Dear John,

Welcome to your Weekly Wrap, a recap of the week in Congress and highlights of my work. 

Last week, after weeks of chaos furthered by House Republicans, Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) was elected Speaker of the House.  

More from the week: The House passed H.Res.771, which condemns the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel committed by Hamas. Additionally, the House passed the Energy and Water Appropriations Act of 2024, one of the eight remaining spending bills needed to fund the federal government and prevent a government shutdown. Finally, I am including an update on the Medicare Open Enrollment Period. 

For the full recap, please read below. 

An Update on the Speaker of the House

After three weeks of chaos, on October 25, 2023, Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) was elected Speaker of the House in a vote of 220 to 209. 

While I have serious concerns about Speaker Johnson’s voting record and stance on issues such as social security, veterans benefits, abortion, LGBTQ individuals, climate and gun safety, and efforts to keep the government open and support our allies, I respect the outcomes of free and fair elections and congratulated him on his win.

I look forward to getting back to work to deliver solutions to the people of Connecticut’s Fifth Congressional District. 

Condemning the War launched by Hamas

On Wednesday, the House passed H.Res.771, Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists. 

The legislation condemns the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel committed by Hamas and reaffirms support for the people of Israel as they work to defend their country. 

However, I remain deeply concerned about the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the assault on innocent Palestinians and support the recent efforts of the administration to advocate for assistance. I will continue to support measures that deliver humanitarian aid to the region. 

Energy and Water Appropriations Act

On Thursday, the House passed the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2024. I voted in opposition to this legislation because it includes dangerous provisions that would increase energy costs for American families, undermine growth and modernization in the American energy infrastructure, and weaken our national security. 

Specifically, the legislation includes a 25% cut to domestic energy investments and decreasing the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by 42% from the 2023 level. It would also eliminate $4.5 billion from the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program, which helps 250,000 low-and-moderate income households save on their energy bills. 

Medicare Open Enrollment Period

On October 15, 2023, the Medicare Open Enrollment period began, and seniors now have the opportunity to sign up. This year, seniors can choose Medicare plans with new cost-saving benefits that came out of laws that House Democrats and President Biden passed, including the Inflation Reduction Act. I am reaching out to make sure you are aware of this helpful program. 

First: Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, the cost of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries is now capped at $35 per month. For many, that monthly cost will come down from as high as $200 per month. 

Second: Starting October 15, 2023, many beneficiaries will now pay less for prescription drugs. Any drug covered by Medicare Part B will have a lower coinsurance if the price has increased above inflation. In 2024, Medicare Part D enrollees who have drug costs high enough to go beyond a certain threshold will no longer be required to pay any cost sharing for their Part D drugs. Starting January 1, 2024, this threshold is set at $8,000. That means seniors with some of the highest prescription drug costs could see thousands of dollars in savings next year. By 2025, this will move to a flat $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs, saving nearly 19 million seniors an average of $400 a year.

Third: Recommended vaccines are now covered under Medicare without cost-sharing. That means no out-of-pocket cost for vaccines to prevent shingles, tetanus, hepatitis, COVID-19, and flu. 

And fourth: Starting this month, if a drug company raises the price of a Medicare Part D prescription by more than the rate of inflation, the manufacturer will have to pay the difference in price back to Medicare. That means more money for Medicare to cover costs — savings that will be passed onto seniors. 

To find out more about Medicare Open Enrollment, how you can change your own plan, or work with the seniors in your life to get them on Medicare, visit here.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. As always, please continue to share your thoughts and priorities with me.   

Jahana Hayes

Member of Congress