Featured Stories
Warner Bill to Improve IRS Customer Service Passes Out of Finance Committee
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release on July 30, 2026:
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Warner Bill to Improve IRS Customer Service Passes Out of Finance Committee
Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, applauded committee passage of the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, which includes several provisions from the senator's Improving IRS Customer Service Act. The legislation will take important steps to improve communication between the IRS and taxpayers, streamline tax compliance processes, and ensure taxpayers
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, issued the following news release on July 30, 2026:
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Warner Bill to Improve IRS Customer Service Passes Out of Finance Committee
Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, applauded committee passage of the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, which includes several provisions from the senator's Improving IRS Customer Service Act. The legislation will take important steps to improve communication between the IRS and taxpayers, streamline tax compliance processes, and ensure taxpayershave timely access to expert assistance, among other much-needed tax administration reforms.
"Taxpayers shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get answers to basic questions about their taxes," said Sen. Warner. "I'm thrilled that several of my proposals have passed out of the Finance Committee and can now be considered by the whole Senate. I urge my colleagues to join me in getting this bill across the finish line and bringing clarity and relief to taxpayers in Virginia and across the country."
The provisions of the Improving IRS Customer Service Act included in committee passage
* Establish a dashboard to inform taxpayers of backlogs and wait times. Specifically, this provision reduces unnecessary calls and letters to the IRS by requiring the IRS to establish a user-friendly, real-time dashboard on IRS.gov, providing taxpayers with information on call volume, backlogs, wait times, and the availability of callbacks.
* Expand electronic access to information about returns and refunds. Specifically, this provision reduces unnecessary calls and letters by requiring upgrades to the IRS's "Where's my Refund?" tool, "Where's my Amended Return?" tool, and Online Account or any successor systems. These upgrades will provide more individualized information to taxpayers about the status of their refunds, including whether their return has been suspended, and if so, what the IRS has requested and how to provide the information.
* Expand callback technology. Specifically, this provisionrecommends that by 2028 the IRS should provide taxpayers the option to receive a callback on all its lines and extensions when calls are not answered within 5 minutes. Currently, the IRS sometimes offers taxpayers the option to have the IRS call them back instead of waiting on hold - an option highly valued by taxpayers.
* Expand online accounts. Specifically, this provision requires the IRS to upgrade its online accounts after conducting focus groups with stakeholders. These upgrades will permit taxpayers and certain representatives to view images of tax returns, documents, notices, and letters sent or received by the IRS and provide responses to IRS inquiries through the online account. It also requires the IRS to give practitioners, return preparers with valid PTINS, and qualified reporting agents access to client accounts without requiring them to log in to each client's account separately. The IRS would need to establish a program to prevent unauthorized disclosures by such persons and to publish an annual report on its activities.
* Inform individuals facing economic hardships of collection alternatives. This provision requires the IRS to inform taxpayers who request certain types of "streamlined" installment agreements of other available collection alternatives if they have an outstanding tax liability and may be experiencing economic hardship. The provision also requires the Secretary, in consultation with the National Taxpayer Advocate, to report to Congress on the IRS's accuracy in identifying taxpayers with tax liabilities who have an economic hardship, the status of the liabilities, and whether its identification procedures could be used for other purposes.
The Improving IRS Customer Service Act is cosponsored by Sen. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-LA).
Today's committee action builds on Sen. Warner's longstanding commitment to improving IRS customer service and accelerating refund times. Sen. Warner first introduced the Improving IRS Customer Service Act in 2024 with Sen. Cassidy. Last year, Warner wrote to the National Taxpayer Advocate at the IRS regarding the underperforming Richmond TAS office and advocated against any harmful personnel decisions that stand to negatively impact taxpayers. The senator also strongly supported the Inflation Reduction Act - legislation that provided $80 billion in funding for the IRS to modernize systems and improve customer service.
A copy of the bill text can be found here (https://www.warner.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/taxpayer_assistance_and_service_act.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.warner.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warner-bill-to-improve-irs-customer-service-passes-out-of-finance-committee/
Senator Blunt Rochester Highlights How AI Will Impact Digital Divides
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Delaware, issued the following news release on July 30, 2026:
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Senator Blunt Rochester Highlights How AI Will Impact Digital Divides
"This is the cost of doing business. This is the cost of our healthcare. This is the cost of even connecting to our neighbors."
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U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, today participated in a hearing on how artificial intelligence impacts communications systems. Senator Blunt Rochester's
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Delaware, issued the following news release on July 30, 2026:
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Senator Blunt Rochester Highlights How AI Will Impact Digital Divides
"This is the cost of doing business. This is the cost of our healthcare. This is the cost of even connecting to our neighbors."
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U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, today participated in a hearing on how artificial intelligence impacts communications systems. Senator Blunt Rochester'squestions focused on how reliable internet access is critical in an increasingly AI economy and questioned how the Trump administration's funding cuts to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program will impact AI access and digital divides.
Witnesses Include:
* Jonathan Spalter, President and CEO, USTelecom - The Broadband Association
* Dan Watermeier, Commissioner, Nebraska Public Service Commission
* Bob Everson, Chief Architect of Provider Mobility, Cisco
* Mr. Asad Ramzanali, Director of Artificial Intelligence and Technology, Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator
Senator Blunt Rochester's remarks can be found here, and a key excerpt can be found below:
Senator Blunt Rochester: "The Trump administration has cut [BEAD] funding by about 74 percent. This disproportionately impacts rural communities like those in Kent County and Sussex County, Delaware. Looking ahead, how will lack of access to reliable high-speed internet impact Delawareans' ability to participate in an increasingly AI-driven economy?"
Mr. Ramzanali: "If we don't connect those thousands of homes in Delaware that are not connected, it means that they're missing out on the economic benefits of not just AI, but access to the internet. It means that when their kids have homework assignments that they need to access the internet or to use AI, they don't have that access. It means when telehealth visits or being able to ask questions of various tools, they don't have that access either.
"So, these are real-world limitations that are being put on thousands of people in Delaware, but around the country, we shouldn't accept that. We shouldn't accept the state of the country where not every American is connected to high-quality networks."
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Original text here: https://www.bluntrochester.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-senator-blunt-rochester-highlights-how-ai-will-impact-digital-divides/
Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee Sets Aug. 5 Executive Session
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee issued the following information for an executive session at 10 a.m. on Aug. 5, 2026, at 253 Russell Senate Office Building:
Committee Members
* Ted Cruz, Presiding, Chairman, Republican, Texas
Legislation
* S. 737, SCREEN Act
* S. 1748, Kids Online Safety Act
* S. 4199, Youth AI Privacy Act
* S. 4407, CHATBOT Act
* S. 5171, Children's Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026
Coast Guard Nominations
* James C. Meyers, et. al, dated 07/13/2026, PN1174
* Aaron J. Casavant, et. al, dated 07/13/2026 (PN1175)
*
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee issued the following information for an executive session at 10 a.m. on Aug. 5, 2026, at 253 Russell Senate Office Building:
Committee Members
* Ted Cruz, Presiding, Chairman, Republican, Texas
Legislation
* S. 737, SCREEN Act
* S. 1748, Kids Online Safety Act
* S. 4199, Youth AI Privacy Act
* S. 4407, CHATBOT Act
* S. 5171, Children's Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026
Coast Guard Nominations
* James C. Meyers, et. al, dated 07/13/2026, PN1174
* Aaron J. Casavant, et. al, dated 07/13/2026 (PN1175)
*Caroline M. Jenkins, et. al, dated 07/13/2026 (PN1176)
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Original text here: https://www.commerce.senate.gov/meetings/executive-session-24-08-05-2026/
Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee Sets Aug. 6 Hearing on Empowering Main Street by Unlocking Access to Capital
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee issued the following information for a hearing entitled "Empowering Main Street by Unlocking Access to Capital" at 10:15 a.m. on Aug. 6, 2026, at 538 Dirksen Senate Office Building:
Witnesses
* Ms. Dalia Blass, Senior Investment Management Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell
* Mr. Kenneth Bentsen, President and CEO, SIFMA
* Mr. Mike Flood, Senior Vice President, Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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Original text here: https://www.banking.senate.gov/hearings/empowering-main-street-by-unlocking-access-to-capital
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee issued the following information for a hearing entitled "Empowering Main Street by Unlocking Access to Capital" at 10:15 a.m. on Aug. 6, 2026, at 538 Dirksen Senate Office Building:
Witnesses
* Ms. Dalia Blass, Senior Investment Management Partner, Sullivan & Cromwell
* Mr. Kenneth Bentsen, President and CEO, SIFMA
* Mr. Mike Flood, Senior Vice President, Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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Original text here: https://www.banking.senate.gov/hearings/empowering-main-street-by-unlocking-access-to-capital
Reps. Smith, Mfume Form New Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection and Prevention Caucus in the House
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release:
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Reps. Smith, Mfume form new Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection and Prevention Caucus in the House
On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) announced that they will be co-chairing the new, bipartisan Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection and Prevention Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Reps. Smith and Mfume also noted that they will be working alongside Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who plans to form a complimentary
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, issued the following news release:
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Reps. Smith, Mfume form new Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection and Prevention Caucus in the House
On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) announced that they will be co-chairing the new, bipartisan Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection and Prevention Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Reps. Smith and Mfume also noted that they will be working alongside Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who plans to form a complimentaryCaucus in the Senate.
The Caucus--named in honor of famed abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass--will serve as a bicameral effort and the principal forum in Congress dedicated to advancing legislation that prevents human trafficking, protects victims and survivors, prosecutes traffickers, and strengthens partnerships with survivors across government, civil society, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, and the private sector.
"I am honored to announce the formation of the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection and Prevention Caucus alongside my Co-Chair, Rep. Mfume, who is fiercely committed to ending the modern-day slavery that is human trafficking," said Rep. Chris Smith, the author of the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) (PL 106-386).
"Human trafficking is an ever-evolving crime, as traffickers are constantly finding new ways--both in-person and virtually--to exploit, manipulate, and abuse victims. To meet these changing and challenging demands, this Caucus will work tirelessly to advance new anti-trafficking legislation--especially and including the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act of 2025 (HR 1144), which Rep. Mfume and I introduced earlier this Congress--that uplifts and empowers survivors and raises awareness of this global problem."
"Today, on the annual World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, I am proud to stand alongside Representative Chris Smith as we form this bipartisan Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Protection and Prevention Caucus," said Congressman Kweisi Mfume.
"Human trafficking is modern-day slavery and a scourge on our collective humanity. Nearly 27 million people worldwide are trapped in forms of forced labor and human bondage, and Americans in all 50 states have been victimized as well. We owe it to every survivor and victim to pass comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation out of the Congress and send it to the President's desk. This Caucus and anti-trafficking organizations across the country represent proof of our collective intention to get that done, no matter how long it takes," he continued.
In addition to announcing the formation of the Caucus, Reps. Smith and Mfume urged the U.S. House of Representatives to quickly take up HR 1144 for debate and a vote.
"The House passage of the Frederick Douglass TVPRA will bring us one step closer to finally eradicating this modern-day slavery," said the two lawmakers. "Delay means denial for the millions of men, women, and children currently trapped in trafficking situations. We are working every single day--especially and including World Day Against Trafficking in Persons--to get this critical legislation over the finish line to protect critical funding and programs."
HR 1144, developed in close collaboration with several survivor-leaders, upgrades and expands the U.S. government's toolkit for fighting human trafficking by authorizing more than $1.2 billion in federal funding over the next five years. Once enacted, the Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Act of 2025 will:
* Reauthorize and bolster anti-human trafficking programs across numerous federal agencies, including the State Department, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Health and Human Services;
* Ensure robust prosecutions for human trafficking crimes, along with thorough investigations and jail time commensurate with the crime;
* Authorize the first-ever housing program for survivors, ensuring wrap-around case management, including education, life skills training, mental health services, and employment assistance;
* Continue funding the Angel Watch Center, a program mandated by Smith's International Megan's Law (PL 114-119) that prevents convicted child sex offenders from exploiting and abusing children abroad;
* Train instructors and students within elementary and secondary schools, in an age-appropriate manner, on building situational awareness, self-esteem, and resources to prevent, identify, and respond to human trafficking; and
* Strengthen partnerships among federal, state, and local authorities.
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Original text here: https://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=415788
Rep. Raskin Issues Letter to U.S. Patent Director Squires
WASHINGTON, July 31 (TNSletter) -- Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following letter to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John A. Squires:
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Here is the text of the letter:
July 20, 2026
The Honorable John A. Squires
Director
United States Patent and Trademark Office
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313
Dear Director Squires:
I was pleased to read that you have abandoned your still baffling and legally dubious efforts to use the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as an agent of President Donald Trump's "Board of
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WASHINGTON, July 31 (TNSletter) -- Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following letter to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director John A. Squires:
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Here is the text of the letter:
July 20, 2026
The Honorable John A. Squires
Director
United States Patent and Trademark Office
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, VA 22313
Dear Director Squires:
I was pleased to read that you have abandoned your still baffling and legally dubious efforts to use the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as an agent of President Donald Trump's "Board ofPeace" and apply for trademarks on its behalf. Though your reversal is a welcome and necessary course correction, fundamental questions remain about the impetus and legal justification for your decision both to apply for and then abandon these applications.
USPTO's role is to impartially examine and register trademark applications, not to serve as a straw-applicant on behalf of a shadowy global slush fund controlled by "Chairman for Life" Donald Trump. Public confidence in our nation's intellectual property system depends on ensuring that USPTO is never used to advance private or political interests. The circumstances surrounding these questionable trademark applications therefore require a complete public accounting.
In my previous communications as well as our conversation during your appearance before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet on March 25, 2026, I repeatedly requested that you explain why USPTO was acting as an extralegal custodian for President Trump's Board of Peace, stepping in as the Board's agent to apply for a trademark on the Board's behalf. To date, USPTO has failed to provide any explanation. Unfortunately, this was not the only issue on which your testimony failed to provide meaningful answers.
You testified under oath that you filed the Board of Peace applications "to address a cybersquatting issue under [your] authority under 35 U.S.C."1 And according to Board of Peace filings, USPTO was "using and stewarding the mark on an interim basis to provide information, advisory, coordination, and anti-fraud services, and to prevent misuse, false association, and deception during the period prior to the formal establishment of that organization."2 You further testified that USPTO was acting on a "custodial" basis and that "it will be transferred to the entity once it is formed."3 When I asked you if I could get another company to apply for a trademark on my behalf, you responded, "If you are the President of the United States, yes."4 You later contradicted this statement by telling us you were "[N]ot representing the President of the United States in this regard," saying, "I was representing a--filing an application to address a cybersquatting issue under my authority under 35 U.S.C."5 It remains unclear whether these purported cybersquatting concerns have been resolved, whether USPTO has been advised that the Board of Peace will ever be formed, or whether USTPO has determined that the applications themselves were pursued without any legitimate legal basis.
Whatever the answers, I remain deeply troubled by this Administration's manipulation and misuse of USPTO to conceal the true ownership of what appears to be an unregulated global slush fund bankrolled by both foreign governments and U.S. taxpayers but effectively controlled by President Trump, the Board's self-appointed "Chairman for Life."6 The Board's financial structure raises even more serious concerns. While an account for the Board was set up through the World Bank, countries have reportedly opted to deposit funds into a private J.P. Morgan bank account, with no apparent guardrails governing how the funds may be spent and no transparency into the identity of the owner of the bank account.7 No federal agency should be used to lend legitimacy to this manifestly corrupt financial enterprise.
The abandonment of these applications has only deepened the concerns raised by their initial filing and have now generated a host of new questions, each of which demand urgent responses. True transparency requires more than the abandonment of these applications; it requires answers. Accordingly, I ask that you please respond to the following requests for information no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 3, 2026:
1. What specific fraud or cybersquatting threat(s) existed that required USPTO itself to become the applicant for the mark, rather than allowing the eventual organization to seek registration once it was lawfully established? And if those threats were true in March 2026, why are they no longer true today? What changed? Please provide all evidence that supports this conclusion.
2. Since USPTO has now abandoned the applications, does the agency no longer believe there is a risk of cybersquatting, misuse, false association, or deception? If so, please provide all evidence that supports this conclusion.
3. Were the applications abandoned because the appropriate entity was identified? If so, please identify the current owner. Alternatively, was USPTO informed that the Board of Peace would not be established? Or have you realized this entire operation was utterly lawless from the outset?
4. Who made the decision to abandon the applications? When was that decision made, and what is the stated reason or the abandonment? Please identify every USPTO official as well as every other Executive Branch official who participated in or approved that decision, as well as all communications between Director Squires or USPTO with any other government agency, including the White House, or any representative of the Board of Peace, regarding the abandonment of the trademark applications.
Additionally, you failed to respond to my questions from my letter dated May 5, 2026, as well as my letter dated March 18, 2026, none of which were addressed sufficiently during your appearance before the Subcommittee. Please respond to all outstanding questions completely and without omission.
I look forward to your prompt compliance with this important oversight request.
Very truly yours,
Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member
cc: The Honorable Jim Jordan, Chairman
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Original text and footnotes here: https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2026-07-20-raskin-to-squires-uspto-re-board-of-peace-follow-up.pdf
News Release here: https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ranking-member-raskin-expands-probe-into-board-of-peace-trademark-scheme-after-us-patent-and-trademark-office-abandons-unusual-applications
Rep. Gottheimer Hosts Lyme Disease Roundtable
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on July 30, 2026:
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Gottheimer Hosts Lyme Disease Roundtable
HAWORTH, NJ -- Today, July 30, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a Lyme disease roundtable at the Haworth Library, sitting down with local officials, medical experts, and advocates to confront the growing threat of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses facing families across New Jersey.
"There is nothing partisan about a tick bite. This isn't a Democratic issue or a Republican issue -- it's a Jersey families issue," said
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release on July 30, 2026:
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Gottheimer Hosts Lyme Disease Roundtable
HAWORTH, NJ -- Today, July 30, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a Lyme disease roundtable at the Haworth Library, sitting down with local officials, medical experts, and advocates to confront the growing threat of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses facing families across New Jersey.
"There is nothing partisan about a tick bite. This isn't a Democratic issue or a Republican issue -- it's a Jersey families issue," saidCongressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). "Whether you're hiking the Appalachian Trail, playing in your backyard, or just walking the dog around the block, you deserve to do that without worrying about a disease that can follow you for years."
"Vector-borne diseases, including Lyme disease, have real impacts on public health in all of our communities. It is so important that we continue to support sustained efforts to keep the public informed of their risk of contracting these diseases, and to further our understanding of these infections -- the ways in which they cause the disorders they do, and how best to diagnose and treat them," said Dr. John Halperin of Atlantic Health.
Lyme disease is the most common disease transmitted from animals to humans in the country, with an estimated 476,000 cases nationally every year, and New Jersey ranks fourth in the nation for reported Lyme disease cases. In 2026 alone, the state has already reported more than 4,000 tick-borne disease cases -- over 3,500 of them Lyme disease -- according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Since 2010, New Jersey has averaged nearly 4,800 Lyme cases per year. Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties alone have averaged nearly 800 combined cases annually.
Roundtable participants raised the urgent need for greater public awareness, the difficulty of getting an accurate diagnosis, the prevalence of false negatives, and the need for better physician education on Lyme and related tick-borne illnesses such as anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and alpha-gal syndrome. Participants also highlighted the long-term physical, cognitive, and mental health impacts on children whose Lyme disease goes undiagnosed for too long.
Gottheimer outlined priorities he is advancing in Washington to address these concerns:
* Passing the Kay Hagan Tick Act. Last week, a bill Gottheimer championed, the Kay Hagan Tick Act, which passed the House overwhelmingly, establishes the federal government's national strategy on Lyme disease for the next five years and includes funding for research, surveillance, physician education, and public awareness all across the country. Gottheimer is now pressing the Senate to pass the bipartisan measure and get it signed into law.
* Securing federal funding. Gottheimer's appropriations requests this year sought for Lyme and tick-borne disease funding for NIH research through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, or NIAID; CDC prevention and education; and the Department of Defense's Tick-Borne Disease Research Program. He secured $5 million for the LymeX Innovation Accelerator, a public-private partnership accelerating the development of new Lyme disease diagnostics and treatments. He is fighting back against the administration's proposal to reorganize the CDC's dedicated Lyme Disease Program and consolidate it into the broader Vector-Borne Disease Program and cut funding by $3.8 million.
* Advancing new legislation. Gottheimer is continuing to push forward his federal legislation to combat Lyme and tick-borne illnesses: the Tick Identification Pilot Program Act, co-led with Congressman Tom Kean (NJ-7), which would let residents submit a photo of a tick and get expert identification and guidance within 72 hours; the Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act, with Congressman Don Bacon (NE-2), which would direct the Postal Service to issue a Lyme disease research stamp funding NIAID research; and the BITE (Battling Infections Transmitted by Ticks and Exposure) Act, co-led with Congressman Tom Kean (NJ-7), which would build the first fully integrated national vector-borne disease prevention and alert system, with the goal of cutting Lyme disease cases 25 percent by 2035.
Gottheimer also urged residents to take precautions this summer: using repellents, wearing proper clothing, checking themselves and their pets for ticks, and watching for a red bullseye rash, especially after spending time in wooded or grassy areas, and following up with a doctor if a rash or fever develops in the weeks after a possible bite.
Gottheimer was joined by Haworth Councilwoman Alanna Davis; Matt Bickerton, Bergen County Health Department; Joseph Dolan, National Society of Professional Surveyors; Matthew Marinello, Atlantic Health; Dr. John Halperin, Atlantic Health; Dr. Mohini Gurme, Medical Director of Neurology at One Bergen Health; Allana Davis; Dr. Rosalie Greenberg, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist; Steven Hafif; Melissa Rowe, Executive Director, Central New York Lyme and Tickborne Disease Alliance; Heather Zampino; Samantha Sloves; Olivia Abrams, Founder of TiCK MiTT; Kurt Borowsky; Dennis Sullivan; Ellen Allen; Susan Eisen; Jim McCabe; Sally Goodgold; David Butler, Whitney Klein; Susan Fuhr; Dr. Nicole Anderson; Sofia Ciminello, CLA Fellow; Lisa-Jae Eggert; Dr. Robert Bransfield, Assistant Clinical Professor Hackensack and Rutgers-RWJ Medical School; Alissa Johnson; Gloria Kim.
Gottheimer's remarks as prepared for delivery:
Good afternoon, everybody. Thank you all so much for being here today at the Haworth Library, and thank you to all of those who sat with me to talk through something that's affecting so many families right here in North Jersey: Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
I want to start by saying thank you to our experts, leaders, and participants in today's roundtable. The stories you shared today, the questions you asked, the recommendations you made, the frustrations you brought forward -- that's exactly why we're here.
This isn't an abstract issue for the people here today, or for far too many across our state and country. This disease is personal for many, including myself. I've watched family members struggle with the disease for decades. One of my wife's closest friends faced years of debilitating symptoms, as well.
And I know so many of you in this room, and so many families across Jersey, have gone through the same thing.
While we are fortunate to have these beautiful places where people can enjoy the outdoors, go for a hike, and barbecue with friends -- and that's one of the great gifts of our state and my district here in Northern New Jersey -- we must also be careful, stay alert, and protect against what's lurking in the grass and trees: the legitimate threat of ticks and the diseases they can carry, including Lyme disease.
Let's talk about the scope of the problem, because the numbers are stunning. Lyme disease is the most common disease transmitted from animals to humans in the entire country. Nationally, we're looking at an estimated 476,000 cases every single year. New Jersey ranks fourth in the nation for reported Lyme disease cases. In 2026 alone, our state has already reported more than 4,000 tick-borne disease cases -- over 3,500 of them Lyme disease -- according to the New Jersey Department of Health, and 1,275 tick-related emergency department visits.
Since 2010, New Jersey has averaged nearly 4,800 Lyme cases every year. And here in North Jersey, Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties alone have averaged a total of nearly 800 Lyme cases a year.
That's not a small problem. That's an epidemic hiding in plain sight, in our parks, on our trails, and right in our backyards. While ticks are small, these pests can carry dangerous diseases that pose severe risks to the health and safety of our families.
Now, today, we heard directly from you all about what that looks like on the ground. We heard about the need for greater public awareness, teaching families how to spot a tick early and just how prevalent this disease really is right here in Jersey. We heard about the diagnosis problem: how hard it is to get an accurate test, and how many people get a false negative before they ever get the right answer.
We heard about the need for better physician education, because too many doctors still aren't trained to recognize Lyme disease or the other tick-borne illnesses that ride along with it -- things like anaplasmosis (an-uh-plaz-MOH-sis), babesiosis (buh-bee-zee-OH-sis), and alpha-gal syndrome. And we heard about the need for continued investment in research and innovation -- to improve diagnostics, strengthen prevention, and better understand the long-term impacts of Lyme disease. And we talked about our kids, about the long-term physical, cognitive, and mental health impacts when a child's Lyme disease goes undiagnosed for too long.
Every single one of those concerns is real, and I want to walk you through the three things I'm focused on right now to crush Lyme disease and protect our children and families from tick-borne illnesses. As a member of the Congressional Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Caucus, I am on the front lines of this issue on Capitol Hill -- and always listening for what I can best do to help.
First, just last week, a bipartisan bill I've long been championing, the Kay Hagan Tick Act, passed the House overwhelmingly. This bipartisan legislation establishes the federal government's national strategy on Lyme disease. That means funding for research, surveillance, physician education, and public awareness all across the country for the next five years. That's a huge win.
But a bill won't help a single family in this room until it becomes law, and that means getting it through the Senate. So right now, I'm pushing hard to get the Senate to pass this bill and send it to the President's desk to become law. We cannot let a bipartisan bill that sailed through the House overwhelmingly sit around and die because the Senate didn't get to it. That's priority number one: to make it law.
Second, I'm working directly with my colleagues in Congress on the Appropriations Committee to surge investments into this fight. My budget requests this year asked for Lyme and tick-borne disease funding for NIH research through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, or NIAID, CDC prevention and education, and the Department of Defense's Tick-Borne Disease Research Program. Here's the good news: we secured $5 million for the LymeX Innovation Accelerator, a public-private partnership accelerating the development of new Lyme disease diagnostics and treatments.
Here's what makes that funding and this fight so important right now. While we've been working to build this up, the administration has been trying to slash funding for these programs and has proposed reorganizing the CDC's dedicated Lyme Disease Program and consolidating it into the broader Vector-Borne Disease Program. Since 90% of vector-borne diseases are caused by ticks, combining both programs means 90% of those resources may not actually go toward tick prevention and research. That would be a disaster.
The administration has proposed $3.8 million in cuts. Consolidating these programs and cutting funding isn't streamlining anything; it's just making sure fewer dollars go where they're needed most. We're fighting it and pushing to go in the other direction. So I'm speaking to my colleagues, member by member, to ensure Lyme research and prevention get what they actually need to keep Jersey families safe and informed.
Third, I'm doing a full-court press on the bills I've been championing in Congress, because these aren't just ideas -- they're common-sense, bipartisan solutions ready to go. My Tick Identification Pilot Program Act, which I'm co-leading with Congressman Tom Kean of New Jersey, will fund state programs that let you snap a photo of a tick, submit it, and get an answer back from an expert within 72 hours on what kind of tick it was, what the risk is, and what to do next.
My Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act, with Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska, will direct the Postal Service to issue a Lyme disease research stamp, with every dollar raised going straight to the NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to fund new research and innovation.
My Battling Infections Transmitted by Ticks and Exposure Act, or BITE Act, with Congressman Tom Kean of New Jersey, will build the first fully integrated national vector-borne disease prevention and alert system in the world. It will combine expert tick identification, AI-powered early warning alerts, insurance and emergency room surveillance to catch outbreaks faster, and public education in our schools and communities -- cutting Lyme disease cases by 25 percent by 2035.
I'm also backing other efforts, including the Children Inflicted by Lyme Disabilities Act, which would expand special education protections to children with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases; the TICK Act, to strengthen federal research and prevention efforts to combat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, including anaplasmosis (an-uh-plaz-MOH-sis), babesiosis (buh-bee-zee-OH-sis), and ehrlichiosis (air-lih-kee-OH-sis), among others; and the Alpha-gal Allergen Inclusion Act, to classify alpha-gal as a major food allergen.
This fight takes an all-hands-on-deck approach, and that's exactly what we are doing to keep our families safe. We need to use every tool in the toolkit.
Finally, and consider this the PSA of the day, here's what you can do to protect yourself.
When you go for a hike or even to the beach -- yes, they are on the beach -- always check yourself after a walk or a day outside, especially if you've recently spent time in a wooded or grassy area.
Use repellents that contain DEET or picaridin, wear proper clothing, like long-sleeve shirts and long pants, and tuck your pants into your socks. Consistently check yourself and your pets for ticks, especially in warm, hidden places like armpits, scalp, and behind your ears. If you do see a tick, remove it with tweezers by grabbing close to your skin and pulling in one smooth motion, and thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water. If you see a red bullseye rash develop on your skin, take a picture with the rash next to a ruler and reach out to your doctor.
I think one thing is clear: there is nothing partisan about Lyme disease. This isn't a Democrat issue or a Republican issue. This is a Jersey families issue. Whether you're hiking the Appalachian Trail, playing in your backyard with your kids, or just walking the dog around the block, you deserve to do that without worrying about a disease that can follow you for years.
Working together, we will beat Lyme disease.
I want to thank everyone in this room again, and I want to thank our partners at the Center for Lyme Action, local hospitals and doctors' offices, and medical professionals for the incredible work you do every single day fighting for patients and families.
If we keep working together and fighting to protect our Jersey families, in the greatest country in the world, our best days will always be ahead of us.
Thank you, and God bless you and your families.
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Original text here: https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-hosts-lyme-disease-roundtable
Gottheimer, Jackson Introduce Bipartisan Bill Targeting Polisario Front Cooperation With Iranian Regime
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release:
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Gottheimer, Jackson Introduce Bipartisan Bill Targeting Polisario Front Cooperation with Iranian Regime
Bipartisan legislation would trigger a terrorist designation of the Polisario Front over its cooperation with Iran and Iranian-backed terrorist groups
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U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Ronny Jackson (TX-13) introduced the Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act, the bipartisan House companion to legislation in the Senate led by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). The legislation
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release:
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Gottheimer, Jackson Introduce Bipartisan Bill Targeting Polisario Front Cooperation with Iranian Regime
Bipartisan legislation would trigger a terrorist designation of the Polisario Front over its cooperation with Iran and Iranian-backed terrorist groups
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U.S. Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Ronny Jackson (TX-13) introduced the Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act, the bipartisan House companion to legislation in the Senate led by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). The legislationrequires the Secretary of State to designate the Polisario Front, a Sahrawi paramilitary group based in Algeria, as a terrorist organization if the group is found to be cooperating with Iran or Iranian-backed terrorist organizations.
"The Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies are working overtime to open a new front against the United States and our allies, and the Polisario Front has become one of their instruments," said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). "When a group takes drones and weapons from the IRGC and coordinates with Iranian-backed terrorists, we should call it exactly what it is: a terrorist organization. This bipartisan bill makes sure that once that cooperation is confirmed, we can bring the full weight of America's counterterrorism sanctions down on the Polisario Front and cut its leaders off from the global financial system, international travel, and the resources they use to threaten us and our allies. Standing up to Iran and its proxies isn't a partisan issue."
"FDD Action supports efforts to designate the Polisario Front which has been armed and trained by elements of Iran's IRGC and Hezbollah. This important legislation would require the State Department to report on the Polisario Front's activities including weapons trafficking and the use of armed drones against civilian targets," said Tyler Stapleton Senior Director of Government Relations - FDD Action.
The bill text can be read here.
The Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act would initiate a process to designate the Polisario Front as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) if the group is found to be engaging in military and terrorist cooperation with Iran or Iranian-affiliated terrorist groups. Specifically, it requires a report from the Secretary of State on cooperation between the Polisario Front and such groups relating to:
* Armed participation in military operations;
* Weapons systems, including man-portable individual-use firearms;
* Unmanned aerial vehicles, including commercially available component parts;
* Systems or components designed to detect, track, engage, or destroy airborne targets; and
* Military intelligence support, including surveillance data, targeting information, signals, or human intelligence, and related analysis in raw or processed form.
Original co-sponsors are Representatives Claudia Tenny (NY-22), Greg Landsman (OH-1), Don Bacon (NE-2), and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23). The bill is endorsed by Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD).
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Original text here: https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-jackson-introduce-bipartisan-bill-targeting-polisario-front-cooperation-with-iranian-regime
Fetterman, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect CFTC Whistleblowers
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release on July 30, 2026:
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Fetterman, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect CFTC Whistleblowers
Ahead of National Whistleblower Day, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the CFTC Whistleblower Protection and Program Improvement Act to provide long-term stability to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) whistleblower program, strengthen protections for whistleblowers, and speed up award processing. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release on July 30, 2026:
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Fetterman, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect CFTC Whistleblowers
Ahead of National Whistleblower Day, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the CFTC Whistleblower Protection and Program Improvement Act to provide long-term stability to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) whistleblower program, strengthen protections for whistleblowers, and speed up award processing. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins(R-ME) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA). The CFTC ensures America's commodity markets remain fair, transparent, and free from fraud and manipulation. This includes the markets farmers rely on to manage the prices of crops, livestock, and other agricultural products.
"Whistleblowers put their jobs and often their lives on the line to call out the most serious offenses in the workplace. Zero doubt that they should be protected," said Senator Fetterman. "As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I'm proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Senator Grassley to protect whistleblowers and improve the CFTC whistleblower program."
"Since I helped get the CFTC whistleblower program up and running, I'm pleased to see it's been a big success. This program roots out waste, fraud and abuse in the commodities trading industry and operates at no charge to the taxpayer. Now, it's time for Congress to act so its success can continue. Our bipartisan legislation strengthens protections for patriotic whistleblowers, prevents unnecessary delays in the disbursement of whistleblower awards and ensures the CFTC whistleblower program can operate smoothly," said Senator Grassley.
"The Commodity Futures Trading Commission plays a crucial role in protecting American commodity markets, and safeguarding its whistleblower program helps maintain public trust in the integrity of those markets," said Senator Collins. "This bipartisan bill would provide long-term stability for the CFTC whistleblower program by strengthening protections for whistleblowers, promoting the timely processing of claims, and eliminating a loophole that can prevent whistleblowers from receiving awards."
"No one should be punished for speaking out when they see something wrong. This bipartisan bill promotes accountability and bolsters essential protections for people who risk their careers to stand up to fraud and corruption," said Senator Warnock. "This legislation will benefit every American taxpayer, and I'm grateful to work with my colleagues across the aisle to strengthen this vital program."
Background
Under current law, the Customer Protection Fund (CPF) is capped at $100 million. Any fines collected after the cap are sent to the Treasury Department's general fund. As fines from whistleblower disclosures have increased in volume and value in recent years, reward disbursements have also risen. As a result, the CPF is depleting faster than it can be replenished due to the $100 million collection cap. This leaves the whistleblower office without the resources needed to pay whistleblowers or fund its operations.
The CFTC Whistleblower Protection and Program Improvement Act would:
* Enhance protections for CFTC whistleblowers.
* Make permanent the separate account that funds the CFTC Whistleblower Office.
* Raise the CPF cap from $100 million to $300 million.
* Ensure whistleblower claims are processed in a timely manner.
* Eliminate a court-created loophole prohibiting whistleblowers from receiving an award because a company declared bankruptcy.
* Ensure CFTC-regulated entities inform their employees of their whistleblower rights.
Read the full text of the bill here (https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/cftc_whistleblower_protection_and_program_improvement_act_of_2026.pdf).
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Original text here: https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/fetterman-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-cftc-whistleblowers/
CHC Chair Espaillat Calls for the Preservation of Medicare and Medicaid on Their 61st Anniversary
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus issued the following statement on July 30, 2026:
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CHC Chair Espaillat Calls for the Preservation of Medicare and Medicaid on their 61st Anniversary
Statement from Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat on the 61st Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid:
"For 61 years, Medicare and Medicaid have helped millions of Americans access the health care they need--from children and seniors to people with disabilities and working families. Yet today, President Trump and congressional Republicans are dismantling these vital programs
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus issued the following statement on July 30, 2026:
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CHC Chair Espaillat Calls for the Preservation of Medicare and Medicaid on their 61st Anniversary
Statement from Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat on the 61st Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid:
"For 61 years, Medicare and Medicaid have helped millions of Americans access the health care they need--from children and seniors to people with disabilities and working families. Yet today, President Trump and congressional Republicans are dismantling these vital programsto pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus rejects this approach. Through our "Lower Costs, Grow Opportunity" agenda, we are fighting to lower health care costs, strengthen Medicare and Medicaid, and ensure every family has access to affordable, quality care. At a time when working families are already struggling with rising costs, Congress should be expanding opportunity--not taking health care away."
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About the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC)
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is 44 members strong. The CHC serves as a forum for the Hispanic Members of Congress to coalesce around a collective legislative agenda. The Caucus is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For more information, please visit chc.house.gov.
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Original text here: https://chc.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chc-chair-espaillat-calls-preservation-medicare-and-medicaid-their-61st
Chairman Johnson Requests Interviews with Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Peter Marks, and Other Former Federal Health Officials on the Safety and Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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Chairman Johnson Requests Interviews with Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Peter Marks, and Other Former Federal Health Officials on the Safety and Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines
Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent letters to former Food and Drug Administration officials ("FDA") Dr. Peter Marks, Dr. Narayan Nair, Dr. Steven Anderson, and Dr. Manette Niu, as well as former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ("NIAID")
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, issued the following news release on July 29, 2026:
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Chairman Johnson Requests Interviews with Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Peter Marks, and Other Former Federal Health Officials on the Safety and Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines
Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent letters to former Food and Drug Administration officials ("FDA") Dr. Peter Marks, Dr. Narayan Nair, Dr. Steven Anderson, and Dr. Manette Niu, as well as former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ("NIAID")Director Dr. Anthony Fauci, requesting transcribed interviews about their roles in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines.
On April 29, 2026, Chairman Johnson released an interim report (https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Senate-PSI-Majority-Staff-Interim-Report-April-29-2026-FINAL-2.pdf) detailing how senior officials at the FDA turned a blind eye toward warnings that their vaccine safety monitoring system was hiding safety signals for the COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Marks and other former FDA officials Chairman Johnson has requested interviews with were among the officials involved in ignoring those warnings.
"I hope that you will be cooperative and fully transparent regarding your involvement and knowledge of these issues," Chairman Johnson wrote.
Chairman Johnson questioned Dr. Fauci about COVID-19 vaccine safety at today's hearing before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, but he refused to answer questions and asserted his Fifth Amendment right. In his letter to Dr. Fauci, Chairman Johnson wrote, "I want to give you another opportunity to provide much-needed transparency about the COVID-19 pandemic and the government's response to it, including early treatments and the development, deployment, safety monitoring, and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines."
The letters are listed below:
* Dr. Anthony Fauci (https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-29-RHJ-to-Fauci-re-Interview-Request_final.pdf)
* Dr. Peter Marks (https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-29-RHJ-to-Marks-re-Interview-request_final.pdf)
* Dr. Narayan Nair (https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-29-RHJ-to-Nair-re-Interview-request_final.pdf)
* Dr. Steven Anderson (https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-29-RHJ-to-Anderson-re-Interview-request_final.pdf)
* Dr. Manette Niu (https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/2026-07-29-RHJ-to-Niu-re-Interview-request_final.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/2026/07/29/chairman-johnson-requests-interviews-with-dr-anthony-fauci-dr-peter-marks-and-other-former-federal-health-officials-on-the-safety-and-efficacy-of-covid-19-vaccines/
Boyle Statement on the 61st Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pennsylvania, ranking member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement on July 30, 2026:
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Boyle Statement on the 61st Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid
Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement marking the 61st anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Medicare and Medicaid Act:
"For 61 years, Medicare and Medicaid have ensured that millions of Americans can live with dignity and get the medical care they need. Today, these bedrock programs
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pennsylvania, ranking member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement on July 30, 2026:
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Boyle Statement on the 61st Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid
Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement marking the 61st anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Medicare and Medicaid Act:
"For 61 years, Medicare and Medicaid have ensured that millions of Americans can live with dignity and get the medical care they need. Today, these bedrock programsare under attack like never before.
President Trump has been clear about his plans to cut these programs, saying we can't afford Medicare and Medicaid because we're 'fighting wars.' Millions of Americans have already lost Medicaid coverage under Trump, and millions more stand to lose their health care thanks to Republicans in Washington.
I won't rest until we stop Trump's cuts and defend health care for every American."
Background:
* As Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, Boyle has led the fight against the devastating impacts of Trump's health care cuts. He is the author of the Protecting Americans' Health Care Act, legislation to fully reverse the largest cut to Medicaid in American history.
* Boyle previously filed a discharge petition to stop Trump's cuts to Medicaid in the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill." Boyle has also introduced a resolution urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to work with states to issue much-needed guidance on the impending Medicaid cuts.
* Congressman Boyle has also introduced the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act, legislation that would protect Medicare for all generations by making the nation's highest earners contribute their fair share.
For more information on the impacts of Trump's health care cuts and his cost-of-living crisis in congressional districts across the United States, visit democrats-budget.house.gov/costofliving.
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Original text here: https://democrats-budget.house.gov/news/press-releases/boyle-statement-61st-anniversary-medicare-and-medicaid
