Markups — Jimmy Lai — student debt — Charlie Kirk — voucher slam

Markup magic

It’s markup season on Capitol Hill.

As major bills work their way through the legislative process, many lawmakers are working to advance initiatives shaping health care policy, national security and other areas.

Rep. Vern Buchanan, a Longboat Key Republican, saw two health care bills marked up this week by the House Ways and Means Committee, where he serves as Vice Chair.

“My common sense, bipartisan bills will help strengthen our health care system by expanding access to care at home and cutting red tape for providers, and I’m proud that they were marked up and passed out of committee,” Buchanan said.

The Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act (HR 4313) would enable hospitals to extend successful “Hospital at Home” programs for another five years, while the Healthcare Efficiency Through Flexibility Act (HR 5347) would allow a wider variety of quality measure electronic reporting methods.

Rep. Neal Dunn, a Panama City Republican, brought his own bill (HR 1843) to a markup by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The medical doctor’s bill aims to increase transparency in generic drug applications and expedite submissions of generic medicines.

“Americans see a drastic reduction in their bill at the pharmacy counter when new generic medicines become available. Unfortunately, bureaucratic red tape has made it increasingly difficult to get these medicines into the marketplace,” Dunn said. “I’m proud to lead the effort to improve efficiency in generic medication submissions to the FDA and appreciate my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for a successful markup.”

Meanwhile, Rep. María Elvira Salazar advanced policy on Venezuela through an amendment to legislation heard in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Language from her Preserving Accountability for National Assets (PANA) Act was unanimously added to the State Department reauthorization bill.

The legislation would establish a Venezuela Restoration Fund with nearly $4 billion in frozen assets seized from foreign operatives tied to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro or his late predecessor, Hugo Chávez.

“This is a crucial time for Venezuela and thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the Maduro Regime is wavering and it could fall,” Salazar said. “Once Maduro and his cronies are gone, it will be necessary to rebuild Venezuela from the destruction of Socialism. The PANA Act takes stolen money and turns it into a tool for freedom.”

Free Lai

As President Donald Trump met with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Sen. Rick Scott hoped they would discuss anti-democratic actions in China.

The Naples Republican led a bipartisan letter to the British leader asking that he work with the U.S. to free Jimmy Lai, a political prisoner in China with citizenship in the U.K.

“This mission is urgent. Mr. Lai is 77, diabetic, and has recently been put on a heart monitor. He has been wrongly imprisoned for five years, and every day he spends in prison increases his risk of an untimely death. We cannot let that happen,” the letter notes.

“Time is running out for Mr. Lai. It is vital that the U.S. and the U.K. stand together in doing what is right.”

Lai founded the fashion brand Giordano and is a prominent supporter of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. He obtained British citizenship in the mid-1990s. He founded the Apple Daily newsletter, documenting corruption and human rights issues in the Chinese government.

But the government arrested him in 2020 on a charge of “conspiracy to defraud,” according to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. He has faced additional charges since and remains in custody.

Scott said supporters of democracy in the U.S. are prepared to help obtain Lai’s freedom as well. In all, 50 Senators signed the letter.

“Like our president, we share Mr. Lai’s values and admire his struggle for freedom, democracy and the rule of law,” the letter states.

“We are encouraged by the U.S. and U.K. Governments’ determination to free Mr. Lai. We know it will be difficult and that the U.K. will need to explore all possible avenues and use every tool at its disposal to secure Mr. Lai’s freedom.”

Lending transparency

Many college students graduate with loans and little understanding of the process by which the debt grows. Sen. Ashley Moody said she wants to ensure parties understand what’s at stake before cashing those checks.

The Plant City Republican was among a bipartisan group introducing the Student Transparency for Understanding Decisions in Education Net Terms (STUDENT) Act, along with Democratic Sens. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, Tim Kaine of Virginia and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. GOP Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley of Iowa joined the bill as well.

The bill requires lenders to explain the full amount of interest students will owe based on the outstanding principal of all their loans.

“What some young people may not understand before attending college or university is the full cost of repaying those student loans, which can add up to thousands more dollars than the principal due to interest payments,” Moody said.

“Students and families should understand the full weight of this financial decision, and I am proud to co-sponsor legislation to bring more transparency to this process and empower students to make the best choice for their financial future.”

Day of remembrance

Two Florida lawmakers advanced an effort to designate a day for the nation to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Rep. Jimmy Patronis, a Panama City Republican, filed a House resolution designating Oct. 14 this year, which would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday, as a National Day of Remembrance.

“Charlie Kirk was more than a conservative thought leader. He was a fearless warrior of free speech, faith, and the principles that make America the greatest country in the world. He empowered young people to find their voice, defend their values, and embrace their role in shaping the future of our nation,” Patronis said.

“Charlie willingly braved the public square of colleges and universities to remind us all what makes free speech so important and how best we can come together as a nation: through the peaceful and respectful sharing of ideas. By honoring his life with a National Day of Remembrance, we ensure that Charlie’s legacy lives on, inspiring future generations to stand boldly for freedom and the Constitution.”

Kirk died at age 31 when he was shot and killed at Utah Valley University during an event. Law enforcement has charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with the murder.

Scott introduced a companion measure in the Senate, which passed on Thursday through unanimous consent. Kirk lived in Arizona and had a vacation home in Longboat Key.

“Charlie was a magnetic leader, a loving father and husband, and a friend and inspiration to so many. His loss is devastating. I’ll always cherish the friendship I had with him. Charlie loved our nation and its founding principles, and believed deeply in his faith, in his family, and in the beauty of ideas and discussion,” Scott said.

“He lived with purpose and conviction, never shying away from hard truths and hard conversations, and always believing that the strength of our ideas and our faith could bring people together. Charlie worked to make our nation a better place in his 31 years before he was lost in an evil act of political violence and will leave a lasting legacy on our nation. We know what Charlie would want us to do: he’d want us to stand strong by the ideas we believe in, have discussions, carry on with hope, strength and courage, and look to God for guidance.”

Cost of retirement

Florida serves as home to many citizens who are hitting the age to collect Social Security. Rep. Aaron Bean would like those individuals to have a clearer idea of what benefits they are entitled to at every stage of life.

The Fernandina Beach Republican filed the Claiming Age Clarity Act (HR 5284), which would require the Social Security Administration to modernize its terminology and clearly explain how retirement age will impact monthly benefits.

“As retirement planning becomes more complex, it’s critical that seniors in Northeast Florida have the correct information to make confident, informed choices,” Bean said. “This bill helps cut through confusing Social Security language so seniors can better understand their options and maximize their benefits.”

The legislation would require that clear definitions be publicized on “early eligibility,” “full retirement,” and “delayed retirement” age.

Bean’s Office noted that many Americans choose to start collecting benefits early at age 62, which signs them up for a smaller monthly payment. Many don’t understand that it can mean far less in total costs over their life, according to the Office.

Slamming school vouchers

Rep. Maxwell Frost invited a member of the Orange County School Board to Washington this week to discuss the impacts of expanded private school vouchers on public schools.

School Board member Stephanie Vamos, at the Economic Growth, Energy Policy and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee hearing, suggested that the increase in school choice scholarships in Florida led to consequences for the vast majority of students in traditional schools.

“Public school families love public school choices, but these choices cannot be sustained with current funding constraints, much less grow to meet the evolving needs of our students. Our communities understand this, which is why parents and stakeholders are so frustrated and concerned when they see public tax dollars in Florida to the tune of $3.9 billion being diverted away from our public schools into a shadow system of unregulated, unaccountable and untransparent private schools,” Vamos told lawmakers.

“Ninety percent of American families choose public schools. Let’s fund their choice. Let’s invest in schools that are transparent and accountable to the public. Let’s invest in options that can serve all of our children and we’ll prepare them for whatever their future holds.”

Frost said the problems faced by public school districts undermined the argument by Republicans that families will benefit from spreading taxpayer money to private institutions.

“Republicans call this school choice, but it’s not a choice for families because it is the charter school or private school that ultimately gets to decide which students they take and which students they keep,” Frost said.

Free flow

A bill filed by Rep. Daniel Webster to reauthorize a pipeline safety program for another four years just advanced out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The Promoting Innovation in Pipeline Efficiency and Safety (PIPES) Act (HR 5301) would also streamline the process for keeping pipelines flowing cross-country, something the Clermont Republican said would help maintain global energy dominance for the U.S.

“Pipelines are the vital link that deliver America’s oil, gas, and hazardous materials to the market safely and efficiently,” Webster said.

“The PIPES Act helps us meet the growing energy demands of our communities while keeping safety at the forefront. This bill provides certainty for pipeline operators, supports the use of innovative technologies, and ensures industry standards guide operations. I’m also pleased that this bill directs resources to municipalities and community-owned utilities, like those in my state of Florida, to repair and replace critical infrastructure.”

He noted that several Florida communities rely on gas pipelines. City governments in Apopka, Leesburg and Winter Garden, all within Webster’s district, supported the bill, as did the Florida Natural Gas Association and the Lake Apopka Natural Gas District.

Webster chairs the House Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee. He co-authored the bill with Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, ranking member Rick Larsen, a Washington Democrat, and Dina Titus, a Nevada Democrat and ranking member of Webster’s committee.

“By advancing the PIPES Act out of committee, we are a step closer to delivering on President Trump’s goal to establish American energy dominance, and securing reforms to ensure American energy gets to where it’s needed safely, reliably and without disruption,” Webster said.

D.C. crimes

The House passed a measure championed by Rep. Byron Donalds that would end a policy in the District of Columbia of trying criminals as juveniles until they are 25 years old.

“For far too long, our nation’s capital has been plagued by an epidemic of violence due to the soft-on-crime policies of far-left, local leaders,” the Naples Republican said.

“Weak leadership by anti-cop radicals gives rise to chaos and the reign of terror unleashed on innocent residents and visitors of our nation’s capital must end now. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to oversee the District of Columbia, and it’s imperative that we act quickly to assert our control when local government fails to do its job. The American people deserve better, and I will not stand idly by while our capital city devolves into chaos.”

Donalds filed the D. C. Criminal Reforms to Immediately Make Everyone Safe (DC Crimes) Act (HR 4922) as Trump ordered the National Guard to crack down on crime in the nation’s capital. It ultimately passed with the support of 31 House Democrats, including Reps. Darren Soto of Kissimmee and Jared Moskowitz of Parkland.

Soldiers over squatters

Troops deployed overseas should trust that their personal homefront won’t be taken over by squatters, according to Rep. Brian Mast.

The House passed legislation sponsored by the Stuart Republican that would exempt service members from any state squatters’ rights, allowing trespassers to take over a residence.

“I am pleased to see this bill pass the House floor today — it’s another step to put America’s heroes first,” Mast said. “The brave men and women serving our country have more than enough to worry about when they come home from deployment. Evicting a squatter should not be anywhere on the list.”

The service member Residence Protection Act (HR 2334) cleared the House on a voice vote.

Many states allow squatters to stay in homes if they have remained there for a specific period of time uninterrupted and require homeowners to go through a lengthy process to have those individuals kicked out. Mast said many deployed soldiers don’t have the time or ability to go through that process.

Sign of faith

The House also passed legislation introduced by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz that calls for the graves of hundreds of Jewish veterans to have military markers with the Star of David.

The Weston Democrat filed the bill with Rep. Max Miller, an Ohio Republican. She noted that many Jewish soldiers killed in World Wars I and II were buried in graves with a Latin Cross, despite their faith. While a process exists for families to have the markers replaced, it can be costly and burdensome, and some 900 graves remain wrongly marked with Christian symbols.

The Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act (HR 2701) passed on a voice vote.

“This bill is an important step to allow for the research necessary to correct these errors and ensure there are resources for that work,” said Wasserman Schultz, who is Jewish. “This will make it possible for these brave Jewish service members’ descendants to know that their loved one’s military service, life and religious heritage are properly honored.”

Cuba in Ukraine?

A video briefing showed members of Congress evidence that Cuba has sent troops to fight alongside Russia in the invasion of Ukraine.

Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, a Hialeah Republican, hosted the briefing with Ukrainian intelligence officials and members of the European nation’s parliament. Flanked by fellow Miami-Dade Republican Reps. Carlos Giménez and Salazar, he called the information of meetings “a stunning revelation.”

“This underscores the malign alliance between Russia and Cuba and highlights Russia’s dangerous reach in the Western Hemisphere, which has serious implications for U.S. and regional security,” Díaz-Balart later posted on X.

He gave special thanks to Orlando Gutiérrez-Boronat, executive director for the Cuban Democratic Directorate, for attending the briefing. Vladyslav Vlasyuk, an adviser to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also appeared on behalf of that nation’s government.

Officials showed video footage of meetings dating back to 2023, featuring Russian recruiters in Cuba, and later of military officers in Moscow.

Jupiter to Athens

The Senate narrowly confirmed Kimberly Guilfoyle to be the U.S. Ambassador to Greece. Guilfoyle, a former Fox News show host who lives in Jupiter, was engaged to Donald Trump Jr. until last year and was appointed to the ambassadorship by the President in December.

“I am profoundly grateful to President Trump and the U.S. Senate for their trust and confidence in me. It is the honor of my life to serve as the first female Ambassador of the United States to Greece,” she posted on X.

Her appointment was confirmed by a 51-47 party-line vote on the floor.

On this day

Sept. 19, 1796 — “George Washington delivers farewell address” via the National Constitution Center — After two terms in office, President Washington decided to retire from public life, clearing the way for the peaceful transfer of power from one President to another. This was one of the crowning achievements of the early American republic and an important precedent for future Presidents. In his powerful valedictory address, Washington called for national unity and focused on threats at home and abroad. At home, Washington feared the rise of political factions. Abroad, he warned of the dangers of foreign entanglements. For Washington, both foreign influence and newly emerging political parties threatened liberty and undermined the promise of republican government.

Sept. 19, 1985 — “Parents group versus rockers at Senate hearing” via Best Classic Bands — Frank Zappa called them the “Mothers of Prevention,” aka the Washington Wives Tipper Gore and Susan Baker. The co-founders of the Parents Music Research Center were able to use their connections to get the Senate to hold hearings on content they found objectionable due to lyrics they considered to be obscene, violent or encouraging the use of drugs. Speaking in defense were musicians Zappa, Dee Snider and John Denver. The proceedings had their fair share of absurdities and were largely moot, as most major and large independent labels had already agreed to start labeling certain records voluntarily.

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Peter Schorsch publishes Delegation, compiled by Jacob Ogles, edited and assembled by Phil Ammann and Ryan Nicol.

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