Balint, Becca RSS Articles

Rep. Balint Reintroduces Sweeping Legislation to Take on the Affordable Housing Crisis Nationwide

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Photos from the announcement event in Burlington can be found here.

Rep. Balint’s remarks at the event can be viewed here.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) has re-introduced the Community Housing Act, her sweeping legislation to address our nation’s housing crisis. The legislation would invest $500 billion in federal programs, fund the construction of affordable housing, provide new financing to build affordable units, center inclusive zoning and land use, and provide more pathways to homeownership. The ambitious package embraces perpetually affordable housing through community land trusts and would empower nonprofits across the country to help get people into homes that are affordable and stay affordable.

On June 15, Rep. Balint announced the reintroduction of the Community Housing Act at an event in Burlington. She was joined by local Vermont housing advocates at the event. Rep. Balint also introduced and led this legislation in the 118th Congress.

“Today, I’m proud to have reintroduced my Community Housing Act,” said Rep. Balint. “Confronting our affordable housing crisis is one of my top priorities in Congress because it’s a top priority for Vermonters. This sweeping legislation is about creative solutions, major investments, and concrete actions that we can take to address this crisis and make a real difference in people’s lives. I’m grateful for all the partners who’ve played a role in making this legislation a reality and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get shovels in the ground, increase the supply of housing, and lower costs for folks across the country. Let’s get this bill done.”

According to the Vermont Housing Needs Assessment, half of all Vermont renters are cost-burdened, and one in four pay more than 50% of their income on housing costs. Vermont also has a rental vacancy rate of 3%, which is one of the lowest in the country. In Chittenden County, it’sbeen estimated to be just 1%. Additionally, Vermont has the second-highest homelessness rate per capita in the country: 51 per 10,000 people. In 2021, 32% of Vermont renters had the income needed to buy a median-priced home, but by 2023, that rate had fallen to 6%. Lastly, per 2022 data, about 20,000 homes across Vermont have signs of housing quality concerns.

To address these issues, the Community Housing Act would:

Increase the supply of affordable and deeply affordable housing.
Ensure that affordable housing stays affordable for the long run.
Encourage revamping zoning codes to eliminate barriers to affordable housing construction.
Open more low-cost financing to affordable housing developers.
Support affordable homes and apartments for rural residents.

The Community Housing Act is endorsed by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), the National NeighborWorks Association, and Grounded Solutions Network.

"Across the nation, households with the lowest incomes continue to face rising cost burdens and housing instability,” said Renee M. Willis, President and CEO, National Low Income Housing Coalition. “To address this crisis, we need sustained investments in programs that provide deep affordability and stability for these families. Representative Balint's legislation would increase rental supply where it is needed most by making historic investments in the National Housing Trust Fund, provide funding for legal assistance for renters at risk of eviction through the Eviction Protection Grant program, and fund and reform programs to preserve affordable rental housing in rural areas. I thank Representative Balint for focusing on the needs of low-income renters in this bold legislation.”

A one pager on the bill can be found here. A section-by-section summary can be found here. The full bill text can be found here.

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Rep. Balint Leads 75 Colleagues in Condemning Israeli Military Engagement in Lebanon, Destruction of Civilian Homes and Infrastructure

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) today led 75 of her colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concern about the Israeli military’s operations in southern Lebanon. Since the temporary cessation of hostilities in Lebanon was announced on April 16, 2026, both Israeli forces and Hezbollah have continued military operations in violation of the ceasefire. As the Trump administration implements the memorandum of understanding with Iran, the letter urges the State Department to take all possible steps in bringing a swift end to the wars in Iran and Lebanon.

The Members called attention to reports of the Israeli military’s use of U.S.-origin weapons and equipment in the destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure. Hundreds of civilians have died from these attacks and more than one million people, approximately 20 percent of Lebanon’s population, have been forced from their homes.

“Every government has a right and a responsibility to protect its citizens, and Israel has a right to defend itself,” the Members wrote. “However, this does not justify unrestrained Israeli military operations, especially those that violate the current ceasefire, destroy civilian infrastructure, and lead to the death of hundreds of civilians. All sides must fully abide by the ceasefire agreement.”

“We are troubled by the Israeli military’s practice of mass demolitions of civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon and targeting practices that kill Lebanese civilians,” the Members continued. “After the Israeli military invaded southern Lebanon and began an occupation of the territory, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to raze all homes in southern border villages, ‘following the Rafah and Beit Hanounmodel in Gaza,’ a reference to the Israeli military’s systematic destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure in Gaza. Since then, reporting and satellite imagery have confirmed widespread demolitions of civilian homes, buildings, and religious sites in southern Lebanon, including the use of bulldozers and controlled demolitions. The Israeli military has also demolished bridges, roads, water pipelines, and fuel stations in southern Lebanon.”

The letter highlights Trump administration’s responsibility to investigate whether U.S.-origin weapons are being used in activities inconsistent with U.S. law and arms transfer agreements, while supporting the Lebanese government and Lebanese Armed Forces in efforts to disarm Hezbollah and strengthen state authority.

“The use of U.S. origin weapons in the systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure is a violation of U.S. military assistance transfer agreements with the Israeli government,” the Members wrote. “The targeted, mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure does not constitute Israeli self-defense. If U.S.-origin arms are confirmed to be used in these unauthorized activities, we ask the Trump administration to enforce existing law and stop arms transfers being used in these operations until these violations cease.

“The Trump administration should take all possible steps to bring a swift end to the war and continue good-faith negotiations between the Lebanese and Israeli governments,” the Members concluded. “We urge the administration to work to empower the Lebanese government and to fund the Lebanese Armed Forces to pursue Hezbollah’s full demilitarization and disarmament.”

J Street has endorsed the letter, with J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami releasing the following statement: "We are deeply grateful for Congresswoman Balint and Congressman Castro's leading this important Congressional letter, expressing concern over the situation in southern Lebanon. While Hezbollah must be disarmed and the Lebanese government supported, Congress must ensure that this does not evolve into another long-term Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. We share the Members’ concerns about the Israeli military's conduct in southern Lebanon, especially the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure. The Members are right to seek to ensure that U.S. law is being enforced and that American weapons are not being misused."

In addition to Rep. Balint, the letter was signed by Reps. Amo, Ansari, Barragan, Bonamici, Carbajal, Carson, Casten, Castro, Chu, Cisneros, Cleaver, Cohen, Davids, Davis, Dean, DeLauro, Deluzio, DeSaulnier, Dingell, Doggett, Escobar, Evans, Foster, Garamendi, Garcia (Chuy), Garcia (Robert), Garcia (Sylvia), Grijalva, Hayes, Hoyle, Huffman, Jackson, Jacobs, Jayapal, Johnson (Hank), Kamlager-Dove, Kaptur, Kelly, Khanna, Leger Fernandez, Lofgren, Lynch, Magaziner, Matsui, McCollum, McDonald Rivet, McGarvey, McGovern, McIver, Min, Moulton, Pallone, Pelosi, Pingree, Pocan, Quigley, Randall, Ross, Ryan, Salinas, Schakowsky, Scott, Simon, Stansbury, Takano, Thompson (Bennie), Thompson (Mike), Tokuda, Tonko, Tran, Vasquez, Velázquez, Waters, Watson Coleman, Williams.

Earlier in June, Rep. Balint voted in favor of a War Powers Resolution to cease U.S. involvement in the war in Lebanon.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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Rep. Balint Says Congress Must Do More to Protect Kids Online, Hold Big Tech Accountable

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) today released the following statement after voting against the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act, saying the bill falls short of meaningfully addressing the mental health harms fueled by Big Tech:

“As a parent and former teacher, I know firsthand how deeply families worry about the impact social media is having on their kids. The evidence is overwhelming: Big Tech has built products designed to keep children scrolling, clicking, and coming back – turning record profits while fueling a youth mental health crisis marked by rising rates of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicide, and other mental health challenges.

“This bill doesn't do nearly enough to hold Big Tech accountable. If Congress is serious about protecting kids online, we need legislation with real, enforceable consequences for companies that exploit children's attention and put their health at risk. I've introduced bipartisan legislation focused on the mental health impacts of social media, and I'll continue fighting for comprehensive legislation that puts children's well-being ahead of corporate profits.”

Rep. Balint has long advocated for stronger protections for children online. She is the Democratic lead of the bipartisan Protecting Young Minds Online Act, which would establish a national strategy to study and address the effects of social media and emerging technologies on youth mental health.

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Rep. Balint Statement on Trump Administration Efforts to Violate Mohsen Mahdawi’s Constitutional Rights

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), vice ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement on the Trump administration’s continued efforts to deport Mohsen Mahdawi in direct violation of his First Amendment rights. Mohsen Mahdawi is a Vermonter, a student activist at Columbia University, and a legal permanent resident.

“What the Trump administration is trying to do here is yet another step in their campaign to silence dissent in our country. Mohsen Mahdawi is a lawful permanent resident who was exercising his Constitutional rights. It’s deeply distressing that the administration is going to such lengths to try to silence him and force him out of the country.

“I want to be crystal clear to the American people: if Trump and his enablers get away with infringing on anyone’s First Amendment rights, they can come for any of our First Amendment rights. That’s why I was so eager to introduce the bicameral Land of the Free Act, which would guarantee all people within our borders the right to due process and freedom of speech.

“I will continue to stand with Mohsen throughout this absurd legal saga.”

Rep. Balint has consistently defended Mohsen Mahdawi since his initial April 2025 arrest in Colchester during a scheduled citizenship interview. Shortly after, Rep. Balint led a rally at the State Department to demand Mohsen’s release and highlight the unjust abductions across the country. Later in the month, in response to his arrest, Rep. Balint and 67 other House Democrats demanded the legal basis for his arrest from Secretaries Rubio and Noem and received no response. In August 2025, Rep. Balint introduced the Land of the Free Act alongside Rep Deborah Ross (NC-02). The bill would repeal Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants the U.S. Secretary of State the power to deport visa-holders and legal permanent residents whose presence in the United States would have “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.” Later, in February 2026, Rep. Balint was joined by Mahdawi at the People's State of the Union in protest of President Trump’s State of the Union Address.

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Rep. Balint Joins SEEC Institute Roundtable on Rural Development in Burlington

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

BURLINGTON, VT — U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) yesterday joined the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Institute for a roundtable on rural development. This comes as part of SEEC’s “Thriving Economy Project” and focused specifically on rural economies in Vermont and across the nation. Rep. Balint was joined on the panel by issue experts from across the Green Mountain State and nation and the panel was facilitated by MacKenzie Bills, the Founder and CEO of MacKenzie Bills Strategies, LLC, SEEC Policy Consultant, and Reimagining Rural Assistance Network (RRAN) Policy Consultant.

The panelists’ discussion was centered on four topic areas:

Federal and State rural development programs and policies;
Capacity building and technical assistance;
Outdoor recreation and tourism; and
Blue Sky: The Future of Rural and Tribal Development.

“Vermont has long understood that protecting our natural resources and growing our economy go hand in hand,” said Rep. Balint. “Our forests, farms, trails, and waterways support jobs, attract visitors, and sustain communities across the state. As we think about the future of rural America, we should be investing in the people, places, and natural resources that make rural communities strong. I’m grateful to SEEC Institute for bringing together leaders from across Vermont to share ideas and help chart a path forward.”

"The Growing Rural and Tribal Economies chapter of the Thriving Economy Project reflects something we hear from rural and Tribal leaders across the country: the solutions are already out there; they just need the policy support to scale,” said Max Frankel, Executive Director of the SEEC Institute. “Convenings like this and our project are focused on identifying those policies and getting them in front of policymakers like Representatives Balint and Stansbury who can act on them.”

“Convening leaders from around Vermont to better understand our communities is the essential first step to our work,” said Tricia Coates, Director of the University of Vermont Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships. “We were pleased to work with the SEEC Institute and the office of Congresswoman Balint to bring these voices to the table.”

"Rural and Tribal communities are dealing with compounding challenges, from disaster recovery to broadband gaps to the rising cost of living,” said MacKenzie Bills, Rural and Tribal Economies Chapter Lead (SEEC Institute). “The federal government has much opportunity if it coordinates and supports these communities effectively. The Growing Rural and Tribal Economies work in the Thriving Economy Project is about connecting the communities and leaders already doing the great work with the policy levers that can help it grow.”

SEEC’s Thriving Economy Project is comprised of a coalition of members of Congress, former senior congressional aides, officials from multiple presidential administrations, and leading energy and environmental policy experts who are collaborating on a new policy blueprint aimed at strengthening economic competitiveness, creating jobs, and delivering affordable and reliable energy for American families and businesses. The project will culminate in a landmark report to be released in September 2026 outlining a roadmap to build the economy Americans want - one that creates opportunity and long-term growth while recognizing that a truly thriving economy depends on protecting the natural resources and environment that communities across the country rely on.

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Rep. Balint Statement on Voting YES on Lebanon War Powers Resolution

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) today released the following statement after voting in favor of a War Powers Resolution to cease U.S. involvement in Netanyahu’s deadly war in Lebanon.

“Americans don’t want their taxpayer dollars to fuel Netanyahu’s attacks in Lebanon that have killed hundreds of civilians and displaced over a million people, just as they do not want to fund Trump’s war of choice in Iran. Both Netanyahu and Trump have continued to double down on chaos and conflict, leaving the American people to foot the bill at a time when they can’t even afford the basics—rent, groceries, prescriptions, or gas. Congress must draw the line.”

Rep. Balint has consistently warned that continued spending on overseas conflicts comes at the expense of investments Americans need here at home, including lowering costs, expanding affordable housing, strengthening health care, and supporting working families.

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Rep. Balint Statement on House Passage of War Powers Resolution to End War in Iran

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL) today released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted 215–208 to pass a War Powers Resolution directing the President to end U.S. military involvement in Iran without explicit authorization from Congress. Four Republicans joined Democrats in the vote, marking a rare bipartisan rebuke of the administration.

“When I introduced a War Powers Resolution in April, it was because Congress cannot continue to sit on the sidelines while our country is dragged into an unauthorized war. Today’s vote is a long-overdue step toward reasserting our constitutional authority and ending a conflict that has already cost American taxpayers tens of billions of dollars.

“The President has never explained the war and never received authorization from Congress, yet our service members are being put in danger and families across the country are bearing the cost of higher gas prices, rising costs of living, and the diversion of critical resources away from urgent domestic needs. That is unacceptable. While this resolution does not immediately end military operations, it makes clear that Congress will not be sidelined. The Senate must now act to bring our troops home and stop this madness.”

Rep. Balint originally introduced her War Powers Resolution on April 30, 2026, as part of a coordinated effort with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus to force Congress to vote on ending U.S. military involvement in Iran and reassert its constitutional war powers authority. Rep. Balint has been vocal in her opposition to the war since its beginning, including when she slammed Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought in a Budget Committee hearing for the President’s request of $350 billion of additional funding for the war – the same cost of extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits for another ten years.

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Rep. Becca Balint Votes to Advance Bipartisan Housing Package to Address Affordability Crisis

Thu, 21 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), a consistent and outspoken advocate for building affordable housing, voted in favor of H. Res. 1299, amended legislation to strengthen and advance the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644), a comprehensive package to expand housing supply, improve affordability, and strengthen protections for renters and homeowners.

“For so many Vermonters, renting or owning a home is simply unaffordable right now. That’s why expanding access to affordable housing for Vermonters is one of my top priorities in Congress and I’m committed to leading on solutions that meet the scale of this crisis,” said Rep. Balint. “This bill strengthens housing supply and affordability, but our work cannot stop here—I will keep pushing for bold change for working families in our state and across the country.”

The United States is currently facing a severe housing shortage, with an estimated 4.7 million home gap nationwide. Rising housing costs have placed increasing pressure on families, with millions of renters and homeowners spending a significant portion of their income on housing and a growing number at risk of foreclosure or displacement.

H. Res. 1299 takes a comprehensive approach to addressing these challenges by:

Expanding financing and support for new housing development, including multifamily, manufactured, and rural housing;
Removing barriers that slow down housing construction and limit supply;
Strengthening protections for renters, including the creation of a renter resource center and dispute hotline;
Supporting community financial institutions that play a key role in financing housing and local development;
Encouraging innovative housing solutions, including modular construction; and,
Improving federal programs aimed at reducing homelessness.

The legislation also includes provisions to limit excessive corporate ownership of single-family homes while ensuring continued housing construction and avoiding policies that could lead to widespread evictions.

Rep. Balint has consistently emphasized the need for bold, practical solutions to bring down housing costs and ensure that more Americans have access to safe, stable, and affordable homes. As a part of that work, Rep. Balint introduced the Community Housing Act, a comprehensive plan to invest in housing supply, support renters, and ensure that affordable homes remain accessible for generations to come. In addition to supporting investments in housing supply, she also introduced the End Rent Fixing Act to stop corporations from using price-fixing algorithms to raise rents on working families.

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Balint, Dean, Salazar, Blackburn, Coons, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Protect Americans from AI Deepfakes

Wed, 20 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Becca Balint (VT-AL), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) reintroduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to federally protect individuals from AI-generated deepfakes. The Support the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe (NO FAKES) Act clearly defines a person’s right to control their voice and likeness. The NO FAKES Act would address the rampant spread of unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes without stymieing innovation or censoring free speech.

"Artists, creators, and anyone who uses the internet must have the basic right to control digital replicas of their own voice and image. AI is moving fast, and we need to make sure these guardrails are in place now, not later,” said Rep. Balint. "The NO FAKES Act is a commonsense, bipartisan, and essential bill. I am proud to join Representatives Dean and Salazar in introducing this legislation to protect Americans' right to control their own identity online.”

“The use of AI is only growing, and Congress must catch up with common sense, common ground regulations,” Rep. Dean said. “By granting every person a clear, federal right to control digital replicas of their own voice and likeness, the NO FAKES Act will empower victims of deep fakes; defend against sexually explicit deepfakes; and safeguard human creativity and artistic expression. We must support technological innovation while preserving the privacy, safety, and dignity of all Americans.”

“In this new era of AI, bad actors are quickly and easily profiting from the creativity of others. Our laws must catch up,” said Rep. Salazar. “The NO FAKES Act is simple and sacred: you own your identity—not Big Tech, not scammers, not algorithms. Deepfakes are digital lies that ruin real lives, and it’s time to fight back.”

“No one should have to worry about their likeness being stolen and used in a fake video without their consent,” said Rep. Morelle. “A.I. is moving fast, and the harm is already real, from explicit deepfakes to scams, fraud, and the theft of artists’ work. I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan NO FAKES Act to make sure honest Americans, not scammers or algorithms, stay in control of their own identity.”

"The NO FAKES Act protects every American's fundamental right to their own voice and likeness while preserving the innovation and creative expression that makes AI a powerful tool. It holds platforms accountable while preserving First Amendment freedoms for creators—shining a light for industries and individuals that have operated in regulatory darkness" Rep. Moran said.

U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“Whether they’re Tom Hanks or an 8th grader in Wilmington, no one should worry about someone stealing their voice or likeness,” Sen. Coons said. “We’re reintroducing a stronger NO FAKES Act after working with stakeholders from across the country to make the protections in our bill more robust without compromising Americans’ free speech rights. I am proud that NO FAKES is the most advanced piece of AI legislation before Congress right now with the broadest network of supporters. Americans can’t afford to wait any longer for Congress to pass this bill and send it to the president’s desk.”

“AI should empower innovation – not give scammers and online predators a free pass to exploit someone’s voice and visual likeness without permission,” Sen. Blackburn said. “From artists and songwriters to students and everyday Americans, people deserve meaningful protections against deceptive deepfakes and digital impersonation. The NO FAKES Act would establish clear guardrails that protect the creative community in Tennessee and nationwide, and we are grateful to have more support than ever before for this bipartisan and bicameral legislation.”

The NO FAKES Act would:

Recognize that every individual has a federal intellectual property right to their own voice and likeness—including an extension of that right for the families of individuals after they pass away;

Empower individuals to take action against bad actors who knowingly create, post, or profit from unauthorized digital copies of them;

Protect responsible media platforms from liability if they take down offending materials when they discover them; and

Ensure innovation and free speech are protected.

“RIAA proudly endorses the NO FAKES Act of 2026, a widely supported consensus bill developed through a bipartisan, bicameral process and championed by American AI developers, the creative community, child safety groups, conservative groups, labor unions, and free speech advocates. Polling confirms that 92% of Americans are concerned about the impact of AI deepfakes on our neighbors and culture and reveals near total support for a Federal law that protects voice and likeness. NO FAKES provides those important protections while securing freedom of expression, reducing litigation and achieving the full promise of American AI technology. We applaud the efforts of Senators Coons and Blackburn alongside Representatives Salazar and Dean, along with their bipartisan colleagues, on crafting this legislation that has also been recommended by the White House’s National AI Framework. This is an example of communities coming together to solve an important issue, and we are closer than ever to NO FAKES becoming the law of the land this year,” Mitch Glazier, RIAA Chairman & CEO said.

“The Human Artistry Campaign stands for fully prioritizing human creativity as AI evolves, expanding imagination, not replacing it, and opening possibilities rather than closing doors," Dr. Moiya McTier, Senior Advisor, Human Artistry Campaign said. “Preserving everyone’s fundamental right to their own voices and images is a critical and immediate need. The NO FAKES Act protects that right, while also supporting free speech rights and promoting responsible, ethical AI development. Senators Blackburn and Coons, Representatives Salazar and Dean have shepherded bipartisan agreement among their colleagues for this landmark legislation. Every American deserves a right to their own identity. As highly realistic AI voice clones and harmful deepfakes become more pervasive, this bill stands ready for passage and the time to act is now.”

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Reps. Balint, Salinas Lead Lawmakers Demanding Answers from HHS on Reported Plan to “Deprescribe” Psychiatric Medications

Tue, 19 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Becca Balint (VT-AL) and Andrea Salinas (OR-06), led a group of 14 lawmakers in sending a letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), expressing opposition to the agency’s reported plans to promote the “deprescribing” of psychiatric medications.

The lawmakers warn that Secretary Kennedy’s campaign to “deprescribe” psychiatric medications undermines access to evidence-based mental health care for patients who rely on psychiatric medications. They urge the administration to ensure that any guidance remains grounded in science and centered on patient safety.

“Secretary Kennedy’s attacks on psychiatric medications are dangerous and wrong," said Rep. Balint. "Mental health care is health care. People deserve access to treatment that’s grounded in science and guided by their doctors - not by the Secretary’s personal opinions, politics, stigma, or misinformation.”

“The decision for a patient to stop taking an SSRI should be between the patient and their doctor. End of story,” said Rep. Salinas, Co-Chair of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus. “SSRIs and other psychiatric medications are life-sustaining care for millions of Americans, and any federal guidance on mental health treatment must be rooted in science, not stigma, ideology, or one man’s personal experience. Secretary Kennedy’s approach risks confusing patients, undermining trust in public health, and disrupting care for people who need support. HHS must clarify its plans, protect access to evidence-based treatment, and ensure these deeply personal decisions remain between patients and their doctors.”

“We write with serious concern and vehement opposition to your stated intent to promote ‘deprescribing’ of psychiatric medications to reduce what you have mischaracterized as an overuse of antidepressants,” the letter states.

They emphasized that psychiatric medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro, are some of the leading treatments for depression and anxiety and are approved for psychological treatment by leading medical organizations.

“Psychiatric medications like antidepressants and other evidence-based treatments are, for many Americans, not ‘optional interventions.’ These treatments are essential, life-sustaining care,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter challenges recent public statements Sec. Kennedy has made that encourage medication tapering, which undermines trust in public health guidance and can harm patients’ health and safety. Efforts to “deprescribe" psychiatric medicines creates confusion among patients, increases stigma around mental health, and disrupts treatment that is critical for those with mental and behavioral health issues.

“These are unequivocally false and destructive claims, and they undermine trust in our nation’s public health institutions,” the letter states.

“Encouraging Americans to ‘deprescribe’ risks patients abruptly stopping their medication, which can cause relapse, withdrawal complications, or increased suicide risk,” they wrote.

The members urged HHS to focus on reforming structural challenges in mental health care to improve treatment access, instead of oversimplifying our nation’s mental health crisis by solely emphasizing medication reduction.

“The Health and Human Services Department should focus on the systemic drivers of our nation’s mental health crisis, which are persistent barriers to care, workforce shortages, and unaffordable access to comprehensive treatment,” the letter reads.

Lawmakers asked HHS to detail safeguards for patients, including protections against inappropriate pressure to discontinue treatment and assurances that clinical decisions remain between patients and providers.

They concluded by calling for transparency and collaboration with clinicians, patients, and Congress to ensure continued access to mental health care.

“I urge the administration to clarify its approach and work with clinicians, patients, and Congress to ensure that all Americans have access to the mental health care that they need,” the lawmakers wrote.

Representatives Balint and Salinas were joined by signers Representatives Beyer (VA-08), Cleaver (MO-05), Elfreth (MD-03), Garcia (CA-42), Goldman (NY-10), Kelly (IL-02), Moulton (MA-06), Ramirez (IL-03), Thanedar (MI-13), Tlaib (MI-12), Tonko(NY-20), Underwood (IL-14), Velazquez (NY-07), Watson Coleman (NY-12).

The full text of the letter can be viewed here.

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