Alma Adams

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, September 24, Congresswomen Alma Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Shontel Brown (OH-11)sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Richard Fordyce and Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Colton Buckley, urging the USDA to immediately release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) competitive grants program. The letter was joined by 24 Members of Congress. The UAIP program was created by the 2018 Farm Bill, establishing an office to support and fund urban and innovative farming practices through competitive grants for planning and implementation projects. The program targets areas with limited fresh food access, helping expand efforts by farmers, gardeners, schools, and local governments to build food security, lower local food costs, and support economic development in underserved urban and suburban communities. USDA has received $12 million in appropriated funding for UAIP: $7 million in Fiscal Year 2025 and $5 million in Fiscal Year 2026. However, the agency has not released any of the allocated funds, with no explanation for the delay. The letter calls on the USDA to open a 60-day application window no later than December 31, 2026, and requests answers on what caused the delay, when the NOFO will be released, and what the department's regular funding cycle will look like going forward. “Addressing agricultural needs in North Carolina’s 12th District is one of my top priorities,” saidCongresswoman Adams, a senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture.“UAIP was created to support local family farms and increase access to affordable healthy foods in urban districts across the country; the program must continue to do that. I am calling on the USDA to distribute these funds as they have been directed by Congress.” “Congress created and funded the Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production grant program with bipartisan support. We need answers from USDA as to why UAIP grants are not being made available. My Cleveland district has a long and great tradition of urban agriculture, and USDA needs to explain why it is failing to deliver resources Congress intended for these communities,”said Congresswoman Shontel Brown, Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture. “Farmers and communities need federal programs they can rely on. Since 2020, the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production has been one of those programs. However, since 2025, the Office has nearly disappeared. NSAC supports this effort to ensure the Office continues to invest in community-based food systems nationwide as Congress intended,” commented Hannah Quigley, Policy Specialist with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Established by the 2018 Farm Bill, UAIP supports urban farms, innovative production methods, and municipal composting initiatives while helping address food insecurity in surrounding communities. Since 2020, the program has funded 199 grants and 146 cooperative agreements across 43 states and Puerto Rico, working alongside 27 USDA Urban Service Centers to support incubator farms, workforce development, K-12 education programs, and community gardens. The letter follows significant staff turnover and reorganization at USDA, which the lawmakers say should not prevent the department from implementing congressionally funded programs.

On Monday, I introduced the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Predevelopment Fund Act, a bill to help expand the affordable housing supply by addressing a critical early-stage financing gap preventing faith-based organizations from developing housing on land they already own. https://t.co/WkstR7DNx0

WASHINGTON, D.C. ­— Today, Representative Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), alongside Representative Danny Davis (IL-07),Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD), and Senator Cory Booker (NJ) reintroduced two bills to improve access to care for Americans living with sickle cell disease (SCD) — the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act, legislation to grow the national network of care for patients with sickle cell disease, and the Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act, legislation to strengthen the medical workforce that treats SCD. The members are joined in introducing both bills by Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN) and Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD). In the United States, approximately 100,000 people are affected by SCD, a rare, genetically-inherited disorder that causes a person’s red blood cells to become deformed and get stuck in their veins – blocking oxygen flow throughout the body and leading to chronic pain, infections, stroke, as well as kidney, liver, and heart disease. The disease disproportionately affects Black Americans, but people from other racial and ethnic backgrounds, including Hispanic Americans, are also susceptible. Despite the prevalence of the disease and the need for consistent and coordinated treatment, SCD care is most often accessible only in specialized medical centers in metropolitan areas – resulting in few patients having access to the multidisciplinary care teams and providers they need. “Growing up, my sister Linda was in and out of the emergency room because of sickle cell disease. She lost her battle when she was just 26 years old,”said Congresswoman Adams. “Her story is one that I do not want to see repeated. That’s why I am proud to introduce the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act and co-lead the Sickle Cell Disease Care Expansion Act to increase access to specialized care for those suffering from this devastating illness.” “Considering the significant health challenges that sickle cell disease creates for individuals and families across the United States and around the world, we must invest greater resources in improving awareness, expanding access to comprehensive and coordinated care, advancing better treatments, and supporting research that can lead to new cures,” said Congressman Davis. “For far too many sickle cell warriors, access to specialized care remains limited, particularly for those who live far from major medical centers. The Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act of 2026 takes an important step toward changing that by strengthening a national network of treatment centers and connecting specialized providers with community health centers and other organizations closer to where patients live.” “Sickle cell disease has claimed the lives of too many people far too soon, including a former staff member of mine, John Amara. For Americans living with sickle cell, access to care and qualified providers can be one of the biggest challenges they face. These bills will increase the size and capacity of the medical workforce trained to treat sickle cell, give existing sickle cell centers the capacity to share resources beyond their walls, and help ensure we can more easily expand specialized care and treatment to the countless communities that don’t yet have it. We will not stop fighting to raise awareness, strengthen networks of care and support, and ultimately make sickle cell disease a thing of the past,”said Senator Van Hollen. "Sickle cell disease has been historically overlooked and underfunded, and people living with it, who are disproportionately Black Americans, face systemic barriers to the care they need to live full, healthy lives," said Senator Booker. "I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing these bills, which would invest in training and resources for healthcare providers, raise awareness about SCD and the support available, and establish a national network of treatment centers. Together, they move us toward a future where comprehensive, accessible care for everyone living with sickle cell disease is a right, not a privilege." “The Sickle Cell Treatment Act bill enables the creation of the national coordination of care and advancements for sickle cell disease, which is the most prevalent life-threatening chronic illness affecting most ethnicities and races in this country — more than 200,000 individuals along with their families and support systems, all types of medical caregivers in over 10 specialties, researchers, and scientists. Data-driven focus and collaboration for best outcomes and practices for the sickle cell community is imperative as we are in the era of curative therapies, new treatments and medicines, and research enabling better understanding of sickle cell. Likewise, the Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act, providing needed funding of education of the sickle cell family of caregivers — doctors, nurses, researchers, psychologists, social workers, dietitians, phlebotomists, and others — is crucial for providing excellence in care and opportunities for more progress for individuals and families effected by sickle cell disease. Let’s be clear, Sickle Cell disease has been severely underfunded, under-resourced, and undercounted in all areas. We must all pull together — there is more than enough work and room for every organization to contribute to the necessary progress for the improved treatment, access, and outcomes for the sickle cell disease family,” said Kimberley Davis, the Executive Director of KMD Advocacy Center and the mother of John Amara Walters, a member of Senator Van Hollen’s legislative staff who passed away from complications of SCD in 2021 at the age of 29. The Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act, led by Congresswoman Adams, would address the unmet needs of patients with SCD, sickle cell trait, and other inherited blood disorders through the establishment of a nationwide system of treatment centers, as well as much-needed education, outreach, and social services for patients. It establishes a National Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Center Grant Program, which would enable hospitals that offer specialized SCD care to partner with more accessible community health centers and outpatient centers. This would implement a hub-and-spoke framework for the delivery of care and treatment of patients with SCD. The medical hubs and spokes would be required to partner with community-based organizations to provide education and outreach and help coordinate social services for patients. Additionally, the bill would establish a National SCD Coordinating Center to work in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) SCD Data Collection Program. The Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act would enable the National Health Service Corps to provide educational incentives such as loan repayment assistance and scholarships for those studying benign hematology, which is the specialty SCD falls under. These incentives are designed to attract more providers to the SCD workforce to meet the treatment needs of the growing number of adult SCD patients. The bill would also create competitive grants to raise awareness of SCD and the resources available to patients and provide additional resources for hospitals to further fund support services for young adults ages 18-29 who are transitioning from pediatric to adult care, as well as research into the needs of this patient population. Both bills have been endorsed by KMD Advocacy Center, American Society of Hematology, Children’s National Hospital, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, Maryland Sickle Cell Disease Association (MSCDA), Sickle Cell Coalition of Maryland, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, the Sickle Cell Disease Partnership, and Sick Cells.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), introduced the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Predevelopment Fund Act, a bill that would help expand the affordable housing supply by addressing a critical early-stage financing gap that prevents faith-based organizations (FBOs) from developing housing on land they already own. Across the country, houses of worship are partnering with developers to transform under-utilized land they already own into much-needed affordable housing. Yet many promising projects stall before construction because FBOs lack the resources to cover critical upfront pre-development costs. The bill creates a five-year pilot program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to offer competitive grants to states, local governments, nonprofits, and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to fund essential pre-development costs for FBO-led affordable housing projects. “Shelter is a basic human need, and housing is a fundamental human right,” said Congresswoman Adams. “The average rent for an apartment in Charlotte is over $1,400 a month, a cost that is too high for many families. Faith-based organizations in my district and across the nation want to use their resources to build more affordable housing for their communities, but high upfront pre-development costs can be a major deterrent. My bill would relieve some of that burden on faith-based organizations and help to boost our affordable housing supply.” The bill is endorsed by the Faith-Based Housing Initiative, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and Lutheran Services in America. “As neighborhoods become increasingly unaffordable, local places of worship across the nation are actively looking to convert their surplus land into affordable homes,” said Eli Smith, Director, Faith-Based Housing Initiative.“Yet high upfront predevelopment and exploratory costs often prove insurmountable, stopping congregations before they even get started. This bill helps ease some of those pains, making development more accessible and enabling faith organizations to unlock their land for the benefit of their communities.” “The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is grateful for Rep. Adams’ leadership in introducing the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Predevelopment Fund Act,” said Ralphine Caldwell, Senior Executive Director, LISC Charlotte. “Charlotte’s affordable housing crisis has been growing, and we know that many faith-based organizations want to use land they own to meet local housing needs. The Faith-Based Affordable Housing Predevelopment Fund Act would provide the predevelopment and technical assistance resources necessary to help houses of worship develop affordable housing, increasing housing options in our community.” Pre-development activities that the grant funding can be used for include: Architectural and engineering design Environmental reviews and assessments Feasibility studies Legal expenses Financing application costs Performing market studies Project consultant fees Other costs that are deemed appropriate by the Secretary of HUD You can read the full bill here.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12),Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25), and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE) introduced the Community Health Worker Access Act, legislation that would improve Medicare coverage for community health worker services and encourage states to cover these services under their Medicaid programs. "One of my core beliefs as a legislator is that healthcare should be affordable and accessible," said Congresswoman Adams. “Community health workers help provide preventative care, basic health screenings, and frontline medical support in our neighborhoods. This bill will strengthen the community health workforce and close long-standing gaps in access to care for underserved communities, especially in rural areas.” "Community health workers are often the first and most trusted connection our communities have to the health care system," said Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25). "In the Coachella Valley, Imperial Valley, San Jacinto Valley, and the Pass area, they close gaps that clinics and hospitals alone cannot. This bill recognizes that work and invests in it, so families get the coordinated, culturally responsive care they deserve." "Accessing the right care can feel impossible in our increasingly complex healthcare system, but community health workers help bridge the gap. From connecting people with the right providers to serving as trusted advisors, these community-based navigators drastically improve the quality of life for their neighbors," said Senator Blunt Rochester. "I’m proud to introduce the Community Health Worker Access Act to add coverage for community health workers under Medicare and formally acknowledge the vital role they play in keeping our communities healthy and safe." Community health workers serve as a bridge between patients and the formal health care system, especially for high-risk, high-need, and underserved populations. Their work includes basic health screenings, chronic disease symptom management, health education, and helping patients navigate complex health systems. These programs could save Medicaid an average of $4,200 per beneficiary every year. Every dollar invested in community health worker services is worth over double that amount in savings. The bill creates two new categories of reimbursable services under Medicare: Preventative services to avoid illness, reduce physical or mental disability, and restore body function. Educational services and referrals to health care and community-based resources to address health-related social needs, including assistance navigating insurance enrollment, easing transportation barriers, and connecting patients to support services. The bill also allows state Medicaid programs to cover the same services with an increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to help offset state costs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswomen Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Ashley Hinson (IA-02), alongside Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing September 19, 2026, as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day. In acknowledgment of the work that needs to be done, and mark the progress made since theMaternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act passed into law, Congresswomen Adams and Hinson, held a briefing inside the Capitol Building today. Advocates, medical professionals, policy leaders, and parents came to discuss clinical innovations in stillbirth prevention and urge support for the National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day resolution. “It has already taken way too long for Congress to wake up to the tragedy that is our country's stillbirth crisis,” said Congresswoman Adams, co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “We have made some great progress, but there is so much more to be done. We already have many innovative solutions to reduce stillbirth — our country just hasn't invested in them at a national scale. We can, and we must do better for our moms.” “Improving prenatal education and access to maternal care — especially in rural areas where women may travel over an hour to see a provider — is critical to protecting babies and reducing maternal deaths,” said Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. “Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was a major step, but more must be done to support expecting moms and prevent stillbirths. I’m proud to reintroduce this resolution recognizing September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day and will continue working across the aisle to end the tragedy of stillbirth.” “Nearly five thousand babies’ lives could be saved annually through greater focus on stillbirth prevention efforts,” said Healthy Birth Day CEO, Emily Price. “National Stillbirth Prevention & Awareness Day is an opportunity to address the urgent stillbirth crisis in the U.S. and share free resources and tools like Count the Kicks which are saving lives. Our message to the country: it doesn't have to be this way.” The Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act, bipartisan legislationsigned into law in July 2024, clarified that Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant funds could be used to support stillbirth prevention activities and research. This year, Congresswomen Adams and Hinson secured $1 million in a Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bill for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to provide ongoing assistance to support states’ stillbirth prevention activities. Medical advances over the last 30 years have led to a decline in late term stillbirths, but the rate of decline is slowing. Stillbirth remains a significant public health crisis in the United States, with tens of thousands of families affected each year and Black, Native, and Hispanic communities experiencing disproportionately higher rates. Research suggests a substantial share of stillbirths may be preventable through improved awareness, screening, and access to care. “Every parent who experiences a stillbirth deserves support and clear action. Stillbirth remains a heartbreaking and preventable public health crisis, with Black, Native, and Hispanic families facing disproportionately high rates of loss,” said Senator Merkley.“Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was an important first step, but we cannot let up. This National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we must keep pushing for necessary action to save lives and spare families this devastating loss.” “Every year, more than 20,000 families in the United States experience a stillbirth, and too many of these losses may be preventable,” said Senator Booker. “Losing a baby to stillbirth is devastating, and on National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day, we stand with the families who have experienced this profound loss and recommit ourselves to preventing stillbirth wherever possible. By investing in research, improving data collection, raising awareness, and strengthening access to high-quality maternal health care, we can better understand the causes of stillbirth, reduce preventable losses, and support healthier pregnancies.” “No family should have to endure the heartbreak of a stillbirth. While states like Iowa have made progress at reducing stillbirths, there’s still much more to be done to strengthen maternal healthcare, especially in rural areas, to help prevent these tragedies. Our bipartisan resolution raises awareness and promotes research to help target contributing factors and save babies’ lives,” said Senator Grassley. National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day serves as an opportunity to recognize affected families, highlight the work of advocacy organizations, and reinforce the need for sustained federal investment in stillbirth prevention efforts and maternal and child health research and services.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) introduced the Higher Education Oversight for Nonprofits Ensuring Standards and Transparency Act, or the HONEST Act, to establish new safeguards for IRS investigations of colleges and universities. The bill comes as the Department of the Treasury and IRS move forward with new regulations affecting the tax-exempt status of private schools, including colleges and universities. Under the new proposal, as many as 18,000 schools could be affected, along with roughly 750,000 students who receive scholarships tied to race, ethnicity, or national origin. The rule would reach beyond admissions to scholarships, student programs, and other policies that colleges use to serve their students. “I spent 40 years as a professor, and I know our colleges and universities should not have to worry about the IRS being used as a political weapon,” said Congresswoman Adams,Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. “The HONEST Act does not prevent the IRS from enforcing the law, it simply ensures a fair and transparent process before the federal government investigates a college or university.” “Like other institutions, colleges and universities in the United States are entitled to ‘Due Process,’ the two most beautiful words in the English language,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08). “I am glad to partner with Representative Adams to introduce the HONEST Act, which preserves important federal tax investigation authorities while ensuring that colleges and universities get the same Due Process protection as houses of worship receive.” The HONEST Act mirrors protections that already exist for churches and houses of worship, where the IRS must follow added procedures before opening certain tax inquiries. The bill would bring a similar process to colleges and universities, adding due process without taking away the IRS’s ability to hold schools accountable when they break the law. The legislation is endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). “The American Council on Education, the major coordinating body for the nation’s colleges and universities, with nearly1,600 member institutions, related associations, and other organizations in America and abroad, strongly endorses the HONEST Act,” said a representative of the American Council on Education. “The HONEST Act creates strong guardrails to protect our nation’s colleges and universities, both public and private nonprofit institutions, from the misuse of federal tax-exempt oversight authority by the Department of the Treasury and the IRS. This bill would make important enhancements to protections already in law and we hope it will be swiftly taken up and passed by the full Congress.” “Nonprofit organizations, including institutions of higher education, have had their tax-exempt status threatened for no more than failure to operate in accordance with prevailing administrative orthodoxy,” said Dr. Charles L. Welch, President & CEO of the AASCU. “Colleges and universities must be able to carry out their missions—advancing academic achievement, research, and workforce preparation—without concern that lawful operations could trigger punitive action. The HONEST Act provides important safeguards to ensure transparency, consistency, and fairness in oversight of nonprofit institutions.” The HONEST Act would: Protect academic decisions from being used as a reason for an IRS investigation: The IRS cannot target a school based solely on its curriculum, accreditation, or other academic policies unless there is a violation of federal law. Make the IRS explain why it is investigating a school: A senior Treasury official must document evidence of a clear tac regulation violation an inquiry begins. Give the school a chance to respond: Colleges and universities must be told what the IRS is looking at and have an opportunity to meet with the agency. Put a time limit on investigations: IRS examinations generally must be finished within two years. Stop the IRS from repeatedly reopening the same issue: After a clean review, the IRS generally cannot come back on the same issue for five years. Require another level of review before serious action is taken: The IRS cannot revoke tax-exempt status or take certain other enforcement actions without additional internal approval. Require Congress to be notified: Treasury must report these investigations to the House and Senate tax-writing committees. Apply the protections to public colleges and certain university foundations and endowments. A one pager for the bill can be found here.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Black Breastfeeding Week Resolution to recognize the week of August 25, 2026, to August 31, 2026, as “Black Breastfeeding Week.” According to the CDC, about 80% of Black mothers breastfeed their infants compared to 88% of white mothers, even though breastfeeding is linked to lower risk of short and long-term illness, stronger immune function, and better early childhood development in infants. Black Breastfeeding Week is a time to recognize the disparities Black women face in their ability to meet breastfeeding guidelines, including unequal access to lactation support, workplace accommodations, and quality healthcare. “The science is clear: breastfeeding improves infant health outcomes, but Black women in America face a breastfeeding disparity,” said Congresswoman Adams, Co-founder and Co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “Maternal leave, accessible healthcare, food security, and racial equity in healthcare are all essential supports that Black women need to breastfeed their children — supports that are often not available. That is why breastfeeding is a Black maternal health issue, and it’s one we must address to prevent more of our mothers and children from needlessly losing their lives.” “Soaring prices are making it harder than ever to feed a family. Breastfeeding is healthier and less costly than formula, yet Black mothers are told to feed their babies formula at far higher rates than other women,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman, Co-chair of the Caucus on Black Women and Girls. “For generations, racial bias and medical neglect have led to disproportionately worse maternal outcomes for Black women. Breastfeeding support is a major health equity issue and a real hunger issue. All women deserve access to reliable medical advice and competent care to make the best decisions for themselves and their babies.” The Office of Minority Health found that, in 2024, the rate of infant mortality for Black babies was double the mortality rate of infants nationwide and Black infants were two and a half times as likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome. Meanwhile, the NIH found that breastfeeding reduced the rate of sudden infant death syndrome in 2009, and the CDC recommends breastfeeding as the best source of nutrition for most infants.

This month, I introduced the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Pilot Program Act to close crucial mental health care gaps in the criminal justice system. https://t.co/mIcNd2x85x

Education that includes DEI teaches doctors about implicit racial bias and culturally competent care, and expands their knowledge of the patient populations they will be serving. But most importantly, it saves lives. https://t.co/gmHwFv9s3J

Many BOP facilities lack basic climate control, leaving people in cells where temperatures reach deadly levels during record heat waves and winter freezes. The Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act would establish the first comprehensive federal standards for this crisis. https://t.co/zwTOH5KKgr

The House just passed a second War Powers Resolution to end hostilities with Iran. The war is unpopular and unconstitutional. It needs to end before it gets worse. https://t.co/Qg7Ssf596B

Today, I stood alongside my colleagues, Rep. Lois Frankel, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, Melanie Campbell, and Melvina Ford, in support of the Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Resolution, marking July 21 as Black Women's Equal Pay Day. https://t.co/zR682y4L5E

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12),LoisFrankel (FL-22),Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12),Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), introduced the Black Women’s Equal Pay Day Resolution, marking July 21st as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day and recognizing the deep, persistent wage gap that Black women continue to face in the United States. Every year, the date of Black Women’s Equal Pay Day is set to mark the amount of time Black women would have to work to earn what white, non-Hispanic men earned by the end of the previous year. In 2025, Black women earned roughly 65 cents for every dollar white men earned. “Today, we confront an unacceptable wage disparity facing Black women, and recommit ourselves to correcting it,” said Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee Ranking Member, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. “For generations, Black women have been compelled to work twice as hard for half the reward. They have faced entrenched barriers, systemic discrimination, and a persistent denial of opportunity. We cannot ask another generation of Black women to wait months, even years, for the pay they rightfully deserve. I am proud to introduce this resolution, and I call on this Congress to act with the urgency this injustice demands.” “Equal pay is more than a slogan—it’s about whether women can pay their bills, take care of their families, enjoy a good quality of life, and eventually retire with dignity,” said Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Emerita Lois Frankel. “In 2025, for the second year in a row, the gender pay gap widened, and for Black women the disparity is even greater. It’s long past time for Congress to close the wage gap and ensure every woman is paid fairly for her work.” “The wage gap has widened for two years in a row - the first time we've seen such an increase since the 1960s,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “And as we navigate a nationwide affordability crisis, Republican policies have stripped away tools to narrow the pay gap and made it harder for black women to earn good-paying jobs. Black women are foundational to the progress and survival of this nation yet for far too long have been prevented from reaping the fruits of their labor. It’s imperative that we address the racist, sexist policies that cause structural economic inequality in America so Black women are paid what they’ve earned.” "Women hold this country together. We raise families, care for loved ones, teach our children, heal the sick, grow businesses, harvest our food, and serve our communities," said Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández, Chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus. "Yet, year after year, our work is still valued less than men's. That is not just unfair—it is a choice our country continues to make. Black Women's Equal Pay Day reminds us that while all women continue to fight for equal pay, Black women face an even steeper climb. We are well into Summer before their equal pay day rolls around—that’s too late, it’s too tiring and smothering to fathom the disrespect this late date signifies. Congress must finally pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and make equal pay the law of the land so that Black women, and all women earn the pay they deserve.” “Even in the ‘land of opportunity,’ Black women must work 50 percent longer to achieve the same earnings as white men,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “This resolution sheds light on the challenges facing minority communities across the country and reaffirms our commitment to closing the pay gaps. I’m proud to see all my Senate Democratic colleagues join me in making a concerted effort to improve the quality of life for Black women everywhere.”

My statement today on the legacy of Congressman John Lewis. https://t.co/XZ1jk2sHTZ

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, July 17, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), issued the following statement to mark the 6th anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis. "Today, on the John Lewis ‘Good Trouble’ Day of Action, we honor the life, legacy, and enduring courage of Congressman John Lewis—a man who devoted his life to protecting one of the most fundamental rights in our democracy: the right to vote. "John Lewis understood that the promise of America is only as strong as the ability of its people to participate in it. He marched, organized, and endured brutal violence so that future generations would have the opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box. "The progress we have made did not come easily. Countless Americans sacrificed, struggled, and, in some cases, gave their lives to expand access to the ballot and make our democracy more inclusive. We honor their sacrifices by remaining vigilant in protecting the freedoms they fought so hard to secure. "As we reflect on Congressman Lewis’ legacy, we must also recognize that the work of upholding our democracy continues. "Every eligible voter deserves an equal opportunity to participate in our elections, free from discrimination, intimidation, or unnecessary barriers. Every community deserves confidence that its voice will be heard and that every legally cast ballot will be counted. "That is why I continue to support efforts to strengthen voting rights protections, including the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore and strengthen protections that recent Supreme Court rulings have weakened. "The best way to honor John Lewis is through action. I encourage every eligible voter to verify their registration, ensure their information is up to date, learn about voting requirements in our state, and make a plan to participate in upcoming elections. "North Carolina voters can check their registration information at https://www.ncsbe.gov/registering/checking-your-registration "On this Day of Action, let us recommit ourselves to the ongoing work of building a democracy where every person has the opportunity to participate in free, fair, open, and safe elections. John Lewis called voting 'the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society,' and we must use it."

My statement on the Massie Amendment to the National Security Department of State, & Related Programs Appropriations Bill https://t.co/IHkP43FMSp

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), issued the following statement regarding her vote in opposition to the Massie Amendment to the National Security Department of State, & Related Programs Appropriations Bill, which failed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening, July 15, 2026. “I share the deep frustration so many Americans feel about how conflicts in Gaza and Iran have unfolded, and I have not been silent about the need for accountability and lasting peace. That is why I have co-sponsored the Block the Bombs Act to end the shipment of destructive weapons to Israel. However, a vague amendment that jeopardizes humanitarian and diplomatic efforts in the region is the wrong vehicle. “The Massie Amendment was broadly written; it included non-military funding cuts that would limit humanitarian aid, cut refugee resettlement support programs, reduce U.S. Embassy operations, and inhibit peacebuilding efforts in the Middle East. “I could not support a measure this broad, even to make an important point. “My opposition to this amendment is a rejection of a blunt instrument that would have caused collateral damage to programs that save lives.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, on July 14, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), introduced the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) Pilot Program Act. FACT programs are specialized community-based mental health programs that help people with serious mental illness who have been involved with the criminal justice system get the urgent psychiatric care they need, successfully re-enter their communities, and reduce the risk of being incarcerated again. This program model uses a dedicated team that provides around the clock care for clients. The team includes mental health professionals, specialists in psychiatry, substance abuse treatment, employment and housing services, forensic peer support, and a criminal justice system partner. The FACT Pilot Program Act would establish a 5-year pilot grant program that provides funding for existing FACT programs to expand and increase capacity to serve more clients. This initiative is in direct response to the increased rates of serious mental illness for individuals involved in the criminal justice system, with two in five people who are incarcerated having a history of mental illness. “Many people with a serious mental health condition leave the criminal justice system with no psychiatric support, no job, and no housing. They are being set up to fail,” said Congresswoman Adams. “FACT programs have been shown to improve mental health outcomes and reduce repeat offenses. If we want to reduce crime rates and address the mental health crisis, expanding this program should be a national priority.” This bill would also fund a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) study to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program and provide recommendations for improvement at the end of the five years. The study would also create a framework to help states and localities, especially rural communities, develop and implement FACT programs. In 2025, North Carolina invested $9.5 million into FACT teams in high-needs areas across the state. Currently, this funding supports only five county programs, limiting the number of clients who can be served. Additional investment is needed to ensure that FACT programs throughout the state can meet the growing demand for services.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), and Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-6) introduced the Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act, landmark legislation to protect incarcerated people and prison staff from dangerous temperatures in facilities across the country managed by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP). This bill is a continuation of work that Congresswomen Adams and McBath began last year. In March 2026, they successfully launched a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study to further understand how the BOP currently tracks and addresses instances of extreme temperatures in their facilities. They also sent a letter of inquiry to the BOP in August 2025 regarding current conditions in their facilities, which informed this bill. In their response letter, the BOP stated that 18,736 incarcerated individuals reported symptoms of heat-related illness and 42 were diagnosed with heat stroke between January 2022 and September 2025. Extreme temperatures inside federal prisons can pose life-threatening risks. Incarcerated individuals have limited ability to insulate themselves and staff face occupational hazards that are routinely unregulated. Many BOP facilities lack basic climate control, leaving people in cells where temperatures can reach deadly levels during record heat waves and winter freezes. The Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act would establish the first comprehensive, mandatory federal standards to address this crisis. “The conditions in our federal prisons are unacceptable,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Across all 122 BOP facilities, there are more than 138,000 incarcerated people and roughly 34,000 BOP employees who live and work in these conditions every day. No one should be forced to endure dangerous, life-threatening temperatures because of aging infrastructure. The federal government has both a moral and constitutional responsibility to maintain safe and humane conditions for those in its custody.” "Incarcerated persons do not lose their rights to basic standards of living and safety in federal prison,"Congresswoman McBath said. "As states across the country face record breaking temperatures this summer, it is common sense to require standardized installation and maintenance of HVAC systems in all federal prison facilities. This legislation is another important step towards improving our federal prison system.” The Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act will: Authorize funding for climate control system installation and upgrades in all federal prisons within five years, with temperature monitors in every cell and workspace. Set clear health and safety standards for extreme heat and cold across work, recreational activities, and housing. Direct the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to research how extreme temperatures harm incarcerated individuals and staff and develop extra protections for elderly, pregnant, and immunocompromised individuals. Provide free cooling and warming supplies — like cold water, fans, warm clothing, and blankets — when temperatures reach dangerous levels. Implement accountability measures regarding staff training for recognizing and responding to heat and cold emergencies Require regular public reports on HVAC progress, temperature-related illness and deaths, and annual safety inspections. "Incarcerated individuals deserve to live in safe and humane conditions that are conducive to rehabilitation," said Kevin Hagan, Esq., Federal Legislative Affairs Director with FAMM (formerly Families Against Mandatory Minimums). "Unfortunately, too many live in deplorable conditions, facing extreme temperatures that can prove to be life-threatening. FAMM is proud to endorse the Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act. This much needed legislation is a step in the right direction towards accountability and reform within America's prisons." “As temperatures across the country rise to deadly levels, people in prisons are left without access to air conditioning and with few heat mitigation options," said Sarah Staudt, Director of Policy and Advocacy with Prison Policy Initiative. "Even the most vulnerable are routinely forced to survive the sweltering conditions as best they can. Some will not make it.” Staudt adds, prison Policy Initiative strongly supports the Extreme Temperatures Injustice in Prisons Act. This urgently needed legislation will ensure that people in prisons have access to air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. Among other things, it also compels the Bureau of Prisons to regularly monitor the temperatures incarcerated people are forced to endure, to develop standards around heat and cold stress, and to ensure that people in federal prisons have access to potentially life-saving temperature mitigation options. Ultimately, a heatwave should not be a death sentence.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), introduced the Living Wage for Federal Contractors Act, legislation establishing a permanent, predictable minimum wage for workers employed through federal contracts. The bill sets the federal contractor minimum wage for employees at $17.00 per hour upon becoming law, rising by $2.00 every year until it reaches $25.00 per hour, at which point it will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). Tipped contract workers would see their minimum wage rise from $13.00 per hour to $25.00, at a similar rate. “Contractors who work for the government deserve the same certainty as any federal employee,” said Congresswoman Adams.“This bill will end the inconsistent wage policy set by the executive branch and put a living wage into law. Without firm policy set by Congress, federal contract workers become an easy target for wage theft, with no regard to the people we are taking advantage of.” A one pager explaining the bill can be found here. Millions of Americans work on federal contracts, and hundreds of thousands have seen their wages change inconsistently over the last 10 years. Since 2014, the minimum wage for federal contractors has been raised and lowered by a cycle of executive orders, leaving working people and businesses without a consistent standard from the United States government. Since 2014, administrations of both parties have used Executive Orders to raise or lower the minimum wage for federal contract workers. Most recently, in 2025, the current administration reduced the federal contract worker minimum wage from $17.75 to $13.65 per hour. But Executive Orders are not law. They can be changed or reversed whenever a new administration takes office. Federal contract workers should not have their livelihoods subject to political swings from one administration to the next. They deserve the certainty, stability, and economic security that come with a predictable wage protected by law. The Living Wage for Federal Contractors Act will solidify wage protections, extend coverage to independent regulatory agencies and the U.S. Postal Service, and create wage floors for construction, service, and procurement contract workers. The bill will also strengthen enforcement by providing liquidated damages, civil penalties, a private right of action for workers, and authority for the Department of Labor to withhold payments from contractors found in violation. You can read the full text of the bill here. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver (MI-05), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) have joined the bill as original cosponsors.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), released a statement regarding the passage of H.R. 6644, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act in Congress. While this transformative housing bill overwhelmingly passed both chambers in Congress with bipartisan support, the administration has previously refused to make it law until the SAVE America Act had been passed. Speaker Mike Johnson sent the bill to the President yesterday, on June 29. If not signed or vetoed within ten days of it reaching the President’s desk, it will automatically become law, as outlined in the constitution. “One of the most pressing issues facing North Carolina’s 12th District is the skyrocketing cost of housing in Charlotte,” said Congresswoman Adams. “This bill will help build new housing, lower mortgage rates and rental costs, and prioritize homebuyers and renters over corporate landlords. Having a space to call your own is an integral part of the American dream; and this legislation will make that dream more accessible for my constituents and Americans across the country.” This historic legislation will: Remove unnecessary regulatory barriers and streamline environmental reviews to expedite the development of affordable housing. Strengthen the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investments Partnership Program to provide key funding for affordable housing development. Authorize disaster recovery housing programs to get money out to disaster-stricken communities faster — a win for western North Carolina. Place restrictions on large institutional investors by capping the number of single-family homes they may purchase. “With the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, new regulations will be enacted to restrict corporations from buying homes,” said Congresswoman Adams. “This issue is important to me, which is why I introduced similar legislation in early 2025.” Corporate housing ownership is a significant concern for Charlotte. As of 2023, corporations owned roughly 20,000 single-family properties in Charlotte. To combat this, Congresswoman Adams introduced the American Neighborhoods Protection Act to place a limit on corporate homeownership and create a fund to construct new housing.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) commented on the Supreme Court’s June 30th decision to uphold the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. "150 years ago, the 14th Amendment was written into our Constitution to guarantee formerly enslaved Black Americans could never have their citizenship challenged because of their race. "150 years later, the 14th amendment stands reaffirmed by the Supreme Court, ensuring that everyone born in the United States is an American Citizen.

Today is the 4th anniversary of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first federal gun violence prevention legislation to become law in over 30 years. We must keep building on this foundation to keep communities like North Carolina's 12th District safe. https://t.co/Ln1TI5gZ2y

Gun violence is the leading cause of death of American children and teens. As Gun Violence Prevention Month comes to an end, please remember to help keep our community safe by securely storing firearms. Safer storage can save lives. https://t.co/SJdQKfp1Ms