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Rep. Comer Issues Letter to Optum Rx CEO Conway
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSletter) -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following letter to Optum Rx CEO Patrick Conway:
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Here is the text of the letter:
October 23, 2026
Dr. Patrick Conway, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Optum Rx.
2300 Main Street
Irvine, CA 92614
Dear Dr. Conway:
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is continuing to investigate the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in pharmaceutical markets. The Committee is concerned that independent pharmacies have potentially been targeted
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSletter) -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, issued the following letter to Optum Rx CEO Patrick Conway:
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Here is the text of the letter:
October 23, 2026
Dr. Patrick Conway, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Optum Rx.
2300 Main Street
Irvine, CA 92614
Dear Dr. Conway:
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is continuing to investigate the role of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in pharmaceutical markets. The Committee is concerned that independent pharmacies have potentially been targetedfor punitive audits in retaliation for their public support of legislation recently passed by the Committee.1 The Committee has engaged in a multi-year effort to reform the role of PBMs and make prescription drug prices more affordable for Americans.2 Independent pharmacies from across the country have provided testimony and information in support of these efforts.3 In the short span of time since the Committee's July markup of H.R. 6610, the Pharmacists Fight Back in FEHB Plans Act, multiple independent pharmacies that supported the Committee's efforts have received notice of not only their first-ever audit but two subsequent audits in short succession from Optum Rx (Optum). This raises concern that these audit notices were sent or timed to retaliate for their support of H.R. 6610. The Committee therefore requests documents and communications related to Optum's pharmacy audits, as well as a staff-level briefing.
Since 2021, the Committee has investigated PBMs and has worked to reform the PBM payment system for federal healthcare plans with more transparency based on the actual cost of medication and to protect the patient's freedom to choose where they fill prescriptions, including independent pharmacies.4 Independent pharmacies have personal relationships with many of their customers and play an important role in many communities. Many such pharmacies have assisted this committee over the years, most recently with their vocal support of the Committee's passage of the Pharmacists Fight Back Act in July.5
Concern about PBMs using routine audits as a punitive or retaliatory measure is not unprecedented. The Committee notes public reporting from earlier this year that a PBM settled a state lawsuit for excessive audits of an independent pharmacy.6 The Florida Attorney General's Office has also responded to concerns of efforts by another PBM to impose undue burdens through the audit process.7
To assist the Committee in its oversight of this matter, we request the following information, covering the time period July 22, 2026, to the present unless otherwise indicated, as soon as possible but no later than November 6, 2026:
1. All Provider Manuals;
2. All pro forma Provider Agreements;
3. List of all audit types performed by or on behalf of Optum Rx, including but not limited to desk audits, in-person audits, unannounced audits, and compliance audits, performed in relation to its pharmacy benefit management business;
4. For each audit type identified in request 3, provide all documents pertaining to the following:
a. Auditee selection methodology;
b. Audit handbooks and/or guides; and
c. Any training material provided to auditors;
5. Total number of audits conducted by or on behalf of Optum Rx of independent pharmacies in each U.S. state and territory, as well as breakdown showing the audits conducted of Optum Rx affiliated organizations and non-affiliated organizations;
6. A list of all audits of independent pharmacies in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Florida. This list should include the following information:
a. The name of the audited independent pharmacy;
b. The date of the audit;
c. The reason for the audit;
d. The type of audit;
e. The scope of the audit;
f. The deadline for completion of the audit; and
g. The result of the audit, including adverse findings and any monies received by Optum Rx, including but not limited to penalties and claw back payments.
7. All documents and communications referring or relating to the keywords in Appendix A.
Additionally, the Committee requests that Optum Rx provide a staff-level briefing as soon as possible, but no later than October 30, 2026. The briefers should be prepared to discuss topics including, but not limited to, the following:
1. The scope and nature of the audits conducted by Optum Rx;
2. How Optum Rx selects an independent pharmacy to audit; and
3. Any audits of the entities that supported H.R. 6610, the Pharmacists Fight Back in FEHB Plans Act.
The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and has broad authority to investigate "any matter" at "any time" under House Rule X. To schedule the briefing and arrange for delivery of documents or to ask any related follow-up questions, please contact the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Majority staff at (202) 225-5074. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
James Comer, Chairman, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
cc: The Honorable Robert Garcia, Ranking Member, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
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Original text and footnotes here: https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Optum-Audit-Letter_10.23.26.pdf
News Release here: https://oversight.house.gov/release/comer-investigates-pbms-for-retaliatory-audits-of-independent-pharmacies/
Pallone Requests Government Watchdog Review of TrumpRx
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSida) -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release:
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Pallone Requests Government Watchdog Review of TrumpRx
October 28, 2026
Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) wrote to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting the watchdog agency conduct a review of the TrumpRx platform to determine what, if any, savings it has provided for Americans.
"While the Trump Administration has made sweeping statements about TrumpRx's success, claiming
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSida) -- Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-New Jersey, ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following news release:
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Pallone Requests Government Watchdog Review of TrumpRx
October 28, 2026
Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) wrote to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting the watchdog agency conduct a review of the TrumpRx platform to determine what, if any, savings it has provided for Americans.
"While the Trump Administration has made sweeping statements about TrumpRx's success, claimingmajor discounts on certain medications and $700 million in savings, the failure to disclose key information about the platform has prevented Americans and Congress from evaluating whether TrumpRx actually offers any meaningful financial benefit," Pallone wrote. "There is no transparency into this process and the Administration continues to obstruct congressional oversight on this topic, making it impossible to evaluate the real impacts of these secretive agreements."
In February, Pallone released a report fact-checking President Trump's claims about the TrumpRx platform. The report found that, despite claims of historically low prices, the platform often offered discounts already available elsewhere, failed to disclose cheaper generics, and in some cases charged more than patients would pay using manufacturers' own discount programs.
In March, Pallone joined fellow Democratic health committee leaders to request the Trump Administration provide details on its secretive "most favored nation" agreements with pharmaceutical companies, but the Administration has thus far refused to comply with the congressional oversight request.
"I request that GAO analyze whether and how the platform tracks usage and whether it is possible to calculate what, if any, savings it has provided for Americans," Pallone continued in his request letter to the government watchdog agency. "By focusing on these core questions, we believe the GAO can provide Congress and the American people with important details on the actual impact of the Trump Administration's deals."
Pallone requested GAO examine a series of questions, including the following:
* How many individual transactions have been fulfilled through TrumpRx?
* How many unique consumers have used TrumpRx to purchase prescription drugs?
* Which drugs are most and least frequently purchased through TrumpRx?
* What data and methodology have been used to determine whether the advertised price on TrumpRx is "in line with the lowest paid by other developed nations?"
* How many drugs listed on TrumpRx are priced higher than the lowest prices "paid by other developed nations," and by how much?
* How many drugs on TrumpRx are available at lower prices through external purchasing options, including insurance coverage, generic or biosimilar alternatives, or manufacturer discount programs not presented on TrumpRx?
* What data and methodology supports the Administration's claim of $700 million in savings for American patients?
* How many discounts advertised on TrumpRx resulted from direct negotiation between the Trump Administration and pharmaceutical companies, and how many route to pre-existing manufacturer or pharmacy discounts?
* Which drug pricing agreements between the White House and pharmaceutical companies contain provisions governing the companies' participation in TrumpRx?
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INFODOC: https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2026.10.27.gao_.letter-re-trumprx.pdf
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Original text here: https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/media/press-releases/pallone-requests-government-watchdog-review-trumprx
House Judiciary Ranking Member Raskin Investigates Trump's Tariff-Exception Grift: American Families Pay Thousands Each Year So Trump Can Get Richer Selling Special-Interest Carve-Outs to His Own Tariffs
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSida) -- Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release:
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Ranking Member Raskin Investigates Trump's Tariff-Exception Grift: American Families Pay Thousands Each Year So Trump Can Get Richer Selling Special-Interest Carve-Outs to His Own Tariffs
Raskin Seeks White House Records on Sweetheart Exemptions for Beef, Diamonds and Smartphones Following Lavish Gifts and Political Contributions Received
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Washington, D.C. (October 28, 2026)--Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSida) -- Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release:
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Ranking Member Raskin Investigates Trump's Tariff-Exception Grift: American Families Pay Thousands Each Year So Trump Can Get Richer Selling Special-Interest Carve-Outs to His Own Tariffs
Raskin Seeks White House Records on Sweetheart Exemptions for Beef, Diamonds and Smartphones Following Lavish Gifts and Political Contributions Received
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Washington, D.C. (October 28, 2026)--Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House JudiciaryCommittee, demanded records from President Donald Trump on sweetheart tariff exemptions benefiting corporations and industries that showered him with lavish gifts and political contributions. Trump has turned tariffs into another tool for grift and self-enrichment, handing out the "Trump Tariff Discount" to his benefactors while American families, small businesses and farmers pay the price.
"[...] I write you now because, in the midst of all these terrible and lawless policies, you took care to cut lots of sweetheart deals with corporations and industries that won carve-outs from your tariffs when you saw you could get something good in return. [...] Brazilian beef tongues, Chinese smartphones, and Belgian blood diamonds all got sweetheart exemptions from your latest raft of tariffs. While tariffs are supposed to be a toll to combat unfair trade practices, in your hands they have become yet another tool for grift and self-enrichment," wrote Ranking Member Raskin.
After the Supreme Court struck down Trump's unlawful emergency tariffs, his Administration imposed a new round of tariffs purportedly targeting forced labor. The Administration's sudden concern for forced-labor victims is difficult to square with Trump's past praise for the Chinese government's enslavement of Uyghurs or his Administration's decision to lift sanctions on a sugar company accused of abusive labor practices--and that happens to be owned by a prominent Trump donor.
The new tariffs' conspicuous exemptions for beef, diamonds, and smartphones further undermine the Administration's stated rationale. These carve-outs make little sense given the Administration's ostensible concern for forced labor. They do, however, begin to make sense when viewed in light of the gifts and campaign contributions flowing to Trump:
* Brazilian beef: Brazilian meatpacking giant JBS's U.S. subsidiary, Pilgrim's Pride, donated $5 million to Trump's inaugural fund--the largest donation from any single company. JBS co-owner Joesley Batista then met privately with Trump in the Oval Office, and the next day Trump announced relief for Brazilian beef imports. The Administration exempted nearly 40 categories of beef and bovine products despite American cattle producers' objections about forced labor in Brazil's cattle sector. Its justification: "the specific direction of the President." The resulting influx threatens to further crush American ranchers already struggling with rising costs.
* Diamonds: Belgium's Antwerp diamond sector presented Trump with a ring featuring no less than 321 natural diamonds, explicitly tying the gift to its trade relationship with the United States. One month later, Trump exempted its diamonds from tariffs. The exemption undercuts the Administration's stated forced-labor rationale: the Department of Labor identifies diamonds as a product of forced or child labor, and American producers already make competing lab-grown diamonds. The gift is unconstitutional and may constitute criminal bribery.
* Smartphones: Tim Cook donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural committee and presented him with a custom gold Apple plaque, while Apple contributed an amount it refuses to disclose to Trump's ballroom. The Administration exempted smartphones imported from China without explaining how that decision advanced its purported campaign against forced labor, despite documented abuses in smartphone manufacturing.
Trump's carve-outs also protect luxury reptile leather, antiques, rare collectibles and AI data centers, in which Trump and his sons reportedly hold substantial investments. While Trump shields his benefactors and personal investments, independent analysts expect his latest tariffs to cost the average American household $820 this year.
"These chaotic and abusive tariffs, like the ones before them, hurt the American people. As the Trump Tariff Discounts plainly reveal, your arbitrary flexing of your tariff authority was never about delivering wins for American businesses and consumers. It was about handing you levers of power that you could maliciously pull to extract exciting concessions for yourself," wrote Ranking Member Raskin.
Ranking Member Raskin is demanding White House and U.S. Trade Representative communications about tariff exemptions, contacts with companies and lobbyists seeking relief, and records of gifts and contributions from those seeking favorable treatment. He also seeks internal records showing whether those financial relationships factored into tariff decisions and requests preservation of all relevant communications.
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INFODOC: https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2026-10-28-raskin-to-trump-wh-re-tariff-carve-outs.pdf
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Original text here: https://democrats-judiciary.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ranking-member-raskin-investigates-trump-s-tariff-exception-grift-american-families-pay-thousands-each-year-so-trump-can-get-richer-selling-special-interest-carve-outs-to-his-own-tariffs
House Democratic Committee Leaders Request Frontier AI Companies Report Misalignment & Safety Incidents to Congress Within 48 Hours
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSida) -- Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-California, ranking member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following news release:
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October 28, 2026
House Democratic Committee Leaders Request Frontier AI Companies Report Misalignment & Safety Incidents to Congress Within 48 Hours
(Washington, DC) - House Democratic Committee leaders with jurisdiction over artificial intelligence wrote to five of the nation's leading frontier AI companies today requesting information and ongoing reporting to Congress about AI model misalignment and safety incidents within
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSida) -- Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-California, ranking member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following news release:
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October 28, 2026
House Democratic Committee Leaders Request Frontier AI Companies Report Misalignment & Safety Incidents to Congress Within 48 Hours
(Washington, DC) - House Democratic Committee leaders with jurisdiction over artificial intelligence wrote to five of the nation's leading frontier AI companies today requesting information and ongoing reporting to Congress about AI model misalignment and safety incidents within48 hours of incident detection. The letters follow an alarming rise in reports of AI models taking unintended and potentially unsafe actions during testing, raising questions about the safety of AI models as well as the adequacy of monitoring and evaluation at the frontier AI companies.
The letters were signed by Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD). Collectively, the three committees have jurisdiction over the development and deployment of AI as well as potential penalties for its misuse.
"In the absence of any mandatory reporting requirements or common guidelines regarding what incidents should be reported, to whom, in what detail, and at what intervals, companies such as yours have been left to develop your own de facto standards on a voluntary basis," Pallone, Lofgren, and Raskin wrote. "And the Trump Administration has been content to rely on voluntary disclosures and self-regulation by the AI industry."
The Democratic Committee leaders continued, "But that approach will not suffice; it relies too heavily on the consistent goodwill of all AI companies to voluntarily disclose incidents that might expose them to liability and reputational damage. While there is no question now that Congress must act to address gaps in AI governance, we must have the best information available to undertake that complicated process in a thoughtful and productive way."
The lawmakers asked each company to provide a full accounting of identified incidents by November 11, 2026. The Democrats also requested the companies notify the committees within 48 hours of discovering any new or previously unknown incidents; and requested notification within 24 hours if critical infrastructure appears to be involved.
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INFODOC: https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2026.10.27-multi-committee-letter-re-ai-incident-reporting-to-anthropic.pdf
INFODOC: https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2026.10.27-multi-committee-letter-re-ai-incident-reporting-to-google.pdf
INFODOC: https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2026.10.27-multi-committee-letter-re-ai-incident-reporting-to-meta.pdf
INFODOC: https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2026.10.27-multi-committee-letter-re-ai-incident-reporting-to-openai.pdf
INFODOC: https://democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/democrats-energycommerce.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2026.10.27-multi-committee-letter-re-ai-incident-reporting-to-spacexsi.pdf
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Original text here: https://democrats-science.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-democratic-committee-leaders-request-frontier-ai-companies-report-misalignment-and-safety-incidents-to-congress-within-48-hours
DHS Bans Imports From Three Chinese Genomic Companies Because of Their Ties to Forced Labor
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party, issued the following news release:
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DHS Bans Imports From Three Chinese Genomic Companies Because of Their Ties to Forced Labor
October 28, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new ban on imports from three Chinese genomic companies because of the companies' ties to forced labor in Xinjiang, where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is committing a genocide of the Uyghurs. Known collectively
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party, issued the following news release:
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DHS Bans Imports From Three Chinese Genomic Companies Because of Their Ties to Forced Labor
October 28, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new ban on imports from three Chinese genomic companies because of the companies' ties to forced labor in Xinjiang, where the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is committing a genocide of the Uyghurs. Known collectivelyas the BGI Group, BGI Genomics Co. Ltd, MGI Tech Co Ltd., and Shenzhen BGI Technology Co Ltd. are the newest additions to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List.
"BGI is China's state-controlled DNA collection company and a national security threat to the American people. Thanks to Secretary Mullin and the Trump Administration for stepping up and stopping this company's products from being imported into the United States," said Chairman John Moolenaar of the Select Committee on China. "The CCP's genocide of the Uyghurs is one of the Party's many human rights abuses and BGI's use of forced labor must never corrupt our markets. This announcement is also a reminder that American pharmaceutical companies should stop doing clinical trials in Xinjiang, because of the significant concerns about ethics and data integrity of the data."
Background
In June, BGI was added to the Pentagon's 1260H list with dozens of other Chinese companies. "Thanks to the bipartisan BIOSECURE Act that was signed into law in December, Americans' medical data will be protected from BGI and Wuxi Apptec, two malicious Chinese biotech companies that enable the PLA's biological experimentation," said Moolenaar at the time.
The same month, Moolenaar sent letters to AbbVie, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Merck, Lilly, and Pfizer probing each company for more information about their drug development operations in Xinjiang.
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Original text here: https://chinaselectcommittee.house.gov/media/press-releases/dhs-bans-imports-from-three-chinese-genomic-companies-because-of-their-ties-to-forced-labor
Congresswoman Nikema Williams Condemns Trump's Continued Effort to Remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSida) -- Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Georgia, issued the following news release:
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Congresswoman Nikema Williams Condemns Trump's Continued Effort to Remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
Oct 28, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) led 11 Congressional colleagues in a letter condemning President Trump's October 7 memorandum establishing a "committee of inquiry" to investigate allegations that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook made false statements about her mortgages. The letter also calls for the cancellation of her November 5 hearing.
Trump
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (TNSida) -- Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Georgia, issued the following news release:
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Congresswoman Nikema Williams Condemns Trump's Continued Effort to Remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
Oct 28, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) led 11 Congressional colleagues in a letter condemning President Trump's October 7 memorandum establishing a "committee of inquiry" to investigate allegations that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook made false statements about her mortgages. The letter also calls for the cancellation of her November 5 hearing.
Trumppreviously sought to fire Cook over unproven allegations of mortgage fraud. Ultimately, in a 5-4 decision earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled Trump could not immediately remove her.
Lisa Cook is the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, an HBCU-educated economist, and a native Atlantan. She is a qualified governor whose unparalleled perspective has informed how we have navigated the Trump economy.
The Members wrote:
"We condemn your decision to convene this so-called "committee of inquiry" to examine the allegations against Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. We are concerned that this "committee of inquiry" is designed with a predetermined goal, given it is comprised solely of three participants whom you appointed to your administration, and whom have allegiances to you. This sham committee demonstrates your effort to fire Governor Cook at any cost, without legitimate cause. There is nothing impartial about that, and no one is fooled. We urge you to call off your effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook."
"We urge you to rescind your October 7 memorandum and cancel the November 5 hearing. If you believe there is cause to remove Governor Cook, put the evidence before an independent arbitrator agreed to by both sides, in a proceeding open to the public and the press. If your case is as strong as you claim, it will withstand scrutiny from someone you do not control."
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INFODOC: https://d12t4t5x3vyizu.cloudfront.net/nikemawilliams.house.gov/uploads/2026/10/Congressional-Letter-on-Governor-Lisa-Cook-Inquiry.pdf
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Original text here: https://nikemawilliams.house.gov/posts/congresswoman-nikema-williams-condemns-trumps-continued-effort-to-remove-federal-reserve-governor-lisa-cook
Congressman Matt Van Epps, Governor Lee, and Members of the Tennessee Delegation Urge President Trump to Establish New U.S. Space Academy in Tennessee
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release:
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Congressman Matt Van Epps, Governor Lee, and Members of the Tennessee Delegation Urge President Trump to establish New U.S. Space Academy in Tennessee
October 28, 2026
NASHVILLE, TN - Rep. Van Epps, Governor Lee, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, and Rep. Scott DesJarlais announced Tennessee's intention to pursue having the United States Space Academy in the Volunteer State. The initiative, established by President Donald J. Trump to strengthen America's space superiority, presents an
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release:
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Congressman Matt Van Epps, Governor Lee, and Members of the Tennessee Delegation Urge President Trump to establish New U.S. Space Academy in Tennessee
October 28, 2026
NASHVILLE, TN - Rep. Van Epps, Governor Lee, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, and Rep. Scott DesJarlais announced Tennessee's intention to pursue having the United States Space Academy in the Volunteer State. The initiative, established by President Donald J. Trump to strengthen America's space superiority, presents anopportunity to build on Tennessee's existing strengths and prepare the next generation of leaders for America's future in space.
Rep. Van Epps said, "Tennessee offers readily available land, world-class aerospace testing infrastructure, an established academic partner, and a strong network of space, defense, and research institutions. These assets uniquely position Tennessee to serve as the home of the United States Space Academy. As a West Point graduate, I understand the importance of world-class institutions to educate, train, and commission officers for our service branches. I'm confident Tennessee is the best place to equip our armed forces to conduct effective space operations and secure our national security interests in space."
Governor Lee stated, "Someone has to determine what the future looks like, and I've long believed that should be Tennessee. From leading the nation in clean, reliable nuclear energy to developing the workforce needed to win the future, the Volunteer State is already leading the next era of American innovation. I'm grateful to President Trump for his leadership to establish the United States Space Academy and to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and the Presidential Commission for their work to bring this vision to life. We look forward to building on our momentum to create new job opportunities for Tennesseans and strengthen America's leadership in space for generations to come."
Senator Marsha Blackburn said, "From Arnold Air Force Base to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee has powered our nation's space and defense enterprise for generations, making us the natural home for the U.S. Space Academy. I am honored to stand with Governor Lee behind our state's bid to educate and train the next generation of astronauts, engineers, scientists, and warfighters who will keep America dominant in space."
Senator Bill Hagerty said, "Tennessee has the workforce, infrastructure, and determination needed to train the next generation of American space leaders and strengthen our nation's future in space. I am pleased to stand with Governor Lee as we pursue bringing the United States Space Academy to the Volunteer State."
Congressman Scott DesJarlais stated, "I'm pleased to join with Governor Lee in letting folks know about the great potential for Tennessee to be the home of the United States Space Academy. Tennessee has a great academic reputation in aerospace, science, and engineering, and the University of Tennessee Space Institute has been a national leader in developing these skills for years. With UTSI and Arnold Air Force Base, and a significant number of our citizens already commuting and working in the defense and aerospace sectors in Huntsville--the new home of the United States Space Force--there is a natural synergy, educational and technical experience, and geographical advantage to our state that would make it a natural fit for the academy."
Background:
Read Rep. Van Epps' joint op-ed with Rep. Mike Haridopolis on America's leadership in space here (https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/nasa-68-america-must-lead-moon-mars-beyond-or-china-will).
Read Rep. Van Epps' press release on NASA's reauthorization here (https://vanepps.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-van-epps-celebrates-the-advancement-of-the-nasa-reauthorization-act-of-2026-out-of-the-science-space-and-technology-committee).
Read Governor Lee's press release here (https://www.tn.gov/governor/news/2026/10/28/gov--lee-announces-tennessee-s-pursuit-of-united-states-space-academy.html).
Read more about the announcement in the Tennessean (https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/other/gov-lee-pitches-tennessee-as-home-of-future-space-academy-see-where/ar-AA2ggaKJ?ocid=BingNewsSerp) and the Chattanooga Free Press (https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/oct/28/tennessee-wants-to-host-new-us-space-academy-in-coffee-county/).
Read President Trump's announcement here (https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/08/establishing-the-united-states-space-academy/).
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Original text here: https://vanepps.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-matt-van-epps-governor-lee-and-members-of-the-tennessee-delegation-urge-president-trump-to-establish-new-us-space-academy-in-tennessee
Boyle Statement on October 2026 Fed Interest Rate Decision
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pennsylvania, ranking member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following news release:
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Boyle Statement on October 2026 Fed Interest Rate Decision
October 28, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced it would be maintaining the current interest rate target range:
"President Trump says he doesn't 'give a damn' about Americans struggling to afford gas because his friends in
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 -- Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pennsylvania, ranking member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following news release:
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Boyle Statement on October 2026 Fed Interest Rate Decision
October 28, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) announced it would be maintaining the current interest rate target range:
"President Trump says he doesn't 'give a damn' about Americans struggling to afford gas because his friends inthe oil industry are 'making a frickin fortune.' Once again, American families are paying the price so Trump and his enablers in Congress can make billionaires and big corporations even richer.
In just two years, Republicans have slashed health care to fund tax breaks for billionaires, imposed massive new tariff taxes on working people, and dragged us into another reckless forever war. The Trump-Republican agenda has ruined our economy."
For more information on the Trump-Republican 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-october-2026-fed-interest-rate-decision
