Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair and co-founder of the bipartisan, bicameral Abraham Accords Caucus, released the following statement in response to renewed fighting in Gaza.

“It’s been 530 days since thousands of Hamas-led terrorists invaded Israel, murdered more than 1,200 and took 250 hostages back to Gaza. The war Hamas started has been devastating, especially for Palestinians, and we all want it to come to an end with the release of all remaining 59 hostages and removal of Hamas from reigning over Gaza. Only then can recovery and renewal begin in Gaza, and only then can there be any hope for real and lasting peace for all the people in the region. 

“The breakdown of the ceasefire and resumption of deadly violence in Gaza is deeply concerning. The renewed fighting underscores once again the devastating cost of Hamas’s intransigence and its disregard for both Palestinian and Israeli lives.

“Hamas’s insistence on holding hostages as leverage is reprehensible. Their refusal to engage seriously in efforts toward a lasting ceasefire, despite sustained diplomatic conversations, has precipitated the tragic events unfolding now. The humanitarian toll of these renewed hostilities is heartbreaking and unacceptable.

“Israel has the right to defend itself and to act decisively to secure the release of hostages and to ensure the safety of its citizens. However, continued violence and instability cannot be the solution. It is imperative that diplomatic channels remain open and active.

“I strongly encourage all involved parties, with support from the United States and regional mediators, to urgently resume negotiations aimed at swiftly restoring a durable ceasefire so that the next phase of hostage releases can take place. It is critical to prioritize humanitarian considerations and the release of hostages as core components of any renewed dialogue.

“The international community, including the United States, must remain engaged and active in supporting efforts that can lead to a sustainable and peaceful outcome for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement as the US Senate is set to vote on government funding today:

“House and Senate Republicans are relinquishing their Constitutional duties to Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Rather than working to pass legislation that responsibly funds the government, Republicans are giving a blank check to Trump, and empowering Musk and his DOGE bros to continue their devastating campaign of chaos through the federal government. 

Veterans, seniors, students, farmers and small businesses will all bear the burden of Republican cuts to VA healthcare, to Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and other critical government programs. Meanwhile, billionaires like Musk get a free ride with massive tax cuts, paid for on the backs of working families and the most vulnerable Americans.

House Democrats were united in rejecting the extreme funding bill Republicans crammed through earlier this week, and we remain opposed to it as it moves through the Senate. We are committed to a path that keeps the government open with a temporary funding bill that gives time for Congress to negotiate responsible, full-year funding legislation that reflects the priorities, and addresses the needs of the country.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

Schneider, Bilirakis Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reclassify Turkey as a Middle Eastern country

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

WASHINGTON – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s address to a Joint Session of Congress:

“Tonight, President Trump continued to gaslight the American people. His 100+ minute speech was just the same old, tired routine, chock full of lies, and offering more chaos, corruption, and confusion. Absent from his hollow promises were any real solutions to the challenges that are facing the American people: high prices, a weakening economy, housing prices through the roof and affordable health care out of reach. 

“Here’s the hard truth about the state of our union: just two months in, Trump and House Republicans are making our country weaker, and the chaos they are creating is making life harder for hardworking Americans. 

“Today, families who were already facing rising prices now face Trump’s 25% ill-conceived Trade War Sales Tax — costing the average family up to $2,000 this year alone. The stock market is in free-fall as economists and industry experts prepare for a recession. Bird flu is raging and measles is sickening children and threatening communities across the country.  Meanwhile the Trump administration demonizes vaccines and blocks research fighting diseases. Elon Musk is arbitrarily and maliciously firing thousands of people, including more than 6,000 veterans, responsible for keeping our skies safe, our communities healthy, and our veterans supported. Trump is endangering our national security and threatening democracy around the world by bowing to dictators like Vladimir Putin while attacking and even abandoning our closest allies.

“At the same time, House Republicans are plotting to demolish Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security benefits to line the pockets of Trump’s oligarchs like Elon Musk. Trump, Musk, and their billionaire friends are thriving on the Republican agenda, getting a free ride on the backs of middle-class Americans.

“I want to make life better for all Americans, to lower costs, keep our communities safe and healthy, and stand up for democracy, and protect our national security. While Republicans bury their heads in the sand and hide from their constituents at town halls, Democrats are ready to roll up our sleeves to lift up our nation and tackle the challenges confronting our country.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

WASHINGTON – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), representative for Highland Park, Illinois, released the following statement in response to the Highland Park shooter pleading guilty to 69 counts of murder and attempted murder. At the Highland Park Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2022, the shooter, hiding on a nearby rooftop, fired 83 shots in less than a minute – murdering seven people, wounding 48 others, and traumatizing the entire community.   

“More than two years ago, the now convicted murderer stole seven beloved souls from us, wounded dozens more, and forever changed our community. He deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. I am relieved by his guilty plea which will bring at least some sense of closure for the families of the murdered and wounded, and for our community.

 “July 4, 2022 left a deep scar on the Highland Park community, one that will never fully heal. But with the strength of a united community, the love from neighboring villages and towns, and the resolve to do all we can to stop this from happening again, Highland Park is standing strong and on the path to healing. 

 “We will never forget the lives stolen on that terrible day and will forever remember their vibrant lives and beautiful spirits. Nor will we leave behind those who are still healing – physically and emotionally. 

“Highland Park Strong, forever.”  

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

Today, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) led a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel requesting an investigation into the incitement of, and acts of, domestic terrorism by the radical Left.

Elon Musk, Tesla dealerships, and Tesla car owners have been threatened, harassed, and attacked in recent weeks. Attorney General Bondi has made arrests of some of these criminals.

Some individuals, including United States Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), have encouraged this violence. Activities that appear to be intended to intimidate, coerce citizens, or to influence government policy are considered acts of domestic terrorism.

Recent attacks on Tesla vehicles are increasing in number and escalating in severity, with the sole intention of retribution for Elon Musk and President Trump’s actions.

“Recent threats and actions against Tesla dealerships and owners are dangerous and may constitute a federal crime.” said Congressman Biggs.

“I know that Director Patel’s FBI will thoroughly investigate these domestic terror threats.” 

Cosigners of the letter include: Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Rep. Keith Self (R-TX), Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO).

The letter may be read here.

Deseret covered the letter here.

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

This week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released previously redacted information relating to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s (ONDCP) Hemisphere Project. DOJ OIG released the information in response to a May 2024 letter from Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). The lawmakers’ letter requested that DOJ OIG publicly release unclassified information contained in their March 2019 report on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Use of Administrative Subpoenas to Collect or Exploit Bulk Data.

Last year, the House Oversight Committee considered legislation to reauthorize the ONDCP. The bill included a number of provisions negotiated by Congressman Biggs that were designed to improve Congressional oversight of ONDCP funded programs, and to protect Americans’ privacy. The release of this information underscores the need for similar legislative reforms to be enacted across government programs.

Additionally, the ONDCP informed Senator Wyden that federal funding for Hemisphere was ended as of September 30, 2024, and the program has been shut down.

Congressman Biggs and Senator Wyden have led bipartisan efforts to protect Americans’ privacy and issued the following statement on DOJ OIG’s data release:

“This report contains information that the public has a right to see. The American people demand transparency from their government, and Congress must work to ensure that the federal government is accountable to its citizens. We’re thankful to DOJ OIG for their work to make new information public, and we look forward to further cooperation in the interest of American citizens.”

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

Today, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) sent a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel requesting an investigation into ActBlue, the main fundraising platform of the Democrat Party. In 2024, banks across the country reported hundreds of suspicious transactions with ActBlue, but the previous Administration stonewalled congressional efforts to investigate the reports further. There are also allegations of foreign donations originating in China, Russia, Iran, and Venezuela.

“The allegations against ActBlue are alarming and warrant a thorough investigation by the FBI,” said Congressman Biggs.

“If the allegations against ActBlue are proven true, the fundraising group has undermined the integrity of our elections for years, and justice must be delivered swiftly. Americans’ faith in our electoral system is crucial to our Republic, and Congress must ensure that we protect the security of our elections.

“I’m grateful to Director Patel for his work to restore our justice system, and I look forward to working with him to get to the bottom of these concerning reports.”

The letter may be read here. 

Fox News covered the letter here. 

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

Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) introduced legislation to clarify that any institution of higher education (IHE) considered a nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) should also be considered a nonprofit IHE by the Department of Education (ED).

The IHE Nonprofit Clarity Act will provide long-overdue financial relief to Grand Canyon University (GCU). Because the Department of Education has failed to recognize GCU’s IRS designation as a nonprofit institution, GCU has been hampered in efforts to improve—like enhancing student services, unlocking student loan opportunities, and receiving tax-deductible donations from outside individuals and entities. Congressman Biggs’s legislation will allow GCU to lower tuition costs, expand athletics programs, conduct more academic research, and provide more and higher quality student services.

Congressman Biggs also led an Arizona delegation letter to ED Secretary Linda McMahon urging her department to update GCU’s nonprofit status at ED.

“ED’s refusal to designate GCU as a nonprofit institution of higher education is residual damage from the Biden-Harris regime’s weaponization of government against Christian universities,” said Congressman Biggs.

“Now that ED is under new leadership, I am confident that Secretary McMahon will right the wrongs committed by Joe Biden and his cronies. America’s Golden Age is here, and Congress stands ready to enact the mandate delivered by the American people.”

The legislation may be read here.

Cosigners of the letter are: Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Rep. Abraham J. Hamadeh (R-AZ), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).

The letter to Secretary McMahon may be read here. 

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

Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) introduced legislation to align the Department of Education (ED) with the mandate delivered by Americans last November. The Guarding Religious And Career Education (GRACE) Act directs the Secretary of Education to eliminate the Office of Enforcement within the Office of Federal Student Aid. A recent report from American Principles Project (APP) revealed that under the Biden Administration, nearly 70% of the ED’s enforcement actions involved faith-based and career schools, despite these institutions representing less than 10% of students nationwide.

An especially egregious example of ED’s targeting of faith-based schools is its $37.7 million fine against Grand Canyon University (GCU), the largest Christian university in the nation. The questionable fine against GCU stands in stark contrast with other recent fines based on similar allegations, including a mere $700,000 levied by ED against a private university in the Northeast. 

Congressman Biggs also led a letter to ED Secretary Linda McMahon urging her department to launch an investigation into the Office of Enforcement’s targeting of Christian and technical schools. 

“Under the radical Biden-Harris regime, ED clearly weaponized the federal government against Christian universities like GCU,” said Congressman Biggs.

“The unchecked bureaucratic state’s days are limited under America First President Donald Trump. Congress must codify his priorities to ensure that no future administration can ever again weaponize the government against the American people.”

The legislation may be read here.

The letter to Secretary McMahon may be read here.