Dear Friends,

In this week’s newsletter, I want to share updates on legislation I introduced, a West Point appointment announcement, the 2023 Congressional Art Competition, and my recent meetings.

Bolstering Nursing Home Workforce

As Chair of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, I am concerned with how workforce losses in our nursing facilities threaten seniors’ ability to receive quality care in these care settings. To help address this, I reintroduced the Building America’s Health Care Workforce Act. This bill would bolster America’s nursing home workforce by continuing a COVID-era policy that streamlines the process for temporary nurse aides to become Certified Nursing Assistants. Specifically, this allows temporary nurse aides to put their hours worked as a temporary nurse aide towards their 75-hour requirement to become a CNA. Importantly, rigid competency evaluations are part of this process to ensure seniors in nursing homes are receiving safe and quality care. One of my goals as Health Chair is to improve patient care, and one part of that solution is ensuring we have a strong health care workforce to meet patient needs, especially our seniors.

Making the Cost of College More Transparent for Students

It should be easier for prospective students to get a complete picture of how much it will cost to attend a specific college and then be able to compare that cost to other higher education institutions they are considering. I reintroduced the Net Price Calculator Improvement Act to make the cost of attending college more transparent for prospective students so that they can make the best financial decision for their future. My bill improves net price calculators, which are online tools that help students understand the net price of attending a specific college by providing individualized financial aid information and higher education costs. Right now, institutions of higher education are required to have these tools on their website; however, they have been inconsistently implemented, which can make them hard to find and use. My bill would fix these discrepancies between institutions that receive federal funding. It would also help veterans understand their eligibility for certain benefits.

To help promote awareness of this tool, my bill also requires the Department of Education to submit a report on the agency’s efforts to raise awareness to the American people, including for low-income students and their families.

My bill also authorizes the Department of Education to create a universal price calculator tool to enable students to get cost estimates from multiple schools to compare costs.

Congratulations Gatton Academy Student on West Point Appointment

I recently joined Reagan Phelps’ educators, family, and friends in celebrating her appointment to West Point. Reagan attends Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science and is the first student, who received a nomination through my congressional office, to earn an appointment this year. Each year the students applying to service academies have impressive academic and extracurricular records, and they want to use their skills to serve our country. Please join me in congratulating Reagan!

Rep. Guthrie presenting a certificate to Reagan Phelps

2023 Congressional Art Competition Underway

I’m happy to announce that the Congressional Art Competition for Kentucky’s Second District has begun. Participating U.S. Representatives host this competition for high school students each spring in our respective districts. The artwork from the overall winner from each district and territory across the country will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol. I’m encouraging students, who enjoy creating art, to participate, and I thank local educators and judges for helping make this competition possible.

Click HERE for more details on the art competition.

Alexis Gribbins of Nelson County High School won last year’s contest with “Portrait of a Buffalo”

Recent Meetings With Kentuckians

Rep. Guthrie discussing the three branches of government and his role as a representative at Edmonson County High School.

Rep. Guthrie visiting Great Onyx Job Corps as co-chair of the Job Corps Caucus to hear how students are preparing for their careers in the community.

Rep. Guthrie congratulating Keith Williams for being named a 2023 honoree for the 26th Annual Trailblazers Black History Month program. Rep. Guthrie wrote all the honorees official letters of congratulations for their work to better the community.

Rep. Guthrie meeting with the Kentucky Municipal Utilities Association on policies to promote grid reliability.

Rep. Guthrie receiving an award from Kentucky Farm Bureau for his voting record that supports Kentucky farmers.

Rep. Guthrie meeting with Roy Gray, President of the Kentucky-Indiana Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America, on policies to promote greater access to long-term care for paralyzed veterans.

Rep. Guthrie meeting with Kentucky broadcasters, who shared how they are working with the FCC to provide more localized content through NextGen TV and their public safety role during natural disasters.

How Can I Help?

My office and I are happy to help you. My constituent services team can help provide assistance with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies. Please click HERE or call 270-842-9896 or 202-225-3501 to contact my office.