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Rep. Lloyd Smucker Supports Bipartisan Bill on Data Center Energy Costs

Rep. Lloyd Smucker Supports Bipartisan Bill on Data Center Energy Costs

Rep. Lloyd Smucker, representing Pennsylvania's 11th district, has publicly supported and voted for the bipartisan Ratepayer Protection Act, H.R. 9340. This legislation, which passed the House with a vote of 417-3, aims to prevent families and small businesses from bearing the infrastructure costs associated with new data center development. The bill mandates that state utility commissions consider standards for data centers consuming over 100 megawatts of power. These standards would require data centers to cover the incremental costs for necessary upgrades to generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. Rep. Smucker emphasized that data centers should 'pay their own way' rather than shifting these significant energy costs onto existing ratepayers. This move comes as part of broader efforts to address fiscal challenges, with Smucker also highlighting the nation's unsustainable fiscal trajectory and over $40 trillion in debt.

Representative Houlahan Introduces Protect Our Polls Act, Raises Concerns Over Federal Troop Deployment at Elections

Representative Houlahan Introduces Protect Our Polls Act, Raises Concerns Over Federal Troop Deployment at Elections

Representative Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania has introduced the Protect Our Polls Act, a legislative measure designed to require congressional approval for the deployment of armed forces at U.S. polling places. The bill stipulates that such deployments would only be authorized if deemed necessary and if state and local authorities are unable to manage the perceived threat independently. Representative Houlahan emphasized that this legislation is a response to concerns about the potential deployment of federal forces during upcoming November elections, underscoring the critical importance of safeguarding the right to vote. In a separate but related context, Representative Houlahan has also been involved in discussions regarding significant budget cuts to programs such as SNAP, Medicare, and Medicaid, which have reportedly resulted in millions of individuals losing health insurance coverage. These discussions highlight broader debates within Congress concerning federal spending and social welfare programs...

House Ways and Means Committee Advances Buchanan Bill to Expand Medicare Coverage for Early Alzheimer’s Detection

House Ways and Means Committee Advances Buchanan Bill to Expand Medicare Coverage for Early Alzheimer’s Detection

The House Ways and Means Committee has unanimously advanced the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act (H.R. 6130), co-led by Congressman Vern Buchanan and Congressman Paul Tonko. This legislation aims to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved or cleared blood-based biomarker tests for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Under current law, Medicare's coverage for preventive services is limited to those specifically authorized by Congress or recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which can cause significant delays in access to new screening technologies. Congressman Buchanan emphasized that early detection is crucial for families to have more time to plan and seek preventative care. The bill is supported by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement and has garnered 215 bipartisan cosponsors in the House. Companion legislation has also been introduced in the Senate by Senators Susan Collins and Catherine Cortez Masto...

Representative Glenn Grothman Addresses Oral Chemotherapy Affordability in House Oversight Hearing

Representative Glenn Grothman Addresses Oral Chemotherapy Affordability in House Oversight Hearing

Representative Glenn Grothman, serving as Chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, led a hearing on September 15, 2026, titled 'Unequal Treatment: Addressing the Drivers of Unaffordability for Oral Chemotherapy.' The hearing focused on the disparity in out-of-pocket costs for oral versus intravenous chemotherapy treatments. Chairman Grothman's opening remarks highlighted the significant role of insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in the oral-drug supply chain. He argued that current benefit designs, pharmacy networks, and utilization-management rules often lead to high out-of-pocket costs and treatment delays for patients. The witness panel, comprising representatives from oncology practices, academic cancer care, and patient advocacy, discussed the financial and administrative hurdles patients face in accessing oral cancer medicines. The discussion explored how pharmacy-benefit coverage can differ from medical-benefit coverage for infused drugs, and how...

Rep. Brad Knott Co-Sponsors Bipartisan 'Right to Worship Act' to Protect Houses of Worship

Rep. Brad Knott Co-Sponsors Bipartisan 'Right to Worship Act' to Protect Houses of Worship

Rep. Brad Knott (R-NC) has co-sponsored the 'Right to Worship Act' alongside Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), a bipartisan legislative effort aimed at safeguarding houses of worship from disruptions. The proposed bill seeks to establish a 100-foot protest-free buffer zone around religious establishments during services, making it unlawful to knowingly impede or disrupt individuals attending worship. Knott emphasized that the legislation is designed to balance potentially conflicting elements of the First Amendment, specifically the rights to free speech and religious worship. He stated that the right to worship is currently under attack across the country. The bill has garnered significant support from over 30 national religious organizations, including Hindu, Sikh, and Jewish groups, who rallied at Capitol Hill to advocate for its passage. This initiative builds upon Suozzi's earlier 'Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption (SACRED) Act' introduced in April, with the 'Righ...

Senate Agriculture Committee Advances New Five-Year Farm Bill

Senate Agriculture Committee Advances New Five-Year Farm Bill

The Senate Agriculture Committee has advanced a new five-year Farm Bill following a 12-11 vote. According to Senator Chuck Grassley's office, the legislation aims to bolster the farm safety net and channel investments into rural communities. This initiative is designed to provide stability for the agricultural economy and enhance America's long-term competitive standing. A key provision within the bill authorizes the permanent, year-round sale of E15 fuel, which Senator Grassley stated would lead to lower gas prices for consumers and an increase in domestic corn demand. The bill now proceeds to the full Senate for further consideration. During the committee process, attempts were made to amend the bill, including one by Senator Joni Ernst regarding Prop 12 language, which was denied. Senator Grassley also expressed a desire to add an amendment concerning the Packers and Stockyards Act. Opposition was noted regarding the nutrition component of the bill, with Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar raising concerns abo...

House Democrats Introduce Bill to Prohibit Wage Garnishment for Medical Debt

House Democrats Introduce Bill to Prohibit Wage Garnishment for Medical Debt

Three House Democrats, including Representative Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-Va.), ranking member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, have introduced legislation aimed at prohibiting wage garnishment for medical debt nationwide. The "Protecting Workers’ Wages from Medical Debt Act" was co-sponsored by Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Representative Greg Casar (D-Texas). The proposed bill seeks to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, explicitly stating that an employee's wages cannot be garnished for the payment of any medical debt. It would also prevent federal or state courts, officers, or agencies from enforcing orders that violate this prohibition. The legislation defines garnishment as any legal or equitable procedure requiring wage withholding for medical debt and medical debt as debt from healthcare services or facilities. The measure is intended to take effect six months after its enactment. Currently, federal law limits weekly garnishment to 25% of disposable earnings or ...

Representative Kevin Hern Co-Authors Bill to Increase Medicare Spending Transparency

Representative Kevin Hern Co-Authors Bill to Increase Medicare Spending Transparency

Representatives Aaron Bean (R-FL) and Kevin Hern (R-OK) have co-authored H.R. 4093, the “Apples to Apples Comparison Act of 2025.” This proposed legislation aims to mandate the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to release more comprehensive data regarding Medicare expenditures and utilization. The objective is to enable policymakers and beneficiaries to more accurately compare the costs associated with traditional fee-for-service Medicare plans against those of private Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Currently, Medicare spending exceeds $1.2 trillion annually, with over half of all Medicare beneficiaries opting for coverage through MA plans. The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) has expressed support for this bill, highlighting its potential to strengthen transparency for both beneficiaries and taxpayers. The bill is slated for consideration before the House Committee on Ways and Means on September 16, 2026.

Gas prices debate continues in Congress. Can Washington lower costs?

Gas prices debate continues in Congress. Can Washington lower costs?

Lawmakers in Washington are trading blame for high gas prices with Trump administration officials. Here's what Washington can do to lower pump prices.

Representative Glenn Grothman Addresses Oral Chemotherapy Unaffordability in House Hearing

Representative Glenn Grothman Addresses Oral Chemotherapy Unaffordability in House Hearing

Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Chairman Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) recently led a hearing titled “Unequal Treatment: Addressing the Drivers of Unaffordability for Oral Chemotherapy.” During the hearing, Grothman highlighted how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and health insurers significantly influence the pricing of oral chemotherapy medications, rendering them unaffordable for many Americans. He noted that PBMs have generated billions by marking up these drugs by hundreds and even thousands of percent when sold through their owned pharmacies. Furthermore, PBMs often delay patient care through practices like 'fail first' step therapy. Grothman emphasized that while 43 states have enacted laws to ensure equal treatment for oral and IV chemotherapy, these state-level regulations do not apply to employer-sponsored health plans due to federal preemption. To address this gap, Grothman reintroduced the bipartisan Cancer Drug Parity Act (H.R. 4101), which aims to prevent health plans from charg...

Republican senator faults Trump vaccine policy for US measles deaths as panel weighs health nominees

Republican senator faults Trump vaccine policy for US measles deaths as panel weighs health nominees

By Ahmed Aboulenein WASHINGTON, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The Republican chairman of the U.S.

Representatives Sewell and Castor Introduce Legislation to Extend Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Program

Representatives Sewell and Castor Introduce Legislation to Extend Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Program

U.S. Representatives Terri Sewell (D-Alabama) and Kathy Castor (D-Florida) have introduced the Affordable Premiums for Seniors Act. This legislation aims to extend the Medicare Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration through 2029. The program, implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2025, was designed to limit premium increases for stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans. It provided additional federal subsidies and capped annual premium hikes as insurers adjusted to changes under the Inflation Reduction Act, which shifted a greater share of prescription drug costs to Part D plans. The Trump administration announced in July that it would terminate this demonstration after 2026, citing that Part D insurers had gained sufficient experience with the redesigned benefit to support their pricing assumptions. Sewell's office, citing the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, stated that the demonstration reduced beneficiaries' premiums by an average of $312 in 2026. The propose...