Jake Auchincloss

Mr. Speaker, I mistakenly recorded my vote as NO when I should have voted YES on Roll Call No. 271.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include in the Record a few portions of the editorial written by Steven Khan and his colleagues regarding the Trump administration's cuts to U.S. biomedical research.

Steve Khan and his colleagues were removed from the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting, where NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya was set to speak, while passing out copies of their editorial.

Attacks on science always become attacks on scientists. This leads to policy by fear and favor, not evidence.

The editorial said: ``Just a year ago, in these very pages, we highlighted the many threats the current U.S. administration posed to the health of our Nation. Since then, there have been actions by the administration that have caused grave health consequences, and their current approach will continue to do so. The numerous measles outbreaks and associated avoidable deaths have resulted in part from hyping disproven theories of harm rather than publicizing the effectiveness of the measles vaccine.''

While one would think that this congressional action to preserve the NIH budget was a clear repudiation, it has not stopped President Trump from requesting a 2027 budget that now seeks a $5-billion reduction to the NIH.

Mr. Speaker, we call on all concerned citizens of our beloved country to contact their congressional Representatives to declare their alarm.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my constituent, Gerry Rovner, I include in the Record the following resolution, which was passed during the 2026 Needham Special Town Meeting by voice vote:

Whereas, the Constitution of the Commonwealth of

Massachusetts, written by John Adams, helped shape the United

States Constitution and enshrines core principles of American

governance, including separation of powers, checks and

balances, the rule of law, and the protection of individual

rights and civil liberties; and

Whereas, James Madison warned in Federalist No. 47 that

``the accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and

judiciary, in the same hands... may justly be pronounced the

very definition of tyranny,'' affirming separation of powers

as a fundamental safeguard of democracy; and

Whereas, the Town of Needham governs according to

democratic principles grounded in the United States

Constitution, the Massachusetts Constitution, and applicable

federal and state law; and

Whereas, in the first year of his second term, President

Trump has repeatedly undermined these constitutional

principles by defying court orders, dismantling

congressionally created agencies, withholding appropriated

funds, imposing tariffs without congressional approval, and

authorizing military actions abroad without congressional

authorization; and

Whereas, the administration has also used intimidation

tactics, including deploying troops on U.S. soil, threatening

federal prosecution of perceived political enemies, and

withholding federal funding for education and research,

including from Massachusetts institutions, that refuse to

comply with unlawful executive directives; and

Whereas, the administration has dismantled or weakened

federal programs that support vulnerable populations,

including programs affecting Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP,

prescription drug affordability, and protections under the

Affordable Care Act; and

Whereas, immigration enforcement practices pursued by the

administration and the Department of Homeland Security raise

serious constitutional concerns, including detentions that

undermine protections against unreasonable search and

seizure, due process, and habeas corpus, and policies

allowing agents to obscure their identities and detain

individuals without judicial warrants; and

Whereas, recent Supreme Court decisions, including Trump v.

United States (2024), have expanded presidential immunity for

certain official actions, raising concerns about

accountability and the balance of powers, while Congress has

failed to exercise its constitutional responsibilities over

war powers, appropriations, and oversight; and

Whereas, actions that undermine constitutional governance,

civil liberties, and the rule of law at the federal level

have direct consequences for the Town of Needham and its

residents, as well as residents throughout Massachusetts, its

municipalities, educational and research institutions, and

vulnerable populations who rely on federal programs; and

Whereas, residents of Needham have consistently

demonstrated through peaceful protest and civic engagement

their expectation that democratic institutions be protected

and constitutional norms upheld; and

Now therefore, be it resolved, that this Town Meeting

affirms that no person, including the President of the United

States, is above the law and that all pub]ic officials are

bound by their oath to uphold and faithfully execute the

Constitution of the United States; and

Be it further resolved, that this Town Meeting urges the

President of the United States to faithfully execute the

duties of the office in accordance with the Constitution and

federal law, and calls upon the United States Congress to

exercise its constitutional authority to conduct robust

oversight of the executive branch and investigate any

violations of the Constitution or abuses of executive power;

and

Be it further resolved, that the Town Clerk transmit copies

of this Resolution to the Massachusetts Congressional

delegation and to the leadership of both Houses of Congress

The collective voice of the Town of Needham may be entered

into the public record.