Usher brings diabetes awareness and swagger to the Capitol

Judy Kurtz

12 June 2024 at 3:00 pm·2-min read

SPOTTED: Usher attempting to make Congress say “yeah!” to diabetes awareness and screenings, with a visit to the Capitol.

The “Love in This Club” singer was eyed bringing his signature swagger to the Senate Wednesday. Usher sported a tan suit and a pair of shades while in the Senate subway alongside Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and during a meeting in the lawmaker’s office to discuss diabetes and insulin.

“Really great to be able to be here in the city today, be able to share my story,” Usher told reporters when leaving the Capitol. “Today, just talking about type 1 diabetes and early screening for type 1 diabetes.”

“Had a great time here in DC,” he said earlier in the Capitol.

The 45-year-old Super Bowl LVIII halftime show performer has been public about his young son’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, calling it a “life change.”

Usher also met with Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), who co-sponsored the PREVENT DIABETES Act, which seeks to increase access to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program.

Last year, Warnock and Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) introduced updated legislation to cap the price of insulin at $35 for everyone on private insurance as well as the uninsured.

“If you look on my socials you’ll see me talking about it, advocating for it,” Usher said when asked about his advocacy around type 1 diabetes. “I’m really happy to be here and share that here today.”

DeGette, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, lauded Usher for working with lawmakers to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes.

“He’s working with me and Congressman Bilirakis on elevating the issue of type 1 diabetes and early testing,” DeGette told reporters after meeting with Usher. “He’s decided to speak out to raise awareness and I’m very, very grateful to him for doing that.”

DeGette and Bilirakis introduced their diabetes bill in April and have been engaged in conversations with leadership “about getting it passed,” the congresswoman said.

On his way out of the Capitol, the eight-time Grammy award-winning singer let out a confession: He may be back in Washington soon.

“Not my first time, won’t be my last time coming back,” he said when asked by The Hill if he plans to visit the Capitol for more meetings.

Originally published at 12:34 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

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