Calling on EBSA to Enforce PBM Reforms
|
This week, I was joined by several of my colleagues in sending a letter to the Honorable Daniel Aronowitz, Assistant Secretary of the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The letter urges the EBSA to exercise its enhanced authority to enforce the landmark reforms designed to rein in the abuses of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), as required by law via the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 (CAA).
Excerpt from our letter: "The CAA represents years of bipartisan work to increase the accountability and transparency of PBMs’ opaque business practices, which have contributed to rising costs and diminished access to medicines for American patients and employers. The enactment of the CAA’s provisions is a significant step toward increased PBM transparency."
To read the full letter to the Honorable Daniel Aronowitz, click here. |
Responsibly Funding the Agriculture Industry
|
Every day, farmers and ranchers across Rural America work to provide the nation with a safe and reliable food supply. Congress has a responsibility to support them through responsible appropriations, which is why House Republicans passed H.R. 8646, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act of 2027.
This legislation invests in agricultural research, rural development programs, and food inspection services, while also cutting burdensome Biden-era regulations on livestock producers. More specifically, the bill:
Champions U.S. farmers, agriculture, and rural communities by: - Continuing critical investments in agriculture research, rural development loan programs, and animal and plant health programs
- Providing funds to ensure the safety of food, drugs, and medical devices
- Ensuring low-income Americans have access to nutrition programs
- Increasing resources for the Food Safety and Inspection Service to fund frontline meat and poultry inspectors and bolster support for state inspection programs
Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by: - Addressing foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land by improving the tracking system of foreign-owned land
- Bolstering national security by increasing funding for USDA’s Office of Homeland Security
- Directing USDA to provide transparency into research funding involving foreign governments, including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran
- Increasing inspection of foreign drug manufacturing facilities in China and India
- Providing funding for land-grant universities to conduct agricultural research to ensure American producers are better equipped to compete with China
|
Holding Fraudulent Child Care Programs Accountable
|
Low-income families rely on federal child care programs so parents can work, provide for their families, and achieve economic freedom. Congress directs taxpayer dollars to support these programs–not to enrich fraudsters.
Fraud and abuse of federal child care dollars will not be tolerated and taxpayer funds must be used for their intended purpose, not siphoned off by bad actors. This week, the House also passed H.R. 7726, the Stop Child Care Scams Act, with my support. This legislation requires HHS to withhold funds from states that repeatedly misuse child care dollars, increases state reporting requirements, codifies fraud standards, and imposes stricter penalties on both states and providers found to have misused funds under the CCDBG program.
These commonsense reforms will protect taxpayers and hold accountable those who use child care programs as a front for fraud. |
June Community Office Hours
|
June Community Office Hours start tomorrow!
Through the month, my staff will be available to assist constituents closer to home with a variety of federal issues, including help navigating various federal agencies such as FEMA, Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicare, and others.
For the list of dates, times, and locations, CLICK HERE. |
This Week's Committee Activity
|
Energy and Commerce
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing:
"Where Are We?: Examining Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Capabilities in the United States"
Natural disasters can knock out traditional communications infrastructure when Americans need it most. I asked our witnesses about the role GPS and positioning, navigation, and timing technologies play in helping first responders locate people, coordinate emergency response, and save lives.
Watch my remarks HERE.
Education and Workforce
Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions hearing:
"Examining the Policies and Priorities of the NLRB"
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is supposed to serve as a neutral mediator for employers, unions, and workers. But under the Biden-Harris Administration, Democrats rigged the agency to overwhelmingly support union leaders and union organizing. That hurt our nation’s job creators and tipped the scales against workers and employers. I chaired a hearing this week to examine the policies and priorities of the NLRB under the Trump Administration.
Read my opening statement HERE. Watch my line of questioning HERE. Read a hearing recap HERE. |
This Week's Office Visitors
|
As always, it was great to meet with several groups and visitors this week to talk about the issues that matter most to them. - Department of Energy
- Southeastern Cyber
- Foundation for Rural Service
- Honda
|
This Week's White House Highlight
|
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. economy added 172,000 jobs in May, shattering expectations!
This jobs report demonstrates the continued strength and resilience of the American workforce. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and the Administration to continue promoting economic freedom, expanding opportunities, and building on this positive momentum. |
Follow me on Social Media!
|
Social media is a great way to stay connected and I encourage you to keep up with my work in Congress by ‘liking’ my Facebook page and following me on X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.
###
As always, my office is here to help. If you'd like to email me, please click here.
To contact one of our district offices, please click here.
To stay informed about what is happening in Washington D.C. and in our district, please follow me on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
Sincerely,
Rick Allen
Member of Congress |
|
