Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

SHERMAN OAKS, CALIFORNIA – Last night, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32)hosted more than 5,000 constituentsin a liveTelephone Town Hall just before casting his vote against President Donald Trump’s “Big Bill” — a massive Republican budget plan loaded with tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and deep cuts to vital healthcare and nutrition assistance programs for American families. 

“The energy during last night’s Town Hall meeting made it clear: people are alert, informed, and demanding leadership that’s willing to stand up to this administration’s outrageous corruption and brazen abuses of power,” said Congressman Sherman.

Congressman Sherman used the Town Hall to brief constituents on his efforts to push back against what he called “a coordinated assault on working families, democracy, and ethics” tied to Trump’s policy comeback and personal profiteering.

At the start of the event, Congressman Sherman broke down the contents of the Republican budget reconciliation bill, which slashes Medicaid funding, repeals key climate initiatives, and includes major tax breaks for the wealthy. He explained why he would be voting no right after the Town Hall: “This big, ugly bill epitomizes the true nature of Trump’s entire policy agenda — one that favors billionaires over everyday Americans.”

The Congressman also addressed recent corruption schemes surrounding Trump’s business dealings:

-The Qatari government’s offering Trump a luxury jet while lobbying his allies in Washington;

-China’s state-affiliated entities purchasing large stakes in a Trump-branded cryptocurrency initiative, raising red flags about foreign influence and national security;

-A $2 million investment from Abu Dhabi into Trump’s so-called “stablecoin” crypto venture, which Sherman characterized as “yet another pay-to-play scheme cloaked in blockchain buzzwords.”

“These aren’t isolated incidents — they form a pattern of transactional politics and foreign entanglements that put personal gain over public duty in a way that’s dangerously unprecedented,” Sherman told constituents.

He also laid out broader Democratic efforts to resist Trump’s broader agenda, including fighting attempts to roll back voting rights, immigrant protections, safeguards for consumers and more. 

Constituents brought forward their own concerns, ranging from the future of reproductive rights, the health of our economy amid Trump’s tariffs, to the safeguarding of our democracy in the face of rising extremism — areas where Sherman said Congress must act with urgency and resolve.

Shortly before heading to the Capitol to cast his vote against Trump’s massive and extremist budget bill, the Congressman concluded the Town Hall meeting by encouraging constituents to stay engaged and continue raising their voices against the on-going assault on our democratic norms.

During the Town Hall, Sherman requested input from residents by asking a series of survey questions about their thoughts and concerns.

The results of the survey questions are as follows:

1. Do you approve of President Trump’s performance as President so far?

• Approve: 7%
• Disapprove: 90%
• Unsure: 2%

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2. Should your Member of Congress vote for legislation that they think is good for the country, or should they vote NO on everything that Republican Speaker Johnson is willing to propose and Trump is willing to sign?

• Obstruction & Resistance: Vote NO on all of Speaker Johnson and President Trump’s legislation: 38%
• Negotiate with Republicans but only vote for a bill Democrats think is good: 55%
• Vote with Republicans: 3%
• Unsure: 4%

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3. Should I vote for the Republican reconciliation bill that provides a tax cut of $82,000 to those who make over $1 million per year, takes away healthcare from 14 million Americans, and increases the U.S. debt by over $5 trillion?

• Yes, vote for the Republican bill: 4%
• No / Hell No, don’t vote for the Republican bill: 91%
• Unsure: 4%

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) led a bipartisan, bicameral group of his colleagues from Georgia in sending a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins seeking a swift solution in expanding access to India’s market for U.S. pecan producers.

Joining Congressman Allen in sending the letter are Representatives Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Austin Scott (GA-08), Rich McCormick (GA-07), and David Scott (GA-13), as well as Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA).

In the letter, the Members write: “As you may know, India is a significant foreign market for U.S. pecans. In 2022, the United States exported more than $1.3 million of pecans to India, and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service projects that pecan exports to India could now reach up to $5 million annually. This is a result of successful efforts in advocating for India to cut its tariff on U.S. pecan exports by 70 percent, which opened a market of more than one billion consumers to premium U.S.-grown pecans.

The Members continue: “While U.S. pecan exporters are now successfully exporting shelled pecans to India, the product purchasers in India have requested the U.S. to export in-shell pecans, which enables the pecans to travel in a more shelf-stable state and allows buyers to finish processing upon arrival in India. However, shipments of U.S. in-shell pecans cannot be completed due to the lack of appropriate plant quarantine code (PQ code) for import into India.

The Members conclude: “In 2024, the U.S. pecan industry submitted documents to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to begin the process of obtaining a PQ code, and we write to request assistance from USDA in expediting the process…”

To read the full letter to Secretary Rollins, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

In a letter to the Commerce Department leadership, Maine’s Congressional delegation last night urged the Trump Administration to reverse its decision to freeze nearly $35 million of federal funds designed to close the digital divide between rural and urban communities in the state. 

“As one of the most rural states in the nation, Maine is especially affected by this decision, which will have an outsized impact on Maine families, small businesses, and communities. The programs created by the grants would ensure access across Maine to the necessary technology and skills to participate in the digital economy,” the delegation wrote in a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Acting Administrator Adam Cassady.

The funding, part of the Digital Equity Act program, was approved by Congress through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. Maine was set to receive $35 million through the program for digital skills training, workforce development and expanded telehealth and educational services through libraries, educational institutions and community organizations.

President Trump announced earlier this month via social media that he was “ending” the program, even as Maine awaited the vast majority of its approved funds. 

Terminating these funds will increase the difficulties for individuals and families to use the internet to improve their lives and fully participate in an increasingly digital world,” the delegation wrote. “We urge the Department of Commerce to reverse this decision immediately and restore funding for this vital program.”

The full text of the letter can be found below. 

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Wednesday, May 21, 2025 

Dear Secretary Lutnick and Acting Administrator Cassady:

We write to share our opposition to the recent announcement to terminate Digital Equity Act grant programs. As one of the most rural states in the nation, Maine is especially affected by this decision, which will have an outsized impact on Maine families, small businesses, and communities. The programs created by the grants would ensure access across Maine to the necessary technology and skills to participate in the digital economy.

Passed by Congress and signed into law under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the grants provide a one-time infusion of $2.75 billion to close the digital divide between rural and urban communities, support telemedicine and education programs, strengthen connections between loved ones, and allow people to participate in the digital world regardless of their ZIP Code. This funding is essential in our state, where more than half of older residents, small businesses, veterans, low-income households, tribal communities, and students are in rural areas.

This funding would serve more than 40,000 Mainers throughout the state who continue to face significant challenges in securing and maintaining internet connectivity. With the administration’s termination announcement, Maine expects to lose the majority of the $35 million it had been awarded to support digital skills and cybersecurity training, expand workforce development, and increase the capacity of the state’s libraries and other community organizations to provide telehealth and educational services.

The funding is a smart investment that provides safe internet access for rural Mainers. Terminating these funds will increase the difficulties for individuals and families to use the internet to improve their lives and fully participate in an increasingly digital world. We urge the Department of Commerce to reverse this decision immediately and restore funding for this vital program.

We appreciate your attention to this important matter.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) released the following statement after the House passed the budget reconciliation package.

“This bill is the course correction we desperately needed. For years, taxpayers have been footing the bill for wasteful programs, unchecked spending, and handouts to people gaming the system,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “It delivers a significant tax cut, providing relief for working families and much needed reforms to government spending. It starts the process of eliminating fraud in programs like Medicaid and SNAP. It also includes major wins for folks in the West, allocating $2 billion to expand water storage, and much needed funding for the Secure Rural Schools program. It’s a big win across the board, and I’m happy to see the House pass this crucial piece of legislation.”

Background:

• Tax Relief for Working Americans: Delivers significant tax cuts, cutting tax bills by about 15% for Americans earning $30,000–$80,000. No tax on tips or overtime.
• Medicaid and SNAP Reform: Ends benefits for 1.4 million illegal immigrants and restores work requirements for able-bodied adults receiving assistance.
• Support for Farmers: Strengthens crop insurance and conservation tools without adding red tape.
• Water Storage Expansion: Includes $2 billion to upgrade and expand Bureau of Reclamation surface water storage, helping the West store more water in wet years.
• Secure Rural Schools: Provides a 3-year reauthorization of SRS to support education in rural areas with large amounts of federal land.
• Energy and Resource Development: Repeals Green New Deal-style handouts and boosts American oil, gas, and mineral production.
• Border Security and Immigration Enforcement: Fully funds Trump’s border wall, ramps up deportations, and hires thousands of new ICE and Border Patrol agents.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) voted against the Republican plan to cut healthcare for millions of vulnerable patients under Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to pay for tax cuts for wealthy individuals and corporations that don’t need them. The Republican plan would kick 13.7 million people off of their healthcare, according to an analysis by the independent Congressional Budget Office. And the non-partisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has found that the bill could add $37 trillion to the national debt over the next 30 years. After the House voted 215-214 to advance the legislation, Rep. Peters released the following statement:  

“Not only is the Republican tax plan fiscally irresponsible, it is also unnecessarily cruel. Our country borrows $2 trillion every year just to keep the lights on. That number will only grow and add to our colossal debt under this tax plan. But Republicans aren’t trying to reduce the debt, they are kicking people off their healthcare to lower taxes for the highest earners. If we allowed marginal taxes for people making more than $609,000 to go from 37 to 39.6 percent, where it was in 2017, we could generate up to $402 billion in revenue over 10 years. Those people would pay a bit more in taxes, and we could avoid kicking millions of people off their healthcare. 

“Irresponsible borrowing like this is why Moody’s, for the first time ever, downgraded our credit rating, why the stock market is falling, why the bond markets are going haywire, and why consumers are worried they won’t be able to keep up with rising prices. It is time to have an honest and tough bipartisan conversation about how we reduce the debt. While today’s vote was disappointing, I will continue to fight this debt-financed plan as it moves through the Senate.” 

Read about Rep. Peters’ opposition to the tax plan in the Energy and Commerce Committee here.  

Read about Rep. Peters’ opposition to the tax plan in the Budget Committee here.  

CA-50 Medicaid Facts: 

• 156,100 people in the district rely on Medicaid for health coverage—that’s 20 percent of all district residents. 
  • 34,700 children in the district are covered by Medicaid. 
  • 17,700 seniors in the district are covered by Medicaid. 
  • 64,900 adults in the district have Medicaid coverage through Medicaid expansion—that includes pregnant women who are able to access prenatal care sooner because of Medicaid expansion, parents, caretakers, veterans, people with substance use disorder and mental health treatment needs, and people with chronic conditions and disabilities. 
• At least five hospitals in the district had negative operating margins in 2022. These hospitals would be especially hard-hit by cuts to Medicaid. For example: 
  • Scripps Mercy Hospital had a negative 25.3 percent operating margin—and nearly 22 percent of its revenue came from Medicaid. 
  • Sharp Coronado Hospital had a negative 3.5 percent operating margin—and over 36 percent of its revenue came from Medicaid. 
  • University of California San Diego Medical Center had a negative 2.4 percent operating margin—and nearly 19 percent of its revenue came from Medicaid. 
• There are 54 health center delivery sites in the district that serve 529,944 patients. 
• Those health centers and patients rely on Medicaid—statewide, 69 percent of health center patients rely on Medicaid for coverage. 
• Health centers will not be able to stay open and provide the same care that they do today, with more uninsured and underinsured patients. They are already operating on thin margins—in 2023, nationally, nearly half of health centers had negative operating margins. 
• Medicaid cuts put health centers at risk, including: 
  • Family Health Centers of San Diego 
  • Neighborhood Healthcare 
  • North County Health Project 
  • San Diego American Indian Health Centers 
  • St. Vincent De Paul Village 

Representative Peters is the co-author of the Fiscal Commission Act, legislation to create a bicameral and open-door commission to tackle our nation’s long-term debt, help us avoid automatic and across-the-board cuts to Social Security and Medicare, and secure a more prosperous future for our children. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) released the following statement after House Republicans passed a bill that would kick millions of Americans off their health care and impose a massive cut in nutritional assistance, all to pay for their billionaire tax cuts.

“After shady back-room deals, hearings in the dark of night, bullying from the president, and hyper partisanship, House Republicans have forced through Trump’s ‘One, Big Bogus Bill’ that will kick over 13 million Americans off their health care to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. They are kicking hard-working Americans to the side so they can pad the pockets of people like Elon Musk.

“This bill was hastily put together following hidden negotiations, overnight markups, and the last-minute release of bill text so the American people couldn’t learn what is in the bill.

“This bill will take health care away from seniors, children, disabled Americans, and veterans, including 26,760 Denverites. It takes food stamps and nutrition assistance away from millions of families. It defunds Planned Parenthood and takes away basic health care coverage for over 1 million Americans. This monstrosity of a bill is so skewed towards the wealthiest Americans that more than 66% of the benefits would go to the top 20 percent of households by income, and people making less than $51,000 a year will actually see their taxes go up.

“This bill makes life harder for the American people while enriching the top earners in our country. I voted against this terrible legislation, and I will continue to fight against this extreme and cruel agenda.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Frederica S Wilson (24th District of Florida)

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson issued the following statement regarding the House Budget Proposal H.R. 1, to which she voted ‘no’:

“This bill will kick millions off their healthcare, kick millions off their food assistance programs, raise the costs of student loans, all just to give tax breaks to billionaires. Nearly 14 million Americans will lose their healthcare, and more than 18 million children may have their school meals taken away thanks to this bill. This is the largest cut to health care in our nation’s history, the largest cut to SNAP in our nation’s history, and the largest tax cut for billionaires in our nation’s history.  The budget puts more than 4.3 million Pell Grant recipients at risk by requiring students to take at least 15 credit hours per semester to receive full funding—potentially cutting or reducing Pell Grants for nearly two-thirds of all recipients. It also replaces student loan income-driven repayment plans with a single plan repayment that could raise student loan payments by nearly $200 monthly. This bill includes a 5% tax on remittances sent by non-U.S. citizens, including those on H-1B or H-2A visas and green card holders. This would affect many families in South Florida, such as Cubans, Haitians, and many others who send money to their families, many of whom still live under political turmoil.   At a time when prices are at an all-time high, these cuts to healthcare and food assistance and changes to student loans threaten to deepen financial hardship for millions. Put it simply: people will die, folks will go hungry, students will pay the price, and millions of children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and working families are on the hook for these devastating cuts.”

In Florida, approximately 1,442,564 will lose health care insurance from the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid.

In Florida, approximately 574,000 people are at risk of losing some or all SNAP benefits.

In Florida, approximately 99,118 students are at risk of losing all Pell Grant Funding and 216,176 students are at risk of reduced Pell Grant funding.

In Congresswoman Frederica Wilson’s District, approximately 71,000 people are estimated to lose health insurance coverage by 2034 and approximately 36,000 people are at risk of losing some or all SNAP benefits.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Severe storms resulted in extensive damage to critical infrastructure, parks, cultural sites, schools, public buildings, and more, resulting in over $34 million dollars in damages across six counties

Letter comes following denial of initial request, WA delegation urges President Trump to reconsider and approve WA state’s pending appeal

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Dan Newhouse, (R, WA-04), Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10) SENT a letter last night to President Donald Trump urging him to reconsider the denial of Washington state’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of the devastating windstorms, heavy rainfall, flooding, and mudslides caused by a bomb cyclone that struck Washington state in November 2024.

“As representatives of Washington state, we earnestly request that you carefully reconsider this decision and approve the state’s pending appeal without further delay,” the bipartisan, bicameral group of Members wrote.

“From Grays Harbor, Pacific and Wahkiakum to King, Snohomish, and Walla Walla Counties, the storm’s impact was severe, far-reaching and well-documented. One of the most destructive storms in recent history, it overwhelmed public infrastructure, endangered lives, and left residents across the state grappling with long-term consequences. This is precisely the kind of catastrophic event for which the federal declaration process was designed. The state’s request outlines over $34 million in damages across these six counties—costs that local governments cannot and should not be expected to shoulder alone,” the Members wrote.

“Disaster declarations are not symbolic, they are critical lifelines for communities in crisis. Washington state’s first responders, local governments, and emergency management professionals have done everything within their means to begin recovery, but the scale of the damage requires federal support through the Public Assistance Program and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Anything less unnecessarily places our communities, infrastructure and long-term stability at an unacceptable risk.”

“We remain committed to working with you to secure the support our constituents urgently need,” the Members concluded.

Previously, the full group of Members—led by Senator Murray—urged President Biden to grant the request for a Major Disaster Declaration in January.

The full text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to express our serious disappointment and growing concern regarding the denial of Washington state’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration following the devastating bomb cyclone that struck between November 17 and November 25, 2024. As representatives of Washington state, we earnestly request that you carefully reconsider this decision and approve the state’s pending appeal without further delay.

From Grays Harbor, Pacific and Wahkiakum to King, Snohomish, and Walla Walla Counties, the storm’s impact was severe, far-reaching and well-documented. One of the most destructive storms in recent history, it overwhelmed public infrastructure, endangered lives, and left residents across the state grappling with long-term consequences. This is precisely the kind of catastrophic event for which the federal declaration process was designed. The state’s request outlines over $34 million in damages across these six counties—costs that local governments cannot and should not be expected to shoulder alone.

Disaster declarations are not symbolic, they are critical lifelines for communities in crisis. Washington state’s first responders, local governments, and emergency management professionals have done everything within their means to begin recovery, but the scale of the damage requires federal support through the Public Assistance Program and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Anything less unnecessarily places our communities, infrastructure and long-term stability at an unacceptable risk.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We remain committed to working with you to secure the support our constituents urgently need.

Sincerely,

Issues: Environment, Housing, Transportation, & Infrastructure

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) released the following statement after House Republicans passed their tax bill:

“House Democrats have been fighting this bill into the early morning hours—and we’ll keep speaking out and fighting back even if we’re outnumbered. 

“By voting for the biggest wealth transfer in American history, Republicans are slashing Medicaid and food assistance and increasing costs on the working class so they can give billionaires a $255,000 tax break per year. They’re stealing from the poor to give to the rich. 

“They claim to be the party of family values, but time and again, they refuse to pass legislation that actually values families. Instead, they’re giving enormous tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy, while working families face rising costs and cuts to benefits.

“My colleagues and I have offered a different vision—one where we invest in paid leave, lower child care and housing costs, and make America affordable for everyone. And we’re going to keep fighting for that America by stalling and stopping the Republican agenda, organizing to beat them, and showing up to fight back.”

Rep. Gomez has been a leader in the fight to stall and stop the Republican tax bill before it reached the House floor. Last week, he carried out a nearly 18-hour marathon during the Ways and Means Committee markup, where Republicans voted against his amendments to expand paid leave, make housing affordable, and ensure billionaires pay their fair share. In the early morning hours of May 21, he introduced 14 amendments in the Rules Committee to expose the bill’s harm to working families. In total, House Democrats offered more than 500 amendments to push back on the GOP’s agenda—but with Republicans in the majority, every single one, including Rep. Gomez’s, was blocked.

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