerships with our South Korean, Japanese, and Filipino treaty allies.

All these demands underscore the importance of fielding and sustaining the most advanced and capable systems in the world, from missile defense and long-range strike weapons to resilient command and control systems and new methods of breaching defensive lines. These capabilities are not theoretical. They are being employed today to protect American lives and uphold stability. The Army provides the backbone of our global logistics. This enables joint operations, and it delivers the land combat power that it takes to deter aggression and, if necessary, to win decisively.

The Army must be ready, but our readiness today is frankly, uneven. Modernization efforts have produced promising capabilities, but not at the speed or scale required by the threat. I think our witnesses will agree with that. At the same time, the Army continues to struggle with the operational readiness rates of its primary equipment, its maintenance backlogs, and its munitions stockpiles. All are under extreme strain.

Under Secretary Driscoll, the Army has made very significant strides to prepare for changing combat conditions. So, I commend the Secretary on that. The Army has acted with discipline and foresight to develop a new generation of weapons: the Precision Strike Missile, low-cost munitions, the new MV-75 helicopter, the M1E3 tank, and finally, after 20 years of struggles, a more coherent command and control system. I also appreciate the Army’s improved approach to modernization of our organic industrial base.

I remain troubled that the Pentagon is not moving fast enough or has not been moving fast enough to improve the logistics capability and capacity of the joint force. The secretary will want to talk about that certainly, today. Logistics, sustainment, and prepositioning will be decisive in any future conflict. The Army must demonstrate how it will enable the joint force to operate effectively across that theater. This will require additional resources to bring unmanned surface and air vehicles into the force at scale and to purchase next-generation capabilities to sustain U.S. forces in dispersed locations.

I want to also commend the Army, led by U.S. Army Europe, in developing new methods of warfare in response to tactical and operational lessons learned in Ukraine. The Eastern Flank Deterrence Line concept consists of a largely unmanned tripwire combined with layered missile defenses and distributed strike capabilities. It is exactly the direction we need to go, and I hope the Army will field those capabilities to European Command rapidly.


Young, Colleagues Encourage President Trump to Stand Up to China and Prioritize U.S. Shipbuilding

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) sent a letter to President Donald Trump encouraging him to prioritize the U.S. shipbuilding industry and not to offer concessions to China in his upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Over the last twenty years, China has become the dominant shipbuilding force globally through unfair trade practices, decimating the U.S. shipbuilding industry and hurting American workers, companies, and communities. The Senators are urging the President to hold China accountable for its cheating in the upcoming negotiations and level the playing field for American industry.

“The United States is at an inflection point and cannot cede additional ground to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The PRC’s decades-long effort to decimate American shipbuilding as part of their effort to position themselves as the dominant global shipbuilding power affords them no grace or opportunity for compromise,” wrote the Senators. “We urge you to stand strong during these negotiations as we work together to enact trade remedies and advance the SHIPS for America Act to level the playing field and create a strong commercial and military shipbuilding ecosystem in the United States. We urge you to prioritize America’s maritime industry and its workers during this summit, and we stand ready to support these goals through legislation.”

The Senators noted that China has used unfair trade tactics, including subsidies and non-market practices, to dominate the global shipbuilding industry while weakening American shipyards over the past two decades. China now receives more than 60 percent of global commercial shipbuilding orders, while the United States lags behind several other countries in ship production. The Senators highlighted that China’s unfair dominance threatens good paying jobs and local economies across the country, in addition to U.S. national security.

“These U.S. shipyards and their suppliers are major employers that provide a pathway to the middle class through good-paying and often union jobs and keep the knowledge and skill to build vessels used for military purposes and to carry goods around the world made in America. We must hold China accountable and reverse the loss felt over the last two decades to stand up for the hardworking Americans employed in the shipbuilding industry, those who serve in the military branches that need these vessels, and who live in communities supported by these jobs,” the Senators continued.

Senator Young continues to be a leading voice in revitalizing the shipbuilding industry, emphasizing the national security imperative of domestic shipbuilding.

In April 2025, Senator Young re-introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, bipartisan, comprehensive legislation to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Mr. President:

We write in advance of your planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to underscore the importance of this moment in our shared goal of revitalizing domestic shipbuilding and the broader American maritime industry. The United States is at an inflection point and cannot cede additional ground to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The PRC’s decades-long effort to decimate American shipbuilding as part of their effort to position themselves as the dominant global shipbuilding power affords them no grace or opportunity for compromise. We urge you to stand strong during these negotiations as we work together to enact trade remedies and advance the SHIPS for America Act to level the playing field and create a strong commercial and military shipbuilding ecosystem in the United States. We urge you to prioritize America’s maritime industry and its workers during this summit, and we stand ready to support these goals through legislation.

In your conversations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, we encourage you to keep in mind the significant lack of fairness at play and action needed to level the playing field and deliver for American workers and American shipyards. Over the last twenty years, the PRC has successfully executed a comprehensive strategy to significantly diminish the shipbuilding industry in the United States and become the dominant shipbuilding force globally. In 2025, China once again dominated the world’s commercial shipbuilding orders, with more than 60 percent of all orders going to China, 16 percent to South Korea, and 9 percent to Japan. In contrast, the United States produced fewer ships than China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Italy, and Germany. This drastic difference in capacity is a result of the PRC’s anti-competitive practices to gain an advantage in shipbuilding through unfair and discriminatory tactics, such as government subsidies and favorable loans from PRC-operated banks. According to USTR’s Section 301 Investigation’s findings, the non-market excess capacity in China’s steel sector significantly contributes to the price competitiveness of PRC-made vessels, and there are instances where Chinese steel intended for vessels in Chinese shipyards has been sold at a lower rate than Chinese steel intended for market economies. The PRC’s aggressive actions to target the United States’ shipbuilding, maritime and logistics sectors warrant the use of our trade laws to their fullest extent, including imposing trade remedies to counter these efforts and allow for fair competition on the global stage.

The actions that your Administration has taken to combat China’s cheating, including announced fees for Chinese ships that dock at U.S. ports and the extra charges for companies using ships built in China, were prudent and have the opportunity to be successful. From March to May 2025, following USTR’s February determination that China had employed non-market practices, Chinese shipyard orders fell by approximately 25%. Orders of Chinese ships rebounded later in the year due to market conditions and the fees being postponed. This demonstrated that these fees are structured to strategically shift future orders away from China and change the behaviors of the global maritime industry. The sudden decrease in Chinese shipping orders shows that when your Administration acts on this issue, the global maritime industry pays attention. The revenue generated from these fees will go towards rebuilding our own maritime industry, as stated in your Administration’s Maritime Action Plan. Ensuring these strong measures take effect will be a critical step towards promoting our domestic industrial base, growing America’s economy, creating good-paying jobs in these important sectors, and protecting our national security.

Many of our states are home to companies and a workforce that specializes in shipbuilding and repair for both military and commercial vessels, as well as suppliers of important inputs to build ships. Standing strong on shipbuilding trade remedies, passing the SHIPS Act, and continuing to revitalize the domestic industry through the FY27 Appropriations process will create economic benefit throughout our communities and beyond. These U.S. shipyards and their suppliers are major employers that provide a pathway to the middle class through good-paying and often union jobs and keep the knowledge and skill to build vessels used for military purposes and to carry goods around the world made in America. We must hold China accountable and reverse the loss felt over the last two decades to stand up for the hardworking Americans employed in the shipbuilding industry, those who serve in the military branches that need these vessels, and who live in communities supported by these jobs.

As we strive to grow the American economy, compete with the PRC, and ensure the American military has the resources necessary to succeed, we encourage your Administration to execute the targeted actions that began to reshape existing global shipbuilding trends and revitalize our domestic maritime industry. We stand ready to work together to support this goal.


Young, Cortez Masto Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Kids Get to School Safely

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced bipartisan legislation to help students get to school safely. The Safe Bus Routes to School Act would modify the Safe Routes to School program so that projects to improve the safety of school bus routes and stops are eligible for federal funding.

“This bill will support improvements in our communities to better ensure that young Hoosiers are safe as they travel to and from school,” said Senator Young. “This legislation builds on my previous work to help increase the safety for children on their way to and from school.”

“Clark County has the largest school bus fleet in the entire country, and 130,000 kids rely on those buses to get from home to school and back again every day,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “It’s our responsibility to make sure our students are as safe as possible. This commonsense bill would open up more funding for cities and towns across the country to make school bus routes safer.”

The Safe Routes to School program was created to help communities improve the safety of pedestrian and bike routes to schools, making funding available for projects such as building safer street crossings in a school zone. However, more than half of all K-12 students nationwide ride school buses. While school buses provide the safest mode of school transportation, safety challenges still exist. Students are the most vulnerable when waiting at bus stops, loading or unloading from buses, and while walking to the bus stop. The Safe Bus Routes to School Act would allow communities to use Safe Routes to School funding to improve the safety of school bus routes and stops through planning, education, and infrastructure improvements.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.


Houlahan Leads Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers to Introduce Multigenerational Caregiving Data Act to Quantify and Support America’s “Sandwich Generation” of Caregivers

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) led a bipartisan and bicameral group of colleagues to introduce the Multigenerational Caregiving Data Act, legislation aimed at closing a critical data gap affecting millions of Americans who care for both aging parents and children. Co-leading the legislation are Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Mike Turner (R-OH) and Ro Khanna (D-CA). A companion bill in the U.S. Senate is being introduced by Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ).

Often referred to as the “sandwich generation,” caregivers who are responsible for minor children and aging parents play a vital but undervalued role in the nation’s economy. Despite growing awareness, no major federal survey currently identifies and counts individuals providing care across generations—leaving policymakers without the data needed to understand the economic and societal impacts and develop methods to support these caregivers.

“Millions of Americans are balancing the demands of raising children while caring for aging loved ones, often at great personal and financial cost,” said Rep. Houlahan. “Today, our federal data systems don’t clearly capture the number of Americans involved in caregiving at this scale. This bipartisan bill takes a simple, practical step to ensure their contributions and challenges are no longer invisible.”

“I feel the isolation of being a sandwich generation caregiver every day as I look after my dad with Alzheimer's and my two boys. It’s a challenge that millions face across our country and yet we too often go unheard and overlooked. This legislation works to change that. The better our federal data represents the true experience of caregivers and how many of us there are, the better we can deliver the support and resources caregivers deserve,” said Senator Kim, who is introducing the Senate companion.

“Americans who care for their aging parents while also raising children at the same time are subject to a unique pressure that federal data fails to fully recognize,” said Rep. Luna. “This bill aims to better understand the critical role multigenerational caregivers play in families and communities across America,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.

“Across Ohio and the country, families are doing the difficult work of caring for aging parents while also raising children. These caregivers strengthen our families and communities, but too often their challenges go unseen. This bipartisan legislation is a practical step to better understand their needs, recognize their contributions, and ensure policymakers have the information necessary to support them,” said Congressman Mike Turner.

The legislation would require at least one federal survey to include a question identifying individuals who provide unpaid care to both older adults and children, leveraging existing infrastructure at minimal cost. By establishing the first nationally consistent data on multigenerational caregiving, the bill will help improve policymaking, better target resources, and track trends over time.

Jason Resendez, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, added, “Family caregivers cannot remain invisible in our nation’s health data. The Multigenerational Caregiver Data Act is an important step toward better understanding the realities of caregivers balancing care across generations and ensuring policymakers have the data needed to build more effective supports for families.”

“As our population ages, working people – especially women – are simultaneously providing care for aging parents, children, disabled loved ones and other family members,” said Katherine Gallagher Robbins, Senior Fellow, National Partnership for Women & Families. “Their caregiving supports not only their families but also strengthens communities and the broader economy. As today’s workers strive to juggle the many responsibilities they carry at home and at work, it is more important than ever that the federal government accurately captures data around who workers are providing care for so that policy choices being made meet their needs. We are grateful to Representatives Chrissy Houlahan, Anna Paulina Luna, Ro Khanna, and Mike Turner for their efforts to improve this critical data collection.”

Read the bill text here.


Alford Proudly Supports Year-Round E-15: Delivering Lower Gas Prices, Stronger Rural Economies, and American Energy Dominance

Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) released the following statement after he voted in favor of legislation for year-round E-15 sales through H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act:

“As a proud Member of the House GOP Rural Domestic Energy Council, I’m fighting to put Missouri farmers, rural communities, and American drivers first,” said Congressman Mark Alford. “I’ve heard from many hardworking Missouri families about how the pain at the pump is making everyday activities unaffordable. Allowing the nationwide, year round sale of E15 blends would address the supply crunch that is driving up gas prices while creating new markets for Missouri farmers—a real win-win. That’s why I was proud to support the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to do just that.”

Year-round E-15 will deliver real results for Missouri and America:

Saves drivers an average of 15–40 cents per gallon

Creates a permanent market for American corn growers

Supports more than 120,000 new jobs and adds $66 billion to the U.S. economy

Reduces dependence on foreign oil by using homegrown energy

Keeps energy dollars in rural communities instead of sending them overseas

Provides fuel retailers the stability they need to invest in E-15 pumps

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'There Are Only Two Sexes: Male and Female.' Arrington Leads Effort to Restore Biological Sex Standard in Title IX

Washington, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced the Title IX Clarification Act, legislation to codify that Title IX nondiscrimination requirements tied to federal education funding are based on the biological reality of sex. This legislation would further uphold President Trump’s revocation of a Biden-era Executive Order that directed the Secretary of Education to interpret Title IX anti-discrimination language – “on the basis of sex” – to cover “discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

“Title IX was created to provide equal opportunity for our daughters, not to push a radical gender ideology that jeopardizes their safety,” said Chairman Arrington. “My Title IX Clarification Act stops the abuse of Title IX by affirming a simple truth: there are only two sexes - male and female - and taxpayer dollars should not be used to advance extreme social policies. I’m proud to lead this effort to protect opportunities for women and girls, rein in bureaucratic overreach, and restore clarity and common sense to federal law.”

Congressional Support:

“As a father of three daughters who compete in sports, protecting their opportunities on and off the field is of the utmost importance to me,” said Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11). “Title IX has been a cornerstone of fairness for women and girls for over five decades, and the Title IX Clarification Act ensures that promise endures for the next generation. Every female athlete across America deserves to compete on a level playing field. I am proud to support this effort and am grateful to my good friend and colleague Congressman Jodey Arrington for his leadership in introducing this important legislation.”

“Title IX was created to protect women and girls, not erase them. The Title IX Clarification Act restores common sense by reaffirming that sex means biological sex, just as Congress originally intended,” said Rep. Brian Babin (TX-36). “This bill protects fairness in women’s sports and ensures taxpayer dollars are not used to impose radical gender ideology in our schools. I’m proud to support legislation that preserves opportunities for women and girls and puts truth ahead of radical political activism.”

“As a longtime supporter of Title IX, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this much-needed legislation,” said Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04).“Our Nation has rightfully enshrined equal opportunity for women in all educational activities, and Congress must ensure that States recognize the reality of biological sex and protect opportunities for women and girls at every level.”

“I have two daughters and seven granddaughters, and Title IX was written to protect their opportunities – and those of all women and girls – both in the classroom and in sports,” said Rep. Mike Bost (IL-14).“That law was passed to level the playing field, not to be twisted beyond recognition by the misguided Biden administration. This bill restores congressional intent, and I am proud to cosponsor it.”

“Unelected bureaucrats do not have the authority to rewrite federal law to fit a far-left political agenda,” said Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24). “The Title IX Clarification Act restores the original meaning of Title IX, protects women’s sports, and gives schools the clear statutory guidance they need. Congress must defend the rights and opportunities Title IX was designed to secure for women and girls.”

“Title IX was written to protect women and girls from discrimination, not erase the biological reality of sex,” said Rep. Sheri Biggs (SC-03).“I am proud to join Congressman Arrington and support his leadership on this important issue. The Title IX Clarification Act restores clarity, protects female students and athletes, and ensures taxpayer-funded education programs uphold the plain meaning of the law.”

“Women deserve equal opportunity in academics and athletics, and Title IX exists to protect exactly that,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01). “The Biden administration spent years trying to rewrite federal law through executive overreach—using education dollars meant for the classroom to force a woke gender ideology that biology rejects. This legislation closes the door on activist reinterpretations of Title IX and upholds the law’s original intent.”

“Title IX was written to ensure equal opportunities for women and girls,” said Riley Moore (WV-02).“The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 restores the law’s original intent by clearly defining ‘sex’ in law, ensuring that females will never be forced to unfairly compete against men again. I’m proud to cosponsor this commonsense legislation to protect fairness in women’s sports, uphold the rule of law, and defend women and girls against the Radical Left’s gender insanity.”

“When Title IX was created, the intent was clear,” said Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-03).“Unfortunately, the Left has spent years trying to blur definitions and undermine the intent of the law. The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 would ensure that Title IX protections are based on the biological reality of sex, not a social abstraction. I am grateful to work with Rep. Arrington and our colleagues to provide schools and students with the fairness, clarity, and privacy they deserve.”

“Democrats love to say, ‘trust the science,’ and that’s exactly what the Title IX Clarification Act does,” said Rep. Greg Steube (FL-17).“That’s why I’m continuing the fight for biological truth alongside Congressman Arrington. This legislation clearly defines sex under Title IX as biological male or female and ensures federally funded schools adhere to those definitions. Americans are tired of watching common sense get thrown out the window to appease radical gender ideology, especially when it comes at the expense of women and girls.”

“Idaho led the charge as the first state to protect fairness in women's sports in response to the Biden administration’s radical rewrite of Title IX. Americans must never forget this insanity, which would have jeopardized the safety and rights of girls and women nationwide,” said Rep. Mike Simpson (ID-02).“To combat the Left's delusions and prevent future misinterpretations, Congress must clarify and restore Title IX's original meaning.”

“I’m proud to co-sponsor the Title IX Clarification Act of 2026,” said Rep. Russ Fulcher (ID-01). “This legislation restores clarity to Title IX by reaffirming Congress’s original intent that ‘sex’ is defined in law based on a person’s biology at birth—plain and simple.”

“God made mankind in two distinct categories: Male and Female. This distinction is not just the foundation of created order, but essential for interpreting Title IX and the Fourteenth Amendment,” said Rep. Barry Moore (AL-01).“America will not tolerate men in women’s sports. They are distinct, and this bill will leave no room for error.”

“Actual scientists, as opposed to political scientists, inform us that men and women are biologically different,” said Rep. Thomas Massie (KY-04).“Congress created Title IX to protect women and girls by ensuring that they would not be excluded from federally funded activities on the basis of their biological sex. Woke activists want to eliminate the traditional understanding of sex by expanding Title IX’s definition and include sexual orientation and gender identity, a change that would open the door to allowing men to play in women’s sports. Congress should pass the Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 to ensure the plain meaning of the law isn’t undermined by unelected bureaucrats advancing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) agenda.”

“The Democrats have lost their minds. They spent four years trying to erase biological women from federal law,” said Rep. Mike Rulli (OH-06).“Not through a vote, not through debate, but through backroom bureaucratic rewrites that nobody asked for. Biological women are not a political talking point. They are our mothers, our daughters, our sisters. Title IX was written to protect them; the left can call it controversial all they want. In Ohio's 6th District, we call it common sense.”

“Title IX exists to protect our women and girls in the education system. That means protecting them from biological males trying to enter spaces intended for females,” said Rep. Addison McDowell (NC-06).“This bill clarifies the original intention of Title IX and ensures that our daughters will have fair access to athletic opportunities, private spaces, and everything else they are entitled.”

“Children should be learning their ABCs, not woke DEI. I work tirelessly so my six incredible granddaughters never have men in their locker rooms or on sports teams,” said Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01).“It’s outright dangerous. The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 codifies President Trump’s Executive Order on gender identity, which is common sense. There are two sexes, man and woman, period. I’m for protecting our kids and their childhoods and for preventing liberal politicians from altering biological facts.”

Outside Support:

“Since its enactment over 50 years ago, Title IX has opened the door for millions of young women to access equal educational opportunities and experience the thrill of victory on the playing field,” said Matt Sharp, Senior Counsel and Director of the Center of Public Policy, Alliance Defending Freedom. “But previous administrations tried to redefine "sex" and allow males to take away the opportunities rightfully belonging to women. We applaud Rep. Arrington’s proposal to re-affirm the original meaning and intent of Title IX and safeguard its promise of equal opportunities for countless generations to come. From privacy to sports to healthcare, our laws should recognize and respect that women and men are biologically different, and they should uphold the dignity and safety of women and girls.”

“The Title IX Clarification Act is unfortunately necessary legislation to stop gender ideology activists in school, the courts, and future Democrat administrations from harming women,” said MaryBeth Waddell J.D., Director of Federal Affairs, Family and Religious Liberty, Family Research Council. “Part of Title IX’s original intent was to bring equal opportunity to female athletes. However, we have seen successive Democrat presidents push schools and athletic associations to allow biological males to invade women’s sports, taking away awards and opportunities from women and girls. Not only have men been allowed to compete directly against women, outperforming and sometimes seriously injuring them, women’s and girl’s privacy has been ignored and their safety jeopardized as males have been allowed in private spaces such as women’s locker rooms. This bill reaffirms the plain meaning of Title IX. It should be supported by all members who claim to support women’s rights.”

“For too long, the very law meant to protect women and girls from sex discrimination has been wielded by those who deny biological reality in order to undermine them in their sports, locker rooms, bathrooms, and campuses. We are committed to fighting for the unique dignity of women and girls, and we believe that restoring Title IX enforcement to its original intent is a much-needed course correction,” said Penny Nance, CEO and President, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee. “Rep. Jodey Arrington’s Title IX Clarification Act will restore Title IX to its original intent, securing permanent protections for women and girls on the basis of sex, not false ‘gender identity.’”

“Family Policy Alliance supports the Title IX Clarification Act because it ensures that federal education funding under Title IX is based on commonsense support for women, not woke ideology,” said Craig DeRoche, President and CEO, Family Policy Alliance. “This legislation will protect women’s athletic opportunities as Title IX intended.”

“While Title IX was originally passed in recognition of biological reality and the need to protect women's sports, privacy, and safety, it has lately been distorted to serve the $4.5 billion transgender industry that preys on young women and children,” said Terry Schilling, President, American Principles Project. “This is why Congress must pass the Title IX Clarification Act to address one of the most important education issues of our time. The American people are watching, and this is the moment for lawmakers to choose truth over delusion. APP stands with Congressman Arrington in fighting for common sense in an age of madness.”

Background:

Clarifies that Title IX protections are based on biological sex by defining “sex” in federal law as male or female for purposes of education programs and activities receiving federal funding.

Restores the original intent of Title IX and prevents future administrations from reinterpreting the law to include gender identity or sexual orientation without congressional approval.

Establishes clear statutory definitions for “male” and “female” in Title IX to provide certainty for schools, students, parents, and states receiving federal education funding.

Reinforces President Trump’s reversal of the Biden administration’s attempt to expand Title IX through executive action and agency rulemaking.

Addresses concerns raised during recent Supreme Court arguments regarding whether Congress has clearly defined the meaning of “sex” under Title IX for states accepting federal funds.

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Arrington Leads Effort to Eliminate China's Tariff on American Cotton

Washington, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) led a group of lawmakers representing districts with significant cotton production in sending a letter to the Trump Administration calling for elimination of China's 10 percent tariff on American cotton as part of the ongoing U.S.-China trade negotiations.

The letter thanks Ambassador Greer for his continued efforts to eliminate foreign trade barriers and open new market access for American farmers and ranchers while highlighting the critical importance of China as an export market for U.S. cotton.

“As you continue efforts to achieve reciprocal and balanced trade with China, we write in advance of the upcoming meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi to underscore the critical importance of China as a market for U.S. cotton,” the letter reads, in part. “Excluding India, China is as large as the combined textile industries in the next seven importers – Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico, and Egypt. We are grateful for the Trump Administration’s efforts to open markets for U.S. agriculture and look forward to supporting your efforts as the negotiations progress.”

Click HERE to read the full letter.

“The National Cotton Council applauds Congressman Arrington for leading this effort to address the barriers limiting U.S. cotton exports to China,” said Gary Adams, President and CEO, National Cotton Council. “At a time of significant challenges across the Cotton Belt, restoring access to this critical market is essential to strengthening demand for our producers and supporting the broader industry.”


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Georgina.Burros@mail.house.gov (Auchincloss)

RELEASE: Auchincloss, Warren, Harshbarger, Hawley Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Rein in Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), Cut Drug Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), alongside Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), reintroduced the Patients Before Monopolies (PBM) Act with expanded bipartisan support to rein in drug pricing middlemen, known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), from enriching themselves and crushing competition at the expense of patients and independent pharmacies.

In the 119th Congress, new original cosponsors include Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Roger Marshall (R-KS), alongside Representatives Greg Landsman (D-OH) and Buddy Carter (R-GA) of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Troy Nehls (R-TX) of the Judiciary Committee.

Since the PBM Act was first introduced in 2024, states across the country have sought to break up these giant conglomerates. In early 2025, Arkansas passed a law to prevent the joint ownership of PBMs and pharmacies. Later that year, 39 state attorneys general wrote a letter urging Congress to “pass[] an act prohibiting PBMs, their parent companies, or affiliates from owning or operating pharmacies.” In April, Tennessee lawmakers passed a law to ban joint ownership of PBMs and pharmacies, and the Tennessee Governor is expected to sign the bill into law as soon as this week. This growing bipartisan momentum in support of the goals of the PBM Act from across the nation sends an important signal to Congress that the work to rein in PBMs is not yet finished.

Over the past decade, PBMs have morphed into large health care conglomerates that exercise control over nearly every link of the prescription drug delivery chain. Today, the largest health care conglomerates each own a PBM — which pays for pharmacy services — as well as the pharmacy chains that provide those services. This inherent conflict of interest results in higher drug costs for patients and fewer independent pharmacies, but bigger profits for the corporate health care giants.

The Patients Before Monopolies (PBM) Act will address this by:

Prohibiting a parent company of a PBM or an insurer from owning a pharmacy business;

Requiring that a parent company in violation of the PBM Act divest its pharmacy business within one year of the bill’s enactment;

Creating automatic penalties if a company fails to divest in a timely manner, including disgorgement of profits and forced sales of assets in the event of noncompliance;

Enabling the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ), and state attorneys general to bring lawsuits requiring violators of the PBM Act to divest their pharmacy business and disgorge any revenue received during the period of such violation;

Enabling private parties, including independent pharmacists, to bring lawsuits against violators of the bill, and secure treble damages in successful lawsuits;

Directing the FTC to distribute any revenue raised by penalties to harmed communities, including consumers overcharged at vertically integrated pharmacies; and

Allowing the FTC and DOJ to review and block future actions that would recreate the anticompetitive conditions addressed by the bill or harm the public interest.

“Like so many small business owners in America, independent pharmacists are working hard and playing by the rules but getting ripped off by monopolies,” said Rep. Auchincloss. “The PBM industry is rife with self-dealing and price gouging. Congress made modest but meaningful reforms earlier this year, and now the next step is banning PBMs from owning pharmacies. It's an unacceptable conflict of interest and yet another example of the vertical integration in health care that is raising prices for patients.”

“Our PBM Act is gaining momentum because people are realizing that you can’t lower health care costs without tackling corporate greed in the health care system,” said Senator Warren. “It’s time we finally rein in the health care middlemen that are jacking up drug costs and driving small pharmacies out of business.”

“Americans are paying more and more for healthcare while seeing less in return. PBMs are at the center of a broken system that rewards middlemen while driving up costs for patients and pushing out independent pharmacies,” said Senator Hawley. “Working Americans deserve better. This legislation is a major step toward restoring transparency and making healthcare more affordable for every American.”

“As a lifelong pharmacist, I’ve seen firsthand how PBMs game the system. When the same corporate giant that sets reimbursement rates also owns the pharmacy collecting them, that’s not a free market—it’s a rigged one,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger. “We have antitrust laws for a reason. When monopolies squeeze out independent pharmacies, raise costs for patients, and reduce consumer choice, Congress has a duty to restore fair competition. The Patients Before Monopolies Act ends this blatant conflict of interest once and for all.”

"Pharmacy Benefit Managers drive prices up for patients and run independent pharmacies out of business,” said Rep. Jerry Nadler. “These greedy corporations have dodged regulation at the cost of American patients and small businesses for far too long. For my entire career, I have fought to make healthcare accessible for all Americans, and I am proud to support this bill reining in PBMs and enforcing fair business practices.”

“We’re taking on these giant healthcare companies to get prescription drug prices down, and to protect our family-owned pharmacies,” said Rep. Greg Landsman. “These companies make billions in part because they control so much of the market, but our bill will change that and put patients first.”

“Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have been stealing hope and health from the American people for decades, inflating prescription drug costs, forcing pharmacy closures, and blocking access to medications.” As a pharmacist from coastal Georgia, I came to Congress with the goal of building a health care system that puts patients before profits,” said Congressman Buddy Carter. “I proudly support the Patients Before Monopolies Act, which builds on my previous PBM legislation signed into law last January, to continue cracking down on PBMs’ anti-competitive practices.”

“Americans are sick and tired of giant corporations putting profits over patients,” said Congressman Troy Nehls. “For too long, the largest Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have manipulated the prescription drug market supply chain, crushed independent pharmacies, and have driven up costs for patients. I’m proud to be an original cosponsor on this bipartisan legislation to restore accountability, protect local pharmacies, and lower costs for American families.”

“PBM vertical integration with retail, mail-order, and specialty pharmacies has led to reduced patient choice and higher drug prices for patients and payers. The Patients Before Monopolies Act cuts out PBM conflicts of interest at their root by breaking up PBM ownership of and affiliation with pharmacies. APCI commends Senators Warren and Hawley, and Representatives Harshbarger and Auchincloss on fighting against PBM anticompetitive practices and advancing policies that will restore competition to the prescription drug marketplace,” said Greg Reybold, Vice President of Public Policy, American Pharmacy Cooperative, Inc.

“With the reintroduction of the Patients Before Monopolies Act (PBM Act), we are grateful to Senators Warren and Hawley and Representatives Harshbarger and Auchincloss for standing up for patients and pharmacies. For too long, the largest health insurers have resorted to fear and intimidation tactics, expending substantial resources in order to scare and confuse the public into thinking PBM reform will be bad for them. With this new legislation, PBMs will finally be held accountable for years of abusing their role as ‘benefits administrators’ to undercut pharmacy providers while also profiteering off the backs of unsuspecting employers, patients and taxpayers,” said Monique Whitney, Executive Director, Pharmacists United for Truth and Transparency.

“Divesting PBMs from owning pharmacies will stop the conflict of interest that drives patients into PBM-owned specialty pharmacies where specialty generic drug prices are kept artificially high. The Patients Before Monopolies Act levels the playing field for community pharmacists and finally puts patients ahead of PBM profits,” said Madelaine Feldman, MD, FACR; Rheumatologist; Vice President, Advocacy & Government Affairs; Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations; New Orleans, Louisiana.

“Giant PBMs and insurers owning their own pharmacies has driven independent pharmacies out of business and reduced patient access to quality care. The Patients Before Monopolies Act addresses the root cause of this problem — consolidated market power — by eliminating the inherent conflicts of interest within the 'Big Three' PBM business model,” said Morgan Harper, Director of Policy and Advocacy, American Economic Liberties Project. “We are thrilled to see Sen. Warren and Sen. Hawley and Reps. Harshbarger and Auchincloss lead this bipartisan effort to lower drug costs, protect independent retail pharmacies, improve patient access to care, and break up Big Medicine.”

“The Patients Before Monopolies Act takes an important step toward restoring integrity and competition in healthcare by ending the deeply flawed model where PBMs and insurers can own the very providers they oversee and reimburse,” said Robert Levin, MD, President, Alliance for Transparent & Affordable Prescriptions. “When the same corporations control the financing, administration, and delivery of care, patients and independent providers are put at a disadvantage. Healthcare decisions should be driven by what is best for patients, not by vertically integrated corporations maximizing profits through self-preferencing and consolidation.”

“American Pharmacies strongly supports the Patients Before Monopolies Act. When PBMs own pharmacies, the resulting self-dealing and conflicts of interest distort the marketplace and too often undermine affordable, accessible, patient-centered care. American Pharmacies and our 700 independent pharmacy members across the country thank the bill’s sponsors for their leadership in confronting one of the root causes of rising costs and barriers to care,” said Steve Hoffart, R.Ph., Chairman, American Pharmacies.


During National Police Week, Bacon and Gottheimer Introduce Bipartisan “Stop the Doxx Act” to Protect Law Enforcement Officers and their Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – To mark National Police Week, U.S. Representative Don Bacon (NE-02) alongside Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) introduced a bipartisan federal bill to protect law enforcement officers and their families from doxxing — the publishing of personal information online to threaten, intimidate, or facilitate violence — and the Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) Reauthorization Act.

“Those who protect our communities and uphold the rule of law deserve protection from threats, intimidation, and violence,” said Rep. Bacon. “The Stop the Doxx Act makes clear that weaponizing personal information against law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, or their families is unacceptable and must carry real consequences. With threats and intimidation against these public servants continuing to rise, this legislation is needed now. I look forward to working with Rep. Gottheimer to get this bipartisan legislation signed into law.”

“You can’t protect our communities if you can’t protect the people who sacrifice so much for us,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “Doxxing isn’t harmless online behavior. It is targeted intimidation against the people who keep our families safe, and the law has simply not kept up with the threat. We must always get the backs of those who risk their lives every day to protect us, and that means making sure they and their families are safe both on the job and at home.”


Congressman Baird Votes to Support Indiana Farmers and Make E-15 Available Year-Round

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act:

“For states like Indiana and districts like mine, this legislation is not just about fuel policy. Year-round E-15 nationwide will support the countless corn farmers in my district, strengthen our rural economies, and lower energy costs for hardworking families. This legislation will provide a strong, reliable market for corn farmers in Indiana, giving them more confidence to plan for the future. E-15 is also an American-made fuel that will help us reduce our dependence on foreign energy while supporting domestic manufacturing and agriculture. This is key to unleashing American energy dominance and reducing prices at the gas pump. I was proud to join with my House colleagues to pass this legislation, and I strongly urge the Senate to quickly take up and pass this critical bill so it can be signed into law.”

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