Lori Trahan

To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to establish a definition of essential health system in statute and for other related purposes.

in committee

To direct the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program to facilitate the development of certain traumatic brain injury diagnostics for members of the Armed Forces.

in committee

College Athletics Reform Act

in committee

“Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Alexandra Karabatsos for her exceptional service to my office and to the constituents of Massachusetts' 3rd Congressional District. Alex has been an indispensable member of my team since my first campaign for Congress in 2018, and she has served with distinction since day one of my tenure in office. Over the years, she has taken on increasing responsibility across a number of roles, including Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Assistant, Senior Legislative Assistant, and ultimately, Legislative Director. A proud native of Lowell, Massachusetts, Alex brought a deep understanding of and commitment to our district in every aspect of her work. Her connection to the community ensured that the voices of 3rd District residents are always at the forefront of our legislative priorities. As Legislative Director, Alex has led our legislative team with integrity, vision, and an unwavering dedication to delivering results. She has overseen a broad policy portfolio, with particular expertise in health care, where she has played a central role in advancing meaningful, bipartisan solutions. Among her many accomplishments, Alex was instrumental in passage of landmark legislation. Notably, she helped lead the effort to pass the Medication Access and Training Expansion (MATE) Act, bipartisan legislation to standardize substance use disorder training for providers, and the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act, a significant bipartisan achievement that will improve access to timely, lifesaving care for children across the country. In addition to this work, Alex has been a driving force behind our response to the Steward Health Care crisis, the addiction epidemic, and the mental health crisis facing our children and young adults. Her ability to navigate complex policy challenges and build consensus has made her an invaluable leader both within my office and among colleagues across Capitol Hill. Beyond her policy expertise, Alex has been a mentor to junior staff, a thoughtful advisor, and a cornerstone of our office culture. Her leadership has strengthened our team and elevated our ability to serve the people of Massachusetts' 3rd District. It has been a joy to watch Alex grow as a leader. Her intelligence, work ethic, humor, and deep commitment to public service have left a lasting mark on my office and on the communities we serve. [[Page E375]] Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Alexandra Karabatsos for her outstanding service and wishing her all the best in her next chapter. ____________________”

2026-04-27 · Government Reform

“Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the tremendous contributions and legacy of James Good, a devoted community leader and advocate whose life's work has transformed and strengthened the Greater Lowell and Merrimack Valley region. He will retire as Chair of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, an organization he founded over 30 years ago, on December 10, 2025. James was born and raised in the Highlands section of Lowell, Massachusetts, where his parents, John and Pearl Good, taught their children the importance of generosity, kindness, and service. On Saturdays, James and his father collected newspapers to support families in need, and his mother served as a crossing guard on Stevens Street for over 30 years, greeting every child by name. This devotion to service extended throughout the Good family. His late brother, Jack, was active in his church and community in Essex County and is remembered for his lasting generosity, while his sister, Maryanne, continues the family tradition, always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. James's dedication to serving others began when he proudly enlisted in the United States Army, the ultimate commitment that set the course for a lifetime of service to his community and those around him. After completing his service in the Army, James turned his focus to giving back to the community where he was raised, channeling his compassion to founding Good Friends, Inc. to ensure that children across the region could experience the joy and magic of Christmas. His dedication to helping others soon expanded as he supported the Middlesex Shelter, an effort that laid the groundwork for what would become the Merrimack Valley Food Bank in 1991. Determined to address local hunger and meet the urgent needs of families facing food insecurity, James began by distributing food from the back of a rented truck to a handful of local agencies. This modest start quickly evolved: by 1993, the organization had incorporated as an independent nonprofit with its own board of directors, and in 1995 it moved into a larger warehouse on Broadway Street, adding refrigeration and expanding its distribution capacity. Under the leadership of its first Executive Director, Irene Reagan, and with the support of dedicated staff, volunteers, and board members, the Food Bank grew from serving two small agencies to partnering with more than 100 organizations and feeding approximately 70,000 individuals each month. Throughout this growth, James's vision, advocacy, and unwavering commitment remained central, enabling the Food Bank to extend its reach beyond Lowell and into communities across the Merrimack Valley. Today, with a renovated facility on Middlesex Street and ongoing efforts like the Feed & Nourish capital campaign, the Merrimack Valley Food Bank continues to honor James's legacy by providing essential support and fighting food insecurity throughout the region. As the founder of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank and an active leader on numerous boards, James's impact extends far beyond immediate relief. He has fostered lasting change, strengthened nonprofit infrastructure, and uplifted generations of families through leadership, dedication, and compassion. His service includes roles as President and Chairman of the Food Bank, Founder and President of Good Friends, Inc., member of the Chelmsford Planning Board, Chairman of the Lowell Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board, Treasurer of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and board service with the Chelmsford Business Association, Southwell Park, and Lowell Five, among many others. James has continuously used each role to advance opportunity, dignity, and care for those in need. James's kindness and wisdom make him a trusted figure for individuals to lean on when experiencing hardship. Through James's leadership and efforts, he has made the City of Lowell a better place to live, work and raise a family. Throughout his life, James has been widely recognized for his contributions and leadership, receiving numerous honors including the Chelmsford Lodge of Elks Citizen of the Year Award, the Local Hero Award from Community Teamwork, the DeMolay International Legion of Honor, the Lions Club of Lowell Good Guy of the Year and serving as Grand Marshal of the Chelmsford Fourth of July Parade. These accolades speak to the breadth of his service, but those who know him will agree that he has never sought recognition, only results for the people and communities he cares so deeply about. In a time when many turn inward, James Good stands as a beacon of service and hope. His legacy reminds us that generosity builds stronger communities, that compassion can change lives, and that one individual, guided by values of empathy, humility, and action, can leave an impact that endures for generations. Most importantly, James is known for his love for his wife Paula, his family and friends, his kindness ”

2025-12-09 · Housing

“Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and to highlight two bipartisan bills, the Give Kids a Chance Act and the BRAIN Act, that will help save lives. Cancer is a disease which affects nearly every household and community around the country, and nowhere is it more heartbreaking than when it affects our children. This month marks an opportunity to raise awareness for childhood cancer and support research for new treatment and therapy avenues. Just this year alone, nearly 10,000 children will be diagnosed with pediatric cancer. This is an issue that could not be more important and pressing. The Give Kids a Chance Act removes many of the hurdles and barriers to researching treatments for rare pediatric diseases. It restores FDA incentives through the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program, encouraging companies to develop drugs for rare childhood diseases. The PRV program has already helped develop new treatments for 200,000 patients spanning nearly 50 rare diseases. Muscular dystrophy, sickle cell, and tropical diseases have all seen medical breakthroughs during this program. Give Kids a Chance will also reauthorize the FDA to take action against drug sponsors that fail to comply with pediatric study requirements. Thus, ensuring that patients get the latest and best treatments that they require. As Dr. Benjamin Ebert, President of Dana- Faber, said, ``sustained federal investment is needed to ensure that every child has the opportunity for a life free from disease.'' This bill would cement that investment and sustain our leadership in biotechnology, while costing the taxpayer nothing. Similarly, the BRAIN Act is another common-sense, bipartisan piece of legislation that [[Page E899]] will advance pediatric care. Recently, brain cancer has passed leukemia as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths of pediatric patients. While the number of cases is growing, survival rates have remained stagnant for 45 years. This needs to change. The BRAIN Act will increase awareness for clinical trials, invest funding into glioblastoma therapeutics and cellular immunotherapy research, and authorize the FDA to ensure brain tumor patient access to clinical trials. Many aggressive pediatric cases have a survival rate of less than the average school year. We have the responsibility and opportunity to try and change that. Echoing what David Arons, of the National Brain Tumor Society, stated, ``now is the time to build on government support for research and access to care for cancer patients.'' During this Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, I urge my colleagues to support these two bipartisan bills and give pediatric patients, across the country, a better chance to fight and survive. ____________________”

2025-09-26 · Healthcare