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Congressman Moran Hosts Roundtable on Fostering the Future Act to Support Foster Youth

Congressman Moran Hosts Roundtable on Fostering the Future Act to Support Foster Youth

Congressman Nathaniel Moran recently convened a roundtable in Tyler, Texas, bringing together foster care groups and advocates to discuss the Fostering the Future Act. This proposed legislation aims to reform the federal John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood, which currently serves foster youth aged 14 to 21. The bill, which passed the U.S. House in May and is now awaiting Senate consideration, seeks to increase education training vouchers from $5,000 annually to $12,000. Additionally, the Fostering the Future Act would broaden the permissible uses of these vouchers to include workforce training and apprenticeships. Moran emphasized that the best ideas for such programs often originate from local individuals directly involved in supporting these children. Local advocates, such as Christi Sowell from The Fostering Collective, highlighted that while increased funding is crucial, access and utilization remain significant challenges, noting that over $1 million in Texas went...
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Congress Delays Federal Hemp Ban, President Trump Urged to Sign Bill

Congress Delays Federal Hemp Ban, President Trump Urged to Sign Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill to delay the federal hemp ban until December 11. This legislation, which was included in a Continuing Resolution, now awaits President Trump’s signature. The ban, which would affect most hemp-derived THC products, was originally scheduled to take effect on November 12. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) announced that the House passed the Senate’s bipartisan bill, which incorporates her provision to delay the ban. This provision is based on the bipartisan Hemp Planting Predictability Act, which Senator Klobuchar introduced with Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). The Senate had previously rejected an attempt to remove the hemp ban delay from the bill.
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Congress Extends Federal Funding, Agricultural Groups Urge Long-Term Farm Bill

Congress Extends Federal Funding, Agricultural Groups Urge Long-Term Farm Bill

The U.S. Congress has approved a temporary funding measure to keep the federal government operational through December 11, thereby averting an immediate government shutdown. This continuing resolution garnered significant bipartisan support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. While this extension provides short-term stability for government services, agricultural organizations are emphasizing that critical issues facing farmers remain unaddressed. Groups like the National Wheat Growers Association (NAWG) highlight ongoing economic challenges for producers, including unpredictable commodity prices, rising production costs, and intense global competition, which are impacting farm profitability and financial stability in rural areas.
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Congressman Mark Harris Advocates for Constitutional Amendment to Maintain Nine Supreme Court Justices

Congressman Mark Harris Advocates for Constitutional Amendment to Maintain Nine Supreme Court Justices

Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) delivered remarks on the House floor in support of H.J. Res. 1, a proposed constitutional amendment. This legislation aims to mandate that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices. According to Congressman Harris, this action is crucial for upholding the Court's legitimacy, protecting the system of checks and balances, and safeguarding the fundamental freedoms and rights of all Americans, irrespective of the political party in power. He highlighted a growing concern over calls to 'pack the Court' from those dissatisfied with its ideological balance, arguing that such efforts are not about ethical principles or individual rights but rather about consolidating power and intimidating the judiciary. Harris emphasized that the founders established an independent Supreme Court as a vital safeguard for liberty, and its role is to uphold the Constitution and protect freedom, even when it means standing against popular sentiment.
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Congressman Tony Wied Faces Scrutiny Over Taxpayer-Funded Ads Supporting President Trump's Tax Plan

Congressman Tony Wied Faces Scrutiny Over Taxpayer-Funded Ads Supporting President Trump's Tax Plan

Congressman Tony Wied is facing questions regarding his use of taxpayer funds for TV and digital advertisements, which have reportedly cost over $100,000. These ads, which support President Trump’s working-class tax plan, are permissible under the franking privilege. This privilege allows members of the U.S. House and Senate to use a portion of their budget for communicating with constituents. Wied's opponent, Democrat Rick Crosson, criticized the spending, noting that Wied has substantial campaign funds available but chose to use taxpayer money. Aidan Strongreen, a spokesperson for Rep. Tony Wied, defended the practice, stating that franked communications are a vital method for Members of Congress to directly inform constituents about their work in Washington, such as achievements in tax cuts, without media bias. The ads are subject to restrictions and require approval from a bipartisan congressional committee. Lawrence University Professor of Government Arnold Shober explained that these ads can discuss ...
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Congresswoman Carol Miller Introduces Bipartisan 'We Can’t Wait Act' to Expedite Social Security Disability Benefits

Congresswoman Carol Miller Introduces Bipartisan 'We Can’t Wait Act' to Expedite Social Security Disability Benefits

Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) has introduced the 'We Can’t Wait Act,' a bipartisan bill designed to provide individuals deemed disabled and eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) the option to receive their benefits immediately. Currently, even after being approved, beneficiaries face a mandatory five-month waiting period before their first payment. The proposed legislation would allow these individuals to waive the waiting period in exchange for a modestly reduced monthly benefit. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The bill aims to alleviate financial and medical hardships experienced by disabled Americans during this waiting period, which can lead to debt, homelessness, or lack of necessary medical care.
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House Bill Proposes Optional Immediate Social Security Disability Benefits with Reduced Payments

House Bill Proposes Optional Immediate Social Security Disability Benefits with Reduced Payments

A new House bill, the We Can't Wait Act of 2026, introduced by Republican Representative Carol Miller, aims to allow eligible Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients to receive benefits immediately after approval, bypassing the current five-month waiting period. This legislation follows a bipartisan Senate version introduced earlier in the year. Under current law, individuals approved for SSDI must wait five months before their monthly benefit payments commence, a delay that lawmakers argue can cause significant financial hardship for disabled Americans who are unable to work. The proposed bill would offer an optional alternative: beneficiaries could choose to receive payments during this waiting period in exchange for a small, permanent reduction in their monthly SSDI payment. This reduction would be calculated by the Social Security Administration's Chief Actuary to ensure the Disability Insurance Trust Fund remains financially neutral over the long term. The bill would not alter SSDI elig...
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Congressman Foster Introduces Bill to Enhance Financial Sector Cybersecurity Amid AI Risks

Congressman Foster Introduces Bill to Enhance Financial Sector Cybersecurity Amid AI Risks

Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) has introduced the Strengthening Oversight for the Financial Sector Act. This proposed legislation aims to grant the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) the authority to oversee third-party technology vendors utilized by the entities they regulate. This oversight capability is currently available to other federal financial regulators but had temporarily expired for the NCUA, creating a gap in supervision. The bill seeks to close this gap, particularly in light of advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) that are making cyberattacks more sophisticated and increasing the vulnerability of financial institutions through third-party technology providers. The legislation emphasizes the need to protect consumers, financial institutions, and the broader financial system from potential attacks that could exploit these vulnerabilities. A previous version of this bill passed the House Financial Services Committee in the 117th Con...
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Trump signs bill to avert government shutdown before midterm elections

Trump signs bill to avert government shutdown before midterm elections

By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Sept 2 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump signed a funding bill on Wednesday to avert a government shutdown before the midterm elections after the legislation was passed by the House of Representatives a day earlier and the Senate in August.
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Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Prevent AI from Making Healthcare Decisions

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Prevent AI from Making Healthcare Decisions

Representatives Landsman, Carter, Schrier, and Barrett have introduced the bipartisan 'Doctors Not AI Act' to ensure that medical decisions are made by qualified healthcare professionals rather than artificial intelligence. This legislation comes in response to the increasing use of AI by healthcare systems to evaluate claims and determine 'medical necessity,' which has led to denials for various treatments, including mental health coverage and cancer care. The proposed act aims to restrict AI to a supporting role in processing claims, preventing it from making or issuing harmful determinations involving medical judgment. It mandates that denials based on medical necessity must be made by a licensed healthcare professional with appropriate expertise and requires independent review of each patient’s individual medical circumstances by health professionals. Furthermore, the bill seeks to increase transparency by requiring disclosure when AI is used in the review process and granting patients the right to kno...
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Reps. Sara Jacobs and Don Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Restore Pentagon Press Access

Reps. Sara Jacobs and Don Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Restore Pentagon Press Access

Representatives Sara Jacobs and Don Bacon have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at restoring and protecting press access at the Pentagon. This bill seeks to reverse recent restrictions placed on journalists, emphasizing the importance of transparency, oversight, and credentialing safeguards. The proposed measure would specifically address press areas, credentialing processes, and any future modifications to access rules. It aims to reinstate access to previously open Pentagon areas and renew unescorted access to certain spaces. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that credential reviews be conducted by career officials and prohibits changes to press access without prior consultation with Congress. Representative Jacobs highlighted that independent reporting is crucial for transparency, accountability, and oversight, while Representative Bacon stated that the restrictions were 'not wise' and that credentialed reporters historically had access to common areas, not classified spaces or offices.
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Bipartisan REACH Our Tribes Act Introduced to Streamline Tribal Access to Federal Economic Development Programs

Bipartisan REACH Our Tribes Act Introduced to Streamline Tribal Access to Federal Economic Development Programs

U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids, D-Kan., and Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., have introduced the bipartisan REACH Our Tribes Act. This proposed legislation aims to simplify and improve tribal governments' access to federal economic development programs. The bill mandates the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a formal process for annual consultation with tribal governments regarding the department's budget requests and reauthorization of USDA programs, including farm bills. It also requires the USDA to develop a plan to analyze and publicly report the funding tribal entities receive through its programs. Furthermore, the act would create an interagency task force, comprising officials from the USDA, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration, to identify ways to streamline application processes and reduce administrative burdens for tribal entities.