{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"VT\" and year = 2025 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=634", "Rep. Becca Balint\u2019s Statement on the Shooting at Brown University", "2025-12-14", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "\"I am filled with sorrow and rage this morning after learning that two students were killed at Brown University and many others are fighting for their lives. Last night was yet another reminder that gun violence touches everyone.\"\n\n\"This is NOT the price we must pay for our freedom. I will continue to fight for sensible gun laws.\"\n\n\"We all deserve that.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=635", "Bipartisan Statement from All 25 Jewish House Members on Antisemitic Attack in Australia", "2025-12-14", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Brattleboro, VT \u2014 All 25 Jewish Members of the US House of Representatives released the following statement in response to an attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia that targeted Jewish people celebrating the first night of Hanukkah:\n\n\u201cOn a night meant for celebration, Jewish families in Australia, gathering in joy and peace on the first night of Hanukkah, were grotesquely targeted with hate and murderous intent. Sadly, this attack does not come as a surprise to the Jewish community of Sydney who have been raising a clarion call for local and national authorities to take concrete steps against a rising tide of antisemitism.\n\n\u201cWe stand in solidarity with the Australian Jewish community and together extend our condolences to the family and friends of the people murdered and are praying for the complete recovery of the dozens wounded, and the entire Jewish community feeling besieged.\n\n\u201cAntisemitism is a cancer that eats at the core of society, whether in Australia, the United States, or anywhere it is allowed to take root and grow. We join leaders around the globe in condemning this evil act and in calling for justice, peace, and unwavering support for those affected. We also call on all leaders to do better standing up to antisemitism, bigotry, and hate. We must also do better in our work for a world where everyone can celebrate their faith and traditions free from discrimination and fear.\n\n\u201cJews around the world will continue to gather this week to celebrate Hanukkah and its story of religious freedom and defiant optimism. As we light the menorah each night and remember the miracle of the festival of lights, let us proclaim that light is stronger than darkness, right is stronger than might, and justice is stronger than tyranny. Wishing all Jewish communities and the world around us strength and peace.\u201d\n\nThe 25 members who signed the statement include:\n\nRep. Becca Balint (D-VT)\n\nRep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA)\n\nRep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)\n\nRep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)\n\nRep. Randy Fine (R-FL)\n\nRep. Lois Frankel (D-FL)\n\nRep. Laura Friedman (D-CA)\n\nRep. Craig Goldman (R-TX)\n\nRep. Daniel Goldman (D-NY)\n\nRep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)\n\nRep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA)\n\nRep. David Kustoff (R-TN)\n\nRep. Greg Landsman (D-OH)\n\nRep. Mike Levin (D-CA)\n\nRep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI)\n\nRep. Max Miller (R-OH)\n\nRep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL)\n\nRep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY)\n\nRep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)\n\nRep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)\n\nRep. Brad Schneider (D-IL)\n\nRep. Kim Schrier (D-WA)\n\nRep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)\n\nRep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA)\n\nRep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=633", "Rep. Becca Balint Offers Support for the Vermont Air National Guard and Opposes Unauthorized Military Actions by the Trump Administration in the Caribbean", "2025-12-13", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Brattleboro, VT \u2014 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement on the deployment of the Vermont Air National Guard\u2019s (VTANG) 158th Fighter Wing in support of Operation Southern Spear:\n\n\u201cMy heart is with all the Vermont National Guard members and their families as they prepare for a deployment during the holidays. Vermonters are proud of the brave men and women who sacrifice a lot to serve in the National Guard, representing both Vermont and our country. I know I speak for all Vermonters when I say that I am praying for their safe return back home when their deployment is over.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am, however, deeply concerned about the Trump administration's decision to deploy the 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG). Any deployment must be based on lawful authority, and full transparency must be provided to Congress. Wile the media is reporting that VTANG will be deploying to the Caribbean to take part in Operation Southern Spear, the Vermont congressional delegation has received zero notice, information, or clarity about the location, duration, and purpose of this deployment. This is not normal, nor should it be tolerated.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe decision to send our service members into harm\u2019s way must be rooted in a clear mission and safety. It should not be based on unpredictable, unilateral and unlawful directives from any president. I have witnessed the Trump administration violate Congress\u2019s constitutional authority and conduct unauthorized military activity. None of the strikes on boats in the Caribbean, which have killed more than 80 people, were authorized by Congress. This administration has continually failed to provide a justification for this use of lethal force.\u201d\n\n\u201cVermonters have been clear with me: they do not support our entanglement in a war with Venezuela. I unwaveringly support our troops and their families, but I do not support military action without Congressional authorization.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=632", "Vermont Congressional Delegation Introduces Resolution Congratulating Vermont Green Football Club on Historic Season", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "BURLINGTON, VT \u2013 This week, the Vermont Congressional Delegation, Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT.), and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT.), introduced a bicameral resolution congratulating the Vermont Green Football Club on their historic win in the 2025 USL League Two National Championship. The Vermont Green FC\u2019s win came after an undefeated season and marks the second year in a row a Vermont-based soccer team has won a national championship.\n\n\u201cVermont Green FC has proven that Vermont is a soccer state. In just three years, they have not only built a team but built a community,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cTheir undefeated season, overflowing with crowds, has made our state proud. I'm looking forward to watching them defend their title in 2026.\u201d\n\n\u201cI think I speak for the whole state in congratulating the Vermont Green on their extraordinary championship season, and I am glad to join my Vermont colleagues to recognize their accomplishments in the Congressional record. Undefeated. Two overtime playoff wins. Finally, national champions. Unbelievable,\u201d said Senator Sanders. \u201cVermont Green is respected by Vermonters and soccer fans around the country for their skill and heart on the field. The founders built their team the Vermont way \u2014 by involving the community and creating an organization rooted in social and environmental justice. What they have done is truly remarkable, and we know they are just getting started.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased to join Senator Sanders, Rep. Balint, and all Vermonters in congratulating the Vermont Green FC on their well-deserved USL League Two National Championship win following an incredible and undefeated season. We\u2019re so proud of this team\u2019s achievements and of their commitment to building a soccer community that reflects the core values of Vermonters: hard work, dedication, and teamwork,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cWe look forward to cheering on the Boys in Green as they defend their title in 2026!\u201d\n\nRead and download the full text of the resolution.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=630", "Reps. Balint, Tokuda, Fitzpatrick, LaMalfa, Tran, Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Mental Health Care Services for First Responders", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Yesterday, U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), joined by colleagues Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), and Derek Tran (D-CA-45), introduced legislation to increase access to specialized mental health, substance abuse, and crisis counseling services for first responders.\n\nThe Crisis Assistance and Resources in Emergencies (CARE) for First Responders Act aims to strengthen resources and support systems for the individuals who are often first on the scene during emergencies. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, rescue workers, 911 operators, and other emergency response personnel regularly face significant yet frequently unseen trauma and challenges as they confront disasters and assist survivors in their moments of greatest need.\n\nThe CARE for First Responders Act would prioritize the needs of first responders by:\n\nEnsuring access to FEMA counseling and mental health services after major disasters.\n\nFunding on-site and mobile support through a grant program for mental health and substance use services.\n\nExpanding an existing, confidential 24-hour hotline to provide specialized first responder support.\n\nEstablishing a peer counseling program at the Department of Health and Human Services to assist first responders and their families.\n\nDirecting the Department of Health and Human Services to research best practices for mental health care and suicide prevention for first responders.\n\n\u201cBecause of the difficult work they do on the frontlines, Vermont\u2019s first responders are facing serious mental health challenges,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join Rep. Tokuda once again in fighting to ensure that our emergency personnel, firefighters, 911 dispatchers, and law enforcement officers have access to the mental health resources they deserve. Our first responders shouldn\u2019t have to shoulder the weight of their jobs alone.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur first responders go above and beyond, carrying the weight of trauma that no one should have to bear alone. After the devastating fires on Maui two years ago, I saw firsthand the toll that disasters can take on first responders and their families,\u201d said Rep. Tokuda. \u201cI\u2019m proud once again to introduce the CARE for First Responders Act to ensure our frontliners who protect our communities have the specialized health support they desperately need and deserve. I\u2019m grateful to my Republican and Democratic colleagues for their partnership in this effort because crises don\u2019t care about politics, and neither should we when it comes to supporting our first responders.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve met too many local firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and telecommunicators who carry the heaviest parts of this job by themselves, not because they want to, but because the support isn\u2019t there when the shift ends. The CARE for First Responders Act changes that: true 24/7 confidential crisis care, tailored mental-health services during major disasters, and peer counselors who have lived the same calls. No one who saves lives should ever feel like they have to save their own alone,\u201d said Rep. Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force.\n\n\u201cFirst responders, medical personnel, and wildland firefighters carry an incredibly heavy burden,\u201d said Rep. LaMalfa. \u201cThey run toward danger when the rest of us run away, and the toll it takes on their mental and emotional health is real. Too often, getting the support they need is complicated or delayed. The CARE for First Responders Act will hopefully relieve some of that burden and let our first responders know that their work is not unnoticed or unappreciated.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom fighting crime to managing natural disaster response, California\u2019s first responders are on the front lines of keeping our community safe. This work is essential, but it also poses unique burdens on those who protect us day-in and day-out. First responders face serious mental health risks but often lack access to specialized treatment plans that properly manage their needs. I\u2019m proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation to provide our first responders with the mental health support they deserve,\u201d said Rep. Tran.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), APCO International, and the National Association for Rural Mental Health.\n\nFull text of the bill can be viewed here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=631", "Rep. Becca Balint joins Members of Congress to Support Journalist Dylan Collins and Demand Accountability for Netanyahu Govt\u2019s Targeting of Journalists", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, December 11th, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined a press conference with Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), Vermonter and Agence France-Presse (AFP) video journalist Dylan Collins, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Amnesty International USA to show support for Dylan Collins, an American citizen and journalist. Dylan Collins was attacked and wounded by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) while reporting in Southern Lebanon. This event also conveyed solidarity with the other journalists who were wounded, as well as the family of Issam Abdallah, the Reuters journalist who was killed in the attack.\n\n\u201cFor over two years, there have been no answers for the journalists who were harmed from a targeted attack by the Israeli Defense Forces in Southern Lebanon. Dylan Collins, an American and a Vermonter, was severely wounded alongside six of his colleagues. A Reuters journalist, Issam Abdallah, was killed instantly. All of them were clearly identified as press.\" Rep. Becca Balint said.\n\n\"I want to thank my colleagues, Senators Welch and Van Hollen, for continuing to demand accountability from both the Israeli and United States government. I will continue to oppose any attempt to intimidate or silence the press and seek accountability for the victims and their families.\"\n\n\u201cHere\u2019s the bottom line: the Netanyahu government has made it crystal clear that they never had serious intentions to investigate the deadly October 2023 attack that wounded Dylan Collins. It isn\u2019t asking much of the Israeli government to conduct an investigation that meets international standards and to punish those responsible for this attack. Yet for over two years, we have done everything reasonably possible to get answers and accountability, only to be stonewalled at every turn. But we\u2019re not going to give up our fight for answers,\u201d said Senator Welch. \u201cWe\u2019re demanding accountability from the Israeli government and our own to get justice for Dylan, his colleagues, and every member of the press targeted by the IDF since October 7, 2023.\u201d\n\n\u201cOver two years ago, Dylan Collins was injured by an IDF strike that left one reporter dead and several of his colleagues hospitalized alongside him. Since that strike, there have been no answers or accountability regarding what happened to Dylan and his colleagues. This silence has become part of a pattern of attacks on journalists by the IDF, with no resolution and no justice. It\u2019s long past time for the U.S. government to live up to its stated commitment to defend American citizens abroad, and pursue accountability for this attack \u2014 it is essential not only for justice for Dylan and his colleagues, but also for the defense of press freedom around the world,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen.\n\n\u201cVermonters continue to rebuild their homes, businesses and communities in the wake of the devastating 2023 floods \u2014 the worst natural disaster in our state since 1927. The recovery process is expensive, and this federal funding is absolutely essential for cities and towns across our state,\u201d said Sanders. \u201cBy investing in essential infrastructure, economic revitalization and mitigation against future disasters, this funding will help Vermonters rebuild stronger than before. I am proud to have helped champion this funding and will continue to demand that the federal government stand with people throughout our country in their times of need \u2014 especially after natural disasters like the ones we\u2019ve experienced in Vermont.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis was not a \u2018fog of war\u2019 incident. It was a war crime carried out in broad daylight and broadcast live television,\u201d said Mr. Collins. \u201cAs an American, I thought my government would fight for me. I thought that when an American citizen is wounded in an attack carried out by the U.S.\u2019s greatest ally in the Middle East, that we would get answers.\u201d\n\n\u201cFor more than two years, we have demanded answers about Israel\u2019s deadly attack on a group of journalists, including an American and Vermonter. Having killed nearly 250 journalists in two years, it is clear Israel has no intention of investigating their crime. But it is even more outrageous that our own government \u2014 under both Biden and Trump\u2014has helped that coverup. This Israeli impunity continues because of Washington's silence. We will not forgive. We will not forget. And we will keep demanding justice,\u201d said Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).\n\n\u201cFor decades, Israel\u2019s purported investigations have functioned not to establish facts or deliver justice, but to shield Israeli forces from accountability for the targeted killing of journalists. The international community must now step in to break that pattern of impunity by ensuring effective war crimes investigations are opened,\u201d said Amelia Evans, Advocacy Director, Committee to Protect Journalists. \"Failing Dylan Collins is an unacceptable dereliction of a vital responsibility by the U.S. government \u2014 to defend U.S. citizens around the world. The Trump administration must uphold its duties to its citizens.\u201d\n\n\u201cMore than two years have passed without accountability for the October 13 attack,\u201d said Elizabeth Rghebi, MENA Advocacy Director, Amnesty International USA. \u201cIsrael must not be allowed to continue to kill and attack journalists with impunity. Those responsible for the unlawful attack on October 13 by Israeli forces must be held to account. We urge U.S. authorities to open an independent and thorough war crimes investigation in this case and to ensure accountability goes to the top of the Israeli military\u2019s chain of command.\u201d\n\nWatch a livestream of the press conference here\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=629", "Rep. Becca Balint Votes \"No\" on Inflated Defense Spending Bill", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement on this year\u2019s defense spending bill:\n\n\"We cannot continue to bankroll a nearly $1 trillion military budget while shortchanging our schools, housing, and health care system. As Americans face rising premiums from the expiration of the Affordable Care Act subsidies, I can\u2019t green light this spending while Republicans claim there\u2019s no money for health care.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Trump administration has weaponized the military and our service members against Americans. Over 35,000 federal troops have been sent into states and cities to carry out President Trump\u2019s violent anti-immigrant agenda. I refuse to be complicit in funding Trump\u2019s illegal deployment of our service members on U.S. soil.\u201d\n\n\"I cannot vote for a defense authorization bill while Trump uses the military as his personal intimidation force and makes life unaffordable for Americans.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=628", "Rep. Balint Opposes SCORE Act, Cites Antitrust Concerns", "2025-12-03", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, DC \u2014 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement on her opposition to the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act:\n\n\u201cIn addition to harming women\u2019s sports programs and preempting labor protections, the SCORE Act includes an irresponsible antitrust exemption. The SCORE Act\u2019s antitrust exemption opens the door to abuses of the already significant power imbalance between athletes, schools, and conferences. I\u2019m alarmed by the possibility of algorithmic price fixing by schools under Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) agreements. I\u2019m proud to join antitrust experts across the spectrum, including eight former Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) officials, and five state attorneys general, in opposing the SCORE Act.\u201d\n\nThe landmark 2021 Supreme Court decision National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Alston unanimously held that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) was subject to antitrust laws and that it had unlawfully used its monopoly power to limit NIL compensation to college athletes. The SCORE Act broadly shields the NCAA, athletic conferences, and educational institutions from antitrust liability.\n\nGranting this sweeping immunity deprives state and federal antitrust enforcers the power to hold institutions accountable for actions that undermine athletes\u2019 rights and harm competition. It is a free pass for athletic conferences and educational institutions to take anticompetitive actions to unfairly limit college athletes\u2019 compensation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=627", "Vermont Delegation Condemns Anti-Palestinian Hatred on Second Anniversary of Burlington Attack", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "BURLINGTON, VT \u2014 The Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representative Becca Balint (VT-At-Large) today condemned anti-Palestinian hatred and violence. Their statements came on the second anniversary of an attack on college students Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad, in Burlington.\n\nSenators Welch and Sanders today also announced a forthcoming Senate Resolution commemorating the second anniversary of the attack and denouncing bias, hatred, and threats to life and safety. The Senate Resolution will be officially filed when Congress returns in early December.\n\n\u201cThe idea that three young men just walking down the street were shot, for no other reason than that they are Palestinian, is unspeakable. It\u2019s incomprehensible. No one should fear for their safety simple because of who they are, and we must remain vigilant against the rise in hate crimes targeting Muslims and Palestinian-Americans in particular. We must come together and remain committed to fighting all forms of bigotry and intolerance,\u201d said Senator Sanders.\n\n\u201cAfter the shocking attack in Burlington against Hisham, Kinnan and Tahseen, Vermonters came together to condemn violence and declare that our state will not tolerate hate in any form. I\u2019m proud that Vermonters have continued to come together to advocate for peace. Threats made against Palestinian Americans are on the rise across the country, and the United States Congress must speak with one voice to condemn anti-Palestinian hate, antisemitism, and violence against anyone on account of their race, religion, or ethnicity,\u201d said Senator Welch.\n\n\u201cVermonters do not tolerate hate in our state. The attack on Palestinian students in Vermont two years ago is no exception,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cWhile some people want to fan the flames of bigotry and sow division, we must stand together against all forms of hate. The rise in Islamophobia and antisemitism poses a clear and present threat. Everyone deserves to be safe \u2014 no matter who you are or where you come from. For Hisham, Kinnan, and Tahseen, we need to make it crystal clear that we stand against all kinds of hate, bigotry, and racism.\u201d\n\nOn November 25, 2023, Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad were shot and badly injured in an unprovoked attack, simply for speaking in Arabic and wearing a traditional Palestinian scarf. The three students were visiting family in Burlington for the Thanksgiving holiday. All three victims were injured in the unprovoked attack and Mr. Awartani was paralyzed.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=625", "Reps. Becca Balint and Jill Tokuda Reintroduce Bill to Bolster Mental Health Supports after Disasters", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) reintroduced the Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act. Following a year of climate emergencies across the country, Americans are suffering the cost. While the physical damage is clear, disaster-stricken communities need resources to cope with the mental and emotional damage they endure.\n\nCurrent Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants are authorized to provide professional counseling services to victims of major disasters through the Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCATP). The Addressing Addiction After Disasters (AAAD) Act strengthens the CCATP by allowing FEMA to provide services for substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder.\n\n\u201cToo many communities in Vermont and across the country have endured devastating natural disasters driven by climate change. These disasters cause severe financial and emotional stress on regular people, which can lead to an increase in substance-use and alcohol-use disorders,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL). \u201cI\u2019m proud to work with Rep. Tokuda and our colleagues to bring forth legislation that helps destigmatize these struggles and provide services to support those dealing with a substance use disorder and mental health issues in the aftermath of a disaster.\u201d\n\n\"When a disaster strikes, it leaves scars that cannot always be seen. The emotional strain can push those already struggling with addiction into more despair, stress, and trauma,\" said Rep. Tokuda (HI-02). \"That's what I'm proud to join Rep. Balint in introducing this legislation to ensure victims have access to the services they need to care for their health, safety, and well-being. Recovery after a disaster isn't just about rebuilding roads and bridges \u2014 it's also about rebuilding lives.\"\n\nThe bill is cosponsored by Representatives Norton, Fields, Moulton, Carson, Soto, Costa, Thanedar, Budzinski, and Davids.\n\nStudies show that following Hurricane Katrina, alcohol consumption increased by about 185% from before the storm and the annual hospitalization rate for substance use disorders increased by approximately 30%. Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, 60% of individuals with substance use disorders experienced withdrawal and 70% of those on opioid maintenance therapy could not obtain sufficient doses.\n\nThe CCATP helps people recover and rebuild their lives after a disaster. The CCATP works through immediate interventions such as:\n\nAssisting disaster survivors with navigating their current situation and reactions\n\nReducing stress and providing emotional support\n\nReviewing survivors\u2019 disaster recovery options\n\nDisseminating the use or development of coping strategies\n\nConnecting survivors with other people and agencies who can help them in their recovery process.\n\nThe Addressing Addiction After Disasters Act is endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD), Kennedy Forum, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), National Association of Behavioral Healthcare (NABH), and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.\n\nThe full bill text is here.", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=626", "Reps. Becca Balint and Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda Introduce Bill to Crack Down on Companies Using Algorithms to Illegally Raise Rents", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 On Wednesday, November 19th, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Rep. Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (IL-04) introduced the End Rent Fixing Act to prohibit digital price fixing by landlords. In the midst of a crisis of housing availability and affordability, landlords are using algorithms to collude and increase rents for American families. Companies like RealPage and Yardi brand themselves as providing property management software, but in reality they facilitate collusion to push higher and higher rents.\n\nThese companies collect real-time price and lease information from landlords and use it to suggest rent increases, which suppresses price competition in the rental housing market. This is exactly how a price fixing cartel operates, but instead of using code names and secret meetings, this price fixing is offered as a service.\n\n\u201cFamilies in Vermont and across the country are being crushed by the housing affordability crisis \u2014 a result of corporate greed,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL). \u201cLandlords are colluding to illegally push rent higher and higher. The End Rent Fixing Act will prevent this type of price fixing and protect people\u2019s wallets. Everyone deserves affordable housing. We cannot allow greedy corporations to get away with this.\u201d\n\n\u201cCompanies like RealPage and Yardi are building algorithms that jack up rent prices for consumers, making the housing and affordability crisis worse. I\u2019m proud to join my colleague Congresswoman Balint in reintroducing the End Rent Fixing Act as we continue our fight against this new frontier of anticompetitive, anti-consumer behavior,\u201d said Congressman Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda. \u201cPeople should never have to choose between paying rent and buying food.\n\nThe Council of Economic Advisors found that in 2023, rent fixing cost renters at least $3.8 billion. Increased rents push more people into homelessness, which reached record levels in 2024. Rent fixing does not give renters more amenities or a better deal: it only makes rent more expensive to line the pockets of landlords and companies like RealPage and Yardi. The End Rent Fixing Act will strengthen all these efforts by setting a federal floor of protection against this collusive activity and making lawsuits against rent fixers easier to win.\n\nThe End Rent Fixing Act would:\n\nMake it unlawful for rental property owners to contract for the services of a company that coordinates rental housing prices and supply information, and designate such arrangements a per se violation of U.S. antitrust law.\n\nProhibit the practice of coordinating price, supply, and other rental housing information among two or more rental property owners.\n\nAllow individual plaintiffs to invalidate any pre-dispute arbitration agreement or pre-dispute joint action waiver that would prevent their bringing a suit.\n\nThe bill is cosponsored by Representatives Bonamici, Casar, Craig, Deluzio, Gomez, Goodlander, Jayapal, Johnson (GA), Norton, Omar, Ramirez, Salinas, and Tlaib.\n\n\u201cCorporate landlords across the country are pricing families out of their homes. By using algorithms from corporations that get a cut of those profits, these landlords collude and make life unaffordable for working people \u2013 who are already paying too much as inflation continues to skyrocket. I\u2019m proud to sponsor the End Rent Fixing Act of 2025 to ensure that renters are protected from this greedy and destructive behavior,\u201d said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07).\n\n\"At a time when Minnesotans are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, corporations are colluding with large landlords to price working families out of the housing market,\" said Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05). \"I'm proud to support this legislation to crack down on these predatory price-fixing practices and give Minnesotans, and renters across the country, the housing protections they need.\"\n\nU.S. Senators Peter Welch and Ron Wyden are leading the Senate version of the bill. It is cosponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Cory Booker, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Van Hollen, Tina Smith, Andy Kim, Jean Shaheen, John Fetterman, Bernie Sanders, and Sheldon Whitehouse.\n\n\u201cVermonters are amongst the hardest hit by the housing crisis raging across the country. We have the fourth-highest rate of homelessness in the nation. In the midst of this crisis and at a time when families are struggling to put food on the table\u2014thanks to Trump\u2019s reckless economic policies\u2014housing providers are using anticompetitive pricing algorithms to raise rents. It\u2019s outrageous,\u201d Welch said. \u201cThe End Rent Fixing Act of 2025would crack down on these pricing algorithms and prevent future monopolies on the housing market to protect renters in Vermont and nationwide.\u201d\n\n\u201cSetting prices with an algorithm is no different from doing it over cigars and whiskey in a private club,\u201d Wyden said. \u201cThese cartels are already being sued for violating antitrust laws, but I don\u2019t want there to be a sliver of doubt that fixing rents with an algorithm is illegal. Housing costs are crushing American families. Companies shouldn\u2019t be using AI to make the housing crisis worse.\u201d\n\nThe full bill text is here.\n\nA one-page summary of the bill is here.\n\nThe End Rent Fixing Act of 2025 is endorsed by the American Economic Liberties Project, the Center for American Progress, Color of Change, the Consumer Federation of America, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Open Markets Institute.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=624", "Rep. Balint Votes to Release the Epstein Files", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement after voting YES on H.R. 4405 to release the Epstein files:\n\n\u201cPowerful men protect powerful men, including all those around Jeffrey Epstein. My vote today to release the Epstein files will bring transparency, accountability, truth, and justice to the thousands of survivors who have waited far too long. We are sending a message to all victims of trafficking and sex abuse that we stand with you. We stand with you in the face of intimidation, and the rich and powerful men who have enabled the abuse. The American people deserve to see what\u2019s in the files. The Senate must send this to the President\u2019s desk immediately.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=623", "Rep. Becca Balint Votes No on Government Funding that Fails to Address Health Care Cuts", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement after voting against a continuing resolution that fails to extend Affordable Care Act health care tax credits:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m a hell no on any bill that cuts healthcare and skyrockets premiums for millions of American families. Americans are suffering through a health care crisis of Republicans\u2019 making, after fifteen years of efforts to dismantle the ACA and replace it with nothing.\n\n\u201cRepublicans refusal to come to the table for the last 40 days tells us everything we need to know about where their priorities lie. From the beginning Trump has used the shutdown as a political game - from withholding food from children to harassing air traffic controllers who take on second jobs to make ends meet. This bill is just another way to ram through his corrupt agenda - carving out $500,000 payouts to Senators allegedly implicated in the January 6th insurrection. The corruption is staggering.\n\n\u201cI can\u2019t in good conscience vote for something that further damages an already broken health care system. Americans are disgusted by a system that screws them over at every turn. I want Vermonters to know I\u2019m in this fight for a health care system that truly serves us. We deserve that and an economy that works for all of us, not just the billionaire class. The fight doesn\u2019t end here.\u201d\n\nThe bill includes a provision that provides a legal path for Republican Senators implicated in the January 6th insurrection to get at least a half million-dollar payout. That payout is based on baseless concerns over lawful subpoenas issued by prosecutors who were investigating those Senators' involvement in the attempt to overthrow the government on January 6, 2021.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-07T15:46:19Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=617", "Rep. Becca Balint Mourns the Loss of Middlebury College Student, Lia Smith", "2025-10-27", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Middlebury, VT \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint released the following statement following the death of Middlebury College student, Lia Smith:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m absolutely heartbroken for the family of Lia Smith and the Middlebury College Community. As a parent, I\u2019m crushed by this news and grieving for her parents and loved ones. The loss of a child is unimaginable. The community will remember Lia as a bright student, talented athlete, and friend. She was pursuing a double major in computer science and statistics. She was an outspoken advocate for her community as a trans woman and athlete.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m grateful for the efforts by local, state, and federal law enforcement in this investigation and to everyone who played a role in the search. Vermont stands with the Middlebury community during this extremely difficult time. Please, Middlebury students, faculty, and community members, take care of one another as you mourn this devastating loss.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=615", "Rep. Becca Balint and Rep. Mark Takano Introduce Intersex Awareness Day Resolution", "2025-10-24", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C \u2013 Today, Congressional Equality Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Congressional Equality Caucus Chair Mark Takano (CA-39) introduced the Intersex Awareness Day Resolution. The resolution recognizes October 26 as Intersex Awareness Day and affirms the dignity and the universal human right to bodily autonomy of intersex people. Intersex Awareness Day honors the first public demonstration by intersex people in the United States, which took place at the annual conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics on October 26th, 1996, to advocate for bodily autonomy, oppose non-consensual genital surgery, and decrease stigmatization. Since 1996, October 26th has become a day during which intersex people and allies come together to celebrate and uplift the intersex community.\n\n\u201cThis has always been about basic human dignity and the millions of intersex Americans who are no less worthy of respect and dignity than anyone else,\u201d said Rep. Balint (VT-AL), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. \u201cAnd as the Trump Administration insists on denying the existence and rights of intersex Americans, we will not be deterred in standing up for their rights. It\u2019s critical that we, the LGBTQI+ community, work to raise awareness of the stories and needs of intersex people. I\u2019m proud to reintroduce this resolution with Chair Takano to stand up for intersex Americans and affirm everyone\u2019s right to bodily autonomy.\u201d\n\n\u201cRepublicans\u2019 attacks on the trans community don\u2019t just hurt trans people\u2014the effects spill over onto intersex people, too, because these attacks are based on the false premise that people\u2019s sex-related traits always fit neatly into one of two binary options. Intersex people cannot be left out of the conversation when we talk about the impacts of these attacks,\u201d said Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. \u201cAs the lead sponsor of the most comprehensive nondiscrimination bill for the intersex community\u2014the Equality Act\u2014I\u2019m proud to join Congressional Equality Caucus Co-Chair Becca Balint in introducing this resolution recognizing Intersex Awareness Day, because there is no justice for the LGBTQI+ community without justice for the intersex community.\u201d\n\nThis resolution:\n\nEncourages the Federal Government, States, localities, nonprofit organizations, schools, and community organizations to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities, with the goal of increasing public knowledge of the intersex community and empowering individuals to celebrate and respect their diversity.\n\nUrges health care providers to offer culturally and clinically competent care to the intersex community that respects bodily autonomy and self-determination, and encourages schools to support education regarding the intersex community, and connect individuals to resources for young people with intersex variations and their families.\n\nEncourages the Federal Government, States, international funding organizations, and bilateral and multilateral aid efforts to prioritize the health and human rights of intersex people.\n\nIntersex refers to individuals with innate variations in physical traits that differ from stereotypical expectations for male or female bodies regarding the development, appearance, or function of sex-related characteristics. This includes variations in one or more traits or characteristics, such as reproductive organs, genitals, hormone production and response, or chromosome patterns, which may present at birth or may occur naturally later in life.\n\nThe resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Pocan, Bonamici, Foushee, Frost, Mullin, Peters, Tlaib, Norton, Torres, Watson Coleman, Jayapal, Ramirez, Johnson (Hank), Carson, Garcia, Jacobs, Evans, Randall, and Huffman. The resolution is endorsed by the Congressional Equality Caucus (CEC), InterACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth, and Trevor Project.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=616", "Rep. Becca Balint Conducts ICE Oversight in Chicago", "2025-10-24", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Chicago, IL \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint, Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, joined Democrats in Chicago for a hearing on ICE attacks on Chicago. The hearing titled Kidnapped and Disappeared: Trump\u2019s Assault on Chicago was hosted by U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, along with Chicago-area Representatives Jes\u00fas \u201cChuy\u201d Garc\u00eda (IL-04), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Danny K. Davis (IL-07).\n\nThe purpose of the hearing was to dive deeper into Trump\u2019s unlawful and aggressive actions in Chicago and featured witnesses who spoke to personal trauma, constitutional violations, and labor implications. There were over a dozen Members of Congress in attendance from across Illinois and the country.\n\nWatch her full remarks here.\n\nRead excerpts from her remarks from the hearing below:\n\n\u201cThank you, Ranking Member Jayapal. Thank you for the entire democratic delegation from Illinois that are here. Thank you for hosting us. But most importantly thank you [witnesses] for being willing to come here with us to tell us exactly what's going on because I can tell you our constituents are enraged too. They're enraged by what this government is doing in our name. They are enraged on your behalf. They hate what they're seeing on their TV screens and their phone screens, and they want us to be here witnessing and spreading the alarm and that's why we're here.\n\n\u201cAnd I want to be really clear, some of us were talking about this yesterday, this is all about abuse of power. From the illegal firings of federal workers, to taking away people's health care, to destroying the East Wing of the White House, and now being here watching the ways in which they are terrorizing neighborhoods here in Chicago and across this country. It is about abuse of power and as I said, we are enraged.\n\n\u201cYesterday we had an opportunity from people who are directly impacted by the terror that is being brought here in Chicago. People snatched off the street, disappeared. People who are dropping their kids off at school. People who are just trying to go to work. The big lie - they are not criminals. They do not have criminal records. These are people, the backbones of our communities, that are being hauled off. And they with the respect and the dignity the human dignity that they all deserve as human beings. And one woman told us that her mother had said how shocked she was that here in the United States she could be treated with so much inhumanity, on our watch, in our name\n\n\u201cPastor Black, I know you know something about this, you were there protesting peacefully, you were praying, you were shot with pepper balls to the head. It's a shocking video of unnecessary violence. And you are not the only religious leader that has tried to give comfort to those who have been detained and ICE has refused entry. Can you please tell me why you feel called in this moment to stand up for immigrants?\u201d\n\nWitnesses at the hearing included:\n\nLawrence Benito, Executive Director, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights\n\nPastor David Black, First Presbyterian Church\n\nBob Reiter, President, Chicago Federation of Labor\n\nKevin Fee, Legal Director, ACLU of Illinois\n\nJuliet de Jesus Alejandre, Executive Director, Palenque LSNA\n\nAny Huamani, Immigration Defense Coordinator\n\nGenesis O., Directly Impacted Chicagoan", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=614", "Rep. Balint Announces Departure of State Director, David Scherr", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "BURLINGTON, VT \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) announced that David Scherr, State Director, will be departing the office and taking on a new role in Vermont. David has served as State Director, leading the Vermont offices, since day one of Rep. Balint\u2019s tenure in Congress. Jessica Nordhaus, Director of Community Outreach, will serve as interim State Director.\n\n\u201cDavid Scherr has been a central figure on my team and for all Vermonters who engage with my office. He has built and led our team in Vermont with dedication, excitement, and a deep understanding of the needs of Vermonters,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cI\u2019m profoundly grateful for his contributions to our mission and I look forward to seeing his public service to the state continue in a new role. David will be greatly missed.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt has been a genuine honor to serve Congresswoman Balint as her State Director,\u201d said David Scherr. \u201cAs Vermonters know well, the Congresswoman leads with care, integrity, and thoughtfulness. She brings wit, humor, joy, and energy to her role and to those lucky enough to be around her. I am so grateful to have been a part of her team and served someone who provides a model of compassionate, forceful leadership in these challenging times.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=613", "Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Anniversary of October 7th Attack", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint released the following statement in on the second anniversary of the October 7th Attack on Israel:\n\n\"Today is the second anniversary of the horrific October 7 attack by Hamas on innocent Israeli civilians. I mourn all the lives lost that day and for all those killed and wounded, both Israelis and Palestinians, in this horrible ongoing war. I continue to pray for the safe return of the hostages and the end of suffering in Gaza. May this year finally bring peace.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=606", "Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Republican Government Shut Down, Refusal to Protect Health Care", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement in response to Republicans' choice to shut down the government:\n\n\u201cRepublicans once again chose to turn their back on Americans\u2019 health care. If they wanted to keep the government open, they would have returned to DC and taken a seat at the negotiating table with Democrats to protect health care for working Americans. I won\u2019t just stand by and support their plans to rip away health care from millions. This is not what the American people want.\u201d\n\nThe nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office confirmed that Republicans\u2019 health care plan would strip coverage from 15 million Americans and send premiums soaring for millions more. Republican policies will impose the largest Medicare cut in American history.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=604", "Rep. Becca Balint Condemns Political Violence", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement ahead of her vote on H.Res. 719:\n\n\u201cI'm voting yes because we need to take a stand against political violence. Like so many Americans, I'm sick of the dehumanizing and demeaning rhetoric. And it\u2019s incumbent upon leaders to use our platform to take the temperature down. I want to be on the record condemning political violence in any form. With this resolution, Republicans have tried to use this moment to polarize us further by bringing a cynical and divisive resolution to the floor. This vote should not be interpreted in any way as agreeing with the hurtful, offensive things that Charlie Kirk has said.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=605", "Rep. Becca Balint Vote No on The Republican Funding Bill", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement following the vote on the Republican continuing resolution:\n\n\u201cI will not vote to allow a health care crisis that\u2019s devastating working people to continue. Republicans have once again chosen the partisan route. Rather than continuing bipartisan, good-faith negotiations to fund the government in a responsible way, they\u2019ve shut down any option for compromise. Instead, they\u2019ve gone forward with a funding bill that does nothing to undo the health care crisis of their own creation.\n\n\u201cCosts continue to rise for Americans, inflation continues to rise, and this bill does nothing to help. Millions of Americans are still in danger of losing their healthcare as a result of Republican cuts. It\u2019s time for the President and Speaker Johnson to listen to the needs of the American people. Because this isn\u2019t a game. I oppose this bill, and I oppose the Republican\u2019s relentless assault on healthcare, science, and the Constitution.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=603", "Rep. Becca Balint: \u201cI believe Israel is Committing a Genocide in Gaza\u201d", "2025-09-17", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint published an op-ed on the situation in Gaza, calling Israel\u2019s offensive that has killed over 60,000 Palestinians a \u201cgenocide.\u201d In a report released this week, a UN commission found that Israel has \u201ccommitted four genocidal acts\u201d since October 7, 2023. She is the first Jewish Member of Congress to use the term \u201cgenocide\u201d to describe what is happening on the ground in Gaza.\n\nRead her op-ed here:\n\nMy grandfather was murdered on a death march from Mauthausen concentration camp in the last few weeks of World War II. Like many American Jews, I hold an emotional connection to Israel because it was a refuge after the genocide against the Jews across Europe. Many of us now grapple with the pain of witnessing the suffering of Gazans and the pain of waiting for the Israeli hostages to be released.\n\nToday, I believe the Israeli government is committing a genocide against the Palestinian people. As the granddaughter of a man murdered in the Holocaust, it is not easy for me to say that. But the trauma of the Holocaust serves as a reminder of the power of speaking out. I feel compelled to speak out because I know there are so many others like me who are horrified by what they see.\n\nAs I write this, babies and young children are starving while the extremist Israeli government continues to withhold aid and commit acts of violence against civilians. The suffering goes beyond the tragic loss of life inherent to war; at this point, the Netanyahu government\u2019s actions appear to be a systematic, intentional destruction of the Palestinian people. It\u2019s difficult not to come to this conclusion when some top Israeli officials all but say it themselves, calling Palestinians \u201chuman animals\u201d and pledging to turn Gaza into \u201chell.\u201d\n\nLeading international genocide scholars have reached the same conclusion, determining that Israel\u2019s actions in Gaza now meet the criteria for genocide, which they define as being \"committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.\" That is what we are seeing in Gaza right now.\n\nAnd many Americans believe the same. According to a recent Quinnipiac poll, American disapproval of the Israeli military action in Gaza has now reached 60%. And half of the voters surveyed, including 77% of Democrats, believe the Israeli government is committing genocide.\n\nTens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed, and almost 90% of Gaza\u2019s population has been displaced, wiping out entiregenerations of families. Israeli Defense Force reports show that five out of six Palestinians killed by Israeli forces have been civilians. The World Health Organization reports that 94% of hospitals in Gaza are damaged or destroyed. The Israeli government continues to restrict humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, while escalating military operations. It\u2019s reported that more than half of Gaza\u2019s population is undergoing a famine.\n\nAmerica has a moral responsibility to own our complicity in this genocide and to use our power to stop it. While international bodies like the International Court of Justice often take years, sometimes decades, to reach a final verdict, long after genocides have ended, the scale and immediacy of this crisis demand urgent action. The United States has, as recently as in Sudan earlier this year, independently recognized genocides to galvanize international response. And this moment demands the same. Such recognition can be critical in steering American foreign policy. Those of us in government can and must save lives by using our platform to stop horrific suffering and end the endless shipment of arms to Israel.\n\nBeing clear about what's happening in Gaza does not minimize the horrors of the Holocaust or the violence committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023. I will always condemn both the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia in our country. And I grieve for all the Israelis who suffered horrific brutality at the hands of Hamas and for those who lost family and friends on and after Oct. 7, the most severe attack on Jews since the Holocaust. I weep for the Palestinian babies and children dying from starvation and lack of medical care.\n\nI do not write this to create a litmus test for others, and I don\u2019t think it\u2019s useful to fixate on getting other leaders to use the specific word \u201cgenocide.\u201d Many Americans do see the profound suffering that Israel is causing but are hesitant to use the label because many Jews still live with the trauma of the Holocaust. More important than the word itself is that we change the conversation and change our policy. That\u2019s what Americans want. They are demanding that we speak out against the atrocities being committed with our taxpayer money. We need to listen.\n\nI want both a safe and secure Israel and a safe, secure independent Palestinian state. The policies of the Israeli government right now are not going to keep Israelis safe but instead are further isolating Israel on the world stage.\n\nThe dire situation in Gaza demands clarity and courage from us right now. The United States must find its way back to its founding principles of life and liberty by honestly acknowledging the realities in Gaza and working to change them.\n\nSpeaking truth and demanding action is the first step on the path forward.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=602", "House Republicans Reject Balint Amendment to End Trump\u2019s Use of the National Guard as a Military \u2018Reaction Force\u2019 Against American Citizens", "2025-09-09", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement after the Rules Committee rejected an amendment she sponsored to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would repeal the provisions of Executive Order 14339 issued August 25, 2025 related to the creation of a standing National Guard quick reaction force available for rapid nationwide deployment for quelling civil disturbances. Rep. Balint\u2019s amendment aimed to stop Trump\u2019s use of the National Guard as a military reaction force against U.S. cities.\n\n\u201cThe Trump Administration has manufactured an urgent crime crisis in DC, when there are no facts to support these claims, in order to justify creating a standing military reaction force through the National Guard. Trump\u2019s deployment of the National Guard to blue cities he does not agree with is nothing more than a wannabe strongman stance, is not based in reality, and does not reflect the will of the people. I introduced an amendment to the NDAA to put an end to the increased military presence in DC and other cities, as well as Trump\u2019s use of the National Guard as a standing, quick reaction force to be used against American citizens. Republicans in Congress fell in line with Trump once again and threw out the amendment. Congress cannot continue to allow Trump to wage war on American citizens, on American soil.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=600", "ICYMI: Balint Joins Steil to Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Kids\u2019 Mental Health Online", "2025-09-08", "2025", "2025-09", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Last week, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-01) introduced the Protecting Young Minds Online Act, which requires the Center for Mental Health Services to develop and disseminate a strategy to address the effects of new technologies, like social media, on children\u2019s mental health.\n\n\u201cThe loneliness crisis in this country affects us all one way or another. And young Americans are relying on social media and technology to find a sense of connection. But we know social media exposure can also have negative effects on mental health,\u201d said Balint. \u201cAs a mom of two teens, and a former teacher, I\u2019m deeply concerned about the mental health impact of social media on our youth. It\u2019s critical we act to better understand the potential harms. I\u2019m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to take the important step to promote positive use of social media and protect our youth.\u201d\n\n\u201cSocial media and emerging technologies can have a harmful impact on children, driving depression, anxiety, and in worst cases, self-harm and suicide,\u201d said Steil. \u201cThe federal government should work alongside families, teachers, and children to provide the tools necessary to promote positive mental health and keep our children safe.\u201d\n\nIn recent years, there has been a significant increase in mental health disorders in youth, including depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth ages 15-24. Approximately one out of every 10 high school students reports attempting suicide each year.\n\nAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s (CDC) 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, nearly one in three teenage girls seriously considered attempting suicide, and 40% of all students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness.\n\nTo read the full text of the legislation, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=599", "400+ Glens Falls, NY Residents Join Rep. Balint and Colleagues in Elise Stefanik District for Town Hall Event", "2025-08-25", "2025", "2025-08", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined local leaders, unions, and her colleagues Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-20), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-7) to expose how Republican policies are harming the region and answer attendees\u2019 questions. Over 400 people attended the Progress for the People town hall organized by Indivisible Adirondack-Saratoga, Citizen Action of New York, Communications Workers of America, and the Progressive Caucus Action Fund (PCAF) in Glens Falls, NY on Friday.\n\nThe Republican budget law, signed by President Trump on July 4th, is expected to cost 17 million Americans their health insurance and take food away from 40 million people in order to funnel billions to tax giveaways for corporations and the ultra-wealthy and turbo-charge the administration\u2019s mass deportation machine.\n\n\u201cAmericans need to hear directly from Progressives on our vision for the future. A future where life can be easier, where dreams and opportunities feel within reach, and no one worries about deciding between health care and making rent. We can build an America that truly works for working people and delivers real progress on the things that matter.\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cIn Glens Falls, Elise Stefanik refuses to listen to or show up for her constituents. And Americans need us to stand up for our democracy, for our rights, and for our freedom to live without the crushing burden of corporate greed. I\u2019m so proud to cross the border to New York with my colleagues to make sure every voice is heard.\u201d\n\n\u201cI was so proud to join my Progressive Caucus colleagues in Glens Falls to highlight the devastating consequences of the GOP\u2019s Big, Ugly Bill for working families here in New York and across the nation,\u201d said Rep. Tonko. \u201cWe heard powerful stories from so many community members who are already feeling the impact of this disastrous legislation, and those voices will guide us in Washington as we continue our fierce advocacy on behalf of those we serve. While Republicans hide from defending their indefensible budget, my colleagues and I stand firmly with our communities and stand ready to give them the tools they need to join us in fighting back.\u201d\n\n\u201cRepublicans\u2019 Big Ugly Bill is an assault on every person who calls this country home and a shameful betrayal of our shared humanity,\u201d said Rep. Pressley. \u201cThat\u2019s why I was proud to join Reps. Balint and Tonko to let the people of Glens Falls, of the Massachusetts 7th, and across the country know that we refuse to accept this injustice as an inevitability, and we will always fight for you. Trump and Republicans \u2013 like Rep. Elise Stefanik \u2013 refuse to face their constituents because they know their policy violence will make people across America sicker, poorer, hungrier, and more vulnerable. We will not let them hide from their cuts to healthcare, to food assistance, to abortion care \u2013 because lives depend on it and families deserve more.\u201d\n\nThe town hall provided a chance for community members to get their questions answered, find resources, connect to local organizations working for community justice, and hear about a progressive vision for our nation. Questions focused on the harm caused by the Republican budget bill, threats to health care, rising costs for working people, and the need for elected representatives to be truly accountable to their constituents.\n\n\u201cIt was so inspiring to see three Congress people show up to answer questions in a Town Hall in our district!\u201d said Doreen Miller, a member of Indivisible ADK/Saratoga. \u201cOur Congress person, Elise Stefanik, has not shown up in years to talk to us and explain her reasoning for her votes. We need representation in Congress too!\u201d\n\n\u201cGlens Falls showed up tonight because folks are sick of paying higher prices while billionaires get giveaways, and they want answers,\u201d said Catherine Rowland, PCAF\u2019s Director of Government Affairs & Access. \u201cTonight was about making sure communities get those answers and giving real people a platform to demand better from this Republican Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cCWA is very proud to stand with our fellow labor, community, and elected allies to help foster both discussion and a plan to fight back against these continued attacks on our jobs, livelihoods, and freedoms.\" said Dennis Trainor, Vice President CWA District 1. \"Many of those currently in power have abandoned working families and laid waste to our communities and the unions that have helped build them over generations, and we will not sit idly by while the so-called \"Big Beautiful Bill\" deepens the country's affordability crisis and leaves millions without healthcare and out of work. We will make sure that every New Yorker understands the impact of this bill, and who is responsible for the biggest tax cuts for the wealthy, while taking away healthcare from millions of Americans.\"\n\n\u201cWe are under attack by a cruel budget that strips health care, food, and opportunity from working people while lining the pockets of billionaires,\u201d said Ravo Root, Lead Organizer at Citizen Action of New York. \u201cWhen our neighbors come together like this\u2014sharing stories, building power, and demanding accountability\u2014we remind those in Washington that we are organized, we are watching, and we will not stop until our communities get the justice and investment we deserve.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:57:50Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=597", "Rep. Balint Joins Rep. Ross to Introduce Bill to Repeal Trump Deportation Power Targeting Free Speech", "2025-08-13", "2025", "2025-08", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02), and members of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced the Land of the Free Act. This legislation would repeal Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants the Secretary of State the power to deport visa-holders and legal permanent residents whose presence in the United States would have \u201cpotentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.\u201d\n\nSince taking office in January, President Trump and his administration have tried to use this power to deport visa-holders and legal permanent residents who are exercising their constitutionally protected right to free speech. Up until this administration, it was used sparingly, only 15 times in 35 years. However, now the executive branch is abusing this power and using it to try to deport individuals whose speech it finds inconvenient.\n\n\u201cThe Trump administration is using any excuse they can to deport people for speech they don\u2019t like,\u201d said Congresswoman Balint. \u201cBut Americans know the Constitution guarantees people within our borders the most basic of rights including due process and free speech. This administration has ignored those fundamental rights to flex their authoritarian power and remove people they disagree with. Rep. Ross and I won\u2019t let them continue to trample on our rights. It's time we take away the Trump administration's power to arbitrarily detain people and firmly protect everyone's right to free speech in this country.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince day one, the Trump administration has continually violated the constitutionally protected free speech rights of immigrants in this country,\u201d said Congresswoman Ross. \u201cWe cannot let this corrupt administration go unchecked and undeterred. That\u2019s why Congresswoman Balint and I are introducing legislation to curb their abuse of federal law to deport individuals who they disagree with. The freedom of speech is a foundational principle of our democracy, and I urge my colleagues to join us in this important fight to protect it.\u201d\n\nThis legislation is endorsed by American Civil Liberties Union, Indivisible, MPower Change Action Fund, and Demand Progress.\n\n\u201cThe First Amendment protects everyone on US soil, citizen or not,\u201d said Jenna Leventoff, Senior Policy Counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union. \u201cIf someone can be detained and deported because of their political beliefs, then the free speech rights of each and every person in the United States are in serious danger. The ability to speak out and protest is foundational to our democracy, and we thank Reps. Ross and Balint for working to ensure that dissent cannot be grounds for deportation.\"\n\n\u201cWe support the Land of the Free Act because no president should be able to leapfrog bedrock constitutional rights and declare someone a threat to the nation on a whim,\u201d said Demand Progress Policy Director Emily Peterson-Cassin. \u201cWithout this needed bill, student activists like Mohsen Mahdawi and Mahmoud Kahlil could be just the first of many victims frivolously punished by the government for merely exercising their free speech rights. We thank Reps. Ross and Balint for fighting to defend the free speech fights of all Americans.\u201d\n\n\"The Land of the Free Act is a key to protecting the very foundation of our democracy: freedom of speech, political opinion, protest, and dissent,\u201d said Andrew O'Neill, National Advocacy Director, Indivisible. \u201cOver the last eight months, we\u2019ve seen in the cases of Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa \u00d6zt\u00fcrk, and others how Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act can be weaponized to silence and punish anyone whose views the administration opposes\u2014undocumented, legal status, or citizen alike. This provision has been abused to target students, journalists, and community leaders critical of U.S. foreign and immigration policy. This new legislation would establish a clear line: in the U.S., we do not exile people for exercising their constitutional rights. Political repression anywhere is a threat to freedom everywhere. We thank Congresswomen Ross and Balint for introducing this bill and standing firm in safeguarding our right to free speech, dissent, and political expression.\u201d\n\n\"As the largest Muslim digital advocacy organization with more than 500,000 members nationwide, MPower Change Action Fund is proud to endorse the Land of the Free Act of 2025,\" said Yasmine Taeb, Legislative and Political Director at MPower Change Action Fund. \"We applaud Rep. Becca Balint and Rep. Deborah Ross's leadership in introducing this legislation to repeal Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, an obsolete Cold War-era provision used and abused by the Trump Administration to abduct, detain, and threaten with deportation Mahmoud Khalil, R\u00fcmeysa \u00d6zt\u00fcrk, Badar Khan Suri, Mohsen Mahdawi and other students and scholars exercising their First Amendment protected rights. We urge House members to cosponsor the Land of the Free Act of 2025 and call for its swift passage.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:57:50Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=584", "Rep. Becca Balint Slams Republican $9 Billion Federal Funding Clawback", "2025-07-18", "2025", "2025-07", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement on the passage of the rescissions package, which slashes $7.9 billion from international development and humanitarian programs, and $1.1 billion from public media.\n\n\u201cThis rescissions package is a betrayal of working families, especially in rural communities like Vermont,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cMillions of Americans rely on our public broadcasting system for free and factual news coverage and programming, including lifesaving emergency alerts. This is clearly not about cost-cutting, as Republicans just voted for huge tax cuts for billionaires. It\u2019s about prioritizing the ultra-rich and leaving rural communities vulnerable.\u201d\n\nThese cuts would continue the reckless agenda started by Elon Musk and weaken the United States\u2019 power around the world. This terrible bill comes on the heels of Republicans' cuts to Medicaid and food assistance\u2014all to fund tax cuts for billionaires.\n\nThis Republican package hurts hardworking American families by:\n\nHarming millions of preschool-age kids (and their families) that currently benefit from PBS Kids children\u2019s educational programs, such as Sesame Street or Daniel Tiger\u2019s Neighborhood, that improve children\u2019s literacy and math skills.\n\nTerminating $1.1 billion in funding for public television and public radio, including funding that is allocated directly to more than 1,500 locally-owned public television or public radio stations.\n\nVermont stations received more than $2 million from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in Fiscal Year 2024.\n\nHurting rural communities, as locally-owned public television stations and public radio stations are often the only trusted and reliable news source available, as well as the only coverage of local high school sports.\n\nThreatening public safety and disaster response, as public television and public radio provide emergency alerts even when other communications systems go down.\n\nCutting global health programs and undermining America\u2019s global leadership and security.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:40:33Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=585", "House Votes to Fund Vermont Small Business, MVP Robotics, Contract with Department of Defense", "2025-07-18", "2025", "2025-07", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL)\u2019s amendment to include a $10,000,000 Department of Defense contract with a Vermont small business, MVP Robotics, in the appropriations bill passed today. MVP Robotics is headquartered in Bradford, VT and employs 23 people across Vermont and New Hampshire. The passage of Rep. Balint\u2019s amendment will bring major growth to an emerging technology company. MVP Robotics dual use technology was developed for sports teams and military training.\n\n\u201cIt is critical our small businesses have growth opportunities to bring jobs to and grow innovation in Vermont,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cAnd since its founding MVP Robotics has been on the cutting edge of our state\u2019s technology industry. I\u2019m thrilled to have secured this amendment in the larger Department of Defense spending bill to continue to support our state\u2019s culture of innovation and the strength of our small businesses.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:40:33Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=583", "Rep. Becca Balint to Chair Progressive Caucus Task Force to End Corporate Greed", "2025-07-16", "2025", "2025-07", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) launched a Progressive Caucus Task Force to end corporate greed. Rep. Balint\u2019s Task Force is one of four that will be focused on advancing a slate of policy proposals to set a vision for the Democratic agenda that puts the needs of working people first.\n\n\u201cI came to Congress to unrig a system that makes it so hard for so many Americans to get a fair shot,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint. \u201cAnd today, I\u2019m fired up to launch the Ending Corporate Greed Task Force alongside my colleagues to do the real work necessary to build an America that gives people a real chance at an easier life. Corporate greed is at the root of so many of the struggles working people face. It\u2019s time we take back power over our rigged economy and fight back against the greed that makes everything harder for the rest of us. Because we have a vision for a reality where we can all afford to make rent, have affordable health care, get paid fair wages, and get an education without crippling debt.\u201d\n\nThe four Task Forces\u2014focused on lowering costs, ending corporate greed, fighting corruption, and securing better pay and benefits\u2014are part of a broader effort by the Progressive Caucus to define a Democratic governing agenda that is clear, popular, easy to understand, and quickly delivers material benefits to working people. The other task forces launched today by the Caucus will be led by the following Members:\n\nRep. Omar, Promoting Peace & Security\n\nRep. Min, Fighting Corruption\n\nRep. Johnson, Fighting Corruption (Vice Chair)\n\nRep. Ansari, Lowering Costs\n\nRep. Randall, Better Pay and Benefits", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:40:33Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=582", "Rep. Becca Balint on Passage of Devastating Republican Tax and Spending Bill", "2025-07-03", "2025", "2025-07", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement on the passage of the Republican tax and spending bill that guts Medicaid, food assistance and other critical programs that Americans rely on. The Republican budget includes over $800 billion in cuts that will decimate Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. These cuts put rural hospitals at risk of immediate closure. It will kick nearly 17 million Americans off their health insurance and throw at least 4 million people off food assistance, all to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires and massive corporations. All Democrats voted no.\n\n\u201cThis Republican budget is far and away the cruelest piece of legislation I\u2019ve seen in my career. It\u2019s an utter moral failure,\u201d saidRep. Becca Balint. \u201cThis bill will leave people without food, without healthcare, without options to keep their families afloat. That\u2019s the painful reality of this bill. It comes after the poorest among us to give to the richest, while Americans are already struggling to put food on the table, afford medications, and pay rent in an economy rigged against working people.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m horrified to see the Republican party almost unanimously support propping up billionaires at the expense of their own communities. It\u2019s sickening and speaks to their vision for America. But I\u2019m not giving up hope. It\u2019s going to take all of us fighting together to work to reverse some of the worst policies passed today.\u201d\n\nRepublicans\u2019 reckless tax and spending bill will:\n\nAdd over $3.9 trillion to the national debt, a $1 trillion increase over the House-passed bill.\n\nKick nearly 20 million people off their health insurance and increase health care insurance costs for everyone.\n\nMedicaid is the largest single-payer of maternity care in the United States, covering an estimated 40% of births. One in five women, and nearly half the country\u2019s children, are covered by Medicaid.\n\nDefund Planned Parenthood. The bill prohibits health clinics from accepting Medicaid funds for family planning and reproductive health care services if they provide abortions. The destruction of Planned Parenthood\u2019s critical family planning and reproductive health care clinics will cost taxpayers $52 million, according to the Congressional Budget Office, and close 200 clinics.\n\nCut to nutritional assistance jeopardizing SNAP for 40 million people including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities and 1.2 million veterans.\n\nBlock future increases to the Thrifty Food Plan, which determines SNAP benefits.\n\nIncreases household energy costs by an average of $400 and will lead to millions of jobs lost and $197 billion in lost wages.\n\nCut clean energy incentives and add a tax to wind and solar energy.\n\nSpend more than $150 billion in funding for Trump\u2019s cruel immigration enforcement agenda which breaks down our legal immigration system, deports people without due process and has turned its back on asylum seekers and refugees.\n\nRep. Becca Balint is a member of the House Budget Committee. Throughout the budget process, Rep. Balint has offered amendments to protect Social Security and reduce health insurance costs. Her amendments to prevent the House of Representatives from considering legislation that would cut Social Security benefits, increase the retirement age, or privatize Social Security were all rejected by Republicans in the House Budget and Rules Committees. This week, Rep. Balint filed amendments to:\n\nProhibit funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals on the basis of their protected speech,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T14:40:33Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=580", "Balint Joins Bonamici and Frost to Introduce Legislation to Improve Access to Care and Services for LGBTQI+ Seniors", "2025-06-27", "2025", "2025-06", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Becca Balint (D-VT), and Maxwell Frost (D-FL) introduced legislation to improve the long-term health and care of LGBTQI+ seniors.\n\nDecades of marginalization and institutional barriers have left LGBTQI+ seniors with fewer sources of support, higher poverty rates, increased social isolation, and inadequate access to health care. Many of these seniors enter their golden years with the detrimental physical and emotional health effects of having lived through a lifetime of discrimination. The Ruthie and Connie LGBTQI Elder Americans Act would help overcome these barriers by decreasing isolation, improving health, and increasing access to culturally competent services and supports.\n\nThe legislation is named for Ruthie Berman and Connie Kurtz, long-time advocates for LGBTQI+ equality. Connie fought for the rights of LGBTQI+ older adults until her death in 2018. Ruthie, her widow, continues to serve as a champion for the cause.\n\n\u201cDecades of discrimination have left many LGBTQI+ seniors without the support and resources they need to stay healthy as they age,\u201d said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. \u201cLGBTQI+ seniors are resilient, and they deserve to enjoy full, vibrant lives with the support they need to thrive. I\u2019m grateful for Ruthie and Connie\u2019s advocacy on behalf of LGBTQI+ seniors, and I\u2019m glad to lead this legislation in their honor to provide LGBTQI+ seniors specialized access to care and services without discrimination.\u201d\n\n\u201cLGBTQI+ Americans are facing an overwhelming rise in attacks in the face of a hateful administration,\u201d said Congresswoman Becca Balint. \u201cAnd our LGBTQI+ seniors are being left behind with fewer supports, higher poverty and social isolation rates, and inaccessible health care. We owe it to our seniors to ensure they have access to the care and services they need. I'm proud to join Reps. Bonamici and Frost in uplifting the needs of LGBTQ+ seniors and celebrating the work of Ruthie Berman and Connie Kurtz.\u201d\n\n\u201cLike all Americans, our LGBTQ+ elders deserve to be able to live their golden years with the peace and security of quality, affordable care and a community that loves and respects them,\u201d said Congressman Maxwell Frost. \u201cIn honor of the incredible work of Florida\u2019s own Ruth and Connie, we must act as LGBTQ+ seniors face poverty and isolation to ensure they can live their lives free of discrimination.\u201d\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by: Congressional Equality Caucus, SAGE, Human Rights Campaign, Justice in Aging, and Advocates for Trans Equality (A4TE).\n\n\u201cSAGE is honored to cosponsor the Ruthie and Connie LGBTQI Elder Americans Act, which addresses a critical need: support for the ever-growing number of LGBTQ+ Americans who are over 60,\u201d said SAGE CEO Michael Adams. \u201cBy permanently establishing the National Resource Center on LGBTQI Aging, aging service providers will have access to a wealth of resources, information, and tools to help them create welcoming and affirming environments for LGBTQ+ participants.\u201d\n\nLGBTQI+ seniors now face additional obstacles from an administration that seeks to disenfranchise them and their community. Because of these profound challenges, LGBTQI+ seniors require specialized services and support that are scarce and severely underfunded in every part of the country.\n\nThe Ruthie and Connie LGBTQI Elder Americans Act would:\n\nInclude LGBTQI+ older adults among women, rural, and racial and ethnic minorities as a population with the greatest economic and social needs under OAA;\n\nPermanently establish the National Resource Center on LGBTQI Aging to provide critical resources, information, and tools for aging service providers to better address the needs of LGBTQI+ seniors;\n\nRequire the Assistant Secretary of Aging to oversee data collection for LGBTQI+ adults, their needs, and efficacy of state aging resources to meet those needs.\n\nRequire the long-term care ombudsman to collect and analyze data regarding LGBTQI+ discrimination; and,\n\nPrioritize grants for organizations working to improve LGBTQI+ health, long-term care, and access to culturally responsive services.\n\nA fact sheet about the legislation can be found here, and the text of the legislation can be found here.\n\nBonamici also Chairs the Congressional LGBTQI+ Equality Caucus\u2019 LGBTQI+ Aging Issues Task Force, and led the last two bipartisan updates to the Older Americans Act.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T01:08:28Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=581", "Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Ruling on Judicial Powers and Birthright Citizenship", "2025-06-27", "2025", "2025-06", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), member of the House Judiciary Committee, reacts to the Supreme Court decision in the case of Trump v. CASA. The court ruled 6-3 to restrict federal judges from stopping the nationwide enforcement of blatantly unconstitutional laws. Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the majority\u2019s decision \u201ca travesty for the rule of law.\u201d The ruling does not address the constitutionality of birthright citizenship. The Trump Administration continues to evade the question of the obvious violation of our constitution in trying to end birthright citizenship.\n\n\u201cTrump seeks unrestrained, unchecked power. By carefully choosing to go after birthright citizenship in this way, his administration has made it easier to continue to violate the constitution. And the court\u2019s conservative majority is conveniently allowing it by limiting the lower courts\u2019 checks on the President, further emboldening Trump to rule like a king. Today, they avoided the question of birthright citizenship to allow Trump to continue his assault on our rights, on immigrants, and the constitution. Let me be clear today: if you\u2019re born in America, you are American. Anything to the contrary is a blatant violation of our constitutional rights.\n\n\u201cThis is not only another attack on birthright citizenship, it is an attack on our democracy, making it more difficult for people to individuals their rights. The American people need a judiciary that puts the constitution and the rule of law before anything else.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T01:08:28Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=576", "Rep. Balint Announces South Burlington $700,000 Award from Environmental Protection Agency for Bartlett Bay Wastewater Facility Improvements", "2025-06-24", "2025", "2025-06", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) is proud to announce that the City of South Burlington will receive an award of $700,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve the Bartlett Bay wastewater facility. Rep. Balint secured this funding, alongside fourteen other community projects, through the FY2024 appropriations bill.\n\n\u201cBy funding improvement projects that will lower costs, ensure safe water, and reduce our carbon footprint, this kind of investment will make a meaningful difference in the daily lives of Vermonters. I\u2019m proud to get this funding over the finish line and to do the real work that will mean cleaner and safer communities for Vermont,\u201d said Rep. Balint.\n\nThe funding will be used to reduce the overall carbon footprint as part of the current upgrade of the Bartlett Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) in South Burlington. The facility was last upgraded over 20 years ago and will undergo a refurbishment over the next 1-3 years. This funding will be used to replace existing conventional, fossil-fuel powered systems with efficient heat pump units which can reduce the system\u2019s carbon footprint by 25%. In addition, modern heat pumps can reduce electricity used for heating by approximately 50% compared to electric resistance heating. An energy efficient system will help keep wastewater rates low for rate payers, reduce the plant's carbon footprint, and support a clean energy future.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T01:08:28Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=577", "Vermont Delegation, Governor Scott Celebrate New Funding for Northern Border Regional Commission Awards", "2025-06-24", "2025", "2025-06", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, the Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representative Becca Balint (VT-At Large), along with Governor Phil Scott and the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC)announced NBRC\u2019s Spring 2025 Catalyst Program awardees. Eleven projects in Vermont will receive a cumulative $13.7 million in funding to support initiatives that will increase market access for Vermont food producers, renovate historic and community gathering sites, and upgrade aging infrastructure and municipal drinking water systems.\n\nEstablished in 2008, the NBRC is a Federal-State partnership in northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York, designed to stimulate economic growth and inspire collaboration to improve rural economic vitality across the four-state NBRC region.\n\n\u201cThe Northern Border Regional Commission plays a crucial role in supporting rural economies and communities in Vermont. These funds will be a catalyst for economic growth in rural communities across our state\u2013from renewing vital drinking water infrastructure to renovating historic buildings and community gathering spaces,\u201d said the Vermont Congressional Delegation. \u201cWe\u2019re pleased to see these projects receive funding to help communities in every corner of the Green Mountain State grow and thrive.\u201d\n\n\u201cInvesting in our communities and fixing aging infrastructure, is key to addressing many of the housing and affordability challenges we\u2019re facing in the state,\u201d said Governor Scott. \u201cI want to thank the congressional delegation for their advocacy for this funding as well as the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and NBRC for their work to support these important projects.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe slate of awards approved by the Commission represent a generational investment in local economies across Northern New England and New York. This public investment in infrastructure will directly lead to the creation of new jobs and businesses, housing construction and improved economic opportunity and vitality in rural communities,\u201d said NBRC Federal Co-Chair Chris Saunders.\n\n\u201cThis grant will have a huge impact on our community, and we are so grateful that this resource exists to make these improvements possible. With these funds, the Bolton Valley community will be able to move forward with a much-needed wastewater plant upgrade and set the stage for new residential development. These funds will move the needle on these projects. We truly cannot overstate the impact,\u201d said Lindsay Deslauriers, President, CEO of Bolton Valley Water and Community Development Co.\n\nWhen evaluating potential projects, the Catalyst Program considers project readiness, economic impacts, impacts on Vermont\u2019s skilled workforce, project location, regional input and priorities, and the project\u2019s transformational nature. Awarded projects in the 2025 Catalyst Spring Competition will support essential transportation and water and wastewater infrastructure, expand access to child care, and restore vital economic and social hubs for the rural communities, and more.\n\nThe 2025 Catalyst Spring Competition Awardees include:\n\n\u00b7 Bennington County Industrial Corporation (Bennington County) \u2013 $3,000,000:\n\n\u00b7 Develop essential transportation and water/wastewater infrastructure, supporting long-term economic revitalization in the Putnam Block of downtown Bennington.\n\n\u00b7 Bolton Valley Water and Community Development Co. (Chittenden County) \u2013 $3,000,000:\n\n\u00b7 Upgrade the community wastewater plant and construct a new road to support housing and economic growth.\n\n\u00b7 Rutland City (Rutland County) \u2013 $3,000,000:\n\n\u00b7 Modernize Downtown Rutland\u2019s infrastructure, enhancing economic growth and resilience.\n\n\u00b7 Town of Highgate (Franklin County) \u2013 $1,000,000:\n\n\u00b7 Construct a community wastewater system, enhancing infrastructure for residents, businesses, and public spaces in Highgate Center.\n\n\u00b7 Town of Rochester (Windsor County) \u2013 $1,000,000:\n\n\u00b7 Re-purpose the former Rochester High School into a multi-use community hub.\n\n\u00b7 Town of Woodstock (Windsor County) \u2013 $868,858.52:\n\n\u00b7 Upgrade its municipal drinking water system, increasing pressure and capacity to support new housing and business development.\n\n\u00b7 Benson Village Trust, Inc. (Rutland County) \u2013 $500,000:\n\n\u00b7 Rebuild the Benson Village Store, restoring a vital economic and social hub for the rural community of Benson, Vermont.\n\n\u00b7 Food Connects (Windham County) \u2013 $499,385.50:\n\n\u00b7 Expand its storage and distribution infrastructure, increasing market access for Vermont food producers and supporting rural economic development.\n\n\u00b7 Canaan Naturally Connected, Inc. (Essex County) \u2013 $449,044.00:\n\n\u00b7 Renovate a historic Episcopal Church into the Canaan Community Center, a vital hub for economic and social engagement in rural Essex County, Vermont.\n\n\u00b7 Southeast Vermont Transit, Inc. (Windham County) \u2013 $282,078.00:\n\n\u00b7 Convert Springfield, Vermont\u2019s fixed-route bus system, into a free, on-demand micro transit service.\n\n\u00b7 Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary (Orange County) \u2013 $100,000:\n\n\u00b7 Conduct a feasibility study for expanding childcare facilities and outdoor recreation infrastructure, addressing critical service gaps in rural Vermont.\n\nRead more from NBRC here. The NBRC\u2019s grants management system will open for Fall Round pre-applications in August 2025. Learn more about how to apply here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T01:08:28Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=575", "Rep. Becca Balint on Supreme Court Anti-Trans Ruling", "2025-06-18", "2025", "2025-06", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint released the below statement following the Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Skrmetti. Three transgender adolescents, their families, and a medical provider challenged a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming hormone therapies for transgender people under 18. The Court\u2019s decision allows the Tennessee law to remain in effect.\n\n\u201cEvery parent wants to keep their child healthy. Parents and trans young people have the right to make private health care decisions with their doctors. Today\u2019s ruling allowing Tennessee politicians to interfere in private health care decisions is not only draconian, it's dangerous and hateful,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint. \u201cI want families who are feeling scared today about the consequences of this decision to know that I\u2019m with you. I\u2019m fighting for you in Congress every single day, and I will not back down.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T01:08:28Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=550", "Rep. Becca Balint Calls Out DHS Lack of Accountability for Mahdawi Kidnapping", "2025-06-03", "2025", "2025-06", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "\u201cWe need answers and accountability for the illegal kidnappings, disappearances and intimidation carried out by Noem and the Trump administration. While not surprising, I\u2019m deeply disturbed that Secretary Noem not only takes no responsibility for these illegal kidnappings, she continues to take pride in them.\u201d\n\nToday, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) reacts to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) response to her inquiry on Mohsen Mahdawi\u2019s arrest and detention. Last Friday, Rep. Balint\u2019s office received the following response from Secretary Noem:\n\n\u201cThank you for your April 16, 2025, letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).\n\n\u201cThe information requested in your letter is currently the subject of active litigation. Accordingly, DHS declines to comment on such matters.\u201d\n\nIn April, in response to Mr. Mahdawi\u2019s arrest, Rep. Balint and 67 other House Democrats demanded the Administration\u2019s alleged reason for his arrest from Secretaries Rubio and Noem and received no response. On April 30th, Mr. Mahdawi was released on bail following a decision from Judge Geoffrey Crawford.\n\n\u201cWe need answers and accountability for the illegal kidnappings, disappearances and intimidation carried out by Noem and the Trump administration,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint. \u201cWhile not surprising, I\u2019m deeply disturbed that Secretary Noem not only takes no responsibility for these illegal kidnappings, she continues to take pride in them. The fear of being ripped off the streets by masked agents when you show up to work or a citizenship appointment does not make our communities safer. I\u2019m relieved that Mr. Mahdawi has been released and was able to graduate college, but his arrest should terrify us all. Under Trump, ICE and DHS have become a means to carry out political arrests and silence those who disagree with his authoritarian agenda. I\u2019ll continue to demand accountability and justice for everyone in this country, including Mahmoud Khalil and others still being held unjustly.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T01:08:28Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=549", "Becca Balint Statement on 10 Construction Workers Detained by ICE in Vermont", "2025-05-30", "2025", "2025-05", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Rep. Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement in response to the detention of ten construction workers at an affordable housing construction site in Newport on Thursday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.\n\n\u201cToday we learned that ten construction workers were detained by ICE at an affordable housing site Newport, Vermont. My office is closely monitoring the situation to ensure every person in this country is given the due process they deserve.\n\n\u201cThe fear of being snatched up by ICE just for showing up to work does not make our communities safer. It takes away parents and family members from their homes and creates a looming sense of distrust among neighbors. This marks the second mass immigration raid in our state since Trump took office. This is an administration that governs by fear, chaos, and division. This violates our nation\u2019s deeply held values of due process for all and the rule of law.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=532", "Rep. Becca Balint Slams House Passage of Republican Budget", "2025-05-22", "2025", "2025-05", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Early this morning, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), member of the House Budget Committee, released the below statement after the passage of the Republican budget that guts Medicaid, food assistance and other critical programs that Americans rely on.\n\nThe Republican plan includes over $800 billion in cuts that would decimate Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. These cuts will put rural hospitals at risk of immediate closure. It would kick nearly 14 million Americans off their health insurance and throw at least 3 million people off food assistance, all to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires and massive corporations. The bill passed the House with all Democrats voting no.\n\n\u201cA budget is a reflection of our values: what we view as the most important and who we view as the most important. And it\u2019s not you and your family or me and mine. It\u2019s about propping up billionaires and kicking the rest of us in the teeth while they do it,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cThis bill comes after the poorest among us to give to the richest. Americans are already struggling to put food on the table, afford for medications, and pay rent in an economy rigged against working people. This bill stands to make that reality much more painful.\u201d\n\n\u201cAnd this massive wealth transfer, passed in the middle of the night, will only exacerbate the already obscene wealth inequality in this country. I was sent to Congress to fight for the needs of working people, to stand up for the rights of every Vermonter and every American. I voted \u2018hell no\u2019 on this devastating budget because lives are on the line. Americans deserve so much better than this awful bill. I promise to keep fighting. It\u2019s not over yet.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=531", "Reps. Becca Balint and Dave Min Lead Colleagues in Calling Out RFK Jr. Dangerous Autism Comments", "2025-05-21", "2025", "2025-05", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) is joined by Rep. Dave Min (CA-47) and 24 colleagues to condemn recent comments from Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy where he suggested individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cannot lead fulfilling lives and oppose HHS proposals to track autistic individuals via private health data.\n\nThe Members point out serious concerns about cutting funding, dismantling education programs, and the sidelining of expert advisory committees like the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). Members write to the HHS Secretary as they promote the \u201cMake America Healthy Again,\u201d (MAHA) slogan but recent cuts to programs across federal agencies will have the opposite effect.\n\nIn a letter to the Secretary the members urge him to retract his statements and call for a renewed commitment to evidence-based ASD research, support for caregivers, funding for IDEA programs, and full implementation of the Autism CARES Act of 2024.\n\n\u201cWe are deeply concerned and outraged about your recent comments and proposed actions related to autism spectrum disorder,\u201dwrote the Members in the letter. \u201cWe write today as Members of Congress, but also as parents, family members, and Representatives of loved ones with ASD to demand that you retract your comments and make clear to the nation that individuals with autism play a constructive and valuable role in American society.\u201d\n\n\u201cInstead of vilifying and tracking Americans with ASD, MAHA should help the ASD community by implementing key programs, including: evidence-based research that focuses on improving quality of life, support for caregivers of individuals with ASD, increased access to early childhood screening and interventions, care for adults with ASD and co-occurring psychiatric conditions, and continued access to public health information relating to ASD. It is essential to develop the workforce of the next generation of behavioral pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists, speech-language pathologists, special educators, and other related health professions,\u201d continued the Members.\n\n\u201cThis should go without saying but Americans with autism are valuable and constructive members of our communities who lead meaningful and joyful lives,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cI was appalled but not surprised to hear the Secretary continue to spread baseless lies about autism spectrum disorder under the guise of making Americans healthier. I\u2019m standing with colleagues to implore the Secretary to listen and learn more from people with autism and immediately retract these harmful comments. Misinformation coming from someone who should be fighting for the health and safety of our country is not only disgusting but poses real risks to public health.\u201d\n\n\"Secretary Kennedy is peddling lies that are devastating to individuals with autism spectrum disorder,\" said Rep. Min. \"Conspiracy theories like those that Secretary Kennedy has pushed forward cause major harm to public health and should have no place in the Health and Human Services Department. He must take back and apologize for these hateful comments.\"\n\n\"The Autism Society of America is deeply concerned by ongoing threats to critical services and the misalignment in research priorities under the current Administration. The proposed cuts to Medicaid, and disruption of Autism-related programs, risk dismantling the essential infrastructure that millions of Autistic individuals and their families depend on,\u201d said Tracey Staley, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Autism Society of America. \u201cWe appreciate the vital role that Congress plays in overseeing these matters and ensuring accountability and transparency in policies that impact the disability community.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a non-partisan organization, the Autism Society of America remains committed to working with HHS to ensure that policy and research reflect the diverse needs of the Autism community and uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals on the spectrum,\u201dStaley continued.\n\nThe letter was signed by Reps. Bonamici, Cleaver, Correa, Craig, Elfreth, Garcia (CA), Goodlander, Huffman, Johnson (GA), Kaptur, Krishnamoorthi, McCollum, Norton, Quigley, Ramirez, Raskin, Sherman, Takano, Tlaib, Tonko, Torres (NY), Vel\u00e1zquez, Vindman, and Watson Coleman.\n\nFind the full text of the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=529", "Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Republican\u2019s Late Night Devastating Budget Cuts", "2025-05-18", "2025", "2025-05", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C\u2013 Tonight, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement after the passage of the Republican budget out of the House Budget Committee late this evening:\n\n\u201cIn an economy already rigged against working people, Republicans are moving forward with sweeping cuts to the programs that millions of families afloat. Americans just want to be able to pay their rent, afford groceries and health care, get their kids a good education and build a better life. But this budget makes that so much further out of reach.\n\n\u201cRepublicans have had hundreds of opportunities to stand up for Medicaid, food assistance and our public schools. But tonight, they are again deciding to turn their backs on working people to give tax cuts to their billionaire donors and help corporations rake in even more money. And to do that they are ripping away healthcare from nearly 14 million Americans. This means rural communities will have even less access to care, and our kids and veterans won\u2019t get the medication they need. Their rushed budget will inflict pain on Americans in ways we are yet to even understand.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=528", "Rep. Becca Balint Joins Democrats in Taking Down Cruel Republican Budget", "2025-05-16", "2025", "2025-05", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Budget Democrats successfully blocked the Republican Budget that would have slashed Medicaid, food assistance and other critical programs that Americans rely on. The Republican plan cuts over $880 billion in cuts that would decimate Medicaid, risking the health care coverage for over 13.7 million Americans to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires and massive corporations. These cuts would put rural hospitals at risk of immediate closure due to these cuts, including many of Vermont\u2019s hospitals.\n\n\u201cBudget Committee Republicans voted down their own bill because it wasn\u2019t extreme enough to deny health care to 13.7 million Americans, they want to take it even further,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cThis failure means another opportunity to fight for what Americans need and want: affordable health care and an economy that works for all of us.\u201d\n\nThe Republican Budget included:\n\n$7 trillion in deficit-financed tax cuts: $5.5 trillion that Republicans fraudulently claim are free, plus another $1.5 trillion in additional revenue losses\n\n$880 billion in cuts that will decimate Medicaid\n\n$230 billion in cuts that threaten food assistance\n\n$5 trillion debt limit increase (Senate instruction)\n\nMore than $14 trillion in new debt over the decade\n\nThe Treasury Department found that the extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts would give an average annual tax cut of $32,118 for those in the top 1 percent (family income over approximately $750,000 a year) and an average annual tax cut of $314,266 for those in the top 0.1 percent (making more than $3.5 million a year). Meanwhile, working families will only get a few hundred dollars in tax cuts a year.\n\nRead her opening remarks here:\n\n\u201cA budget is a reflection of our values, our priorities. What we view as the most important; and who we view as the most important. This Republican reconciliation package is cruel. It makes steep cuts to Medicaid. Millions and millions of people will lose their healthcare because of these cuts. Rural hospitals across this country will close because they won\u2019t be able to make their margins to stay open. Medicaid is that margin.\n\n\u201cMy Republican colleagues twice voted on the previous budget framework that made steep cuts to Medicaid. And they said over and over that there were not going to be cuts to Medicaid.\n\n\u201cAnd yet here we are. My Republican colleagues are making cuts to Medicaid. And millions and millions of people will lose their healthcare.\n\n\u201cBut it\u2019s not just a cruel budget. It\u2019s also a cynical one.\n\n\u201cWhy? Why do I use the word cynical? Because these cuts to Medicaid AND the billions of dollars in cuts to food programs are being made to help pay for a massive tax break for the wealthiest in this country. Food and healthcare versus even more money for people who don\u2019t need Medicaid or food assistance. So, yes, I think it\u2019s cruel and I think it\u2019s cynical.\n\n\u201cAnd get this\u2013despite being lectured repeatedly by Republicans about our country\u2019s deficit, this bill actually adds trillions of dollars to the deficit. I\u2019m serious. Trillions of dollars.\n\n\u201cSo people will lose healthcare. Kids and veterans will go hungry. Rural hospitals face closures. And the very rich will get even richer at the expense of our children and grandchildren who will shoulder the burden of the additional debt.\n\n\u201cAmericans overwhelmingly do not want cuts to Medicaid or to food programs. 81% And when we see the full impact\u2014when folks realize what\u2019s being done in their name\u2014they will be outraged. Because it\u2019s a betrayal.\n\n\u201cAmericans can\u2019t pay their rent right now. Grocery prices are too high. Prescription drug prices are too high. And costs will get higher because of Trump\u2019s stupid tariff regime. And small businesses are really struggling. This is Trump\u2019s economy and it\u2019s rigged against working people.\n\n\u201cThis budget is not for working people or the middle class. It\u2019s not for folks living paycheck to paycheck. It\u2019s not for rural communities where health outcomes are the worst.\n\n\u201cOur constituents are struggling. They feel that despite how hard they work, they can\u2019t get ahead. They\u2019re angry. They want fairness. They want a decent life for themselves and their families. We need to be their voices in this committee.\n\n\u201cLet\u2019s not add to the struggles of our people back home. They deserve so much better than this. And Americans are fed up with the way that they are being treated.\u201d\n\nWatch her full remarks here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=509", "Rep. Becca Balint Announces 2025 Congressional Art Competition Winner", "2025-05-13", "2025", "2025-05", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Randolph, VT \u2013 On Friday, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. This year, 100 high school students from 12 counties and 28 schools across Vermont sent in artwork for submission to the annual competition. This year\u2019s art show marks the 44th anniversary of the competition that Vermont\u2019s then-Congressman James Jeffords began in 1982.\n\nThis year\u2019s winner from Vermont is Xinyi Cassy Pan, a sophomore at Lyndon Institute in Lyndon Center, Vermont. Xinyi\u2019s teacher is Elly Barksdale. Her art will be on display with other 2025 Congressional Art Competition winners in the US Capitol.\n\n\u201cThe Congressional Art Competition provides a unique opportunity to bring together young artists to share their work and showcase the talent across our state\u2019s high schools,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cI\u2019m so thankful to represent a state that values and celebrates contributions to the arts and arts education. As a former teacher, as a mom, as a writer, I know how important it is to foster creativity, a love of the arts in our students, and to make it a continued priority in schools.\u201d\n\n\u201cI want to congratulate Xinyi for receiving the Grand Prize for her piece \u2018Awakening Through New Eyes\u2019 in this year's Congressional Art Competition. I\u2019m so impressed by her work, and I look forward to seeing a piece of Vermont every day in the US Capitol,\u201d continued Rep. Balint.\n\nIn addition to the Grand Prize Winner, awards were given to the following students:\n\nCounty Winners:\n\n\u00b7 Addison County - Lola Rollins \u201c.5\u201d, Vergennes Union High School \u2013 Teacher: Anna Macijski\n\n\u00b7 Bennington County \u2013 Willa Seo \u201cHost Father\u201d, Burr and Burton Academy \u2013 Teacher: Anharad Llewelyn\n\n\u00b7 Caledonia County \u2013 Jenna Thomas \u201cPapa\u2019s Garden\u201d, Lyndon Institute \u2013 Teacher: Elly Barksdale\n\n\u00b7 Chittenden County \u2013 Jacklyn Whittier \u201cHideaway\u201d, Champlain Valley Union High School \u2013 Teacher: Jason Fearon\n\n\u00b7 Franklin County \u2013 Ryah Whitehead \u201cA Moment of Joy\u201d, Enosburg Falls High School \u2013 Teacher: Sabrina Bolduc\n\n\u00b7 Lamoille County \u2013 Adam Lewis \u201cHat Day\u201d, Stowe High School \u2013 Teacher: Carleen Zimbalatti\n\n\u00b7 Orange County \u2013 Caroline Watts \u201cSick Day\u201d, Thetford Academy \u2013 Teacher: Karyn Neubauer\n\n\u00b7 Orleans County \u2013 Morgan Breitenbach \u201cFlower Garden\u201d, Lake Region Union High School \u2013 Teacher: Stephanie Harper\n\n\u00b7 Rutland County: Carmen Decato \u201cFighting for Survival\u201d, Stafford Technical Center \u2013 Teacher: Karen Kysar\n\n\u00b7 Washington County: Knives Dryfoos \u201cJust Dance\u201d, U-32 High School \u2013 Teacher: Kristine Chartrand\n\n\u00b7 Windham County: Jada Wood \u201cCards\u201d, Leland and Gray Union High School \u2013 Teacher: Emily Mulcrone\n\n\u00b7 Windsor County: Jonah Libens-Mavodones \u201cLost in Those Deceptively Small Keys\u201d, Hartford High School \u2013 Teacher: Patrick Kelly\n\nThematic Winner:\n\n\u00b7 Eva Fewell \u201cLittle Moments\u201d, Champlain Valley Union High School \u2013 Teacher: Jason Fearon\n\nPeople\u2019s Choice Winner:\n\n\u00b7 Clark Clark \u201cA Spot at the Table\u201d, Champlain Valley Union High School \u2013 Teacher: Emily McLean\n\nJudge\u2019s Choice Winners:\n\n\u00b7 Nikolai Stonorov \u201cRaw Hemmed\u201d, Montpelier High School \u2013 Teacher: Colleen Flanagan\n\n\u00b7 Sage Wyndorf \u201cI Spotted-Touch-Me-Not!\u201d, Burlington Technical Center \u2013 Teacher: Ashley Stagner\n\n\u00b7 Clark Clark \u201cA Spot at the Table\u201d, Champlain Valley Union High School \u2013 Teacher: Emily McLean\n\nTo see a gallery of the student artwork, please visit: https://balint.house.gov/services/submit-artwork.htm\n\nPhotos attached of Xinyi Cassy Pan and Congresswoman Balint and of her artwork. Courtesy of the Office of Rep. Becca Balint.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=508", "Vermont Delegation Introduces the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act to Protect Vermont Waterways", "2025-05-01", "2025", "2025-05", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 The Vermont Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-At Large) this week reintroduced the bicameral Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act. This bill would protect the ecological, recreational, and economic value of Northern Vermont waterways by commissioning a study to determine whether the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream could be included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.\n\n\u201cKeeping Vermont's rivers healthy is crucial to the success of our outdoor recreation and tourism industries. We\u2019re proud to once again introduce this legislation as a Delegation help protect our State's natural beauty and boost our economy,\u201d said the Vermont Congressional Delegation. \u201cThis bill is an important step forward in preserving and protecting the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream for future generations of Vermonters to enjoy.\u201d\n\nThe National Wild and Scenic Rivers System protects free-flowing rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, or recreational value. Since its creation in 1968, the system has grown to encompass more than 13,400 miles of rivers across the country, including segments of the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in Vermont. Depending on their characteristics, rivers may be classified as wild, scenic, or recreational. Wild and Scenic rivers are managed to maintain their free-flowing condition, high water quality, and outstanding recreational opportunities, from rafting to fishing.\n\nThe Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act is supported by a broad coalition of local municipalities, cultural and regional organizations, and environmental conservation groups, including American Rivers, the Connecticut River Joint Commission, Connecticut River Conservancy, Essex County Conservation District, Nature Conservancy, Northeastern Vermont Development Association, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk \u2013 Abenaki Nation, Trout Unlimited (including the David and Francis Smith Northeast Kingdom Chapter), Vermont Chapter of the Native Fish Coalition, and the Vermont River Conservancy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:49:36Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=502", "Statement on Mohsen Mahdawi\u2019s Release", "2025-04-30", "2025", "2025-04", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington , D.C.\u2014 The Vermont Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-VT-At Large) today issued the following statement in reaction to Judge Geoffrey Crawford ordering the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, who was illegally detained by the Trump Administration:\n\n\u201cWe are relieved that Mohsen Mahdawi was released on bail from ICE detention in Vermont, and that the constitutional right to due process has prevailed. Mohsen Mahdawi is here in the United States legally and acted legally. He should never have experienced this grave injustice,\u201d said Sanders, Welch, and Balint. \u201cThe Trump Administration\u2019s actions in this case\u2014and in so many other cases of wrongfully detained, deported, and disappeared people\u2014are shameful and immoral. This is an important first step. We will continue the fight against President Trump\u2019s assault on the rule of law.\u201d\n\nLast night, Rep. Becca Balint led a rally at the State Department to demand Mohsen\u2019s release and highlight the unjust abductions across the country. Rep. Balint was joined by Senators Sanders and Welch and others demanding due process for all, ahead of Mohsen\u2019s Wednesday scheduled hearing. Earlier this month, in response to his arrest, Rep. Balint and 67 other House Democrats demanded to know the Administration\u2019s alleged reason for his arrest from Secretaries Rubio and Noem and received no response.\n\nRep. Balint continued, releasing the following statement in reaction to Mahdawi\u2019s release on bail:\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s news shows us what we can do when we fight for justice, when we come together and use our voices. Mohsen should have never been detained in the first place. And we won\u2019t let the Trump Administration continue to detain and kidnap people off our streets in our name. The fight doesn\u2019t end here. I want Americans to understand that if the Trump Administration can come for one of us, they will come for all of us,\u201d said Rep. Balint.\n\nLink to the livestream of the event here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:33:40Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=507", "Rep. Becca Balint Calls out Republican Unjust and Illegal Immigration Policies in House Judiciary Markup", "2025-04-30", "2025", "2025-04", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) called out the Republican plan to inflate the ICE budget amidst wrongful deportations, illegal abductions of permanent residents and other unjust immigration enforcement practices across the country for the last 100 days. Read her remarks below:\n\n\u201cMr. Chair, on the morning of Thursday, April 24th, about 20 armed federal agents broke into a home occupied by a family of U.S. citizens in Oklahoma City who had just moved there two weeks prior from Maryland. ICE agents, mistaking the current occupants for the former. Broke down the door. Terrorized the family. They repeatedly said, \u2018we are citizens.\u2019 \u2018You have the wrong people.\u2019 \u2018We are citizens.\u2019 It happened in the middle of the night. Three children, at gunpoint, were forced outside to stand in the rain in their underwear while their mother pleaded with these agents to tell them what was going on. They ignored the pleas. They ripped apart the entire house. They seized cash, documents, electronics, their computers as evidence. When the family asked when they would get their stuff back, the agents responded, well, it could be days or it could be months.\n\n\u201cThis was all a colossal mistake. The names on the warrant did not match the people who lived in the house. This is what we have created here. This is Trump's America. These were citizens who were treated like this. This is what we want you to open your eyes to. If it can happen, as we've said time and time again, if it can happen to folks with greencards, it can happen to citizens. And in Oklahoma City, we see a perfect example of that. This is what we're talking about. It's not other people. It's us. It's our neighbors, it's our friends. It's people who just moved from Maryland to Oklahoma for a better life and have their house destroyed, and they can't get answers. If we watch the rest of the news clip there, they're asking ICE who's responsible for that? And then they're sending them to another agency, and they're sending them to another agency, and nobody is accountable for what happened to them.\n\n\u201cThis is what my colleagues are trying to fund with this bill. Armed federal agents breaking into homes, even of US citizens, traumatizing them, taking their possessions. This is Trump's America. That's why we continue to talk about due process. It's not some pie in the sky idea. It's what literally holds our country together. Without due process, without the belief in the Constitution, we are not Americans. That's what gives us the ability to say we are an exceptional country in the world, that everyone who lives here gets due process. And we're going to keep saying this over and over and over again. For everyone who lives here.\n\n\u201cWhat happened to that family, once again, of American citizens in Oklahoma City should scare the hell out of all of us. And we should not be using this committee to find more money to pump into ICE so that these things can happen. This family is all of us. That's what we're trying to say today. This family is all of us. And I can't believe that in our name, on our watch, this is happening to people who live in this country. Open your eyes. Wake the hell up. I yield back.\u201d\n\nView her full remarks here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:33:40Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=501", "Becca Balint Statement on Border Patrol Raid at Vermont Farm", "2025-04-22", "2025", "2025-04", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Brattleboro, VT \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement in response to the eight workers at a Vermont dairy farm detained on Monday.\n\n\u201cToday we learned, eight workers at Pleasant Valley Farm in Vermont were arrested. Border patrol gave no reason for the arrest. My office is closely monitoring the situation to ensure every person in this country is given the due process they deserve.\n\n\u201cVermonters know these family farms are the lifeblood of our communities. When farm workers are living in fear that they will be snatched up, it doesn\u2019t make us safer. It leaves us without food on our tables and real families without parents or siblings at home. The Trump administration is yet again intent on not only ripping apart families but taking our agriculture industry down with it.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:33:40Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=500", "Rep. Becca Balint Leads 67 House Colleagues in Demanding Answers on Mohsen Mahdawi\u2019s Arrest", "2025-04-16", "2025", "2025-04", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) wrote to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State secretaries to demand answers on the illegal abduction and arrest of Mohsen Mahdawi. On Monday, April 14th, masked, hooded men in plain clothes removed Mr. Mahdawi, who was then handcuffed and taken into an unmarked van from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office in Colchester, Vermont. Rep. Balint is joined by 67 colleagues in demanding answers on Mr. Mahdawi\u2019s arrest and for his immediate release.\n\nMr. Mahdawi is the latest student the Trump administration has targeted involved in pro-Palestinian organizing on U.S. college campuses. Mr. Mahdawi has not been accused of a crime. According to his lawyers, the Trump administration appears to be seeking his removal from the country under the same legal provision that it is using to detain Mr. Mahmoud Khalil, who was removed from his apartment building for his participation in pro-Palestinian groups at Columbia University, earlier this year.\n\nMembers are demanding answers from Secretary Rubio if this arrest was made under his own personal determination that Mr. Mahdawi\u2019s speech compromises a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest and on what grounds. If that is the case, Members demand to know if the secretary intends to provide certification to the relevant Congressional committees. Members and many constituents are deeply disturbed that DHS could be hijacking citizenship interviews to engage in immigration enforcement activity.\n\n\u201cAmericans may disagree on immigration policy, but we have always agreed that the Constitution guarantees people within our borders the most basic of rights including due process and free speech. This administration has ignored those fundamental rights in its horrific imprisonment of Mohsen K. Mahdawi,\u201d members wrote to DHS and the State Department. \u201cIf Mr. Mahdawi can be tricked into coming to a government office and then arrested for simply making statements that the Trump Administration does not agree with, every American is at risk. We write to express our profound outrage with this Administration\u2019s continued disappearance of lawful residents of the United States and to demand questions about Mr. Mahdawi\u2019s case.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt is Mr. Mahdawi\u2019s right as a legal resident of the United States to argue for what he believes in. This most fundamental of American rights is crucial to the fabric of our country, and one that America was built upon. In fact, President Trump stated at his joint address to Congress in March, \u2018I\u2019ve stopped all government censorship and brought back free speech in America.\u2019 If the President was serious about protecting free speech in the United States, he would protect it for everyone, including those with whom he disagrees. Mr. Mahdawi\u2019s arrest is immoral, inhumane, and illegal. With Mr. Mahdawi\u2019s abduction, the Trump Administration continues to degrade America\u2019s image on the global stage and descend the country further and further into authoritarianism. We profoundly oppose unlawful abductions and expect a prompt response to our questions,\u201d continued the members.\n\n\u201cWithout due process and the right to free speech, this is not the America we thought we lived in. And it should terrify us all. It\u2019s critical we stand up loudly for the US Constitution in the face of the authoritarian rule from the White House. I\u2019m proud to lead over 60 Democrats in the fight for Mr. Mahdawi\u2019s rights and the basic liberties enshrined into our constitution. Vermonters and Americans everywhere are horrified to learn of these growing illegal arrests and we will not stand by idly,\u201d said Rep. Balint.\n\n67 House Democrats signed the letter including Reps. Amo, Ansari, Barrag\u00e1n, Beyer, Bonamici, Carson, Carter, Casar, Casten, Castro, Chu, Cleaver, Cohen, Correa, Davis (IL), Dean, DeGette, DeSaulnier, Dexter, Doggett, Escobar, Evans, Frost, Garc\u00eda (IL), Garcia (CA), Garcia (TX) Goodlander, Green (TX), Hoyle, Huffman, Jackson (IL), Jayapal, Johnson (GA), Kamlager-Dove, Keating, Larson, Lee (PA), McBride, McClellan, McCollum, McGovern, McIver, Moore, Moulton, Mullin, Nadler, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pingree, Pocan, Pressley, Quigley, Ramirez, S\u00e1nchez, Scanlon, Schakowsky, Simon, Thompson (MS), Tlaib, Tokuda, Tonko, Trahan, Vel\u00e1zquez, Waters, Watson Coleman, Williams (GA)", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:33:40Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=489", "Sanders, Welch, Balint Statement on Trump Detaining Mohsen Mahdawi", "2025-04-14", "2025", "2025-04", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Burlington, VT \u2013 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Rep. Becca Balint (Vt.-AL) today released the following statement on the illegal detention of Mohsen Mahdawi by the Trump Administration:\n\nEarlier today, Mohsen Mahdawi of White River Junction, Vermont, walked into an immigration office for what was supposed to be the final step in his citizenship process. Instead, he was arrested and removed in handcuffs by plainclothes, armed, individuals with their faces covered. These individuals refused to provide any information as to where he was being taken or what would happen to him. This is immoral, inhumane, and illegal. Mr. Mahdawi, a legal resident of the United States, must be afforded due process under the law and immediately released from detention.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:33:40Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=488", "Rep. Becca Balint Votes No on Budget with Hundreds of Billions in Cuts to Medicaid and Food Assistance", "2025-04-10", "2025", "2025-04", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) voted no on the Republican Budget. The Republican budget provides trillions in tax cuts for the rich but does nothing to lower costs for American families. It increases the deficit while inflicting pain on the most vulnerable, while raising the debt limit by $5 trillion.\n\nThis budget slashes at least $230 billion from food assistance programs at a time when grocery prices remain high. It cuts at least $880 billion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), threatening coverage for nearly 20 million Americans who rely on the ACA and more than 72 million people who depend on Medicaid\u2014including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. These kinds of cuts risk the stability of rural hospitals who depend on Medicaid reimbursements to keep their doors open. 157,471 Vermonters enrolled in Medicaid and Chips in 2024, putting nearly a quarter of the state at risk of losing their health care.\n\n\u201cThis Republican budget is yet another giveaway to billionaires at the expense of working Americans. They control the House, the Senate and the White House and they could be passing legislation to make your life more affordable,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint. \u201cBut they\u2019d rather kiss up to the billionaire class while shutting down vital programs that Vermonters rely on. All while driving up the deficit by trillions.\u201d\n\n\u201cHouse Republicans had opportunities to take things like social security and Medicaid cuts off the table. But they can\u2019t help themselves. They are intent on making deep cuts that risk the healthcare of millions. It\u2019s truly sickening, and I won\u2019t stand for it,\u201d concluded Rep. Balint who spoke in opposition to the Republican budget during floor debate last night.\n\nRep. Becca Balint is a member of the House Budget Committee. Throughout the budget resolution consideration, Rep. Balint has offered amendments to protect Social Security and reduce health insurance costs. This week, her amendment to prevent the House of Representatives from considering legislation that would cut Social Security benefits, increase the retirement age, or privatize Social Security was rejected by Republicans in the Rules Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:33:40Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=487", "Rep. Becca Balint Launches Monopoly Busters Caucus as Founding Member", "2025-04-09", "2025", "2025-04", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined her Democratic colleagues to launch the Monopoly Busters Caucus. The Monopoly Busters Caucus will help promote a pro consumer, pro worker, and pro small business economic agenda, ensuring members have support to better communicate Democratic work to combat corporate consolidation. The caucus will work on policy like lowering prices and tackling corporate greed from corporate grocery stores, big agriculture, healthcare consolidation and more.\n\nDuring the 2024 election cycle, over 65 percent of voters polled in seven battleground states and Ohio said they supported the government suing to break up monopolies and economically powerful companies. Another poll of voters in these states showed that 67 percent of voters think corporate power and a lack of government pushback is one of the biggest problems facing the country; 58 percent had a favorable opinion of government enforcement of antitrust laws.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m fired up to be launching the Monopoly Busters caucus because this is an issue that impacts every one of us even though it can feel abstract or distant. So, let\u2019s boil it down: it\u2019s about fairness and about protecting working people from the power and greed of giant corporations,\u201d said Rep. Balint \u201cBecause we know when fair competition is stifled, we all pay the price. Rural people feel the squeeze as they see their hourly wage unable to carry them through to the next paycheck. These corporations must be held accountable. It\u2019s obscene. \u201d\n\nThe caucus will be chaired by Reps. Jayapal, Deluzio, Ryan and Craig. Rep. Balint will serve as a founding member and is a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust.\n\nThe full livestreamed launch event can be seen here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:33:40Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=486", "ICYMI: Rep. Becca Balint Joins Bicameral Spotlight Hearing to Hold Trump Accountable", "2025-04-08", "2025", "2025-04", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 On Monday, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, joined Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, for a bicameral spotlight hearing to demand answers on the Trump Administration\u2019s attacks on the rule of law. Rep. Balint questioned the witnesses on Trump\u2019s attacks on the American legal system, the importance of judicial independence and the dangers of Trump\u2019s authoritarian actions.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s important to understand that Trump\u2019s actions \u2013 while based on his personal grievances \u2013 are not only petty, they are designed to remove the checks on unlimited power, the guardrails that protect our democracy,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint.\n\n\u201cTrump and all his enablers in Congress seem to think laws do not apply to them. They don\u2019t care about the Constitution, they don\u2019t care about the rule of law, and they certainly don\u2019t care about our rights. We need more courage like yours in order to stand up to this,\u201d Rep. Balint concluded in her statement to the witnesses.\n\n\u201c While my GOP colleagues passively watch Trump punish his critics and take a jack hammer to the work of anti-corruption fighters at the Department of Justice, Democrats are lifting up the tough Americans who are standing strong against the corruption and lawlessness of Trump,\u201d said Ranking Member Raskin.\n\nWitnesses included:\n\nRyan Crosswell, Former Trial Attorney, Public Integrity Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice\n\nLiz Oyer, Former Pardon Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice\n\nRachel Cohen, Former Senior Associate, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP\n\nStacey Young, Former Senior Trial Attorney, DOJ Civil Rights Division, and Founder and Executive Director, Justice Connection\n\nWatch Rep. Becca Balint\u2019s full remarks here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:33:40Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=481", "Rep. Becca Balint Introduces the Transgender Health Care Access Act", "2025-03-31", "2025", "2025-03", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, on Trans Day of Visibility, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) introduced the Transgender Health Care Access Act. As Republicans nationwide continue to demonize and attack trans Americans to score political points, access to health care is becoming more and more limited. Twenty-seven states have some form of ban on medical care for trans youth. The Transgender Health Care Access Act would expand access to live-saving, evidence-based health care and invest in training for health care providers. The bill funds programs to train medical providers in providing gender affirming care. This bill explicitly excludes conversion therapy from funding, which 12% of transgender people were subjected to last year. The bill is cosponsored by 30 House Democrats.\n\nThe Transgender Health Care Access Act would:\n\n\u00b7 Train more providers in gender affirming care\n\n\u00b7 Improve medical education curricula for gender affirming care\n\n\u00b7 Expand capacity of Community Health Centers to provide this care and\n\n\u00b7 Expand access in rural communities by connecting rural providers to training opportunities\n\nIn his first few months in office, President Trump has signed six executive orders targeting trans Americans. The executive orders remove funding for medical care, further limiting access to evidenced-based care. Other Trump actions include illegally banning trans Americans from military service and banning trans kids from school sports. The Trump Administration has also taken steps to erase trans Americans from history including by removing the word trans from federal websites.\n\n\u201cRepublicans are obsessed with attacking trans people. It\u2019s dangerous. Over and over again they use messages designed to get Americans to fear one another and to divide us,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint. \u201cBut I want queer and trans Americans to know you have fighters and allies in Congress. As Republicans use their power to take away health care and continue to attack and dehumanize trans folks, I\u2019m not standing down. That\u2019s why I\u2019m introducing this bill to expand access and train more providers. It\u2019s critical that trans Americans have access to appropriate and quality care no matter where they live. I\u2019m proud to stand with trans Americans, advocates, and allies to demand equality, dignity, and accessible health care for everyone \u201d\n\nThe bill is endorsed by Advocates for Trans Equality, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for American Progress, the Congressional Equality Caucus, Equality California, the Human Rights Campaign, the Trevor Project, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.\n\n\u201cEveryone \u2014 no matter their zip code or who they are \u2014 deserves access to the care they need. This legislation would play a critical role in building a strong, sustainable framework that supports the transgender community in accessing health care. When we ensure robust access to medical care, we tackle disparities across all communities and health outcomes improve. By establishing key protections and resources, this bill helps reduce stark health disparities and ensure transgender people can get the care they need without unnecessary barriers,\u201d said David Stacy, Vice President of Government Affairs at HRC.\n\n\u201cAcross the country, transgender people and their families have been targeted by a coordinated effort to control their lives and their bodies, banning their healthcare and uprooting the lives of thousands of families. While we wait for a Supreme Court ruling in our challenge against such a ban, it\u2019s more critical than ever for our elected allies in Congress to stand strong in their principles and put forward a positive, proactive vision for all Americans. We applaud Congresswoman Balint for her leadership in introducing the Trans Health Care Access Act and urge more elected officials to follow her example and defend the freedom of all Americans to be themselves without fear,\u201d said Ian Thompson, Senior Legislative Representative for the ACLU.\n\n\u201cCAP is proud to endorse the Transgender Health Care Access Act. In creating new funding programs for education and training in transgender health care, this bill provides a solution for providers who want to take care of their patients and trans people who haven\u2019t been able to safely access the health care they need. Improving physicians\u2019 competency will decrease the discrimination rates and care denials trans people often experience at the doctor\u2019s office,\u201d said Caleb Smith, director of LGBTQI+ Policy at CAP. \u201cTransgender health care is best-practice, medically necessary care supported by all major medical associations in the country. We appreciate Rep. Balint\u2019s commitment to supporting the trans community and thank her for her leadership.\u201d\n\n\"Some of the most powerful people in the world are working around the clock to erase our community, to deny us access to lifesaving healthcare and to pretend like we don't exist. We are here and we have always been a part of this country,\u201d said Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Executive Director, Advocates for Trans Equality. \u201cAccess to transition-related care is medically necessary for transgender patients, a position that is overwhelmingly supported by doctors, scientists and the medical literature. It is safe, effective and life-saving. We want to thank Congresswoman Balint for introducing this legislation and for her leadership in supporting trans families.\"\n\n\u201cTransgender people are the same as everyone else \u2013 they need access to competent, evidence-based health care that improves their health and wellbeing. Lack of access to competent care and a shortage of well-trained providers are some of the most serious problems facing transgender people. The Transgender Health Care Access Act would greatly improve access to care, especially in the places where it is most needed: rural communities and community health centers. Congress should pass this critically-needed legislation,\u201d said NCLR Senior Staff Attorney, Chris Stoll.\n\nThe bill is cosponsored by Reps. Ansari, Crockett, Danny Davis, Espaillat, Evans, Jacobs, Jayapal, Hank Johnson, Julie Johnson, Khanna, Krishnamoorthi, Landsman, Summer Lee, McClellan, McCollum, McIver, Nadler, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Pocan, Ramirez, Randall, Schakowsky, Takano, Thanedar, Tlaib, Tokuda, Tonko, Vel\u00e1zquez, and Watson Coleman.\n\nFind the bill text here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:15:27Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=479", "ICYMI: Rep. Balint, Joins Senator Tina Smith and Rep. Andrea Salinas to Demand RFK Jr. Rescind Harmful Comments on Mental Illness, Anti-Depression Medications", "2025-03-25", "2025", "2025-03", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Last week, Rep. Becca Balint joined Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) in leading their colleagues in a bicameral letter demanding the Secretary of Department of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rescind his past statements further stigmatizing mental health treatment. His comments include misinformation such as the use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can be linked to school shootings and that SSRIs are more addictive than heroin. Both claims have zero scientific evidence behind them and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. SSRIs are one of the leading treatments for depression, anxiety, and other psychological conditions and are used by nearly 32 million Americans each year.\n\n\u201cWe write to express our deep concerns regarding the Make America Healthy Again Commission\u2019s troubling characterization of mental and behavioral health medication and your recent comments promoting disproven and outright false theories about these important treatments. These statements further stigmatize the mental and behavioral health challenges that one in five Americans live with, and can have a chilling effect on Americans seeking scientifically sound, medically necessary, and appropriate care,\u201d wrote the lawmakers.\n\n\u201cA mental health illness is exactly as the name says, an illness. Similar to a physical health condition or illness, sometimes medication is necessary for treatment. For individuals with mental illness, it is no different. In addition to therapy, medications may be necessary and appropriate. For individuals living with moderate or severe depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or other conditions, medication can alleviate symptoms so they can function normally and have improved quality of life. We urge you to retract your harmful and false comments on mental illness and the usage of SSRIs. The American people want to see the federal government address the burden of mental and behavioral health challenges, for which there is much more bipartisan work to be done. But it is imperative that in doing so, we follow research and best practice guidance, and that harmful stereotypes and stigma are not reinforced,\u201d the letter continued.\n\n\u201cTens of millions of Americans struggle with mental health challenges. Prescription medication has long been one of the tools that medical providers use to treat illness. Mental health is no different,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cTo mischaracterize these medications as a \u201cthreat\u201d is deeply dangerous and inflammatory. The Department of Health and Human Services should be a trusted source on all health issues - including mental health, especially as we face a growing mental health crisis in this country. I\u2019m deeply disturbed that Secretary Kennedy continues to make reckless comments that could affect the health of millions of Americans. Medications for disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and substance use can change lives. We should be able to work toward bipartisan mental health solutions rather than tearing down our fellow Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cSecretary Kennedy\u2019s false statements about certain mental health medications aren\u2019t just unhelpful, they\u2019re dangerous,\u201d said Rep. Salinas. \u201cThe stigma around seeking help is bad enough as it is, and we can't afford more misinformation \u2013 much less coming from our federal government. Secretary Kennedy needs to retract these comments, stick to the science, and stop spreading his untrue and unqualified opinions about how to treat mental illness and addiction.\u201d\n\nSecretary Kennedy has a long history of pushing harmful stereotypes around mental and behavioral health issues.\n\nMost recently, he directed the Department of Health and Human Services to assess the \u201cthreat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, [and] stimulants.\u201d While the focus of this portion of the Commission is making children healthy, the characterization that these medications pose a \u201cthreat\u201d will have far-reaching implications for Americans of all ages seeking and accessing mental health treatment and only serves to further stigmatize mental illness.\n\nHe has implied a link between antidepressants and school shootings and pushed for the issue to be researched, even though a comprehensive analysis of FBI data from 200-2017 found that the majority of school shooters were not previously treated with psychotropic medications, and of those who were, no direct or causal association was found.\n\nHe falsely stated that SSRIs are addictive, saying at time they are more difficult to wean off of than heroin. Mental health professionals have widely denounced that characterization, including Keith Humphreys, a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford, characterized antidepressants and heroin as existing in \u201cdifferent universes\u201d in terms of addiction risk. Of course, like any medication, the usage and stoppage of SSRIs should be a decision made between a patient and their provider with continued monitoring and consultation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:15:27Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=471", "Rep. Becca Balint Reintroduces the Stop Comstock Act to Repeal Antiquated Law that Could be Misused to Implement National Abortion Ban", "2025-03-12", "2025", "2025-03", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) is joined by Reps. Scanlon (PA-05) and Watson Coleman (NJ-12) to introduce the Stop Comstock Act in response to clear Republican intent to misuse the antiquated and unconstitutional statute, the Comstock Act, to prohibit the mailing of medication abortion and other materials used in abortion procedures. The bill would repeal the portions of the Comstock Act that anti-choice extremists intend to misuse to enact a nationwide abortion ban. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn) introduced the Senate companion bill. The House bill is cosponsored by 110 other House Democrats and 23 Senate Democrats.\n\nPresident Trump has bragged about his leadership in the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, even praising the \u201cgenius\u201d of the Supreme Court following the decision. So far in his second term, Trump\u2019s Justice Department has withdrawn from an important lawsuit against the State of Idaho to ensure that women in that state could obtain abortion care to during a medical emergency.\n\nToday, a Louisiana woman charged with a felony for obtaining safe and effective medication abortion across state lines, pleaded not guilty. President Trump\u2019s words and actions have empowered states to come after women who obtain FDA approved drugs from other states, a dangerous development in the fight for access for women no matter their zip code.\n\n\u201cRight wing strategists have been foaming at the mouth for years to abuse antiquated laws to take women back to the 1800s,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cAnd now they have a president in the White House who has never stood for women\u2019s rights. We must act to take away their tools to bypass Congress and enact a national abortion ban. It\u2019s backwards, it\u2019s dangerous and puts women and doctors at even further risk. I\u2019m proud to stand alongside Senator Smith to introduce the Stop Comstock Act, which would take this outdated and unconstitutional law off the books.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe just witnessed a barrage of Trump nominees who evaded giving a straight answer on abortion pill access every time they were pressed during hearings. We\u2019re seeing states pursuing criminal charges against doctors who prescribe medication abortion to women suffering under total abortion bans. We know that this fight is not over, that they are methodically moving through the plans laid out in Project 2025, and we need to be ready with every tool available when the Trump Administration inevitably turns its focus to the Comstock Act and tries to misuse a law passed 50 years before women had the right to vote to ban abortion nationwide. With Donald Trump in the White House, the threat to women\u2019s reproductive health and freedom is more urgent than ever,\u201d said Senator Smith.\n\n\"With the growing influence of Project 2025 in Trump\u2019s Washington, DC, and the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, we have seen an explosion in lawsuits, legislation, and administrative advocacy designed to ban abortion nationwide,\" said Rep. Scanlon. \u201cAmong other measures, this movement seeks to willfully misapply and weaponize the Comstock Act, a relic of the Victorian era. I'm proud to join my colleagues in the House and Senate in introducing the Stop Comstock Act as part of our ongoing work to protect Americans\u2019 rights and freedom to choose medically safe reproductive health care, including medical abortion care.\u201d\n\n\u201cActions by the Supreme Court and state legislatures as well as the extreme rhetoric of Donald Trump and the GOP Congress have left the door open to future bans on medication abortion, even in states where reproductive healthcare is protected. It\u2019s on Congress to shut that door,\u201d said Rep. Watson Coleman. \u201cMedication abortion is safe and effective. Repealing portions of the Comstock Act of 1873 will help keep these safe and widely used medications available across the country. I\u2019m so proud to co-lead this bill with Rep. Balint, the culmination of decades of work dating back to the efforts of the late Senator Lautenberg of New Jersey. It\u2019s high time the GOP majority abandoned their obsession with stripping away people\u2019s freedom to make their own medical decisions. I strongly encourage Congress to take up and pass this bill.\u201d\n\nThe Comstock laws are a set of 1800s laws to ban the mailing or shipping of every obscene, lewd, lascivious, indecent, article, matter, thing or device, with the goal of restricting abortion, contraceptives, sex toys, and even love letters. Federal appellate courts have consistently held that the law does not apply to lawful abortion care. Nonetheless, Republican strategists have been clear that they intend to misuse these antiquated and unconstitutional statutes to criminalize providers and impose a nationwide abortion ban.\n\nThe Stop Comstock Act would repeal provisions of the Comstock laws in the U.S. Code that anti-abortion extremists want to willfully misapply in order to ban abortion nationwide without any congressional action.\n\nThe bill is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, National Women\u2019s Law Center Action Fund, Reproductive Freedom for All, Indivisible, Catholics for Choice, Take Back the Court Action Fund, National Council of Jewish Women, Healthcare Across Borders and UltraViolet Action have endorsed the Stop Comstock Act.\n\n\u201cAbortion opponents have made clear that they\u2019ll stop at nothing to ban abortion nationwide. They want to control people\u2019s bodies, lives, and futures, and they\u2019re willing to misuse the Comstock Act to try to ban abortion entirely, even though most Americans support reproductive freedom. Abortion opponents want to misapply the law even though the courts, Congress, and the Department of Justice have repeatedly rejected their extreme arguments. Planned Parenthood Action Fund will continue to raise the alarm about efforts to ban abortion and restrict sexual and reproductive health care,\u201d said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund.\n\n\u201cThe Comstock Act has long been considered obsolete. It\u2019s a harmful, misogynist, Victorian-era relic with no place in today\u2019s world. But anti-abortion extremists are now trying to weaponize the Act to criminalize abortion and enforce offensive, antiquated notions of morality and gender roles. This effort goes against a century of judicial and Congressional interpretation and the will of the majority of people in this nation who support access to abortion care. We applaud Senator Smith and the bill\u2019s other cosponsors for reintroducing legislation that refuses to enforce offensive, antiquated notions of morality and gender roles,\u201d said Katie O\u2019Connor, Senior Director of Federal Abortion Policy at the National Women's Law Center Action Fund.\n\n\u201cThe FFRF Action Fund is grateful to Sen. Tina Smith and Rep. Becca Balint, a proud member of the Congressional Freethought Caucus, for reintroducing the Stop Comstock Act. The Comstock Act is a dangerous, antiquated law that anti-abortion extremists are eager to weaponize as a key tool of Project 2025 to impose a religious agenda on all Americans. We must repeal this archaic statute to protect reproductive freedom \u2014 including access to contraception \u2014 and uphold our nation\u2019s secular principles,\u201d said Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF Action Fund president.\n\n\"The radical right-wing effort to weaponize the Comstock Act and further restrict access to abortion and birth control medication must be stopped. As long as Congress keeps Comstock on the books, right-wing extremists will have a powerful tool to control our lives. We urge the House of Representatives to vote to repeal this archaic law before it can be used to undermine our access to health care,\u201d said Nicole Regalado, Vice President of Campaigns for UltraViolet Action.\n\n\u201cRight wing extremists have been fighting for decades to ban abortion nationwide. Now they have the power to carry out their agenda\u2013without a single vote in Congress\u2013by weaponizing the antiquated Comstock Act, which would be used to prohibit the distribution of contraception, medication abortion, medical instruments, and more,\u201d said Jodi L. Jacobson, Founder and Executive Director of Healthcare Across Borders. \"Project 2025 made clear their plans to use Comstock not only to ban abortion, but to criminalize other forms of essential care, including contraception, IVF, gender-affirming care, and HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment. Congresswoman Becca Balint, the original author of the House bill to repeal the Comstock Act, is now reintroducing that bill for this Congress. It is absolutely critical to repeal Comstock to protect reproductive rights and public health writ large. We call on every Democratic House member to cosponsor this bill.\u201d\n\nOriginal cosponsors of the bill are Reps. Amo, Auchincloss, Barragan, Beatty, Bera, Bonamici, Brown, Brownley, Carbajal, Carson, Casten, Carter (LA), Casar, Case, Cherfilus-McCormick, Chu, Cleaver, Cohen, Connolly, Craig, Crockett, Davis (IL), Dean, DeGette, DeLauro, DelBene, Deluzio, DeSaulnier, Dexter, Doggett, Espaillat, Evans, Figures, Foushee, Frankel, Friedman, Frost, Garamendi, Garcia (CA), Garcia (IL), Garcia (TX), Gomez, Gottheimer, Grijalva, Hayes, Huffman, Ivey, Jacobs, Jayapal, Johnson (GA), Kamlager-Dove, Keating, Kelly (IL), Kennedy, Khanna, Krishnamoorthi, Landsman, Larsen, Larson, Latimer, Lee (NV), Lee (PA), Leger Fern\u00e1ndez, Lieu, Lynch, Magaziner, McBride, McClain-Delaney, McCollum, McClellan, McIver, Menendez, Min, Moulton, Mullin, Nadler, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pettersen, Pocan, Ramirez, Raskin, Ross, Ryan, Salinas, Schakowsky, Schneider, Sewell, Sherman, Sherrill, Stansbury, Stanton, Strickland, Swalwell, Sykes, Takano, Thanedar, Titus, Tlaib, Tokuda, Tonko, Trahan, Vargas, Vel\u00e1zquez, Wasserman Schultz, Waters, Williams (GA), Wilson.\n\nSummary of the bill can be found here.\n\nThe text of the House bill can be found here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:15:27Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=470", "Rep. Becca Balint Votes No on Republican Funding Bill: A Blank Check to Trump and Musk", "2025-03-11", "2025", "2025-03", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint released the following statement on the Republican continuing resolution, which lacks critical guardrails to protect our institutions against President Trump\u2019s attempts to dismantle the government:\n\n\u201cThis bill is another gift to Elon Musk and Donald Trump - giving them a pretense to further strip our checks and balances until Trump is truly a king. It does nothing to help working people - in fact, it jeopardizes Social Security, food assistance and reneges on veterans\u2019 medical care. Republicans have ignored the basic necessities and responsibilities of government. This bill would leave us without enough funding for disaster relief or essential infrastructure projects. If Republicans were serious about meeting the needs of Americans, they would have come to the negotiating table.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:15:27Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=450", "Rep. Becca Balint Will Not Attend Trump\u2019s Joint Address", "2025-03-04", "2025", "2025-03", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) announces she will not attend President Trump\u2019s joint address. She will instead join programming that will provide real time fact-checking, a Democratic pre-buttal and live reactions. She will join Senators Murphy, Schatz, Markey and Alsobrooks along with other elected leaders, political commentators, and Move On, an organization focused on mobilizing for political progress.\n\n\u201cI watched as the President swore an oath to uphold and protect the constitution. I won\u2019t sit and watch him lie to the American people again,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint. \u201cI attended the inauguration because I believe in the peaceful transfer of power, but Trump spewed lies, stoked division and fear and made no effort to unify our country. There is no doubt tonight\u2019s presidential address will be more of the same. My conversation tonight will be the best way I can use my voice for Vermonters. They are sick of the lies and Trump\u2019s complete and utter disregard for our constitution.\u201d\n\nThe virtual conversation begins at 8:15pm and will include a pre-buttal to Trump's address, followed by a live chat feed during his speech at 9pm to fact-check and discuss in real-time.\n\nThe event can be live streamed from Rep. Becca Balint\u2019s Youtube channel.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:15:27Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=451", "Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Trump\u2019s Destructive Tariff War", "2025-03-04", "2025", "2025-03", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement in response to Trump\u2019s escalating trade war with some of our closest allies. The tariff\u2019s going into effect today include a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff on Canadian energy. China and Canada both have already imposed tariffs on U.S. goods today, retaliating immediately against the Trump administration\u2019s decision to enact tariffs on imports from their countries.\n\n\u201cThese tariffs will be devastating for Vermont. Let me be clear, Vermont families and businesses will feel the pain of this reckless decision. Already the uncertainty has hammered Vermont\u2019s small business community and brought chaos to trade relations with our state\u2019s number one trade partner, Canada. The harm will ripple throughout our economy, making everything from housing materials and heating bills to groceries more expensive. And Vermonters know we can\u2019t afford to make housing more expensive and less accessible. Vermonters are disturbed by Trump\u2019s disregard for our livelihoods just so he can play games to build his ego.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T00:15:27Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=448", "Rep. Becca Balint Leads 88 Members in Calling out Trump\u2019s Dangerous Trans Youth Health Care Ban", "2025-02-26", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) led 88 colleagues in a letter to President Trump to call out his reckless attempt to end access to life saving care for transgender young people. Balint and her colleagues note that this shocking interference in private medical decisions, which should be made by doctors, patients, and their families. This letter comes following a demonstrated anti-trans agenda from President Trump and his administration.\n\n\u201cWe urge you to rescind your unlawful, unconstitutional attempt to end access to life-saving care for transgender young people immediately. You should be listening to trans young people, their families, and their doctors. The evidence is clear: the medical care you seek to ban saves lives and we want trans kids to live,\u201d the members wrote.\n\n\u201cThis dangerous ban is an astonishing attempt to interfere in private health care decisions. Trans young people, their parents and their doctors should be the ones making their health care decisions. No one should need to ask the President\u2019s permission to access life-saving, evidence-based health care,\u201d the members continued in the letter.\n\nTrump\u2019s executive order against lifesaving health care for trans young people is one of many anti-trans actions the Trump Administration has taken since January. The executive orders include removing trans Americans from the military and banning trans kids from school sports. The Trump Administration has also taken steps to erase trans Americans from history including by erasing the word trans from federal websites.\n\nThe letter is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, Advocates for Trans Equality and the American Civil Liberties Union.\n\n\u201cWithout question, withholding access to this care for trans adolescents is nothing short of a betrayal of the well-established ethical principles of the medical profession. We are heartened and inspired by Representative Balint\u2019s continued resolve and leadership, in calling on her colleagues to fight this administration every step of the way in their constant attempts to target a vulnerable subgroup of an already vulnerable community. Representative Balint and her co-signing colleagues clearly understand what is at stake in this fight and we are proud to endorse this letter and the efforts of all members of Congress who have signed on,\u201d said Sin\u00e9ad Murano-Kinney, Advocates for Trans Equality Health Policy Analyst.\n\n\"Since his first day back in office, Donald Trump has unleashed a sweeping campaign of hate, censorship, and chaos on the lives of transgender Americans and their families. His effort to coerce their doctors to abide by his will instead of their best medical judgement is particularly alarming and threatens the well-being of transgender young people nationwide. We're thankful for the leadership from Congresswoman Balint and would encourage all of our elected allies to stand united against this unjust and dangerous policy,\u201d said Ian Thompson, Senior Legislative Advocate for the ACLU.\n\nThe letter is signed by Alma Adams, Gabe Amo, Yassamin Ansari, Nanette Barrag\u00e1n, Donald Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Julia Brownley, Salud Carbajal, Andr\u00e9 Carson, Greg Casar, Sean Casten, Judy Chu, Emanuel Cleaver, Joe Courtney, Angie Craig, Jasmine Crockett, Jason Crow, Danny Davis, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Suzan DelBene, Mark DeSaulnier, Maxine Dexter, Lloyd Doggett, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Dwight Evans, Lizzie Fletcher, Laura Friedman, Jes\u00fas Garc\u00eda, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Daniel Goldman, Jimmy Gomez, Ra\u00fal Grijalva, Jahana Hayes, Chrissy Houlahan, Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Henry Johnson, Julie Johnson, Timothy Kennedy, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Greg Landsman, Rick Larsen, Summer Lee, Sam Liccardo, Sarah McBride, Jennifer McClellan, Betty McCollum, James McGovern, LaMonica McIver, Robert Menendez, Kevin Mullin, Jerrold Nadler, Eleanor Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Jimmy Panetta, Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Ayanna Pressley, Mike Quigley, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Jamie Raskin, Andrea Salinas, Linda S\u00e1nchez, Mary Gay Scanlon, Janice Schakowsky, Lateefah Simon, Adam Smith, Eric Sorensen, Melanie Stansbury, Greg Stanton, Eric Swalwell, Mark Takano, Mike Thompson, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Paul Tonko, Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nikema Williams, and Frederica Wilson.\n\nRead the full text of the letter here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=445", "Rep. Becca Balint Votes No on Budget with Hundreds of Billions in Cuts to Medicaid and Food Assistance", "2025-02-25", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C \u2013 Tonight, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) voted no on the Republican Budget. The bill passed 217-215 with all Democrats voting no. The House Republican budget provides $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for the rich but does nothing to lower costs for American families. It increases the deficit while inflicting pain on the most vulnerable, while raising the debt limit by $4 trillion.\n\nThis budget slashes at least $230 billion from food assistance programs at a time when grocery prices remain high. It cuts at least $880 billion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), threatening coverage for nearly 20 million Americans who rely on the ACA and more than 72 million people who depend on Medicaid\u2014including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. 157,471 Vermonters enrolled in Medicaid and Chips in 2024, putting nearly a quarter of the state at risk of losing their health care.\n\n\u201cRepublicans have the House, the Senate and the White House and they could be passing legislation to make your life more affordable,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint. \u201cThey could be working to bring down the cost of groceries or prescription drugs or housing. But instead, Trump is shutting down vital programs that protect and support Americans. And Republicans are letting him. All of this is to line the pockets of their billionaire friends with over $4.5 trillion in tax cuts.\u201d\n\n\u201cTheir budget plans to rip healthcare away from over 38 million children, take food assistance from families in need and pull the rug out from Americans who depend on Medicaid. It\u2019s shameful. It\u2019s a kick in the teeth to working people to give the ultra-wealthy another unneeded break.\u201d\n\n\u201cI want Vermonters to understand this budget is a devastating blow to working Americans. It means people will lose their health care, rural hospitals won\u2019t have the funds they need to keep the lights on, families will have to choose between groceries and insulin. I\u2019m sickened to see Republicans unify around selling out their own constituents.\u201d\n\nWatch her remarks on the House floor here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=423", "Rep. Becca Balint Introduces Youth Mental Health Legislation", "2025-02-21", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) reintroduced the Peer Education and Emergency Response (PEER) for Mental Health Act. This legislation would support peer mental health training for teachers, school personnel, parents, caregivers, and students.\n\nThe United States is in the midst of a youth mental health crisis, with an alarming 76 percent of public schools reporting concerns about depression, anxiety, and trauma in students since the start of the COVID pandemic. As attacks on our education and health care systems continue nationally, it is important that we double down on efforts to support youth mental health.\n\nThe PEER Mental Health Act allows for students, teachers, and others to participate in training that enables them to assist students in crisis by giving them the tools they need to respond safely.\n\n\u201cMental health first aid is one tool in the toolbox to combat this crisis among teens and kids. I\u2019m proud that the PEER Mental Health Act will help ensure that students are trained and ready to assist their peers in a mental health crisis,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL). \u201cWhen young people are trained to help one another, it means healthier and safer communities.\u201d\n\nMental health first aid training is an evidence-based investment in our communities. Just like how students are taught how to respond to a fire or conduct CPR, everyone should know how to respond to a peer experiencing a mental health emergency. Mental health first aid training teaches participants the basic signs of both long-term mental illness and immediate mental health emergencies.\n\nThis legislation will award grants to train teachers, school personnel, parents/caregivers and students in mental health first aid to:\n\nRecognize symptoms of mental health disorders in children in adolescents\n\nRefer participants to necessary mental health treatment\n\nIdentify signs of immediate mental distress (such as a panic attack) and, upon recognizing such signs apply mental health first aid tactics\n\nEducate participants on the resources that are available in the community for individuals with a mental illness.\n\n\"We can solve America\u2019s mental health crisis, but only if we work together. This legislation brings us closer to that goal by training students, teachers, and parents to identify the signs of a mental health disorder and empower them with tools to effectively support one another,\u201d said Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus. \u201cWhile we must continue to hire more school counselors and trained professionals, it\u2019s also important that staff and students are equipped to recognize and respond to mental health distress in their peers. Doing so will save lives and promote happier, healthier futures.\u201d\n\n\u201cMental Health First Aid provides people from all walks of life the training necessary to identify mental health needs in their colleagues, friends and loved ones \u2014 and to help them find the care they need. This is particularly important for people who live in rural areas, where needs can go unidentified and access to care may be more limited,\u201d said Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. \u201cWe applaud Rep. Balint for introducing the PEER Mental Health Act, which will empower parents, caregivers, teachers and students to recognize mental health needs early, before a crisis develops, and help ensure no young person struggles alone.\u201d\n\n\"Too many of our children are experiencing mental health challenges. Our teachers and school personnel are on the front lines of this crisis, and they need more training to help our children,\" said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). \"Rep. Balint's PEER Mental Health Act will help ensure that teachers and school personnel receive the mental health training they need to assist our children. NAMI is proud to support the PEER Mental Health Act.\"\n\nThe bill is endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the National Council on Mental Wellbeing, the National Education Association (NEA), and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT).\n\nRep. Balint is a member of the Congressional Rural Health Care Caucus; the Mental Health Caucus; the Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery Caucus; and the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force.\n\nMore information on the bill here. For the text of the bill here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=414", "Rep. Becca Balint Calls Out Republican Budget Cuts for Working People in Budget Committee", "2025-02-13", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint joined her Democratic colleagues united against the Republican Budget Reconciliation bill. This resolution gives more than $4.5 trillion in tax breaks to billionaire donors and big corporations.\n\nTo pay for these tax breaks, Republicans plan to make cuts to essential programs that Vermonters rely on. Nearly 20 million Americans rely on the Affordable Care Act for health coverage, and more than 72 million\u2014including children, seniors, and people with disabilities\u2014depend on Medicaid. And House Republicans are proposing at least $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid and the ACA, ripping away coverage and raising health care costs for millions. Over 40 million Americans rely on SNAP to help feed their families. But this budget slashes at least $230 billion from food assistance programs, even as grocery prices remain high.\n\nRep. Balint will introduce amendments to the resolution to protect ACA tax credits and to prevent cuts to social security benefits, increase the retirement age or privatize social security.\n\nPartial remarks below:\n\n\u201cHere's the deal: We\u2019re four weeks in and the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are betraying the middle class.\n\n\u201cRepublicans have the house, the senate and the White House and they could be passing legislation to make your life more affordable. They could be working to bring down costs on groceries or prescription drugs or housing. But instead Trump is shutting down vital programs that protect and support Americans. And Republicans are letting him.\n\n\u201cJust this week, the Trump administration shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the agency that is responsible for protecting us from waste, fraud and abuse. The CFPB is one of the few places in government actually charged with standing up to the big banks and corporations who have ripped off consumers. It has sent 21 billion dollars back to those who have been victims of corporate crimes. Every single state has residents who have benefited from the work of the CFPB. Shutting it down reveals a real contempt for American consumers.\n\n\u201cThis president should be laser-focused on bringing down costs for Americans, and making sure everyone can live a life of security and dignity. But instead, the Trump administration is taking a wrecking ball to those programs that provide Americans with relief and some economic security. And again Republicans are letting him do it.\n\n\u201cThis Republican budget resolution shows the deep betrayal of working Americans across this country. They have proposed a budget roadmap that gives massive tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and corporations. And how will they pay for the rich getting richer? By making deep cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs. They are kicking the poor and middle class to give the ultra wealthy another unneeded break.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=420", "LAST NIGHT: Republicans Reject Balint Budget Amendments to Protect Health Care and Social Security", "2025-02-13", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) introduced two amendments to the Republican Budget plan to hold Republicans accountable for protecting affordable health insurance and Social Security. Both were rejected by every single Republican on the committee.\n\nThe first amendment introduced by Rep. Balint would protect healthcare for millions of Americans. It strikes language in the Republican budget that would take away the tax credits that help people afford their health insurance.\n\nThe second would prevent the House of Representatives from considering legislation that would cut Social Security benefits, increase the retirement age, or privatize Social Security.\n\nThe Republican budget gives more than $4.5 trillion in tax breaks to billionaire donors and big corporations. To pay for these tax breaks, Republicans plan to make cuts to essential programs that Vermonters rely on. Nearly 20 million Americans rely on the Affordable Care Act for health coverage, and more than 72 million\u2014including children, seniors, and people with disabilities\u2014depend on Medicaid. And House Republicans are proposing at least $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid and the ACA, ripping away coverage and raising health care costs for millions. Over 40 million Americans rely on SNAP to help feed their families. But this budget slashes at least $230 billion from food assistance programs, even as grocery prices remain high.\n\n\u201cAmericans feel exhausted and overwhelmed as they continue to face high costs of housing, healthcare and groceries,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint. \u201cCongress should put all of our time and energy into relieving these pressures. We should be working overtime together to cut costs for our people back home to ensure that everyone can live a life with dignity and security. But that\u2019s not what\u2019s happening here.\n\n\u201cInstead, Republicans are working hand in hand with the Trump administration to make the richest people in the world even richer. This will not bring us stability and security. When 83 percent of tax cuts goes to the richest 1 percent, we have lost our way.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m deeply concerned that not one of my Republican colleagues could take a stand for Social Security or affordable health care today. But we\u2019ve been shown who they stand for: billionaires and Donald Trump. We need to finally make our nation\u2019s budget work for working people.\u201d\n\nView Rep. Balint\u2019s remarks introducing her amendment to protect ACA tax credits here.\n\nView Rep. Balint introducing her amendment to prevent cuts to Social Security benefits, increase the retirement age or privatize Social Security here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=413", "Rep. Becca Balint joins rally to protect the Department of Education", "2025-02-12", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined her Democratic colleagues and the National Education Association in front of the U.S. Capitol to call out Trump and Musk\u2019s plans to dismantle the Department of Education. This comes as Trump is expected to issue an executive order abolishing the U.S. Department of Education, ripping essential resources from nearly 50 million American students and gutting civil rights protections against discrimination based on race, gender, and disability.\n\n\u201cIf we let Trump pull down the Department of Education, these kids are not going to have a shot. No. It's as simple as that,\u201d Rep. Balint said to the crowd outside the Capitol. \u201cYou know it in your classrooms. You know it as parents. We can't let that happen. That's why I'm out here today, to make sure that our kids have a path to a better life. So say it with me. Knowledge is power.\u201d\n\nView the speech here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=411", "Rep. Becca Balint Calls out Trump for Dismantling Consumer Financial Protection Bureau", "2025-02-10", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined Financial Services Committee Ranking Member, Rep. Maxine Waters and other colleagues, to call out the Trump Administration for dismantling the government agency charged with protecting consumers from financial crimes and fraud. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has returned over $21 billion dollars back to the American public since its creation in 2011.\n\n\u201cI'm standing up here, it\u2019s so important for me to be here today to represent rural America, representing all of those folks back home in Vermont that cannot believe that the one place that they are looking to save money is the one place in government that is protecting all of us from the kind of fraudsters and scammers that are in the White House right now,\u201d said Rep. Balint.\n\n\u201cI want you to look around, and I want you to see we are all in this together,\u201d Rep. Balint said to the crowd gathered outside the CFPB. \u201cYou are not in this alone. And we are members of Congress, and we have some power. But you, you have the power of your voices. We have to legislate. We have to litigate. We have to agitate. And you are out here agitating. for all of those people who can't be here today, all of those people living at the end of dirt roads in my home state of Vermont. Here's the thing: I need all of us to think about the way that we are thinking about and talking about our fellow Americans. I know that sometimes people will say things like, we're here sticking up for the little guy. There is no little guy. There are just Americans, and everyone deserves a fair shot.\u201d\n\nView her remarks here.\n\nView photos of the rally here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408", "Rep. Balint Denounces Attempts to Shut Down the Department of Education", "2025-02-07", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined her colleagues in front of the Department of Education to call out Trump and Musk\u2019s intention to defund and close the department. Members of Congress demanded to speak to the acting secretary and conduct oversight of the department but were denied entry.\n\nView the speech here.\n\nHer remarks below:\n\nAll of us know that when we stand here, we are standing in front of your schools back home in your districts. That's what this is about.\n\nAnd I'm thinking about all of the students that I have had over the years, kids from all different backgrounds who have hopes, who have dreams, and who understand in the most deep way that knowledge is power. Knowledge is opportunity. Knowledge is their ticket to a better life.\n\nAnd I know that parents and grandparents across this country, they want their kids and grandkids to do better than they did. How's that going to happen? It's going to happen through education. That's how it's going to happen.\n\nIt is a path to a better life. It's a shot at something, a shot at something better.\n\nI don't care if you're in Idaho or Texas or Maryland or Maine. You deserve opportunities for your kids and your grandkids. That's why we're out here today.\n\nFollow the money. As so many of my colleagues have said, follow the money. Who are they taken from and who are they given to?\n\nIt is absolutely, absolutely outrageous that they're trying to take money away from our kids to give it to billionaires.\n\nKnowledge is power, and we need to make sure we use our power to protect public education.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=480", "ICYMI: Republicans Block Rep. Becca Balint\u2019s Amendments to the HALT Fentanyl Act", "2025-02-07", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) introduced two amendments to the HALT Fentanyl Act to include common sense resources to fight the substance use disorder crisis, both were rejected by Republicans.\n\nThe first amendment would have doubled the funding for the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant. This block grant supports states and communities\u2019 work to prevent and treat substance use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use. All Vermont communities have been impacted by the substance use crisis and this grant goes directly to assist them.\n\nThe second amendment would directly support communities recovering from natural disasters by funding local substance use disorder and mental health care resources.\n\n\u201cRepublicans aren\u2019t serious about addressing this country\u2019s opioid crisis. We need real community-based solutions that support recovery and mental health services. Instead, they brought to the floor a bill that aims to incarcerate more people rather than get to the root of this crisis. Incarceration is not a solution. We need to work urgently to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery options to work for our communities,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=403", "ICYMI: Rep. Balint calls out Trump's attack on federal workers and civil servants", "2025-02-06", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Rep. Becca Balint spoke on the House floor on Wednesday evening to call out President Trump\u2019s attack on the federal workforce. Vermont is home to 8,000 federal workers. By purging federal workers, President Trump and Elon Musk are trying to create chaos and confusion that will harm Americans.\n\nView the speech here.\n\nHer remarks below:\n\nI'm here today to stand with our federal workers and civil servants and to tell them that we will fight these illegal actions.\n\nThe Trump administration is treating our federal workforce as if they are the enemy. These are regular Americans who work important jobs all over the country, not just in D.C. but in all of our districts.\n\nIn fact, 85% of the nonpartisan civil servants are spread around the country. Vermont is home to 8,000 of these federal workers. They're part of the 2 million federal workers that operate our national parks.\n\nThey're scientists at the FDA. They work at hospitals, at NASA. They protect our national security. In fact, 70% work on behalf of our national security and defense.\n\nAnd I will tell you, Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned that the illegal purge of our civil servants at the Department of Justice and at the FBI will lead to another 9/11 terrorist attack.\n\nAnd Americans, I ask you, do we really want to put our nation at risk so that billionaires can get a massive tax cut? Follow the money. That's what this is about. Firing our federal workforce to fund tax cuts for billionaires.\n\nDon't keep, don't be fooled by what's happening here. It is about the money. Follow the money.\n\nOur federal workers are civil servants because they're here to serve the people. They are hired on a nonpartisan basis because they keep our country running. They keep us safe.\n\nThis, what is happening, is an illegal takeover of our government. Our government.\n\nBy locking them out of their jobs, firing them illegally, and bullying them out of a job, Trump and Musk are trying to create chaos and confusion and it will harm Americans. Not just the people who are being fired illegally, but it will harm all of those Americans in our districts who seek services from these workers.\n\nAnd none of this, none of this is about making our government work better for Americans.\n\nIt is a well worn tactic used by authoritarians and dictators like Orban in Hungary and Bolsonaro and Brazil. And they do it to destroy government services so that they create chaos and they create confusion and then we turn against each other.\n\nThis administration is using chaos and cruelty to amass power and wealth, but not for us, not for Americans. Only for them.\n\nI yield back.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=404", "Rep. Becca Balint Calls Out Dangers of Republican \u201cDEI\u201d Obsession", "2025-02-06", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint, a member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust, called out the Republican obsession with \u201cDEI\u201d. Immediately following the Los Angeles wildfires in January, Republicans blamed diversity for this tragedy in a committee hearing.\n\nTranscript below:\n\nBalint: The scale of this disaster is really almost impossible to comprehend. We've got 29 people who are dead. We've got 16,000 structures that were destroyed. So many Californians were injured. And while these devastating fires were raging on, Republicans first reaction was to blame the wildfires on DEI.\n\nSo I\u2019d like every witness to answer this simple question, yes or no. Do you believe people in Los Angeles died because the fire chief is a lesbian?\n\nMr. Greenhut: No.\n\nMr. Ring: No.\n\nMr. Hilton: No.\n\nMr. Frievalt: No.\n\nBalint: Great. So glad we established that, but I want to remind everyone that while raged through Main Street in the Palisades, Elon Musk said that \u2018DEI means people die,\u2019 in reference to the Los Angeles Fire Department's response. And my house colleagues seem to agree.\n\nThis here is a tweet from Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on her official social media. It says, \u2018How's your DEI mayor of Los Angeles working out for you?\u2019 So it's become crystal clear that the phrase DEI is used in place of much more offensive terms to talk about people of color. You talk about women, queer people in this country. It's sickening and they're literally saying this while people were dying.\n\nSo obviously, this has nothing to do with the families who lost everything. It does not do anything for the communities that were destroyed. It's absolutely the wrong way to deal when you have a natural disaster.\n\nI know because the last two summers in Vermont, we've had catastrophic flooding. What people need in this moment is leadership. Americans need us to get the resources that they need out to them immediately. America does not need a president that is hell-bent on dismantling our federal emergency management system or conditioning aid to California to profit off of a community's devastation. All this talk of DEI is a complete and utter distraction from the fact that we need a plan, an actual plan to help the people of California who lost everything.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398", "ICYMI: Rep. Balint Launches Rapid Response Email Alerts for Constituents", "2025-02-05", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 This week, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) introduced an email program to keep Vermonters and other Americans updated on her work in Congress. Rep. Balint is using every maneuver and tool at her disposal in the face of the Trump Administration\u2019s whirlwind of executive orders, mass deportations, agencies defunded, civil servants fired and our constitution under attack.\n\n\u201cVermonters are understandably worried. I will be sending frequent updates to keep Vermonters up to date and check in on their concerns. I want folks to know I hear you and I\u2019m standing with you, no matter who you voted for,\u201d said Rep. Balint. \u201cThis is an urgent constitutional crisis we are facing and I\u2019m not taking this lightly.\u201d\n\nRep. Balint\u2019s congressional office has heard from Vermonters from across the state at unprecedented levels, calling and writing in to express their concern. Rep. Balint will continue to send frequent emails to constituents who sign up for email alerts as well as update Vermonters via her social media channels and otherwise.\n\nLink to sign up for alerts here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=396", "Rep. Becca Balint Speaks at Rally in Protest of Elon Musk Hostile Takeover of the Treasury Department", "2025-02-04", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today on Tuesday, February 4 at 4:45pm ET, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) will join other members of Congress and organizations to call out Musk\u2019s hostile takeover of the Treasury Department.\n\nPresident Trump has handed over the keys to the federal government and its checkbook to an unelected billionaire. He\u2019s invading financial systems that hold all Americans\u2019 addresses and personal information. This information is used to send out Social Security checks, Medicare reimbursements, and tax refunds\u2013upwards of $5 trillion in transactions a year.\n\n\u201cI will not stand idly by while Elon Musk illegally seizes control of payments systems at the Treasury Department. This is nothing short of a hostile takeover of our government. This kind of reckless action puts Medicare, Social Security, and other essential payments at risk for working families who depend on it. I\u2019ll be outside Treasury today to say: No unelected billionaire should have control of the government and private information,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint.\n\nThe live stream is available to view on Rep. Balint\u2019s Instagram and Youtube accounts.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397", "Rep. Becca Balint Protests Elon Musk\u2019s Hostile Takeover of the Treasury Department", "2025-02-04", "2025", "2025-02", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) joined her colleagues, including Senator leadership and Ranking Member Raskin and others at the Treasury building to call out Musk\u2019s hostile takeover of the Treasury Department. Members of Congress demanded to speak to the Secretary and conduct oversight of the department but were denied entry.\n\nPresident Trump has handed over the keys to the federal government and its checkbook to an unelected billionaire. He\u2019s invading financial systems that hold all Americans\u2019 addresses and personal information. This information is used to send out Social Security checks, Medicare reimbursements, and tax refunds\u2013upwards of $5 trillion in transactions a year.\n\nA lawsuit was filed this week against the Department of the Treasury for sharing confidential data with the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), run by Elon Musk.\n\n\u201cWe need all of you to be our eyes and ears,\u201d Balint urged the crowd of over 1000 gathered in Washington. \u201cAuthoritarians win when we stop paying attention. You have to tune in. You have to get the truth out. I know how tired you are. I know it. You are not just doing this for you. You\u2019re doing it for your neighbors who don\u2019t have a pot to piss in. You're doing it for the folks who don\u2019t know if their kids are going to get fed tomorrow. This is not just about us. It\u2019s about everyone. We know the people who did not let us in today, they are not thinking about us. They are only thinking of them.\u201d\n\nView her remarks here.\n\nView photos of the rally here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394", "Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Trump\u2019s Unconstitutional Federal Freeze Order", "2025-01-28", "2025", "2025-01", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement following the Trump Administration\u2019s unprecedented decision to pause congressionally approved federal grants and loans:\n\n\u201cTrump\u2019s decision to halt federal assistance hurts every community across Vermont, and in every state. It means funding for disaster relief, fire departments, child care, food assistance, farms and so much more are no longer headed to the families and states in need. It means preschools unsure if they have the funds to operate, disaster victims unable to rebuild, and grants to research cancer are suspended.\n\n\u201cTrump ordered these grants and loans to be abruptly halted because they \u2018advance Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies.\u2019 But let\u2019s be clear, nothing about disaster relief or small business loans are \u2018woke\u2019 or about \u201csocial engineering.\u2019 His first weeks in office show us where his priorities lie. Straight out of the Project 2025 playbook, Trump is ripping billions of dollars from our communities, causing chaos and confusion, and leaving folks without the funds they are counting on.\n\n\u201cAttempting to use his power to override congressionally approved funds is not only devastating for working people in every state, it\u2019s blatantly unconstitutional. This is no less than a hostile takeover of congressional powers that sets a dangerous precedent for Congress\u2019 ability to act as a separate branch of government. What we\u2019re seeing is yet another attempt by Trump to erode our democracy and inflate his own unchecked power at the expense of working people.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:38:47Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395", "Sanders, Welch, Balint on Impact of Trump Administration\u2019s Move Towards Authoritarianism on Vermonters", "2025-01-28", "2025", "2025-01", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Rep. Becca Balint (Vt.-AL) today released the following statement after the Trump Administration ordered a pause in all federal grants and loans, a sweeping decision that could disrupt education and health care programs, housing assistance, disaster relief and a host of other initiatives that depend on billions of federal dollars:\n\nPresident Trump\u2019s decision to freeze all federal grants and loans will cause devastating harm to working families across Vermont.\n\nThis unconstitutional action will impact more than 1,200 Vermont kids in Head Start programs; more than 10,000 women, infants, and children in Vermont who use WIC to keep from going hungry; nearly 200,000 Vermont patients who use community health centers; nearly 24,000 Vermonters who use the LIHEAP program to stay warm through the winter; 9,000 Vermonters who rely on Section 8 vouchers to keep a roof over their head; more than 12,000 Vermont seniors who rely on nutritious food from Meals on Wheels and at senior centers; countless Vermont communities that are still recovering from devastating floods; and all of our Vermont firefighters and police officers who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.\n\nThis decision by the Trump Administration will cause immense pain for the most vulnerable people in Vermont and across our country. It represents a dangerous move toward authoritarianism. No president has the right to choose which laws to follow and which laws to ignore. Donald Trump is endangering the health and well-being of Vermonters. We will do everything in our power to see that it is reversed.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:38:47Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=393", "Vermont Congressional Delegation and Governor Scott Announce $3.8 Million in Northern Border Regional Commission Grants for Vermont Communities", "2025-01-27", "2025", "2025-01", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Montpelier, V.T. \u2013 Today, the Vermont Congressional Delegation, Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Representative Becca Balint (VT-At Large), along with Vermont Governor Phil Scott and the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) announced the recipients of the NBRC\u2019s Fall 2024 Catalyst Program and Forest Economy Program Awards. Seven projects in Vermont will receive a cumulative $3.88 million in funding, which will support projects including early childhood education, a new surplus crop processing center and food hub, and rural health care clinic upgrades.\n\nEstablished in 2008, the NBRC is a Federal-State partnership in northern Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York designed to stimulate economic growth and inspire collaboration to improve rural economic vitality across the four-state NBRC region. NBRC encourages projects that take a creative approach to accomplishing those goals.\n\n\u201cThe Northern Border Regional Commission plays a major role in fostering long-term economic development in communities across Vermont. These new investments from the NBRC will support seven projects that benefit folks in every corner of the Green Mountain State\u2013from building new child care centers to making energy-efficient upgrades to purchasing new classroom supplies,\u201d said the Vermont Congressional Delegation. \u201cWe\u2019ll continue to work alongside state and local partners to support the growth and success of rural communities in Vermont.\u201d\n\n\u201cThese infrastructure, economic and community development projects make important investments across Vermont,\u201d said Governor Scott. \u201cThese projects will help revitalize our rural communities and I want to thank our Congressional Delegation for their support.\u201d\n\nWhen evaluating potential projects, the Catalyst Program considers project readiness, economic impacts, impacts on Vermont\u2019s skilled workforce, project location, regional input and priorities, and the project\u2019s transformational nature. Awarded projects in the 2024 Catalyst Fall Competition will help pay for start-up costs\u2014including classroom supplies and furniture for the Orange County Parent Child Center\u2014implement new energy-efficient facilities at the Carlos G. Otis Health Care Center, transform a vacant facility into a child care center in the Northeast Kingdom, expand water and sewer infrastructure throughout the Town of Essex, and more.\n\nThe 2024 Catalyst Fall Competition Awardees include:\n\nCarlos G. Otis Heath Care Center (Windham County) - $1,000,000:\n\no Replace two aging, inefficient structures with a new energy-efficient facility that will increase patient privacy and enhance accessibility.\n\nOrange County Parent Child Center (Orange County) - $379,124.82:\n\no Funding for furniture, playground equipment and classroom supplies, as well as start-up operations costs towards launching the early childhood education program.\n\nNortheast Kingdom Community Action (Essex County) \u2013 $62,888:\n\no Convert a facility previously utilized as a health clinic into a childcare center providing 8 to 10 new Early Childhood Education spots.\n\nSalvation Farms (Lamoille County) - $469,621.30:\n\no Establish a 6,100 square foot Surplus Crop Processing Center & Food Hub.\n\nTown of Essex (Chittenden County) - $500,000:\n\no Planning and design to support the expansion of water and sewer infrastructure throughout the Essex Town Center area where proposed municipal facilities, fire station, library, and community space are planned.\n\nVermont Council on Rural Development (Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor Counties) - $472,192.28:\n\no Provide 9 rural communities with targeted, holistic capacity building services and support for long term economic development success. This project will scale up services to meet the overwhelming demand for facilitated community-led prioritization, technical assistance, leadership coaching, and resource guiding.\n\nRead more from NBRC here. Pre-applications for the 2025 Catalyst Program are due February 28.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:38:47Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=391", "Rep. Becca Balint Statement on President Donald Trump\u2019s Inauguration", "2025-01-20", "2025", "2025-01", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement following President Donald Trump inauguration:\n\n\u201cMy attendance today served as a reminder that supporting our democracy means we don\u2019t only attend the peaceful transfer of power when our candidate wins. As we move forward into a critical time in our nation\u2019s history, I\u2019m choosing calm. Not because I\u2019m blind to the dangers we face, but because this moment requires calm, focus and a clarity of purpose. As we heard outlined today, there is so much at stake, we can\u2019t afford to get distracted or lose focus. Our very democracy is on the line. The work ahead will be challenging, hate and fear mongering serve to distract us. I want Americans to know: nothing will stop us in our fight for freedom, true equality, affordable housing, the planet, and a fair shot for every working family to thrive.\u201d\n\n\u201cToday, I\u2019m reminded of the following quote from Martin Luther King Jr: \u2018The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.\u2019\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s time we face the challenges and attacks ahead with courage and clarity. I\u2019m ready for the work ahead to defend our Constitution and will be working tirelessly to address the urgent needs of Vermonters and working people across America.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:38:47Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=392", "Sanders, Welch, Balint on Tragedy at the Northern Border", "2025-01-20", "2025", "2025-01", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Coventry, V.T. - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Rep. Becca Balint (Vt.-AL) today released the following statement following a reported incident resulting in the death of a Border Patrol Agent in Coventry, Vermont \u2014 near the northern border:\n\nToday, Vermont and the U.S. Border Patrol experienced a tragic loss when a Border Patrol agent assigned to the Swanton Sector was shot and killed near Coventry, Vermont. Our deepest condolences go out to the agent\u2019s family, and to the Border Patrol. We will continue to monitor this situation with federal and state authorities and are appreciative of the first responders and emergency medical service providers who responded to the scene.\n\nBorder Patrol agents do important work protecting our borders. They deserve our full support in terms of staffing, pay and working conditions. We look forward to working with the agency to make sure that they have all the resources they need to do the enormously important work that is their responsibility. Together, we must do everything possible to prevent future tragedies like what happened today.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:38:47Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=390", "Rep. Becca Balint Announces Attendance at 60th Inaugural Ceremony", "2025-01-17", "2025", "2025-01", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) announces she plans to attend the 60th Inauguration ceremony this Monday. Rep. Balint penned an op-ed explaining the importance of public displays of support of the peaceful transfer of power. Read excerpt below:\n\n\u201cMy presence at the inauguration will be my way of saying \u201cI see you and I know what you\u2019re about. And I won\u2019t be intimidated by you.\u201d It will be a way to show Americans and viewers across the world that I respect the vote of the people, unlike Trump himself. Four years on, he\u2019s still lying about the 2020 Election. And Republican leaders in both the House and the Senate are not just complicit in these lies; they facilitated them, and they are now trapped by them. Their fealty to Trump and his ridiculous lie have revealed their willingness to give away their own legislative power. Of course, it\u2019s bad for our democratic institutions, but it\u2019s also bad for the voters who sent them here to work on their behalf. Americans don\u2019t want massive tax giveaways to billionaires. They don\u2019t want Social Security and Medicare to be on the chopping block. They want real relief from an economy that\u2019s rigged against them.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:38:47Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=389", "Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Reported Ceasefire Agreement", "2025-01-15", "2025", "2025-01", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 In response to the reported Israeli government and Hamas ceasefire and hostage agreement, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement:\n\n\u201cFinalizing a ceasefire deal is extremely welcome news. I\u2019m relieved to finally end the horrific suffering and violence of the last 15 months. The surviving hostages will be reunited with their families at last, and the bombs will stop. But the humanitarian crisis in Gaza will continue to demand the world\u2019s attention. This is a critical first step in rebuilding the political stability and safety of the entire region and securing a free and self-determined Palestine. Attentive and serious diplomacy will be imperative to achieving true lasting peace and a safer future for Palestinians and Israelis.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:38:47Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=386", "Rep. Becca Balint Slams Republicans on House Floor for Harmful Ban on Trans Kids Playing Sports", "2025-01-14", "2025", "2025-01", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) spoke on the House Floor to condemn H.R. 28, a hateful bill that invades the privacy of children and puts trans Americans at further risk. This ban could subject elementary school aged kids to interrogation and examinations from unknown adults. View the speech here.\n\nHer remarks below:\n\nThank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in fierce opposition to this bill.\n\nTrans Americans are not the problem. This obsession with monitoring kids' genitals is absolutely the problem.\n\nLet's be clear. This is about kids. My kids, your kids, all kids. All kids, even elementary school kids playing basketball.\n\nI'm a mom of two teens. I'm a former teacher. I know what kids are going through in school. They are already self-conscious about their bodies. They just want to be on the soccer field with their friends. They certainly do not want to be humiliated by members of Congress.\n\nSo, come on, let's talk about what enforcement looks like, because you guys, you don't want to talk about it. We know there is only one logical conclusion to this. This is interrogation of young girls. About their bodies. This is asking people to show them what is underneath their underwear.\n\nThat is what we\u2019re talking about. This is the logical conclusion for this bill.\n\nSo, it's vile. It's twisted. They don't want to talk about the details. It's an absolute invasion of children's privacy.\n\nFar from protecting anyone, it puts our children at risk. And actually, I urge colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reject this government overreach.\n\nI yield back.\n\nAs the first openly queer person to represent Vermont in Congress, Rep. Balint is a fierce advocate for LGBTQI+ rights and a voice in Congress for trans rights. She serves as Co-Chair of the Equality Caucus.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:38:47Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=388", "Rep. Becca Balint Returns to Powerful House Judiciary Committee as Newly Elected Vice Ranking Member", "2025-01-14", "2025", "2025-01", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) was elected Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, the number two spot for Democrats on the committee. Rep. Balint will serve on the House Judiciary Committee under the leadership of Ranking Member Jamie Raskin. This will be Rep. Balint\u2019s second term serving on the House Judiciary Committee.\n\n\u201cThe House Judiciary Committee will be the center of so much of the essential civil rights and democracy work ahead. I\u2019m honored to work with Ranking Member Raskin to lead our members through these critical fights \u2013 taking on corporate greed, shoring up reproductive freedoms, preventing gun violence, strengthening our democracy and voting rights, and defending LGBTQI+ rights. The next few years will bring challenges, but I\u2019m looking forward to drawing on my clarity of purpose as we face direct attacks on our civil liberties and freedoms by the incoming far-right Trump Administration. It\u2019s time to get to work on behalf of the rights and needs of working people across the country,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint.\n\n\u201cI am happy to announce that Vermont\u2019s beloved Rep. Becca Balint will be serving alongside me as the Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee for the 119th Congress,\u201d said Ranking Member Raskin. \u201cAs a seasoned leader and strong voice on matters for democracy and civil rights, Rep. Balint will bring a fresh perspective, masterful debate skills, and a great passion for the mission ahead as Committee Democrats head into the breach to defend Americans\u2019 civil liberties and our Constitutional order. She brings to this role a rich depth of experience, having served as an educator, activist, and leader in the Vermont State Senate\u2014where she led the passage of the first gun safety laws in the state\u2019s history. I am confident Rep. Balint will be a powerful force in countering the chaos of our Republican colleagues as well as an effective partner in our work to advance pragmatic solutions to the issues facing Americans.\n\n\u201cI hope my colleagues will join me in welcoming Rep. Balint to this new post,\u201d continued Raskin.\n\n\u201cRep. Becca Balint will be an excellent Vice Ranking Member of the esteemed House Judiciary Committee in the 119th Congress, and her well-deserved appointment is a reflection of her exceptional talents and strong leadership in Vermont and beyond. Collaborating closely with Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, this committee will address critical challenges and advance meaningful initiatives for the American people. I look forward to witnessing all that Rep. Balint will achieve in this vital role,\u201d said Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse.\n\nThe Judiciary Committee is at the forefront of some of the issues most important to Vermonters and all Americans, including protecting freedom and civil liberties, oversight of the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, with jurisdiction over antitrust laws, terrorism and crime, gun violence prevention and immigration reform.\n\nRep. Balint will serve as a member of the Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust and the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:38:47Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=385", "Rep. Becca Balint Statement on Anniversary of January 6th Insurrection", "2025-01-06", "2025", "2025-01", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement on the anniversary of the January 6, 2021, insurrection:\n\n\u201cAs I prepare to fulfill my duty to certify the election today, I\u2019m reminded of the attack on our Capitol and our democracy four years ago. It\u2019s essential that we ensure that such an assault on our democratic process is never repeated, by strengthening our democracy and standing for the constitution. Democracy doesn\u2019t work if we only accept it when our candidate wins. We cannot take for granted that democracy can be fragile and requires us to fight for its future.\n\n\u201cToday, I\u2019m also honoring the lives lost, those injured, and the sacrifices officers made to protect our nation\u2019s Capitol and the peaceful transfer of power from violent attack.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:38:47Z"], ["https://balint.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=384", "Rep. Becca Balint Sworn In to Represent Vermont for 119th Congress for her Second Term", "2025-01-03", "2025", "2025-01", "Democrat", "House", "VT", "Becca Balint", "B001318", "balint.house.gov", "balint", "https://balint.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) was officially sworn in as a Member of the House of Representatives for the 119th Congress, her second term. She is the sole representative for Vermont in the House of Representatives. In 2023, she became the first woman and first LGBTQI+ person to represent Vermont in Congress.\n\nFollowing her swearing in, Rep. Balint released the following statement:\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s the honor of my life to continue my service as Vermont\u2019s voice in the House of Representative,\u201d said Rep. Becca Balint. \u201cToday marks the start of another two years of fighting for Vermont\u2019s priorities to lower the cost of housing, improve mental health and health care, combat climate change, protect reproductive rights, strengthen our democracy, and fight for equality. The challenges that lay ahead are great, but they present an opportunity for Vermont\u2019s values to shine the way forward for our country. And I\u2019m more ready than ever to take on these challenges. I\u2019m committed to a future where every Vermonter is heard and their needs are met.\u201d\n\nIn the 118th Congress, Rep. Balint served on the House Judiciary Committee; the Subcommittee on Constitution and Limited Government; the Subcommittee on Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust; and the House Budget Committee. She served as Vice Chair for New Members of the Progressive Caucus; Co-Chair of the Equality Caucus; and Vice-Chair of the Equal Rights Amendment Caucus.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:38:47Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 82, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "VT", "p2": "2025"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=VT&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 82, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=VT&year=2025&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=VT&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 82, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VT&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=VT&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "VT", "label": "VT", "count": 82, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=VT&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "2025", "label": "2025", "count": 82, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=VT", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 150.52652917802334, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}