On April 1, the Energy & Environment hosted a luncheon event featuring Vamsi Chadalavada, who assumed his role as President and CEO of ISO New England in January 2026. The event featured a discussion with Dr. Chadalavada on how the independent organization approaches keeping electricity flowing across the six New England states and ensuring that the region has reliable, competitively priced wholesale electricity today and into the future.
As part of the Washington Leaders Conference in May, committee members met with Rep. Jake Auchincloss, who serves on House Energy & Commerce Committee Energy Subcommittee. Members gained valuable insight from the Congressman on key issues before the committee and his own energy priorities.
Also in May, committee members met with the Honorable Paul Roberti who serves as Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) as part of the Washington Leaders Conference. The in-person meeting focused on the administration’s energy priorities, particularly as it relates to energy transmission safety.
On June 29, the New England Council hosted a luncheon event featuring U.S. Deputy Energy Secretary James Danly in which focused on the extensive stakeholder collaboration in the region during this past winter. The program featured insight into the extraordinary response across all segments of industry and government ensuring New England energy reliability during the region’s coldest winter in 20 years. View Agenda or Watch the Program.
Committee members have convened several times over the summer to establish a set of “Regional Permitting Reform Principles” to guide federal advocacy while outlining issues of importance specifically to the New England region. The collaboration has resulted in an initial draft document outlining goals and priorities for the region on the important issue of permitting reform, that will be finalized and shared with the New England delegation in the near future.
FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
The Financial Services Committee has prioritized connecting with key policy staff to members of the New England delegation this year to share priorities and get insight on relevant committee activity. The committee has held three such virtual meetings to date this year:
February 26, 2026 – Grace Ryan, financial services policy advisor to Rep. Stephen Lynch, a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee.
May 26, 2026 – Erin Butler, financial services policy staffer for Rep. Jim Himes, also a member of the House Financial Services Committee.
September 15, 2026 – Zachary Baum and Maxwell Cavas, staff to Sen. Jack Reed, a senior member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee.
In addition to these virtual meetings, the committee also convened for several in-person meetings during the Washington Leaders’ Conference. In partnership with the Housing Working Group, the Committee met separately with Majority and Minority Staff to the House Financial Services Committee during the conference to get insights on key issues before the committee for the remainder of the year.
On July 13, the FSC sent letters to members of the New England Congressional Delegation urging them to cosponsor and support the bipartisan Generating Retirement Ownership Through Long-Term Holding (GROWTH) Act (R. 2089/S. 1839). The letter highlighted the legislation as a practical, commonsense reform that would modernize outdated tax rules affecting millions of mutual fund investors and strengthen long-term savings opportunities for New England families. Read the letter here.
HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE
On March 13, The New England Council hosted a New England Innovates program focused on the challenges and opportunities surrounding early disease detection in the healthcare sector. The forum explored innovation in early disease detection from multiple industry perspectives and discuss the potential impact for individuals and businesses in New England. The conversation featured keynote remarks from Congressman Jim McGovern, followed by a panel discussion related to patient outcomes and cost savings. View Program Agenda or Watch Online.
On March 19, the Healthcare Committee convened for a virtual meeting featuring a discussion with staff to U.S. Representative Lori Trahan (D-MA). Alex Karabatsos, Legislative Director, and Alex Eliasen, Legislative Assistant, joined the Committee and provided an update on the Congresswoman’s work on the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee. The Committee also discussed various legislative priorities and programming ideas for the remainder of the 119th Congress.
As part of the Washington Leaders’ Conference, the Healthcare Committee met with House Ways & Means Committee Minority Staff to discuss healthcare matters before the committee, and to share feedback on members’ priorities.
On August 12, 2026, the New England Council sent a letter to the New England Congressional delegation in support of the Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act (H.R.6130 / S. 3267). This advocacy expanded on the Council’s event earlier in 2026 focused on early disease detection. The bipartisan, and bicameral legislation which seeks to revolutionize how our healthcare system approaches cognitive decline by expanding access to early Alzheimer’s disease biomarker tests, modernizing screening tool coverage under Medicare, and improving early detection and care coordination for patients and their families. Read the Letter.
HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE
On February 27, the Council submitted comments to the Department of Education on its Reimagining and Improving Student Education proposed rule. The letter outlined concerns about changes to the definition of a “professional degree,” which NEC members believe will exacerbate workforce shortages in key professions, primarily in the healthcare sector, across the United States, and especially rural areas. Read the letter. As a result of our efforts and others, additional degrees were added to the definition of professional degree.
On March 30, the Council submitted comments on the proposed rule “Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: System for Award Management Registration Requirements for Financial Assistance Recipients.” The letter expressed concerns that the proposed certifications are both redundant and burdensome, as current standards already mandate legal compliance. Read the letter.
During the Washington Leaders’ Conference in May, the Committee held several in-person meeting, including with staff to Sen. Susan Collins, a senior member of the Senate HELP Committee, and with both Majority and Minority staff to the Senate HELP Committee. These meeting gave members the opportunity to learn more about issues before the committees and share their own priorities.
On June 9 the Higher Ed Committee met with staff for Moira Lenehan, education staffer to Senator Jack Reed, who briefed members on various Higher Education issues such as the State Based Education Loan Awareness Act. Later in the summer we advocated to other New England HELP offices to include this legislation in their markup and pass it.
On July 9, the New England Council submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget on the “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance” proposed rule. Read our letter here.
The Committee’s next meeting is scheduled for September 29.
HOUSING WORKING GROUP
On April 17, the Council sent a letter expressing opposition to HUD’s proposed rule on mixed immigration status. In particular, the rule would end housing assistance for “mixed-status” families -households with both eligible residents (such as U.S. citizens) and ineligible undocumented members-by requiring all household members to verify their eligible immigration status to receive aid. The policy would effectively bar such families from public housing or force them to separate, potentially putting tens of thousands of people, including many U.S.-citizen children, at risk of losing assistance or facing eviction. Supporters say the change ensures limited housing resources go only to eligible recipients, while critics warn it could increase homelessness, disrupt families, and disproportionately harm vulnerable communities. Read the Letter.
As part of the Washington Leaders’ Conference in Mayu 2026, Housing Working Group members joined with Financial Services Committee members for in-person meetings with both Majority and Minority staff to the House Financial Services Committee for a discussion of housing issues before the committee.
On June 16, 2026, the New England Council hosted a special program, “Housing and the Workforce in New England: A Conversation with U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch.” The forum, sponsored by Liberty Bay Credit Union and moderated by President & CEO John Baron, brought together business leaders, housing advocates, developers, lenders, and policymakers to discuss the link between housing availability, workforce retention, and regional economic competitiveness. Watch the discussion here.
The Housing Working Group will be meeting with Senator Warren’s banking committee staff, Alia Fierro and Madeline Marr in September. The call will outline highlights of the final package and what is next regarding implementation, as well as answering a few questions from the group.
TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION WORKING GROUP
On February 19, the Working Group held its first meeting of the year, featuring a presentation from several members of Sen. Markey’s staff. The staffers updated members about the Senator’s work on technology related issues as a member of both the Senate Commerce Committee and the Senate Small Business Committee. Topics covered included artificial intelligence (AI), data privacy, telecommunications, and efforts to reauthorize SBIR/STTR programs.
SBIR Update: In March, the Senate and the House passed the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, legislation to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through fiscal year 2031, which the Council previously advocated in support of. As of March 31 the President had yet to sign it into law. Read the Letter.
The Technology & Innovation Working Group gathered for two in-person meetings during the May 2026 Washington Leader’s Conference. The working group first met with staff to Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), as senior member the Energy and Commerce Committee, to discuss technology issues before the committee, with a particular focus on AI regulation. The working group also met with several members of Senator Markey’s staff for a wide ranging discussion touching on AI, the CHIPS Act, and more.
On August 25, the Working Group met with staff to Rep. Lori Trahan staff for a briefing on her work on the FRONTIER Act, as well as a larger AI Discussion draft.
On September 14, the Working Group met with staff to Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) staff to discuss cybersecurity. Sen. Warner is the Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and introduced a major cybersecurity bill earlier this year.
TRADE WORKING GROUP
On April 9, the Trade Working Group hosted a virtual meeting featuring George Wang, Senior Legislative Assistant to Congressman John Larson (D-CT). George discussed the Trump Administration’s tariff policy and its impacts. He also reviewed the Supreme Court’s ruling on IEEPA tariffs and the pivot towards other tariff prospects. He further discussed the USMCA review process currently underway and the outlook for changing the agreement rather than agreeing to a 16-year automatic renewal. Watch here.
The Trade Working Group convened for two in-person meetings with key Congressional staff during the Washington Leaders’ Conference in May. These meetings covered a wide array of trade topics including the USMCA, the Trump Administration’s tariff policy, and US-China Trade policy, among other topics.
Molly Newell, Chief International Trade Counsel and Mary Kate Carter, International Trade Policy Advisor of the Senate Finance Committee (Majority).
Alexandra Whittaker, Trade Staff Director & Chief Trade Counsel for the Committee on Ways and Means (Minority).
On September 15, the Working Group hosted a virtual briefing with Carlos Vanderloo, Economic Minister at the Embassy of Canada. Mr. Vanderloo discussed US-Canada trade relations, the important economic relationship between New England and Canada, and the impact of the latest round of tariffs on Canadian goods implemented by the Trump Administration.
TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE
The Transportation & Infrastructure Committee gathered for two in-person meetings with key Congressional staff during the Washington Leaders’ Conference in May. These meetings covered a wide array of trade topics including the prospects for a surface transportation reauthorization bill this year, the renewal of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), aviation safety proposals, and permitting reform, among other topics:
Abigail Camp Wenk, Deputy Staff Director and Jimmy Ballard, Director of Member Services and Coalitions at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (Majority).
Navva Sedigh, Transportation Policy Advisor on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee for Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
On June 17, 2026, the Council sent a letter to each member of the New England House delegation to express support for passing the BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870). The current law – the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – expires at the end of September. Congress is likely to extend the law through mid-December via the CR and will look to pass a bill after the midterm elections. Read the Letter
On July 23, 2026, the Committee held a meeting with Mr. Nate Birnbaum, transportation and infrastructure staffer to Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). The members discussed pertinent issues related to the Senator’s two transportation and infrastructure committee assignments including the need to reauthorize the nation’s surface transportation programs, air traffic control (ATC) modernization, and WRDA 2026 among others. Read Recap