Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) released the following statement after attending President Donald Trump’s Joint Address to Congress:

“Tonight, President Trump returned to the U.S. Capitol and laid out a bold new vision for the United States. Americans heard from a strong leader focused on fulfilling his promise of a better future for all. In just a few short weeks, President Trump has taken decisive action to support and protect families, farmers, and businesses across the country. He is just getting started. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to implement President Trump’s agenda.”
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Reps. David Kustoff (R-TN), Jim Costa (D-CA), David Rouzer (R-NC), Mike Carey (R-OH), and Mark Alford (R-MO) introduced the bipartisan Grown in America Act of 2025 in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation will create a federal tax credit to help businesses shift away from foreign markets and purchase more agricultural commodities here in the U.S.

“A strong and resilient agriculture and food sector is vital to America’s economy and national security,” said Congressman Kustoff. “By incentivizing businesses to purchase from American farmers, the Grown in America Act will bolster our agriculture industry and ensure it remains competitive on the world stage. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation that will help strengthen our supply chains, stimulate domestic investment and job creation, and reduce our reliance on foreign markets.”

“Our legislation is a win for American farmers, producers, dairymen, and women, especially those in the San Joaquin Valley, by lowering costs and boosting domestic manufacturing,” said Congressman Costa. “By offering tax credits for manufacturers who purchase U.S.-grown agricultural products, it strengthens supply chains and supports farmers who are price takers, not price makers. This vital step ensures American agriculture remains competitive, helping both farmers and manufacturers thrive in the global economy.”

“American products should be made using American resources. The Grown in America Act not only supports our farmers and ranchers but also enables American companies to compete more effectively against lower-cost imports. By strengthening the demand for homegrown agricultural products, we enhance the resilience of our supply chains and open up new opportunities for our producers,” said Congressman Rouzer.

“Strengthening domestic supply chains is critical to maintaining our economic security, especially in the agriculture sector that feeds our country,” said Congressman Carey. “The tax incentive created in the Grown in America Act would make it more attractive for businesses to buy American and for our farmers to sell their crop to fellow Americans. I am proud to join my colleagues in this commonsense effort and encourage its passage.”

“Missouri’s farmers and ranchers are the backbone of communities across the fourth district,” said Congressman Alford. “I’m proud to co-lead the Grown in America Act, which prioritizes domestically grown and sourced agricultural products by incentivizing business to buy American. By strengthening markets for our agricultural producers, promoting domestic investment, and securing our U.S. food supply chain, this bill will provide additional support for our agriculture communities as they confront the worst financial conditions in decades. I applaud Congressman Kustoff for his leadership on this critical legislation.”

The Grown in America Act was endorsed by the Tennessee Farm Bureau and the Ag Investment for America Coalition.

“Tennessee Farm Bureau is proud to endorse the Grown in America Act” said Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation President Eric Mayberry. “It is vital we establish tax policy which promotes domestic agriculture and the farm processing industry. Food security is national security, and Americans desire local food. This act will help secure these objectives.”

“We are grateful for the leadership of Congressmen David Kustoff and Jim Costa in their quick re-introduction of the Grown in America Act. Their bipartisan legislation, which establishes an incentive for purchasing American-grown goods, will boost our economy, stabilize our supply chains and create jobs throughout our country. Our broad coalition of American farmers and manufacturers is proud to support this legislation and support investments in the US economy,” said a spokesperson for Ag. Investment for America.

Background: 
Current geopolitical tensions with China, along with supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the vulnerability of U.S. food supply chains and the agricultural sector’s exposure to foreign markets. Maintaining America’s status as the global economic powerhouse depends in part on our ability to protect critical domestic industries and fortify our supply chains.

The Grown in America Act of 2025 will incentivize businesses to purchase agricultural commodities from U.S. farmers, instead of importing them from overseas. Specifically, this legislation creates a tax credit to qualifying businesses for purchasing agricultural commodities sourced from American growers: 

• Qualifying businesses include those using agricultural inputs to create products intended for human consumption. 
• Businesses must source a certain percentage of their agricultural products from domestic growers to be eligible for the credit.
  • The eligibility threshold (the percentage of agriculture products a business must source domestically) begins at 50% in year one and increases by 5% annually over an eight-year period until it reaches 85%. 
  • The eligibility threshold(s) are based on a three-year rolling average to address potential, unavoidable market disruptions. 
• The credit is calculated as 25 percent multiplied by the ratio of US to non-US agriculture purchases.

Click here for the full text of the bill. 
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the bill filed by Reps. David Kustoff (R-TN) and Judy Chu (D-CA), H.R. 517, the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act, passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Ways and Means. This legislation will provide relief for taxpayers impacted by natural disasters and emergencies. 

Click here to watch Congressman Kustoff’s remarks in favor of the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act in the Ways and Means Committee. 

Congressman Kustoff said in part, “My district, which is West Tennessee, has been hit by a number of natural disasters over the years – ranging from tornados to most recently major flooding . . . Anyone who has toured a disaster area, spoken to victims, or watched the damage from television or social media should know: Recovering and rebuilding is not easy, and it doesn’t happen overnight. For impacted Americans, families, and communities – it is critical they have timely access to the support, the resources, and the relief they need to begin the recovery process and start getting their lives back on track.”

He went on to say, “That’s why Rep. Chu and I introduced the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act. This legislation makes two straightforward, commonsense reforms to the Internal Revenue Code that will ensure disaster victims are able to receive timely relief.”

“The last thing survivors of natural disasters should have to worry about is missing a tax deadline while they’re piecing their lives back together. Representative Kustoff’s legislation will allow the IRS the option to postpone federal tax deadlines for those impacted by state-declared disasters. I want to thank Representative Kustoff for his leadership in fighting for the folks in Tennessee and taxpayers across the country to give them this much-needed flexibility,” said Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO).

Background:
Currently, the U.S. Department of Treasury has the authority to postpone tax filing deadlines to taxpayers affected by federally-declared disasters. However, this does not extend to state-level emergencies. The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act would authorize the Treasury, in consultation with FEMA, to extend relief to impacted taxpayers as soon as the governor of a state declares a disaster or state of emergency. This legislation would also expand the current mandatory extension following a federally-declared disaster declaration from 60 to 120 days.
 

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

President’s Action Puts the Education and Success of South Texas Students at Risk

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS — Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) released a statement following the $280 million grant agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to support agricultural producers in the Rio Grande Valley amid water shortages. 

“I’m proud to see our agricultural producers are finally getting some relief after the prolonged droughts the Rio Grande Valley has been experiencing and failed water deliveries from Mexico,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “But let’s be clear: this funding comes from the December 2024 stop gap appropriations bill, which passed Congress thanks to Democratic votes and was signed into law by the previous administration. Our region’s agriculture producers continue to be on the brink of extinction. However, this band-aid won’t help for long. It’s past time Congress pass the Farm Bill and regular appropriations bills.”  

“On the other hand, I am appalled that the current administration and their congressional allies are not giving credit where credit is due. This issue is not a partisan issue and has long held bipartisan support.”  

“This is a shameful attempt to pull the wool over South Texans’ eyes.”  

Under the agreement, the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will be responsible for the disbursal of funds to qualifying producers in Texas’ Lower Rio Grande River Valley Water District that experienced water delivery losses in calendar years 2023 and 2024. Eligible producers must have retained a certificate from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Division authorizing the diversion of water in calendar years 2023 and/or water in calendar years 2023 and/or 2024. More information will be provided by the TDA.    

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) released a statement following his vote to oppose House Republicans’ stopgap bill that would only hurt veterans and vulnerable South Texans.  

“I would gladly vote on a bill that fulfills our government’s promise to care for our veterans,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Sadly, this bill betrays those who wore our uniform, fought for our freedom, and sacrificed greatly for our country. It fails to include the almost $23 billion needed to care for veterans. Tens of thousands of veterans in South Texas will be devastated by these massive cuts. Some of these heroes were exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and many other dangerous substances. This partisan stopgap bill also strips funding for affordable housing programs for low-income South Texas families and nutrition assistance for our seniors and children. Lastly, this bill would be disastrous for our community, as it does not include Community Project Funding for vital projects throughout South Texas.” 

“In the last few years this funding has been key to providing millions of federal dollars specifically tailored to our communities’ unique and often left-behind needs. Just last year, I delivered over $15 million of Community Project Funding to improve roads and drainage, support local law enforcement, and increase economic development in South Texas. I’m ready to work with my colleagues to pass actual bipartisan legislation to fund the government and support our communities. We cannot continue to fund our government with these short-term stopgap solutions that only hurt South Texans and Americans alike.”  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Friday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins urging the Trump Administration to allow the import of eggs farmed in Mexico to provide families in South Texas and throughout the United States economic relief from record-high prices.  

The letter states: “As you are aware, eggs were a cost-effective way for families to supplement their meals with nutrients and protein. This is especially important in regions like South Texas, where food security and affordability are major concerns. However, as the cost of eggs reach record highs, and other foods like meat, fruits, and vegetables continue to increase, families not just in South Texas but throughout the entire country are feeling the pinch at the checkout line…. Mexico’s supply of eggs is stable, and domestic production continues to be strong…By partnering with Mexico, we can prevent further inflationary measures and ensure that the egg supply in the United States is stabilized. “  

Egg prices continue to rise in Texas and across the country, with the USDA estimating that on average the cost of a dozen eggs will increase by up to 41 percent in 2025. The average price of a dozen eggs in Texas was $5.43 in February, which is above the national average of $4.95. Egg prices are up 53 percent from one year ago.  

Congressman Gonzalez is committed to lowering prices for South Texas families and urges the administration to allow the import of eggs from Mexico. He also urges the administration to reconsider the proposed 25 percent tariffs on Mexican imports going into effect on April 2, 2025. These tariffs will only increase prices on foods and goods for all Americans. 

Read the full letter here.  

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SPANISH TRANSLATION: 

El Congresista Gonzalez  

Urge al Departamento de Agricultura de EE.UU.(USDA) que permita la importación de huevos de México para reducir el precio de los alimentos  

WASHINGTON, D.C. – El viernes pasado, el Congresista Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) envió una carta a la secretaria del Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU. (USDA, por sus siglas en inglés), Brooke Rollins, insistiéndole a la Administración Trump que permita la importación de huevos producidos en México para brindar familias en el sur de Texas y en todo Estados Unidos un alivio económico.   

La carta dice: “Como usted sabe, los huevos eran una forma económica para que las familias complementaran sus comidas con nutrientes y proteínas. Esto es especialmente importante en regiones como el sur de Texas, donde la seguridad alimentaria y la asequibilidad son preocupaciones significantes. Sin embargo, a medida que el costo de los huevos alcanza niveles récord, y otros alimentos como la carne, las frutas y las verduras siguen aumentando, las familias no solo en el sur de Texas sino en todo el país están sintiendo los apuros al pagar…. El suministro de huevos en México es estable y la producción nacional sigue siendo fuerte…. Al asociarnos con México podremos prevenir nuevas medidas inflacionarias y garantizar que el suministro de huevos en los Estados Unidos se estabilice.” 

Los precios de los huevos continúan aumentando en Texas y en todo el país, y el USDA estima que, el costo promedio de una docena de huevos subirá un 41 por ciento en 2025. El precio de una docena de huevos en Texas tuvo un costo promedio de $5.43 en febrero, por encima del promedio nacional de $4.95. Los precios de los huevos han subido un 53 por ciento en comparación con hace un año. 

El Congresista Gonzalez está comprometido a reducir precios para las familias del sur de Texas y urge que la administración permita la importación de huevos de México. También insiste a la administración en reconsiderar la propuesta de los aranceles del 25 por ciento a las importaciones mexicanas. Estos aranceles sólo aumentarán los precios de los alimentos y los bienes para todos los estadounidenses. 

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) introduced the Increasing Credit Union Lending for Business Growth Act. This legislation expands the lending ability of credit unions to $100,000 from $50,000. This bipartisan bill would update the Credit Union Member Business Loan authority under current federal law to keep pace with inflation and increase access to loans for small businesses. 

“As a small business owner, I understand firsthand the importance of cash flow in keeping operations running, employees paid, and customers satisfied,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “This bipartisan bill not only supports our local entrepreneurs, but our local economies as well. Credit Unions play a vital role in supporting our communities, and this bill allows them to better serve the small businesses who create jobs and drive growth in their towns.”  

“Small businesses and entrepreneurs are the backbone of America’s economy, from my home district of PA-1 to communities across the country. This bipartisan, commonsense bill strengthens the ability of credit unions to fuel local economic growth through expanded lending and development opportunities,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1). “The Increasing Credit Union Lending for Business Growth Act ensures community credit unions have the flexibility they need to provide small business with the capital and financial support required to thrive in today’s competitive market.” 

The full bill text can be found here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) has re-introduced the No Industrial Restrictions in Secret Act (No IRIS Act) to reduce undue red tape imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). The No IRIS Act is in the interest of protecting American safety, jobs, and ensuring chemical risk assessments conducted by EPA are driven by the best available science, rather than by political and ideological agendas.

This bill is supported by the American Chemistry Council, Hexion Specialty Chemicals, who has a manufacturing plant in Sheboygan, and over 80 manufacturers around the country. It is cosponsored by Representatives Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Julie Letlow (R-LA), and Michael Guest (R-MS), and is companion legislation to Senator John Kennedy’s (R-LA) bill in the U.S. Senate.

“Unelected bureaucrats have often disrupted the work of Wisconsin’s chemical manufacturers and inhibited the success of the industry through the abuse of the EPA’s IRIS program,” said Grothman. “Instead of grounding regulatory decisions in sound science, IRIS has demonstrated a poor track record by issuing assessments that conflict with the industry’s best available scientific expertise and methodologies. The No IRIS Act will protect American jobs, promote innovation, and hold the EPA accountable for acting against the best interest of the industry and our economy.”

“For four years, the Biden administration weaponized the EPA’s IRIS program against America’s chemical industry. My bill would prevent this kind of abuse from happening again and safeguard American businesses from government overreach,” said Kennedy.

“American success relies on American chemistry,” said Chris Jahn, President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council. “Computer chips, national defense, modern healthcare, housing, infrastructure, agriculture, and energy are all made possible by America’s chemical industry. Unfortunately, the EPA’s IRIS program puts many critical chemistries in jeopardy. The IRIS program has a troubling history of being out of step with the best available science and methods, lacking transparency, and being unresponsive to peer review and stakeholder recommendations.  It’s time for Congress and EPA to take action and put sound science at the forefront of regulatory decision-making, and we applaud Senator Kennedy and Congressman Grothman for their leadership on this important issue.”

Background Information

The EPA established the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program in 1985 to gather data on how chemicals impact human health, however, it was never authorized by Congress. Under the previous administration, the EPA relied on flawed data from IRIS assessments during the rulemaking process, disregarding other relevant information and public input. Despite the program’s inherent flaws, it was used to establish chemical threshold assessments that have had severe consequences for private industries.

The No IRIS Act will prevent the EPA from using IRIS assessments as their primary source to draft its rulemakings.

In November 2023, Grothman’s amendment to restrict funding for IRIS was included in the House-passed Interior Appropriations bill.

Click here for the full text of the No IRIS Act.

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Today, Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) introduced legislation that will overturn a Biden-era rule that would give broad authority to nearly every IRS employee to levy fines against taxpayers.

This bill is supported by Americans for Tax Reform, the National Taxpayers Union, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, and is cosponsored by Congressmen Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Greg Steube (R-FL)

“Joe Biden is gone, but the wake of his policy mistakes linger,” said Grothman. “This disastrous rule would embolden the IRS to increase the number of unjust penalties against Americans. This lame-duck rule flies in the face of President Trump’s mission to make our government more transparent and efficient. The IRS mandate should not be to levy fines as erratically as possible, it should be to treat taxpayers fairly and with respect.”

“Under President Biden, the IRS weakened a law (USC Section 6751) that requires IRS agents to get written approval from their immediate supervisors before imposing penalties on taxpayers. In the late 90s, Congressional investigators discovered years of abuse by IRS agents running up the penalty score as an intimidation tactic against taxpayers. Agents would use the threat of penalties as a bargaining chip. After these abhorrent practices were exposed, congressional Republicans enacted Section 6751. Instead of getting their immediate supervisor’s approval, the Biden rule allows agents to shop around for sympathetic supervisors anywhere in the building. Agents will abuse (and likely have abused) this and taxpayers will be the victim. All members should support Rep. Glenn Grothman’s CRA to nullify this egregious Biden-era IRS rule,” said Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform

“Congressman Grothman’s vital resolution could not have come at a more critical time for taxpayers. NTU advocated for the original law requiring supervisor approval of penalties back in 1998, not only as a taxpayer safeguard but also as a way to help the IRS document its decision making process. After being caught red-handed by a court ignoring this provision, the IRS attempted to validate its behavior with an absurd rule that defines almost anyone as a “supervisor” who can approve a penalty without documentation at almost any point in the enforcement process. When public comments from NTU and others suggested different procedures, the IRS dismissed them as ‘laborious formalities.’ Congress must step in now to reassert the letter and spirit of the law to protect taxpayers from unaccountable penalties. On behalf of taxpayers across America, NTU expresses profound gratitude to Congressman Grothman for recognizing this assault on taxpayer rights and standing up to stop it,” said Pete Sepp, President, National Taxpayers Union

“The Biden IRS produced one overreach after another, and it is crucial for leaders like Rep. Glenn Grothman to push back from Congress. This resolution is an important step to reestablish proper oversight and ensure that the agency is serving the interests of American taxpayers. It is Congress’s job to oversee and rein in bureaucrats, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance thanks Rep. Grothman for his work to ensure good governance,” said Taxpayers Protection Alliance President, David Williams

Background Information
Previously an IRS agent’s “immediate supervisor” would provide a signature of approval at the initial determination of a tax penalty. However, in December of 2024, the IRS released a final rule to significantly weaken this important taxpayer protection. In their final rule, IRS defines an “immediate supervisor” not as a person to whom an IRS agent reports, but instead as “any individual with responsibility to review another individual’s proposal of penalties.”

Rep. Grothman’s legislation nullifies this rule and returns the IRS to the previous, commonsense guidelines, providing crucial oversight in the approval of tax penalties and safeguarding the rights of hardworking American citizens. By reinstating the checks and balances originally intended, this resolution protects taxpayers and ensures that an IRS agent’s immediate supervisor personally approves the initial determination of a tax penalty.

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.