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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on Bloomberg TV, where he emphasized that with less than 100 days until the midterm election, Democrats remain committed to fighting for an affordable economy and to lower costs, protect access to healthcare and hold the crooks accountable. 

LEADER JEFFRIES: Life has gotten far too expensive under Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress. Donald Trump promised to lower the high cost of living on day one. But what we’ve seen is that costs haven’t gone down, of course, in America, costs have gone up. Democrats have been focused on doing a variety of different things to push back aggressively against the policies that Republicans have jammed down our throats, which is making life more expensive. For instance, we’re pushing back against the Trump tariffs, which have increased costs on everyday Americans by thousands of dollars per year in terms of increased groceries and goods and other household items. At the same period of time, Democrats are focused on ending Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice in Iran, which has skyrocketed gas prices all across the country, while actually putting Iran in a stronger position than they were in prior to the war starting.

JOE MATHIEU: I want to get specific. If you in fact win the House, if you’re the majority party in the House, what you might be able to do to address prices. And you talked about some ideas yesterday, including repealing what the President calls his One Big Beautiful Bill. Is that the answer here? Is there more that Democrats have in mind?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we want to make sure that healthcare is affordable to every single American. And there are several steps that we need to take, including…making sure that the Affordable Care Act tax credits actually are extended, and repealing…the Medicaid cuts in the One Big Ugly Bill, which have created a situation where the healthcare of more than 14 million Americans is at risk.

JOE MATHIEU: How do you do that? Do you need to see the Senate turn Democratic as well to actually repeal what’s been already put in place?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, here’s the thing—we saw a couple of weeks ago the Congress be able move a bipartisan bill forward on housing affordability that is designed to alleviate some of the cost pressures that exist from the housing market. And we got that bill into law over the objection of Donald Trump. So what is clear is that, even in a context where Republicans have complete control of government, we’ve been able to move some things forward. Certainly, if we have the House and the House plus the Senate, we’ll be in a stronger position to drive the affordability agenda forward.

JOE MATHIEU: You mentioned the President’s war with Iran. We’ve already seen the House and the Senate pass War Powers legislation. Leader Jeffries, presuming you take the gavel, knowing that the President has blown right through these War Powers Acts, is there anything else that you can do to put collars on this effort?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we’re going to continue to aggressively push the effort to push back against this reckless war of choice. It’s deeply unpopular with the American people, and we have to sustain the intensity. Donald Trump has unfortunately got us involved in this situation without any plan, any objective, any clear exit strategy and now the American people are clearly paying the price. One of the things we have to take a look at is the amount of taxpayer dollars that are being spent to fund Donald Trump’s reckless war machine and effort in the Middle East. It’s clear to us that the American people would much rather their taxpayer dollars being spent to make their life more affordable. That’s why we’re committed to lowering the cost of groceries, lowering the cost of gas, lowering the cost of housing and making sure that healthcare is affordable for every single American.

JOE MATHIEU: How do you lower the cost of gas without ending the war, though? We’re at $4.11. Mr. Leader, it’s been suggested even by the President we eliminate the federal gas tax. Is that something that you would support?

LEADER JEFFRIES: The most significant thing that could be done right now to lower the price of gas for everyday Americans who are suffocating at the pump is to end Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice in the Middle East and we’re going to continue to relentlessly make the case that that needs to happen.

JOE MATHIEU: Where are you on the gas tax then? Is that something that should be removed at least temporarily?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, the gas tax, of course, is something that’s in place to help fund our desperately needed infrastructure on highways and beyond. And so I think it’s something that—the Republicans put it on the table, we’ll have to evaluate it, but clearly, the most significant thing that could be done at this moment, as opposed to a temporary measure, is to end the war in Iran.

JOE MATHIEU: You know, we start talking about affordability, Mr. Leader, it creeps into all kinds of other stories, including now data centers, which have become a massive political issue. We’ve been struck by how often it comes up when we talk to voters around the country. And of course, the state of New York, where you’re right now sitting, has become an important guidepost here, at least for some who believe that there should be restrictions on data centers. As you well know, the Governor has put a one-year moratorium on new data centers in the state. There are a lot of different ways to get to this. We spoke with Byron Donalds the other day, the Republican from Florida, who has a bill that wouldn’t put on a moratorium, but would take data centers off the grid and would compel them to have their own water supply. How do you get to this in a way that makes voters happy?

LEADER JEFFRIES: House Democrats have launched a Commission on Artificial Intelligence and the Innovation Economy to thoughtfully engage with community-based organizations and groups, advocacy organizations, as well as industry stakeholders, to try to evaluate the best possible path forward. But what is clear is that we have to put—at the center of any effort—making sure we’re not doing anything to exacerbate the affordability crisis that everyday Americans are experiencing in every area of life. And that, of course, includes figuring out how to drive down utility costs and the cost of water bills, for instance, as opposed to increasing the strain on the system in ways that would actually drive up costs. And so I think this has been a state-by-state effort up until this point, with states landing in a variety of different places in terms of approach. I do think in the new Congress, we’re going to have to come together and think about how we can address many of these issues nationally.

JOE MATHIEU: Well, I’ll tell you what, I’d love to ask you about some of the strokes behind this midterm cycle, which is what we’re talking about with 99 days to go. And I can’t walk into a room in Washington without hearing about the SAVE America Act. That’s, of course, because of the amount of attention the President has paid to it. Leader Jeffries, were Republicans successful in salvaging this? Will it cost Democrats votes if it becomes law? Where are you on this? Have you talked to John Thune about it?

LEADER JEFFRIES: I haven’t talked to John Thune, but he’s made clear repeatedly that the so-called SAVE America Act, which is really all about voter suppression, is actually dead on arrival in the Senate and there’s nothing that Donald Trump can do about it. What’s extraordinary to me is that he continues to actually waste time trying to rig the midterm election in a variety of different ways, as opposed to actually solving problems for everyday Americans, including the problems that he promised to address, like lowering the high cost of living on day one. And instead, of course, has done the opposite. He’s made clear he thinks the affordability crisis is a hoax. Donald Trump has said very publicly he doesn’t think about the personal financial situation of the American people. It’s all very extraordinary. He’s even said he loves the inflation. Now, our focus is going to be quite different because it’s clear people are paying too much at the gas pump. People are paying too much for food. People can’t afford their rent or their mortgage. And that shouldn’t be the case in America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world. We want to work together—

JOE MATHIEU: Do you expect troops at polling places, Leader Jeffries? I’m sorry to interrupt, but are we going to see ICE agents at polling places if SAVE America does not go into effect?

LEADER JEFFRIES: I certainly think the American people would outright reject that, and we are going to put together the largest voter protection effort in the history of the country. We know we won’t see troops at polling places because the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision in December, has ripped away Donald Trump’s efforts to try to actually federalize the National Guard. He does not have the power to do that. In terms of ICE agents, we’re continuing to push for a ban on ICE agents showing up at sensitive locations. That includes polling sites, but it also includes schools, it includes hospitals and it certainly includes houses of worship. The American people want to see immigration enforcement in this country that’s fair, just and humane.

JOE MATHIEU: I’m wondering where you’re looking here as we consider the money in this midterm election cycle. There’s been some tough reporting about the DNC. And you probably saw the write-up in The New York Timeswith a frustrated Chair, Ken Martin, throwing his phone in one scene. It was described as dysfunction and despair. Leader Jeffries, when you talk to the DCCC, though, they’ve got a lot of candidates who are outraising their Republican rivals. But the fact is, on the party level, there’s a great disparity. And I’m wondering if you care, if history is at your back to a point where the money will not make a difference?

LEADER JEFFRIES: We certainly need to continue to raise the resources necessary to both reelect all of our incredible frontline incumbents who are in the battleground districts across the nation, while making sure that our candidates who are trying to flip red seats blue have the ability to communicate their message. We’re all fighting for an affordable America. That’s what unites us. That is a very powerful narrative that we’ll have available to us as we communicate with voters over the next 100 or so days. Now, as you pointed out from a DCCC standpoint, we just recently reported outraising Republicans, our House counterparts. We’ve been competitive with them all cycle. And, of course, some of the outside groups that work in support of House Democratic candidates have posted record-breaking numbers.

JOE MATHIEU: If you take the House, does Ken Martin keep his job?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, listen, I’m focused right now, I think we all are, including Ken Martin, on November 3. And under the DNC’s partnership, what we have seen—Ken Martin’s leadership—is Democrats winning races all across the country for the last 18-plus months. And the DNC has quietly been involved in a lot of those races where we have seen success. And so let’s all keep the main thing the main thing. I know that’s what Ken Martin is doing. And he’s focused on helping Democrats win elections all across America, and then all of us will figure out the path forward. But I think Ken Martin’s term is four years, and there’s no reason to believe at this point that he’s going anywhere.

JOE MATHIEU: Okay, I appreciate your answering that. And I guess I’d wrap by asking you about—some of those candidates who won in those races you point to were Democratic Socialists. And there’s been a big question about big tent, Leader Jeffries. You don’t need me to tell you that. And I’m wondering if you see that as being part of the recipe to take the House in the midterm elections, or if a more moderate approach is the long-term success story for Democrats.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Our success is going to hinge on convincing the American people that, as Democrats, we’re fighting for an affordable America. We recognize the cost of living is way too high. Far too many people are working hard, they’re playing by the rules, but they can’t thrive. They can barely survive. People are drowning in this failed Trump economy. And we’re committed to making a difference in all of the areas that matter. That’s lowering grocery costs, lowering gas prices, lowering housing costs and, of course, making sure healthcare is affordable to every single American. Let me make sure as well to point out—look, I believe that the Democratic Party is at its strongest, and America is at its strongest, when we—our country—focus on having a strong floor and no ceiling because in this country you work very hard, right? You play by the rules. You should—there should be no ceiling to the success that you can achieve for yourself, for your family, for your community. At the same period of time, America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, should always have a strong floor. And we know what that looks like. That’s Social Security, that’s Medicare, that Medicaid, that’s the Affordable Care Act, that’s veterans’ benefits, that’s nutritional assistance. By the way, every single one of these things brought to you by your friendly neighborhood Democratic Party, designed to ensure that there’s a strong floor for working-class Americans, for middle-class Americans and for everyday Americans. And I think that, at its core, is what the Democratic Party has been about, is about and will continue to be about into the future.

JOE MATHIEU: And the DSA helps to reinforce that floor?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I mean, the DSA can speak for themselves. I’m not a part of the DSA. I’m not a member of the DSA. The DSA can speak to their particular platform. We’ve got 215-plus Democrats in the House of Representatives. And what I can tell you is that what unites all of us and our candidates out throughout the country, who are working hard, is that we’re committed to actually making life more affordable for the American people.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s PoliticsNation, where he reiterated that nearly 100 days until the midterm elections, Democrats are united in our commitment to lowering the high cost of living, fixing our broken healthcare system and holding crooks accountable.

REV. AL SHARPTON: Joining me now, the Congressman from Brooklyn, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Thanks very much for being with us this weekend. I want to start with the news unfolding today in Maine, where Democrats have chosen Troy Jackson to run against Senator Susan Collins in November. My first question is, are you satisfied that Democrats are now in a better position to win the seat in Maine and possibly retake the Senate in the fall?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, good afternoon, Rev. Great to be with you. First of all, I’m very confident that we have extraordinary candidates on the House side and we’re on our way to taking back control of the House of Representatives. And what we see on the Senate side, and I think Maine today will complete that picture, is a strong set of candidates to make the Senate competitive, which no one thought was the case just about a year ago. The Maine Democrats seem to have rallied behind Troy Jackson, and I expect that they’ll be unified moving forward and put up a very good fight against Susan Collins, who clearly—it’s time for her to go.

REV. AL SHARPTON: Now, Democrats chose to hold Graham Platner accountable, and they have switched their candidates in Maine in the middle of a must-win race for the party. But take a listen to your House colleague, Speaker Mike Johnson, when asked about how he intends to handle allegations against two Members of his party on Tuesday.

RECORDING OF SPEAKER JOHNSON: The key word there is allegation. We have a process here—the House Ethics Committee works on those things. If allegations are made, they work through a process. So I’m not in the business of commenting on investigations as they are in process. And we’ll see how it shakes out. That’s how this always works. And, by the way, it’s done for Rs and Ds on both sides of the aisle.

REV. AL SHARPTON: Now, we should note both Representatives Miller and Mills deny the accusations against them, but isn’t it the case that the two parties hold their Members to a very different ethical standard?

LEADER JEFFRIES: I think, as Democrats, we’re going to continue to try to uphold an American standard of decency and fairness and ensuring, of course, that people get their due process in an administrative or legal or congressional process, while at the same time trying to uplift American values. And what Republicans are trying to do, of course, is just take a partisan approach to everything, and that’s just the reality. We’ve seen it over the last 18 months. And at the end of the day, Republicans are just all consumed with power, and not power to actually make life more affordable for the American people in the midst of a crisis where life is too expensive, they’re continuing to just lean into lifting up the wealthy, the well-off, and the well-connected.

REV. AL SHARPTON: Let’s switch gears to the House. As we mentioned, we’re closing in on 100 days until the election, and Democrats are honing their message and laying out their priorities. You’ve said the first bill of a new Democratic session would be focused on affordability. This week, Democrats in the House passed another resolution to halt U.S. military action in Iran, gaining four Republican votes in the process. You’ve called the Trump administration’s strategy with Iran, quote, ‘Operation Epic Failure,’ end of quote. Are voters responding to what you’re doing and saying, and are you confident your party can regain power in Congress this fall?

LEADER JEFFRIES: We’re definitely confident that we’re on the right side of the American people in terms of our commitment to drive down the high cost of living, to make sure that we actually deliver affordable healthcare for every single American and that we hold the crooks accountable in the midst of a level of corruption, the likes of which have never been seen in America’s 250-year history. Our agenda, of course, begins aggressively with addressing the affordability crisis. And we’re committed to lowering the cost of groceries, the cost of gas, the cost of housing, the cost of everyday goods, the things that are making life untenable for far too many Americans. We believe when you work hard and play by the rules in this country, you should be able to live a middle-class life, an affordable life, live the good life. That’s not the case right now. Far too many Americans are drowning in this failed Trump economy, and it’s time to move the country in a different direction.

REV. AL SHARPTON: Fox News polling out this week shows nearly 40% of voters want dramatic change right now, and Democrats are favored over Republicans on nearly every issue, including the economy and foreign policy. Republicans hold only slight edges on national security and crime, yet with their poll numbers plunging, Trump and Republicans have been focused on rigging the electorate in their favor. Tomorrow we’re going to be talking to your colleague Congressman Cleo Fields, who announced he will not be seeking re-election this week, after his majority-Black Louisiana district was eliminated in the wake of the Supreme Court Callais decision. You’ve been very clear that you view what happened to Representative Fields a form of voter suppression. A gut check question now: how deeply will this country be impacted in November by what Republicans and the courts have done to Black representation, and how are Democrats working to overcome it?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Congressman Cleo Fields will be deeply missed. We’re going to work closely over the next six or so months so he can finish out his term strong. He’s a tremendous champion for the people of Louisiana, and it’s a shame that his seat has been carved up as a result of the unprecedented attack on the Voting Rights Act by the Supreme Court, and then the Jim Crow-like tactics that have been unleashed in states like Louisiana as well as Tennessee and Alabama, signed off on by the United States Supreme Court, which is why we believe dramatic change is necessary in a whole host of areas—that’s dramatic campaign finance reform, dramatic electoral reform, including, of course, passage of the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act so we can end the era of voter suppression in the United States of America once and for all. And certainly we need dramatic Supreme Court reform because this right-wing Supreme Court extremist majority is totally out of control and they need to be reigned in.

REV. AL SHARPTON: Now, President Trump and his allies continue to push for the so-called SAVE Act that includes many of the President’s vote supressing—suppression priorities and, like, voter ID. This week, House Republicans tucked elements of the SAVE Act into a budget reconciliation bill that passed along party lines, that Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said will not pass the Senate in its current form. Are you concerned Republicans could still find a way to push through parts of the SAVE Act before the midterms, and what are the Democrats doing to counter this?

LEADER JEFFRIES: We’re going to continue to stand strong against the voter suppression efforts of the Republican Party led by Donald Trump. Clearly, they have no agenda that they feel comfortable in selling to the American people because they’ve broken all their promises, including promising not to start forever wars in the Middle East, but to stop them. And then Donald Trump and Republicans turned around—they’ve gotten us involved in this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran. That, of course, has skyrocketed gas prices through the roof and are hurting everyday Americans day after day after day. And so, from our standpoint, we know that Republicans are going to try to rig the midterm elections. They’re doing it in real time. We’ve got to stop them from jamming this voter suppression bill down the throats of the American people. Democrats have been strong in the House and in the Senate in holding the line. We have to continue to do that. At the same period of time, we’re putting together the largest voter protection effort in the history of the country, working, of course, with Senate Democrats, House Democrats, the Democratic Governors Association, the Attorneys General Association on the Democratic side, the Democratic Secretaries of State, as well as civil society, which includes the faith community, civil rights groups, democracy protection groups, civil liberties groups, good government groups as well as organized labor. And together I’m confident we’re going to ensure that there’s a free and fair election in November.

REV. AL SHARPTON: Last question. I’m out of time, but I must ask you. Your Caucus is heading into an August recess with momentum toward the election but plenty of uncertainty. We don’t know what Trump and Republicans will do, how far they will go to try and undermine our democracy as they cling to power. We don’t know how tensions will play out between progressives and centrists inside the Democratic Party. So what’s your message to Members and to the candidates out there as we enter this critical stretch, the final 100 days?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Important for all of us to continue to keep the main thing the main thing. And that’s our commitment to fighting for an affordable America. Wherever one falls on the Democratic spectrum, we know that everyone is unified behind that fight. We want to lower the high cost of living for the American people. We want to make sure that there’s affordable healthcare for every single American. And we’re all committed to holding the crooks accountable and dealing with the rampant corruption that is undermining the Congress’ ability and our government’s ability to actually deliver for hardworking American taxpayers. Let’s keep the main thing the main thing. Let’s run through the finish line over the next 100 days or so. And then together, we can end this national nightmare, take back control of the Congress and continue our country’s march toward a more perfect union.

REV. AL SHARPTON: Well, thank you for being with us as we start the 100-day countdown to the election, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) authored and introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help farmers protect against increasing flood risks and strengthen our food security. The Farmers Lifeline Options for Overcoming Disasters (FLOOD) Act is co-led by Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04), and Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Jim Justice (R-WV) are leading companion legislation in the Senate.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, flooding is the second-most damaging natural disaster in agricultural production worldwide, impacting 27% of agricultural land. In the United States, increasingly frequent and severe flooding, including tidal flooding driven by sea-level rise, is placing growing pressure on coastal farming communities. These events damage cropland, increase soil salinity, disrupt livestock operations, and threaten the quality and availability of water used for agricultural production.  

As flooding becomes more frequent, farmers need additional tools to protect their land, sustain agricultural production, and strengthen our nation’s food security. The FLOOD Act provides those tools by expanding opportunities to implement proactive flood mitigation measures before disasters occur.

“More farmers more often are facing devastating floods, which are the second-most damaging natural disaster to agricultural production worldwide,” said Rep. Panetta. “Our bipartisan, bicameral FLOOD Act would make it easier for farmers to create voluntary easements to mitigate future damage, restore native habitat, and produce the flood-compatible tools that they need to protect their livelihoods. That’s the least that we can do in Congress as farmers continue to strengthen our food supply and keep putting food on America’s tables.”

“Representing one of the most rural congressional districts in the nation, I know firsthand how devastating floods and other natural disasters can be for our farmers and rural communities,” said Rep. Feenstra. “Our agricultural economy is the backbone of our country, and those communities deserve the resources they need not only to recover quickly, but to emerge stronger and more resilient after disaster strikes. I’m proud to help lead this commonsense legislation to ensure the USDA can deliver timely assistance to disaster-impacted communities and support our farmers, small businesses, and rural communities when they need it most.”

“As the lowest lying state in the nation, Delawareans know the risk of flooding all too well,” said Sen. Blunt Rochester. “Our farming communities are key to both our culture and economy. Which is why I’m proud to introduce the FLOOD Act to ensure farmers in the First State and across the country have the resources they need to protect their properties, their crops, and their livelihoods.”

“West Virginia knows all too well the devastation that flooding can bring – tearing through communities, damaging homes, threatening farmers’ livelihoods, and leaving families picking up the pieces. Farmers contend with the weather every day and face threats from natural disasters every year – putting their operations and way of life at risk. I’m proud to join this legislation to help make sure that there are tools and resources available to safeguard lives, farms, and other property in watersheds from natural disasters, including floods,” said Sen. Justice.

Specifically, the FLOOD Act would:

• Define the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Emergency Watershed Program (EWP) as a covered program under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
• Allow for the purchase of voluntary easements in areas of high flood risk before a flood event occurs. These easements will restore, enhance, or maintain native habitat or allow for the cultivation of flood-compatible crops.
• Increase access, ease, and reliability for rural and farming communities to seek relief in order to reduce flooding impacts on farms.

The bill is endorsed by organizations including The Nature Conservancy, American Rivers Action Fund, Delaware Department of Agriculture, Delaware Rural Water Association, University of Delaware, National Association of Conservation Districts, American Flood Coalition, National Association of Counties, Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, Farm Aid, American Sustainable Business Network, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Iowa Environmental Council, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Coastal Prairie Conservancy, Center for Rural Affairs, Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, Indiana Conservation Voters, Extreme Weather Survivors, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Choose Clean Water Coalition, and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

“This legislation would create a commonsense, cost effective and proactive tool for reducing flood impacts before disaster strikes. Communities across the country face growing flood risks and mounting recovery costs related to floods. The FLOOD Act would benefit American farmers, taxpayers, and local communities. Expanding a successful conservation partnership program to help secure voluntary floodplain easements in high-risk areas is a practical and timely solution. These easements can support both healthy ecosystems and productive agriculture. Investing in natural infrastructure before disasters happen is one of the most effective ways to protect communities, safeguard working lands, and reduce taxpayer-funded disaster recovery costs. We thank Senators Blunt Rochester and Justice, and Representatives Panetta and Feenstra for their bipartisan leadership in advancing this forward-looking solution,” said Jenny Conner, Director of Legislative Affairs for The Nature Conservancy.

“Recent climatic events impacting agricultural production and fish and wildlife habitat conservation call for pragmatic solutions,” said Taylor Schmitz, Senior Vice President and COO of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “Voluntary conservation easements provide significant benefits for fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, and flood mitigation. By including the Emergency Watershed Program as a covered program under the Farm Bill’s increasingly important Regional Conservation Partnership Program, the bipartisan FLOOD Act will help expand these conservation efforts, and CSF commends this commonsense approach.”

“Counties play a critical role in building flood-resilient infrastructure across our nation’s rural communities,” said Matthew Chase, Executive Director of the National Association of Counties. “The FLOOD Act provides targeted technical assistance and financial support for watershed resilience and flood protection, helping county leaders better protect their communities. Counties urge Congress to swiftly pass this bipartisan legislation.”

“Farm Aid endorses the FLOOD Act because farmers and local governments need every available tool to respond to evolving environmental conditions and strengthen farm resilience. Farmers are increasingly impacted by more frequent and severe storms, and this legislation will help reduce flood risks and restore floodplains,” said Hank Tremblay, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Farm Aid.

“We thank Senators Jim Justice and Lisa Blunt Rochester and Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Randy Feenstra for introducing the FLOOD Act and recognizing the value of protecting both people and rivers through smart conservation investments,” said Tom Kiernan, President, American Rivers Action Fund. “Floodplain restoration and easements are proven tools that support landowners while conserving flood-prone land. These USDA programs store floodwaters, improve water quality, create wildlife habitat, and help rivers reconnect with their natural floodplains—making communities more resilient to increasingly severe floods and storms.” 

“Rural communities, farmers, and local businesses are facing growing risks from flooding and aging infrastructure. The FLOOD Act is a strong bipartisan step toward strengthening resilience, modernizing watershed infrastructure, and supporting economic opportunity in rural communities. American Sustainable Business Network supports investments that are good for businesses, farmers, and communities alike,” said Liza LaManna, Manager of Agriculture and Water Policy, American Sustainable Business Network.

“As the U.S. faces increasing climate risks and more frequent extreme precipitation, communities need stronger tools to prepare for flooding. We strongly support the FLOOD Act because it provides states, local governments, Tribal Nations, and territories with the resources they need to strengthen flood resilience on an expedited timeline,” said Jeff Diamond, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

“Socially Responsible Agriculture Project (SRAP) supports the FLOOD Act to encourage watershed resilience in regions with industrial livestock operations. Flooding that impacts CAFOs can cause significant negative downstream impacts to public health, the environment, personal property, and local economies. The FLOOD Act provides safeguards to support responsible watershed management that can mitigate these downstream impacts,” said Cole Dickerson, Water Rangers Program Manager. 

“Flooding and extreme weather are putting enormous strain on families, farmers, and taxpayers. By supporting voluntary flood mitigation, watershed restoration, and resilient land management, this bill helps communities reduce future damage instead of relying only on costly disaster recovery after the fact. Extreme Weather Survivors supports this legislation because investing in resilience is a practical, responsible way to protect people, property, and local economies,” said Chris Kocher, co-founder and co-executive director of Extreme Weather Survivors (EWS). 

“When disasters strike, rural communities often wait months to begin recovery because the USDA disaster programs they depend on lack funding. That’s why AFCA strongly supports the bipartisan, bicameral Farmers’ Lifeline to Overcoming Disasters Act. We thank Senators Blunt Rochester and Justice and Representatives Panetta and Feenstra for championing this important legislation to give USDA the ability to quickly get money to disaster-impacted communities to drive faster recoveries,” said Julie Seger, Federal Advocacy and Policy Director, American Flood Coalition Action (AFCA).

Full text of the bill is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson today announced nearly $26 million in funding for two projects in Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District to improve road safety and connectivity. Through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $25 million to Bossier Parish for the Bossier Parish East-West Corridor Project and $640,000 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for the I-10/I-12 Corridor Truck Parking Study.

“The Department of Transportation’s announcement of nearly $26 million in federal infrastructure funding in Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District is welcome news. These grants are not only a blessing for residents of the Fourth District and for Louisiana, but also for the many individuals who traverse our roads daily,” Speaker Johnson said. “It is investments like these that make the continued rapid growth of the state and Bossier Parish possible. I look forward to the completion of these projects, which will ease traffic and improve connectivity in Bossier Parish and enhance safety along the I-10/I-12 Corridor. I thank Secretary Duffy for his leadership and thoughtful stewardship of taxpayer resources at the Department of Transportation.”

“Being awarded a federal BUILD grant is a tremendous achievement and a testament to the strength of the vision among local, state, and federal leaders for improving transportation in our state,” DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet, Jr. said. “These grants are among the most competitive infrastructure funding opportunities in the nation, and Bossier Parish receiving one for their East-West Corridor reflects the merit of the chosen project, and the dedication of everyone who worked to bring that project forward. This investment in Bossier Parish and north Louisiana will strengthen connectivity, and ensure our overall system on all levels is better equipped to meet the needs of the residents, businesses, and visitors for years to come. This is also a reflection of DOTD’s ongoing initiative to vastly improve efficiency and effectiveness, as well as our continued efforts to explore, identify, and secure new funding opportunities.”

“On behalf of the Bossier Parish Police Jury and the citizens of Bossier Parish, I want to express our sincere appreciation to the U.S. Department of Transportation for awarding $25 million in BUILD grant funding to support critical infrastructure improvements in our parish. This significant investment represents a tremendous opportunity to strengthen our transportation network, improve safety, support Barksdale Air Force Base and its mission, and encourage continued economic growth throughout our community. The fact that Bossier Parish was selected as a recipient from among projects funded through the Department’s $1.73 billion nationwide BUILD grant program speaks to the importance of our project and the value it will bring to residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Reliable infrastructure is essential to maintaining our quality of life and ensuring that Bossier Parish remains a competitive place to live, work, and invest. This funding will help us address current transportation needs while positioning our community for future success. We appreciate the partnership of our federal, state, and local stakeholders, and especially Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who helped make this award possible. We look forward to moving this project forward and delivering lasting benefits for the people of Bossier Parish for generations to come,” Bossier Parish Police Jury President Tom Salzer said.

Background:

• Bossier Parish East-West Corridor project: The project will construct a new roadway serving as an east-west connection extending Winfield Road beyond its current terminus at Bellevue Road to connect with Highway 3 (Benton Road).

• I-10 / I-12 Corridor Truck Parking Study: The project will evaluate existing and current truck parking demand along the I-10 and I-12 corridors, assess the feasibility of expanding truck parking capacity at publicly owned locations, and develop an implementation plan.

• Additionally, Speaker Johnson supported the Central Louisiana Regional Port’s request for BUILD grant funding, which will be used to further study and meet the needs of Fort Polk and the surrounding communities and parishes. The Port requested and was awarded $722,400 as part of the DOT announcement. 

• The DOT announcement included over $50 million in investments throughout Louisiana.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington, D.C. – Following disturbing reports that the Department of Defense removed the names of four American troops from the official Iran War death toll, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) led 14 fellow Democratic veterans in urging the Administration to accurately and transparently account for U.S. servicemembers killed and wounded in the Iran war.

“As veterans of America’s wars, we have serious concerns about reports that the Department of War is delaying, removing or otherwise mischaracterizing the release of information about wounded and killed U.S. servicemembers,” wrote the lawmakers.

“The U.S. government owes U.S. servicemembers, their families, and every American the truth about all U.S. casualties in the War with Iran. It is imperative that these reports are timely, accurate and adequately explain the reason for amended or delayed reports,” they continued. “We urge you to commit to releasing timely and accurate information on all injuries and deaths of U.S. servicemembers.”

Following public outcry, the Department of Defense quietly restored the names of the four U.S. servicemembers removed from the Iran War death toll over the weekend. The Administration has not provided an adequate explanation as to why the servicemembers were removed in the first place.

In addition to Thompson, Representatives Pat Ryan (NY-18), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Derek Tran (CA-45), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jason Crow (CO-06), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), and Jared Golden (ME-02) signed the letter.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear President Trump,

As veterans of America’s wars, we have serious concerns about reports that the Department of War is delaying, removing or otherwise mischaracterizing the release of information about wounded and killed U.S. servicemembers.

The U.S. government owes U.S. servicemembers, their families, and every American the truth about all U.S. casualties in the War with Iran. It is imperative that these reports are timely, accurate and adequately explain the reason for amended or delayed reports. Inaccurate and delayed reports from the Department of War about U.S. casualties is bad for morale and undermines our U.S. servicemembers.

We urge you to commit to releasing timely and accurate information on all injuries and deaths of U.S. servicemembers.

Sincerely,

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Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 4th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo Counties. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Rep. Thompson is Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. He is also Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus and a member of the fiscally-responsible Blue Dog Coalition.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sent a letter to Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, to insist that the Coast Guard review and update its oil spill preparedness plans in light of a proposed new Canadian oil pipeline that will increase oil tanker traffic in the Salish Sea.

“Section 7407 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 required the Coast Guard to coordinate with other federal agencies to review and update the Canada-United States Joint Maritime Pollution Contingency Plan, no later than 180 days after passage,” wrote Rep. Larsen. “I am concerned that the deadline has passed without Congress receiving an update on the Coast Guard’s efforts.”

On July 2, the Government of Alberta announced a proposed new oil pipeline from Alberta to the Pacific Ocean that would transport 1 million barrels per day to an export terminal at Roberts Banks in British Columbia. The new pipeline will increase tanker traffic in Haro Strait and Boundary Bay in the Salish Sea, and with it the risk of catastrophic oil spills. The Coast Guard’s Canada-United States Joint Maritime Pollution Contingency Plan outlines and facilitates coordination between the U.S. and Canadian governments to prepare for oil spills that would impact marine ecosystems and environments in both nations.

“The Canada-United States Joint Maritime Pollution Contingency Plan is particularly important in light of the proposed energy infrastructure developments on the Pacific Coast of Canada,” continued Rep. Larsen. “A strong partnership between the United States and Canada is key to effective protection of shared waterways and responding to maritime emergencies… I am requesting an update on implementation of Section 7407 by August 31, 2026.”

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has oversight authority of the U.S. Coast Guard. At a roundtable discussion with Coast Guard officers on maritime safety last week, Rep. Larsen pressed Coast Guard officials on their awareness of the new Canadian pipeline and how it would implicate existing oil spill prevention plans. Following the roundtable, he released a statement vowing to keep pressing for answers from the Coast Guard on their oil spill prevention and response mission in the Pacific Northwest.

The full text of Rep. Larsen’s letter to Admiral Kevin E. Lunday can be read here and below:

Admiral Kevin E. Lunday

Commandant, United States Coast Guard

United States Coast Guard Headquarters

2703 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE

Washington, D.C. 20593

Dear Admiral Lunday:

I am writing regarding implementation of Section 7407 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 which required the Coast Guard to coordinate with other federal agencies to review and update the Canada-United States Joint Maritime Pollution Contingency Plan, no later than 180 days after passage. I am concerned that the deadline has passed without Congress receiving an update on the Coast Guard’s efforts.

This plan is particularly important in light of the proposed energy infrastructure developments on the Pacific Coast of Canada that could substantially increase crude oil tanker traffic through waters adjacent to the United States in the Salish Sea, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Haro Strait, Boundary Pass, and approaches to Puget Sound. The potential increase in petroleum vessel traffic directly impacts the Coast Guard, which is responsible for maritime safety, pollution preparedness and response, waterways management and protection of critical maritime infrastructure.

I am requesting an update on implementation of Section 7407 by August 31, 2026. In addition, please provide an update on the status of the coordination efforts with all relevant Canadian partners. A strong partnership between the United States and Canada is key to effective protection of shared waterways and responding to maritime emergencies. Expeditious implementation of Section 7407 will help ensure both nations remain prepared for evolving risks to navigation safety, environmental protection, and regional maritime security.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, which included two of Congressman Andy Biggs’s (AZ-05) bipartisan amendments.

The first amendment was the Audit the Pentagon Act. This legislation was one of the first bills Congressman Biggs introduced when he entered the U.S. House in 2017. It restores financial oversight to the Department of Defense (DoD), which has failed eight straight audits while billions of taxpayer dollars remain unaccounted for in this critical department. In fact, the DoD is the only federal agency without a successful audit. Americans demand that their government officials know where their tax dollars are going and that every dollar is used as effectively as possible. By doing so, our government can help ensure the United States has the strongest, most-effective military in the world for generations to come.

The second amendment addresses the disparity between Chinese and American mining engineering workforces. The United States graduates just over 200 mining engineers each year, paling in comparison to China’s reported annual graduation of 3,000 to 10,000 mining-related engineers. Due, in part, to this gap, the United States is 100 percent import reliant for 16 nonfuel minerals and more than 50 percent reliant for dozens more, compromising American defense systems, semiconductors, and infrastructure. States like Arizona know how mining supports both economic strength and critical mineral independence, reinforcing the need to open additional pathways to build this specific workforce. This amendment ensures federal support focuses where it belongs: on the accredited mining engineering programs that directly strengthen America’s workforce pipeline and national security.

“I’m grateful for the support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for these amendments,”said Congressman Biggs.“My amendments address critical issues within America’s massive national defense apparatus, ensuring more transparency and accountability within our government and closing the gap between China and the United States for a critical workforce. I look forward to seeing these commonsense amendments soon signed into law by the president.”

Both the amendments passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following peaceful demonstrations and vigils in Pasadena to demand justice and accountability for the killings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, Rep. Judy Chu released the following statement:
 

“I stand in solidarity with everyone in our community who gathered this weekend to demand justice for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, and every person who has lost their life during an ICE operation or while in ICE custody. 

It is abhorrent, unconscionable, and utterly indefensible that with each passing week, another family is mourning a loved one who never came home from an encounter with ICE. Instead of reining in an agency plagued by violence, abuse, and a staggering lack of accountability, the Trump Administration and Republicans have handed ICE hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to expand the violent, cruel operations that are terrorizing immigrant communities. 

That is why I was proud to join nearly 200 of my Democratic colleagues to demand ICE be held accountable through an independent investigation into Mr. Salgado Araujo and Mr. Guerrero’s deaths. Their families deserve answers, they deserve justice, and the American people deserve an immigration system that values human life over fear and intimidation.

We will not look away. We will not be intimidated into silence. And we will never stop fighting until every family can live without fear that an encounter with ICE could end in detention, tragedy, or death. 

For more than a decade, I have fought to expose ICE’s abuses and demand accountability. I have repeatedly called for the closure of the Adelanto ICE Processing Center after witnessing appalling conditions, medical neglect, retaliation against detainees, and preventable deaths. I have demanded investigations into fatal ICE shootings, challenged the Trump Administration’s abuse of immigration enforcement, and fought to stop Congress from writing blank checks for an agency that continues to operate with no transparency or accountability. I will continue using every tool available to me in Congress to expose these abuses, hold ICE accountable, and demand justice for every person who has been wrongfully targeted, killed, detained, and deported.”
 

On July 7, 2026, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, the father of three U.S. citizens and a 35-year resident of the United States, was stopped by officers in an unmarked ICE vehicle while driving to work in Houston, Texas. Mr. Salgado Araujo was not the target of the ICE operation but was fatally shot by an ICE agent after the agent alleged he had “weaponized” his vehicle, a claim that neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has substantiated with publicly released evidence. 

Six days later, on July 13, 2026, ICE fatally shot 25-year-old Colombian national Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine. Mr. Guerrero, a father who was authorized to work in the United States, was not the target of the enforcement operation. He was shot after attempting to flee in a vehicle. Video footage shows ICE officers handcuffing Mr. Guerrero after he had been shot in the head. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), alongside Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA-17) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), introduced the Industrial Bank for American Manufacturing Act, legislation aimed at strengthening American manufacturing and decreasing the United States’ dependence on China.

The bill would redirect up to 50 percent of Section 301 tariff revenue collected on Chinese imports to finance a new American industrial bank that would rebuild American factories, create good-paying jobs, and end our dependence on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

“In Michigan, we know firsthand that a strong economy relies on a robust manufacturing base. For decades, American workers have been undercut by unfair trade deals and left to foot the bill. By reinvesting this revenue back into our own factories and workers, we can strengthen our domestic supply chains, create good-paying jobs, and ensure America leads the global economy in the 21st century,” said Congresswoman Dingell.

“For decades, China has pursued an economic strategy designed to hollow out American manufacturing. I’ve heard firsthand from workers in America’s heartland about how China’s unfair practices hurt American industry and disrupt people’s lives,” said Congressman Khanna. “That’s why we need an industrial investment bank to revitalize American manufacturing, compete with China, and we can do it funded by tariff revenue.” 

“Decades of shipping production overseas and unfair trade practices from the Chinese Communist Party have hollowed out American manufacturing and left workers to pay the price. By directing up to 50% of tariff revenue collected on Chinese imports under Section 301 into American manufacturing, this bill would expand domestic production, create good-paying jobs, and reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries. I’m glad to co-sponsor this practical long-term investment in America’s workers and industry,” said Congressman Suozzi.

The Industrial Bank for American Manufacturing Act would:

1. Create a new fund within the Department of Commerce to provide grants, loans, and equity investments that strengthen U.S. manufacturing and reduce strategic supply chain vulnerabilities.

2. Capitalize the fund using existing Section 301 tariff revenue by directing up to 50 percent of annual tariffs collected on imports from the People’s Republic of China—capped at $15 billion per year—toward rebuilding America’s industrial base instead of depositing those funds into the Treasury’s General Fund.

3. Support projects that expand domestic manufacturing capacity, modernize existing facilities, commercialize critical and emerging technologies, and strengthen industries essential to U.S. economic and national security.

4. Prioritize investments in communities harmed by deindustrialization and unfair trade, redevelopment of former industrial sites and brownfields, domestic sourcing, improved production efficiency, lower-emissions manufacturing, and projects that strengthen the U.S. industrial base.

5. Ensure taxpayer investments support American workers by requiring prevailing wages, apprenticeship opportunities, workforce training investments, restrictions on stock buybacks and offshoring, and prohibiting recipients from expanding operations in countries of concern.

6. Promote accountability and transparency through public reporting of all awards, regular reports to Congress on program outcomes, and recurring interagency assessments to identify emerging supply chain vulnerabilities and guide future investments. The program sunsets after 10 years.

A one pager on this legislation is available HERE.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

EAGAN, MN – U.S. Representative Angie Craig recently joined Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25) in introducing legislation to protect Temporary Protected Statuses (TPS) and fight President Trump’s continued attacks on our nation’s immigrants. 

The Temporary Protected Status Review Act would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to follow a clear, evidence-based process before terminating TPS and allow Congress to reverse TPS terminations under the Congressional Review Act.  

Rep. Craig’s bill comes after last month’s Supreme Court decision in Mullin v. Doe, which ruled that the Administration’s termination of TPS for Haitians and Syrians cannot be reviewed by the courts. As a result, 1.3 million TPS recipients who fled violence, natural disasters or brutal political repression are at risk of losing their legal status and work authorization and could potentially face detention, family separation or deportation back to their home countries.

“The Trump Administration has repeatedly targeted TPS and used those who have come to our country to flee some of the most horrific situations as political pawns,” said Rep. Craig. “Reversing TPS actively endangers the lives of TPS holders forced to return to the violence they fled. I’m proud help introduce this critical legislation to protect Minnesota’s TPS holders, take back control from this out-of-control president and combat his administration’s continued attacks on our immigrant neighbors.”

Rep. Craig has repeatedly spoken out against President Trump’s attacks on TPS, especially on behalf of Minnesota’s Somali community, for whom TPS was cancelled earlier this year. 

In April, Rep. Craig and her Democratic colleagues successfully forced a vote on legislation requiring the Trump Administration to reinstate TPS for Haitians. Earlier this year, she joined a group of 26 Senators and 157 House Members in filing an amicus brief challenging the Trump Administration’s illegal termination of TPS protections for Haiti and Syria in Trump v. Miot. Ultimately, the Supreme Court’s conservative-majority ruled TPS terminations could proceed lawfully. 

Rep. Craig is also an original cosponsor and longtime supporter of the American Dream and Promise Act, which would protect TPS holders and provide them with a path to lawful permanent residence.

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