Michael McAuliff
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Michael McAuliff
@mcauliff.bsky.social
2.4K followers 380 following 800 posts
Covering politics and policy in Washington for Modern Healthcare. Priors include HuffPost, New York Daily News, ABC News.
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mcauliff.bsky.social
Mitch McConnell on Trump, Ukraine:
“Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous..
McConnell Statement on Ukraine WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, released the following statement today: “Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous to America’s interests. And a capitulation like Biden’s abandonment of Afghanistan would be catastrophic to a legacy of peace through strength.”
November 21, 2025 at 11:20 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Heckuva ethics probe on Rep. Cory Mills.
he may have: failed disclose required info, violated campaign finance laws, received special favors, engaged in misconduct with respect to allegations of sexual misconduct and/or dating violence, and/or misused congressional resources.
STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN AND RANKING MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS REGARDING REPRESENTATIVE CORY MILLS Pursuant to Committee Rule 7, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics (Committee) determined to release the following statement: In accordance with House Rule XI, clause 3, and Committee Rule 10(a)(2), the Committee voted to establish an Investigative Subcommittee. Pursuant to the Committee’s action, at this time, the Investigative Subcommittee shall have jurisdiction to determine whether Representative Cory Mills violated the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other applicable standard of conduct in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities, with respect to allegations that he may have: (1) failed to properly disclose required information on statements required to be filed with the House; (2) violated campaign finance laws and regulations in connection with his 2022 and 2024 election campaigns; (3) improperly solicited and/or received gifts, including in connection with privately sponsored officially-connected travel; (4) received special favors by virtue of his position; (5) engaged in misconduct with respect to allegations of sexual misconduct and/or dating violence; and/or (6) misused congressional resources or status. The Committee will announce the Members who will serve on the Investigative Subcommittee once they are selected. The Committee notes that the mere fact of establishing an Investigative Subcommittee does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred. No other public comment will be made on this matter except in accordance with Committee rules. Pursuant to House Rule XI, clause 3(b)(8)(B)(iii), and Committee Rule 17A(f)(1), no documents will be released at this time.
November 19, 2025 at 10:14 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Well, Senate Dems are not letting go of Epstein
Democrats display a poster of a Wall Street Journal story saying the Justice Department told Trump his name was in the Epstein files
November 19, 2025 at 7:51 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Words not in this press release: "Three Mile Island"

Energy Department Closes Loan to Restart Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today announced the [DOE]...closed a loan to lower energy costs and restart a Pennsylvania nuclear power plant.
Energy Department Closes Loan to Restart Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today announced the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) closed a loan to lower energy costs and restart a Pennsylvania nuclear power plant. The $1 billion loan to Constellation Energy Generation, LLC (Constellation) will help finance the Crane Clean Energy Center, an 835 MW plant located on the Susquehanna River in Londonderry Township, Pennsylvania.
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
The rider at end of the funding bill also gives Congress license to add as much as it wants to the deficit for the remainder of the year, with no PAYGO penalties. That could come in handy if, say, Congress actually wanted to extended expiring healthcare tax credits. www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...
screen grab shows text of provision saying "and for determining whether a sequestration order is necessary under such section, the balances on the PAYGO score cards established pursuant to paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 4(d) of such Act shall be zero."
November 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Bernie just crashed Schumer’s post-election presser to offer his own views
November 5, 2025 at 4:44 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Sen. Blackburn is not happy with Google’s AI

Gemma “manufactured serious criminal allegations against her, generating fake links to fabricated news articles in response to the question, “Has Marsha Blackburn been accused of rape?””
Blackburn Demands Answers from Google After Gemma Manufactured Fake Criminal Allegations Against Her ‘The consequences of these so-called “hallucinations” cannot be overstated’ NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) demanded answers from Google CEO Sundar Pichai after discovering the company’s large language model, Gemma, manufactured serious criminal allegations against her, generating fake links to fabricated news articles in response to the question, “Has Marsha Blackburn been accused of rape?” Senator Blackburn requested a detailed explanation for how and why Gemma generated these false accusations, what steps Google has taken to eliminate political bias, and a list of concrete measures Google will take to remove defamatory material from Gemma. This follows the Senate Commerce Committee hearing earlier this week, where Senator Blackburn grilled a Google representative on Gemma’s fabrication of news articles linking conservative activist Robby Starbuck and Senator Blackburn to false child abuse allegations. Blackburn Outraged Over Defamatory and False Material Generated by Google’s Gemma
October 31, 2025 at 2:50 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Dems like their poster boards
October 28, 2025 at 6:40 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Cassidy, hangin' with Trump in the Oval Office
Bill Cassidy with President Trump in the Oval Office
October 22, 2025 at 4:24 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Not a friendly letter to Mike Johnson from Jeffries on Grijalva.
"I write to demand that you swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva.. The decision to seat right-wing Republicans with record speed, while denying a newly elected Democrat the opportunity to serve is an unacceptable disgrace."
Dear Speaker Johnson: I write to demand that you swear in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva at the pro forma session scheduled to take place on Friday, October 17. Her election has been officially certified by the state of Arizona. In fact, it was never in question. Yet, for more than three weeks House Republicans have denied the people of Arizona’s 7th district their rightful representation in Congress. The continued refusal to seat Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva for partisan advantage undermines the integrity of this institution. In April, Republican Representatives Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine were sworn in during a pro forma session less than 24 hours after their election. The decision to seat right-wing Republicans with record speed, while denying a newly elected Democrat the opportunity to serve is an unacceptable disgrace. In these challenging times, where Republican policies have raised the already high cost of living and triggered a devastating healthcare crisis, the American people have had enough with partisan political gamesmanship. We need common sense leadership, and House Republicans can begin by ending your three week vacation, reopening the government and swearing in Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva immediately. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely,
October 16, 2025 at 9:51 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
I was curious about the "Biden bloated the government" talking point, and looked up the raw numbers this morning. Federal employment has been a bit under or over 3 million since 1970, when the population was 200M. Now we're at 342M.
Federal Reserve chart shows federal employees hovering around 3 million since 1970, with spikes for Census years.
October 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Sen. Susan Collins "strongly" opposes Vought’s layoffs.
"Arbitrary layoffs result in a lack of sufficient personnel needed to conduct the mission of the agency and to deliver essential programs, and cause harm to families in Maine and throughout our country.”
Senator Collins’ Statement on OMB’s Attempt to Permanently Lay Off Federal Workers Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) attempt to permanently lay off federal workers: “I strongly oppose OMB Director Russ Vought’s attempt to permanently lay off federal workers who have been furloughed due to a completely unnecessary government shutdown caused by Senator Schumer. Regardless of whether federal employees have been working without pay or have been furloughed, their work is incredibly important to serving the public. Arbitrary layoffs result in a lack of sufficient personnel needed to conduct the mission of the agency and to deliver essential programs, and cause harm to families in Maine and throughout our country.”
October 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
KFF’s latest makes an appearance at the Srnate Dem leader stakeout
Poster shows KFF estimates of 114% ACA premium hikes if current subsidies expire
September 30, 2025 at 6:51 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
After that jaw-dropping hearing with Susan Monarez and Debra Houry, HELP Chair Dr. Bill Cassidy is inviting RFK Jr. to testify.
"Because President Trump has called for radical transparency, I am inviting Secretary Kennedy to speak with the Committee to share his side of the story."
Chair Cassidy Commits to Deliver President Trump’s Mission of Radical Transparency, Invites Secretary Kennedy to Speak with Committee to Respond WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, highlighted the importance of delivering President Trump and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s mission to restore radical transparency at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to protect children’s health. This comes after the HELP Committee held a hearing with former CDC officials Susan Monarez, PhD, and Debra Houry, M.D., about the recent high-profile departures from the agency. To deliver on the President’s mission of radical transparency, the Committee is inviting Secretary Kennedy and HHS officials to respond by speaking with Committee members. “I want President Trump to have the best CDC in our nation’s history. I want to work with the President to fulfill his campaign promise to reform the CDC and Make America Healthy Again,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Fortunately, we have a President who has called for radical transparency in government. And it’s with this mandate from President Trump that the HELP Committee is conducting this oversight.” “Because President Trump has called for radical transparency, I am inviting Secretary Kennedy to speak with the Committee to share his side of the story,” continued Dr. Cassidy. “This is how we fulfill the President’s mandate – giving Americans the full picture so they can judge for themselves.” ###
September 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Wanna support DMV arts groups and see me and a bunch of other DC-based reporter types and scientists playing music, sometimes loud? Go to this benefit Saturday at Dupont Underground!
with SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE, RUNNING LATE, and Durty Neil!
www.eventbrite.com/e/suspicious...
Poster says Saturday September 20 DMV Music Alliance Festival with SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE, RUNNING LATE, and Durty Neil! @Dupont Underground 19 Dupont Circle NW Washington DC Tx $20 DupontUnderground.org
September 17, 2025 at 9:22 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Schumer and Jeffries ripped the bill, singling out the ACA.
"The House Republican-only spending bill fails to meet the needs of the American people.. Republicans refuse to stop Americans from facing double-digit hikes in their health insurance premiums."
Schumer, Jeffries Statement Opposing The House Republican Partisan Spending Bill Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) released the following statement after House Republicans released their partisan spending bill which fails to meet the needs of the American people: “The House Republican-only spending bill fails to meet the needs of the American people and does nothing to stop the looming healthcare crisis. At a time when families are already being squeezed by higher costs, Republicans refuse to stop Americans from facing double-digit hikes in their health insurance premiums. “By refusing to work with Democrats, Republicans are steering our country straight toward a shutdown. President Trump called the play last week when he told Congressional Republicans to jam a partisan spending bill down the throats of the American people without Democratic support. “Instead of governing, Republicans are once again taking orders from Donald Trump, hurting the American people and recklessly marching our nation to the brink of a shutdown.”
September 16, 2025 at 6:13 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Getting ugly fast in the SC governor primary.
Evette Campaign Launches ‘Crazy Nancy Mace’ Ad Evette for Governor campaign launches second digital ad exposing Crazy Nancy Mace’s true RINO colors and liberal record PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, September 9, 2025
September 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Cmon neighbors. You gotta be shitting me. Tempting fate!
#hellholeBsltimore
Signs on building say “no loitering” and “no dumping” over a basket with a toilet-shaped lid.
September 8, 2025 at 10:18 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Meanwhile, Cassidy asks HHS to indefinitely postpone the Sept. 18 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting.
“Serious allegations have been made about the meeting agenda, membership, and lack of scientific process being followed."
Cassidy Calls for Vaccine Committee Meeting to be Postponed Following CDC Departures WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, called for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to indefinitely postpone their September 18th meeting. “Serious allegations have been made about the meeting agenda, membership, and lack of scientific process being followed for the now announced September ACIP meeting. These decisions directly impact children’s health and the meeting should not occur until significant oversight has been conducted. If the meeting proceeds, any recommendations made should be rejected as lacking legitimacy given the seriousness of the allegations and the current turmoil in CDC leadership,” said Dr. Cassidy.
August 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
RFK jr's turmoil at CDC has the American Medical Association very concerned.

AMA President Dr. Bobby Mukkamala called the firing of Monarez and the resignations "highly alarming."

"This destabilization comes at a time when CDC’s credibility and leadership are more essential than ever."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 28, 2025 AMA Deeply Troubled by CDC Turmoil The following statement is attributable to: Bobby M. Mukkamala, MD President, American Medical Association “Last night’s removal of CDC Director Susan Monarez and the resignations of other senior CDC leaders are highly alarming at a challenging moment for public health. This destabilization comes at a time when CDC’s credibility and leadership are more essential than ever. In the wake of CDC budget cuts and the termination of hundreds of employees earlier this year, the AMA is deeply concerned that this turmoil leaves us highly susceptible to public health threats. “We must restore confidence in our public health institutions to ensure that scientific expertise and data drive guidance and policy.”
August 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Virginia senators on news state ACA insurance premiums will rise an average 20.5%:
"While President Trump and congressional Republicans bent over backward to extend tax cuts for the uber-wealthy as part of their tax and budget bill, they chose not to renew these critical healthcare credits."
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) reported that premiums for Affordable Care Act Marketplace coverage are projected to rise by an average of 20.5% next year – a spike driven largely by the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits that have helped make health care more affordable for hundreds of thousands of Virginians: “The news that Virginians who rely on health care coverage from the marketplace could see their premiums jump by more than 20% next year is deeply troubling. This entirely-avoidable increase is being driven by the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits that have helped hundreds of thousands of Virginians afford quality health care. While President Trump and congressional Republicans bent over backward to extend tax cuts for the uber-wealthy as part of their tax and budget bill, they chose not to renew these critical health care credits that have saved the average Virginian nearly $90 a month. Alongside our Democratic colleagues, we even forced a vote on an amendment to the bill to extend the credits, and Republicans voted it down. “We know what’s at stake when health care becomes unaffordable: families go without coverage, people skip doctor visits and prescriptions, and small health problems turn into costly emergencies. That’s not only bad for public health, it drives up costs for everyone. ...” ...President Trump’s tax and budget bill.. did not extend these credits. As a result, Virginians who purchase coverage on the Virginia marketplace will see the largest share of next year’s premium hikes directly tied to the loss of these credits. Without action, more than a third of the nearly 415,000 Virginians who currently rely on this coverage could be priced out of their health insurance..
August 8, 2025 at 9:00 PM
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UnitedHealth not gaining fans in Congress. Cassidy, Hassan ask why the company that allowed the catastrophic Change hack let another one happen. "The hack on Episource, which UHG acquired in 2023, raises questions about the company’s commitment to securing PHI, given the repeated security failures"
Questions for UnitedHealth by Bill Cassidy and Maggie Hassan: 1. When did UHG first become aware of a cyberattack on Episource’s systems? 2. When did UHG notify federal agencies of a cyberattack, and which agencies did UHG notify? 3. UHG has stated that “the data that may have been seen and taken… may have included… health insurance data, [and] health data.”5 a. What steps is UHG taking to identify what information may have been compromised? b. When does UHG expect to finalize steps to identify this information? c. How is UHG proactively communicating with potentially impacted individuals and entities? 4. Last year, UHG suffered the largest health care cyberattack in history through its Change Healthcare subsidiary. This attack occurred due to deficiencies in UHG’s security protocols. a. What remedial steps has UHG identified thus far to improve its security protocols? b. Has UHG implemented those actions? If not, when does it intend to complete those steps? c. Has UHG made any changes to how it conducts due diligence for companies it acquires to consider security risks?
August 5, 2025 at 3:48 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Wyden rolls out the latest Dem rallying cry heading into the summer. Along with introducing measures to rollback health cuts. “Let’s scrap Trumpcare.”
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)
July 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Frank Pallone and House Dems taking a similar tack just now: "Your careless and opaque process of firing all 17 previous ACIP members and appointing new ones who have clear biases against vaccines make clear your true intentions: to undermine the science-based process we have long relied on."
July 29, 2025 The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Secretary U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue SW Washington, DC 20024 Dear Secretary Kennedy: We are writing to express our deep concern over the failure of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide information to Congress and the public regarding the newly appointed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) members. This failure demonstrates a troubling lack of transparency regarding members’ potential conflicts of interest, HHS’s process for selecting and vetting the new ACIP members, and whether any ethics training of the seven newly appointed members was conducted. Your careless and opaque process of firing all 17 previous ACIP members and appointing new ones who have clear biases against vaccines make clear your true intentions: to undermine the science-based process we have long relied on to provide vaccination recommendations. We fear that your ideologically driven agenda is to make vaccines broadly less accessible to all Americans.
July 29, 2025 at 5:05 PM
mcauliff.bsky.social
Maryland lawmakers: "Even though the cost of the damage in these two rural Maryland counties exceeds the threshold for federal assistance, the Administration is refusing to come to their aid."
Statement from McClain Delaney, Van Hollen, Alsobrooks on Trump Administration Denial of Disaster Declaration for Western Maryland WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (all D-Md.) released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s denial of Maryland’s request for a presidential disaster declaration to support the recovery efforts in Allegany and Garrett Counties following the flash flooding that occurred in May: “Marylanders in Allegany and Garrett Counties were hard-hit by May’s historically intense storms. Two months after flash flooding tore through these communities, they are still in need of support to repair public schools and libraries that were inundated, roads and bridges that were washed out, and homes and businesses that were left severely damaged. Even though the cost of the damage in these two rural Maryland counties exceeds the threshold for federal assistance, the Administration is refusing to come to their aid. We strongly urge the President to reconsider this decision and deliver federal resources to Allegany and Garrett Counties so they are not forced to shoulder the burden of recovery on their own.” Last month, every member of the Maryland Congressional Delegation came together to support Maryland’s request for a presidential disaster declaration to address the recovery needs of the Allegany and Garrett County communities impacted by May’s flash floods.
July 23, 2025 at 9:32 PM