A group of Republicans on Monday demanded that Homeland Security begin to test illegal immigrants caught jumping the U.S.-Mexico border for the coronavirus or, better yet, be prevented from entering in the first place. Led by Rep. Michael Burgess, Texas Republican, nearly two dozen GOP lawmakers said the illegal immigrants are being crowded into processing facilities, making it “a guaranteed super spreader event.” “At the very least, all individuals encountered along our southern border must be ... Read more

President Biden is the latest in a long line of presidents who promised to end the bitter division in American politics. The first President Bush offered a “kinder, gentler” politics. He was fired after one term. Bill Clinton called himself a “New Democrat” and embraced a “third way” alternative to both liberalism and conservatism. He got impeached. George W. Bush called himself “a uniter, not a divider.” The country did unite after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01. It lasted one year, until the... Read more

by Ripon Advance News Service U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) on Dec. 10 proposed a bipartisan bill to modernize a federal incentive program for manufacturing clean, environmentally friendly aviation technology. “This legislation will help foster electric vehicle startups, including electric airplanes, by providing them the resources they need to get off the ground,” Sen. Burgess said. “I hope others will join in supporting this bipartisan cause. Ultimately, it is the... Read more

by Paul Bryant The Denton Housing Authority has been awarded more than $170,000 to provide vouchers to veterans facing homelessness from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Veterans risked everything on our behalf,” Mayor Pro Tem Jesse Davis said. “So, if they fall into homelessness, it is only right for us to do everything we can to lift them out. These vouchers are a key component in our efforts to end homelessness in Denton. We’ve made significant progress toward this goal ... Read more

The American College of Rheumatology has praised CMS for approving “long awaited” updates to cognitive care reimbursements for Medicare, increasing the amount for evaluation and management services. In a press release, the ACR stated that the update, part of CMS’ 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, clears the way for “much needed” increases in Medicare reimbursement for E/M services, including examinations, disease diagnosis, risk assessments and care coordination. “For many years, ... Read more

by the National Kidney Foundation "The National Kidney Foundation applauds the passage of the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act in the U.S House of Representatives earlier today. "With transplant patients suffering disproportionately from the adverse effects of COVID-19, this legislation is more critical now than ever. Patients must be reassured that they will have access to their live-saving immunosuppressive drugs and that they will not need to wo... Read more

by Ali Iveson The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, which gives United States officials the power to prosecute individuals for doping schemes at international sports competitions involving American athletes, has been signed into law. Passed by the US Senate last month, President Donald Trump has today signed the contentious legislation into law. Named after Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov, it gives prosecutors the ability to seek fines of up to $1 million (£745,000/€825,000) and prison senten... Read more

by Abby Livingston The fall campaigns may be over, but for two Texans in Congress the elections are continuing into this week. U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess, a Lewisville Republican, and Joaquin Castro, a San Antonio Democrat, spent much of the last year pursuing colleagues to support their bids as their parties' top representatives of a pair of high-profile committees. Burgess' aim is to be the top Republican — known as ranking member — on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, while Castro is s... Read more

by Brandi Vincent Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the House would form an Energy Secretary-led, $10 million grant program to support local governments, electric utility companies, universities and others in pinpointing the most sensible locations for future electric vehicle charging stations. Electric vehicles, or EVs, are emerging as an increasingly trusted, eco-friendly driving alternative to gas-powered cars—but their widespread adoption is limited by users’ accessibility to bat... Read more

by Ripon Advance News Service U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) on Nov. 24 introduced bipartisan legislation that would establish a $10 million grant program to map optimal locations for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The Electric Vehicle Mobility Area Planning (EV MAP) Act, H.R. 8807, which Rep. Burgess cosponsored with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ), would help communities save money on transportation costs, reduce emissions, and gain access to new transportation technol... Read more