Issues / Issue · Sep 8 – Oct 7, 2026
Democrats and Republicans are pursuing divergent health priorities this week. Democrats are demanding answers on vaccine policy, vaping regulations, and teen pregnancy prevention funding, while also securing funding for crisis services and rural emergency medical training. Republicans are investigating Planned Parenthood and highlighting federal health investments in their states. Both parties introduced bipartisan bills on opioid disposal, medical supply chains, and traumatic brain injury reauthorization.
AI summary of the releases below · Oct 8, 2026
| Action type | Wk ofSep 815 | Wk ofSep 1548 | Wk ofSep 2246 | Wk ofSep 2953 | Wk ofOct 65 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sent lettersTo agencies, companies, officials | +1 | 27 | ||||
| HearingsHeld, testified or questioned | 13 | |||||
| StatementsResponses to news | 5 | |||||
| CriticizedA policy, decision or person | 6 | |||||
| PraisedCredit for a decision or person | 9 | |||||
| Visits and eventsTours, town halls, site visits | 10 | |||||
| Announced fundingGrants and approvals | 27 | |||||
| Filed or pushed billsNew, reintroduced or passed | +11 | +10 | +4 | 63 | ||
| Other | 7 |
+35 more with fewer actions
Launched working group to develop blueprint for strengthening America's public health system.
Criticized Trump administration for illegally blocking health research funding, citing GAO decision.
Led letter demanding CDC answers on vaccine executive order and measles outbreak response.
Demanded FDA answers on proposed vaping approval rule changes and potential weakening of scientific standards.
Demanded HHS reinstate canceled Teen Pregnancy Prevention grants in letter to Secretary Kennedy.
Called on FAA to require epinephrine in emergency medical kits on all flights.
Visited Nationwide Children's Hospital and small businesses to highlight federal investments supporting Ohio families.
RCramer ND $1.2M
Announced $1.2 million in HHS grants to North Dakota for opioid response and other programs.
Spoke at youth addiction prevention summit highlighting efforts to combat substance misuse.
Announced Senate passage of bipartisan traumatic brain injury reauthorization legislation.
Discussed Medicaid program changes and healthcare system stability with Puerto Rico hospital sector.
DDuckworth IL $300K
Announced $300,000 in federal funding for rural emergency medical service training in Illinois.
Introduced bipartisan bill to expand clinical training for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.
Praised Trump administration for restoring LGBTQIA+ youth suicide crisis line services.
Praised Senate approval of Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act.
↳ Dennis John Benigno TBI Program Reauthorization · Release ↗
Sent a letter requesting HHS update federal safety guidance on high-caffeine energy drinks for youth.
DSalinas OR $44.5M
Celebrated $44.5 million NIH funding extension for women's menopause research study.
Issued statement on GAO report about FDA tobacco product application delays and regulatory challenges.
Congressional caucus released report on integrating psychedelic-assisted therapy into healthcare.
Introduced bipartisan bill to strengthen medical supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
Celebrated restoration of specialized 988 crisis services for LGBTQI+ young people.
DKrishnamoorthi IL $33.1M
Hailed restoration of 988 LGBTQ+ crisis line after securing $33.1 million in federal funding.
Led bipartisan letter urging CMS to develop telehealth demonstration model for maternal health.
Held roundtable discussion on COVID-19 hospital protocols with patients, families, doctors and nurses.
Reintroduced bill requiring Medicare and Medicaid innovation center to address health disparities.
↳ John Lewis Equality in Medicare and Medicaid Treatment Act · Release ↗
Announced restoration of mental health services for LGBTQ youth on 988 crisis line.
RCramer ND $12.4M
Announced $12.4 million in HHS funding for North Dakota community-based long-term care.
Introduced bipartisan bill to provide federal funding for newborn screenings for rare health conditions.
Helped expedite federal approval for Santa Clara Valley Healthcare's new clinic opening.
DSchumer NY $4.4M
Announced $4.4 million in HUD lead hazard reduction funding for Rensselaer County.
Cosponsored resolution commemorating 50th anniversary of Hyde Amendment.
Signed into law the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act to combat tick-borne diseases.
Praised President Trump's executive order on alpha-gal syndrome treatment and food labeling.
RBoebert CO $169.6M
Welcomed Trump Administration's $169.6 million Rural Health Transformation Program funding for Colorado.
Sent letter demanding CDC transparency on delay in distributing COVID-19 vaccines to children.
Co-sponsored bipartisan bill creating Medicare pilot program for medically tailored meals.
Opposed Senate Republicans' vote to allow Trump's Affordable Care Act marketplace rule.
Ossoff released investigation reports on insurance companies denying or delaying medically necessary care.
Praised Senate passage of ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act supporting research and drug development.
Hosted House Energy and Commerce Chairman for Tampa Bay health care affordability roundtable.
Announced bipartisan bill to expand behavioral health resources and support for first responders.
DDuckworth IL, DDurbin IL, DBaldwin WI
Demanded OMB Director Vought abandon plans to exert political control over NIH funding.
DFetterman PA $101M
Sent letter urging HHS to reinstate over $100 million in Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program grants.
Attended ribbon cutting for Mount Sinai's new emergency center expansion in Westchester.
RGriffith VA $191K
Announced $191,331 HHS grant to Biotherapeutics, Inc. for psoriasis research.
RCornyn TX, RCloud TX $51M
Announced $51 million in federal funding for rural health care in Texas.
Hosted health discussion and community fair for men at Bowie State University.
RGriffith VA $592K
Announced $592,397 HHS grant to Edward Via VCOM for chronic pain research.
Led letter demanding OMB director abandon plans to politicize NIH grant-making.
Introduced bipartisan bill to fund state newborn screening programs for serious health conditions.
DKaptur OH $800K
Announced $800,000 grant to train first responders in substance abuse treatment.
Senate passed bipartisan John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act modernizing FAA mental health certification.
Questioned FDA commissioner nominee on vaccine schedule changes and microdosing proposals during Senate hearing.
Called on President Trump to rescind childhood vaccine executive order and fire HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.
Questioned FDA commissioner nominee on birth control and tobacco industry contributions; announced opposition to confirmation.
DOcasio-Cortez NY, DMurray WA, DCortez Masto NV
Reintroduced bill to expand insurance coverage of over-the-counter birth control without cost sharing.
Released report documenting RFK Jr.'s harmful actions as HHS Secretary and called for his resignation or firing.
Announced roundtable discussion on COVID-19 hospital protocols and patient mistreatment during pandemic.
Introduced bill to compensate firefighters and families harmed by PFAS-related illnesses and injuries.
Reintroduced bill requiring insurers to fully cover FDA-approved over-the-counter birth control without cost sharing.
Criticized Trump administration effort to strip health coverage from 750,000 Americans.
Introduced bipartisan bill to expand and strengthen senior care PACE programs.
Reintroduced bill to track, treat and eliminate neglected diseases of poverty in America.
RGriffith VA $96K
Announced $96,000 HHS grant to senior citizens agency for medical equipment purchase.
Demanded Texas governor release maternal mortality report before midterm elections.
Introduced bipartisan bill creating grants for suicide prevention barriers on bridges and infrastructure.
Introduced two bills to combat tick-borne diseases and protect Americans with alpha-gal syndrome.
Introduced comprehensive health care bill to lower costs, expand coverage and improve access.
Introduced bicameral bills to expand sickle cell disease treatment and workforce.
Introduced bill to establish Medicare coverage decision deadlines for medical devices and services.
↳ Ensuring Timely Access to Coverage Decisions Act · Release ↗
Wilson introduced bill to expand glaucoma screenings and invest in vision research.
Held briefing on Puerto Rico Medicaid funding crisis and 2027 fiscal cliff.
RRadewagen AS $251K
Announced $250,586 CDC grant for epidemiology and disease surveillance in American Samoa.
Sought unanimous consent for bill requiring upfront healthcare price transparency for patients.
Introduced bipartisan bill to improve Medicare patients' access to timely coverage decisions.
↳ Ensuring Timely Access to Coverage Decisions Act · Release ↗
Introduced bipartisan Mothers and Newborns Success Act to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
Urged HHS to expand colonoscopy access for polyp surveillance under ACA preventive benefits.
Introduced resolution protecting continuous Medicaid coverage for cancer patients.
Applauded passage of bipartisan medically tailored meals Medicare pilot program from Ways and Means.
Advocated for six healthcare bills including bipartisan Patients First Act during Energy and Commerce Committee hearing.
Reintroduced bipartisan legislation to raise awareness and combat high heart disease rates in South Asian Americans.
Working with federal partners to address high maternal and infant mortality rates in America.
DPettersen CO $38M
Led 35 colleagues demanding Trump administration reinstate $38 million in canceled minority health grants.
Discussed health care affordability and Social Security insolvency at health care forum.
Applauded committee advancement of CHANGE Act for early Alzheimer's detection.
Spoke on Senate floor highlighting 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline during Suicide Prevention Month.
Sent letter to HHS Secretary expressing concern about CDC Injury Center staffing cuts.
Urged airlines to include epinephrine in emergency medical kits on commercial flights.
Introduced bill to expand cardiovascular research and awareness for South Asian Americans.
Introduced bipartisan bill to streamline federal grant application process for addiction prevention and treatment organizations.
RRadewagen AS $324K
Announced $324,271 CDC health grant to American Samoa for data collection and health equity.
Advanced bipartisan Alzheimer's screening and prevention legislation through Ways and Means Committee.
Unveiled Declaration for Life with Christian leaders and called for legislation banning abortion drug mifepristone.
Applauded Ways and Means Committee passage of medically tailored meals pilot program.
CHANGE Act advanced from committee to improve Alzheimer's early detection and diagnosis.
Discussed suicide prevention efforts and co-sponsored Campus Lifeline Act during Suicide Awareness Month.
Questioned HHS nominees on AI denying seniors healthcare and abortion ban harms.
Advanced bipartisan bill to expand Medicare coverage for early Alzheimer's detection.
DScholten MI $11.7M
Announced $11.6 million for health care research and supportive services in West Michigan.
Demanded HHS release information on plans to redirect healthcare research funding.
Secured Trump administration commitment to restore 988 suicide lifeline LGBTQ+ services by September.
Held first congressional hearing on menopause and requested GAO investigation of federal menopause research coordination.
Introduced bipartisan resolution recognizing September 19 as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day.
Announced roundtable discussion on COVID-19 hospital protocols and patient mistreatment.
Praised House passage of four bills addressing public health threats including fentanyl and tickborne illness.
House unanimously passed Collins' bill to reauthorize federal programs combating tick-borne diseases.
Advanced two bipartisan health care bills in House Energy and Commerce Committee.
RCramer ND $2.2M
Announced $2.2 million in HHS funding for health initiatives in North Dakota.
Introduced bipartisan legislation to permanently authorize the FDA's Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program.
Introduced bipartisan resolution recognizing September 17 as National Physician Suicide Awareness Day.
RRadewagen AS $255K
Announced $255,100 CDC grant for vaccine-preventable disease prevention in American Samoa.
Sent letter to HHS secretary seeking answers on canceled health research grants.
DDingell MI $258.7M
Secured $258.7 million in federal healthcare research grants for University of Michigan.
RHuizenga MI $1.6M
Announced $1.6 million in federal mental health and substance abuse recovery grants.
Introduced bill to reform FDA drug preclusion rules and protect dietary supplement access.
Introduced bipartisan resolution designating September as National Suicide Prevention Month.
Met with hospital leadership and demanded reforms to address patient safety and financial crisis.
DWhitehouse RI $10B
Reintroduced bipartisan bill to invest $10 billion in primary care provider payments.
Introduced legislation to expand mental health workforce training in underserved communities.
DThompson MS $450K
Announced $450,000 federal grant to Delta Health Center for maternal health care coordination in Mississippi Delta.
Introduced bipartisan 988 Implementation Act to strengthen crisis care and mental health resources.
Summaries, action types, amounts and positions are read from each press release by AI and can be wrong. Joint releases (same day, same action, matching title or amount) count once. How it works