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Congressman Jack Bergman Introduces SMILE for Veterans Act to Expand Dental Care Access for Rural Veterans

Congressman Jack Bergman Introduces SMILE for Veterans Act to Expand Dental Care Access for Rural Veterans

Congressman Jack Bergman, representing Michigan's Upper Peninsula, along with three House colleagues, has introduced the SMILE for Veterans Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to establish a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program designed to reimburse community-based dental providers for services rendered to rural veterans. Currently, only about 15% of the nearly nine million veterans enrolled in VA healthcare are eligible for VA dental services, with eligibility typically restricted to those with a service-connected dental condition, a 100% disability rating, or former prisoner-of-war status. The proposed act seeks to bridge this gap by utilizing existing local dental providers, thereby offering a practical solution to the limited access to dental care for veterans in rural communities. The initiative is supported by organizations such as AMVETS, the National Rural Health Association, and the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. A 2024 study funded by the CareQuest Institute highlighted signi...

Senator Duckworth Demands Rejection of President Trump's Proposed Military Complex Near Reagan Airport

Senator Duckworth Demands Rejection of President Trump's Proposed Military Complex Near Reagan Airport

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is urging the Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reject President Trump's proposal to convert a triumphal arch into a 'top grade Military Complex.' This complex, intended to be equipped with snipers and capable of storing, launching, and landing drones, would be situated within the flight path of Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport. Senator Duckworth, a former Army helicopter pilot, argues that this plan poses significant safety risks to the already congested airspace around the airport. She has sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, criticizing the administration for focusing on this project while allegedly neglecting crucial safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following a midair collision in January 2025. The FAA had previously determined that the 250-foot arch, under construction near Arlington National Cemetery, poses no hazard to flights, b...

Powerball jackpot now $360 million. See winning numbers for Sept. 26

Powerball jackpot now $360 million. See winning numbers for Sept. 26

Powerball's jackpot rose to an estimated $360 million ahead of the next drawing on Saturday, Sept. 26.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood Introduces Bill to Combat Veteran Suicide Rates

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood Introduces Bill to Combat Veteran Suicide Rates

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Naperville) has introduced the Lethal Means Safety Training Act in Congress, a bill designed to reduce suicide rates among veterans. The proposed legislation aims to expand training for all Veterans Affairs (VA) employees who regularly interact with veterans, focusing on practices that limit access to lethal items or other means of self-harm. Currently, only clinical healthcare providers within Veterans Health Administration facilities are mandated to receive such training. If passed, the bill would also make this critical training accessible to community care providers and family caregivers. This initiative was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and co-sponsored by fellow Democratic U.S. Representatives Julia Brownley and Mike Levin, both from California. The introduction of this bill coincides with September, which is recognized as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, highlighting the urgency and importance of addressing veteran suicide.

Lawmakers Introduce SMILE for Veterans Act to Expand Rural Dental Care Access

Lawmakers Introduce SMILE for Veterans Act to Expand Rural Dental Care Access

Reps. Jack Bergman, Jeff Van Drew, Don Davis, and Jared Golden have co-introduced the SMILE for Veterans Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at improving dental care access for rural veterans. This proposed legislation seeks to establish a pilot program within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that would reimburse community dental providers for services rendered to veterans in rural areas. The initiative is designed to address significant barriers such as distance, cost, and eligibility that currently prevent many rural veterans from receiving necessary dental care. Instead of creating new federal infrastructure, the bill leverages existing local providers to deliver care. The measure has garnered support from several organizations, including AMVETS, the National Rural Health Association, and the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. A survey conducted in rural Michigan highlighted that many veterans experience fair or poor oral health, lack dental insurance, and have gone long periods without dental visits,...

Bipartisan Congressional Group Introduces Federal Tax Credit for Film and TV Productions

Bipartisan Congressional Group Introduces Federal Tax Credit for Film and TV Productions

Bipartisan Congressional Group Introduces Federal Tax Credit for Film and TV Productions

Oracle CEO to Testify Before House Lawmakers Regarding VA Hospital Technology Delays

Oracle CEO to Testify Before House Lawmakers Regarding VA Hospital Technology Delays

Oracle Corp. CEO Mike Sicilia has agreed to appear before House lawmakers in November to address significant and costly delays in the installation of new technology within Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals. This development comes as concerns mount over the modernization efforts of the VA's healthcare system, which relies on advanced technological infrastructure to provide efficient and effective care to veterans. The testimony will focus on understanding the root causes of these delays and identifying solutions to expedite the implementation process. The Department of Veterans Affairs has been undertaking a major initiative to upgrade its electronic health record system, a complex and large-scale project aimed at improving patient care coordination and data management across its extensive network of hospitals and clinics. The involvement of a major technology provider like Oracle in such a critical government project underscores the importance of timely and successful execution.

Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act to Boost U.S. Creative Economy

Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act to Boost U.S. Creative Economy

Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Motion Picture, Television, and Entertainment Revitalization Act to Boost U.S. Creative Economy

Reps. Peters and Miller-Meeks Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Permanently Authorize EPA's Safer Choice Program

Reps. Peters and Miller-Meeks Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Permanently Authorize EPA's Safer Choice Program

U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) have introduced the Safer Choice Program Authorization Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to formally codify and strengthen the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safer Choice Program. The program provides a voluntary framework for producers to assess the human health, environmental, and economic impacts of chemicals and technologies used in their products, helping consumers identify safer alternatives. Despite its role in promoting safer chemistry, the Safer Choice Program has never been formally authorized by Congress. The proposed act seeks to make the program permanent, ensuring rigorous, science-based standards for participating products, strengthening protections against conflicts of interest in product reviews, and maintaining the EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredients List. Additionally, it supports transparency, stakeholder engagement, and public access to information about safer products. The legislation has garnered s...

VA's Turnaround Offers Playbook for Improved Government Services, Niskanen Center Reports

VA's Turnaround Offers Playbook for Improved Government Services, Niskanen Center Reports

A new report by the Niskanen Center, a Washington think tank, highlights the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a case study for how government agencies can improve service delivery. The report argues that the VA's recovery from a scandal involving long wait times at its Phoenix health system a decade ago provides a playbook for other agencies. By prioritizing accountability, ownership, and execution in services like claims processing and appointment scheduling, the VA increased veteran trust by 25% between 2016 and 2024. The reforms have enabled the agency to process over 3.5 million claims related to the PACT Act, which expanded healthcare and benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances.

Senator John Boozman Indicates Farm Bill Action Likely Delayed Until Lame-Duck Session

Senator John Boozman Indicates Farm Bill Action Likely Delayed Until Lame-Duck Session

U.S. Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman has indicated that a Senate floor vote for the 2026 Farm Bill is unlikely to occur before the November midterm elections. This sentiment is echoed by Gary Adams, CEO of the National Cotton Council, who notes the bill is not currently on the Senate's floor calendar. Both Boozman and Adams suggest that action on the Farm Bill will likely be pushed into the lame-duck session following the elections. Boozman is urging leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to utilize the upcoming recess for continued negotiations. The goal is to build a comprehensive package that can secure passage in both chambers of Congress before the end of the year. The timing of the lame-duck session's effectiveness for the Farm Bill may largely depend on the outcomes of the November midterm elections, according to Adams.

Representatives Jayapal and Larsen, and Senator Markey, Reintroduce Legislation to Expand Workforce Opportunities for Communities Impacted by Subst...

Representatives Jayapal and Larsen, and Senator Markey, Reintroduce Legislation to Expand Workforce Opportunities for Communities Impacted by Subst...

Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Rick Larsen (WA-02), alongside Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), have announced the reintroduction of the Workforce Opportunities for Communities in Recovery Act. This legislation aims to strengthen and expand grants for community partnerships that facilitate employment opportunities for individuals in recovery from substance use and support communities affected by widespread substance use. The announcement was made in recognition of National Recovery Month. Congresswoman Jayapal emphasized that the bill directly addresses the link between addiction, substance use, economic instability, and the shortage of behavioral health professionals. The proposed act seeks to invest in local organizations that assist those impacted by substance use in gaining employment and encourage more individuals to enter the behavioral health field. Senator Markey highlighted the importance of helping people in recovery overcome employment barriers, especially as families face economi...