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You want to join a clinical trial. What to know about the hurdles

You want to join a clinical trial. What to know about the hurdles

HHS began an effort to streamline clinical research, and legislation is pending in Congress. But patients and providers face participation challenges.
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Immigrant Rights Group Urges Congresswoman De La Cruz to Sign Petition for Dreamers' Citizenship Bill

Immigrant Rights Group Urges Congresswoman De La Cruz to Sign Petition for Dreamers' Citizenship Bill

A Rio Grande Valley immigrant rights organization, La Union Del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), is actively campaigning to gather support for a discharge petition aimed at advancing the American Dream and Promise Act to the U.S. House floor. This proposed legislation, introduced in 2025 by a Houston representative, seeks to establish a pathway to lawful permanent residence for eligible Dreamers and recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The petition currently requires 218 signatures from U.S. representatives to force a vote, and it is presently eight votes short of this threshold. Two representatives from the Valley, Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, both Democrats, have already signed. LUPE is now specifically urging Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz, a Republican, to add her signature, which would significantly move the petition closer to its goal. DACA recipient Karla Salaya, who has lived in the U.S. since age 10 and works as a nurse, shared her experience of persistent uncertainty despite her DACA stat...
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Congressional Leaders Push Campus Lifeline Act to Enhance Student Mental Health Support

Congressional Leaders Push Campus Lifeline Act to Enhance Student Mental Health Support

The Campus Lifeline Act, a bipartisan initiative, is gaining traction in Congress as a significant step towards improving mental health support for students across the United States. Introduced on May 4, the bill aims to address the high suicide rates among young people aged 15 to 34 by mandating the inclusion of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student IDs at public institutions nationwide. Additionally, it seeks to expand the Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Program to fund student-led mental health initiatives. The bill is supported by a coalition of lawmakers, including Senators David McCormick, Maggie Hassan, and Tim Kaine, as well as Representatives Erin Houchin, Lori Trahan, David Valadao, and Mark Pocan. The initiative is driven by Active Minds, a nonprofit organization focused on transforming mental health norms among youth.
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Congressman Stutzman Proposes Legislation to Limit Use of Surveillance Cameras

Congressman Stutzman Proposes Legislation to Limit Use of Surveillance Cameras

Rep. Marlin Stutzman, a Republican Congressman from Indiana, is advocating for legislation to restrict the use of Flock Safety's automated license plate readers. This move comes after Stutzman was tracked to his home by police using these cameras during a traffic stop. Stutzman criticized the widespread use of these surveillance systems, arguing that they represent an overreach of government surveillance and infringe on privacy rights. He is collaborating with other lawmakers to draft a bill that would impose strict limitations on the deployment and use of such technology. The initiative reflects growing national opposition to automated license plate readers, which are increasingly seen as tools of mass surveillance.
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Florida Congressman Introduces 'Dollar-for-Dollar' Act to Curb Federal Spending

Florida Congressman Introduces 'Dollar-for-Dollar' Act to Curb Federal Spending

U.S. Representative Greg Steube from Florida has introduced the 'Dollar-for-Dollar Deficit Reduction Act' in Congress. The legislation mandates that any increase or suspension of the national debt limit must be matched by equivalent or greater spending cuts over the current fiscal year and the next decade. The bill aims to address what Steube describes as reckless federal spending, which he argues burdens future generations. A companion bill is being led in the Senate by Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming. The proposed legislation also includes procedural hurdles to prevent debt-limit legislation from advancing without corresponding spending cuts.
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Trump administration accuses hospitals of improper billing over gender care for minors

Trump administration accuses hospitals of improper billing over gender care for minors

By Amina Niasse NEW YORK, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The U.S.
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Rep. Josh Gottheimer Warns of Cyber Threats to U.S. Water Systems, Proposes Legislative Action

Rep. Josh Gottheimer Warns of Cyber Threats to U.S. Water Systems, Proposes Legislative Action

Rep. Josh Gottheimer has raised alarms about a series of cyberattacks targeting water systems in New Jersey and across the United States. These attacks have been linked to Iranian-backed hackers who recently targeted systems in South Jersey's Cape May and Woodbine. The hackers managed to disable critical monitoring and management systems, although local operators quickly switched to manual systems to prevent any disruption in water operations. In response, Gottheimer is introducing bipartisan legislation aimed at providing small and midsized towns with free access to AI models to enhance their cybersecurity defenses. He is also calling for federal intervention to provide technical assistance to affected utilities.
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U.S. Senate Committee Advances READ Act to Enhance Literacy Education

U.S. Senate Committee Advances READ Act to Enhance Literacy Education

The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions has advanced the Reading Excellence and Achievement for Development (READ) Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at improving literacy education. The bill, proposed by Senator Bill Cassidy and co-sponsored by Senators including Maggie Hassan, seeks to align literacy instruction with the science of reading. It mandates that states receiving federal literacy grants adhere to evidence-based reading practices, aiming to address declining literacy rates among students.
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Representatives Langworthy and Schrier Introduce FLOWS Act to Modernize Hydropower Permitting

Representatives Langworthy and Schrier Introduce FLOWS Act to Modernize Hydropower Permitting

U.S. Representatives Nick Langworthy, R-23, and Kim Schrier, D-08, have introduced the Fair Licensing for Operations of Water Structures (FLOWS) Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to modernize the federal permitting process for hydropower projects by eliminating unnecessary regulatory burdens and streamlining approvals for routine maintenance. The act seeks to support the next generation of American water energy technologies by reducing delays and costs associated with outdated federal regulations. The FLOWS Act would exempt routine maintenance and non-substantial alterations at existing hydropower facilities from requiring prior Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval, while preserving environmental protections and dam safety oversight.
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NABS Seeks Federal Lobbying Firm for Indian Boarding School Policies Act Advocacy

NABS Seeks Federal Lobbying Firm for Indian Boarding School Policies Act Advocacy

The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS) is seeking a federal lobbying firm to support its advocacy efforts for the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Representatives Tom Cole and Sharice Davids, and co-sponsored in the Senate by Lisa Murkowski and Brian Schatz, aims to establish a commission to investigate the impacts of federal Indian boarding school policies. The commission would work towards truth, education, and healing for Native communities affected by these policies.
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Bipartisan AI Cyber Defense Act Introduced to Protect U.S. Water Systems from Cyberattacks

Bipartisan AI Cyber Defense Act Introduced to Protect U.S. Water Systems from Cyberattacks

U.S. Representative Josh Gottheimer has announced a bipartisan initiative aimed at bolstering the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure, particularly water systems, following recent cyberattacks in New Jersey and other states. The initiative includes the introduction of the AI Cyber Defense Act, co-sponsored by Democratic Representative Hilary Scholten of Michigan and others, which seeks to provide critical infrastructure operators with advanced AI tools to enhance cybersecurity. The legislation is part of a broader Critical Infrastructure Security Plan that also includes the Securing Our Critical Infrastructure Act. This plan aims to establish a rapid-response service within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to assist small and medium-sized utilities during cyber threats. The initiative responds to vulnerabilities in smaller utilities, which often lack dedicated cybersecurity personnel and rely on outdated infrastructure.
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Senator Elizabeth Warren Collaborates with Republicans on Housing Legislation

Senator Elizabeth Warren Collaborates with Republicans on Housing Legislation

Senator Elizabeth Warren, known for her progressive policies, has been working with conservative Republicans to pass significant legislation. Over the past year, Warren partnered with Senator Tim Scott to pass a bill aimed at increasing the U.S. housing supply. This bipartisan effort resulted in the Road to Housing Act, which passed the Senate with an 85-5 vote and became law in July. The legislation combines Warren's priorities, such as curbing corporate home buying, with Scott's focus on reducing regulatory red tape. Warren has also collaborated with other Republicans, including Senator Josh Hawley, on measures to limit stock buybacks by defense contractors and with Senator Bernie Moreno on social security reforms.