Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) criticizes the Trump administration for its hypocrisy in erasing World War II veteran and civil rights leader Medgar Evers from the Arlington National Cemetery website. 

“This is a disgrace. Medgar Evers was a World War II veteran who fought for this country overseas and then came home to fight for civil rights—only to be assassinated in his own driveway,” said Congressman Thompson (D-MS). Now, under policies set in motion by the Trump administration, his name has been erased from the Arlington National Cemetery website, as if his service and sacrifice never existed. This is not a mistake. This is a choice.” 

For years, Congressman Thompson championed a bill to establish the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home as a National Monument. In 2019, Trump signed the bill into law, calling Evers “a great American hero.” Yet Trump’s policies have now resulted in Evers being erased from the Arlington National Cemetery website, removing him from a section honoring Black Americans who served in the nation’s wars. By purging Medgar Evers and other Black veterans, the Trump administration has once again demonstrated its disregard for racial justice and historical truth. 

“The hypocrisy is staggering. Trump’s administration wanted to claim credit for honoring Medgar Evers when it was politically convenient. Medgar Evers fought for this country, and his sacrifice will not be erased by the Trump administration or those seeking to rewrite history. We will fight to ensure that his legacy remains intact, honored, and remembered.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-WA-09) and Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today teamed up to introduce strengthened legislation to put an end to the harmful practice of hedge funds buying up single-family homes. The Humans Over Private Equity (HOPE) for Homeownership Act continues Merkley and Smith’s efforts to tackle America’s housing affordability crisis by going after hedge funds that own and control large parts of our housing market, driving up both rents and purchase prices for single-family homes.

 “Too many families are struggling to afford to rent or to buy a home,” said Rep. Smith. “Large investors are buying up homes and squeezing out prospective buyers. The HOPE for Homeownership Act will crack down on corporate greed and make housing more affordable for families.”

“Houses should be homes for families, not profit centers for hedge funds,” said Senator Merkley. “The HOPE for Homeownership Act fights back against billionaire corporations controlling the single-family housing market. Let’s kick hedge funds to the curb to restore the dream of homeownership, one of the foundations that working families need to thrive.”
 
Large-scale hedge fund investors are taking over the housing market at an alarming, accelerating rate. In 2011, no single entity owned over 1,000 single-family rental units. In 2022, large institutional investors and hedge funds owned about 700,000 single-family home rentals, and financial analysts forecast that this ownership footprint will grow to 40% of all single-family home rentals by 2030.
 
The HOPE for Homeownership Act aims to kick hedge funds out of America’s single-family housing market by:

• Establishing a new tax penalty of 15% of the sale price (or $10,000, if greater) for hedge funds buying additional single-family homes;
• Taking away depreciation and mortgage interest tax breaks; and
• Imposing a new $5,000 per home tax penalty for hedge funds failing to fully sell off their currently owned single-family homes each year over a 10-year period.

 
In addition to Merkley and Smith, the HOPE for Homeownership Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and U.S. Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38).
 
“Arizona families shouldn’t be forced to compete with massive Wall Street firms when trying to buy a home,” said Senator Gallego. “I’m proud to back the HOPE for Homeownership Act to level the playing field for hardworking Arizonans.”
 
“Rents are too high, and for many Arizona families the dream of owning a home feels out of reach. A big part of the problem is hedge funds buying up houses and driving up prices,” said Senator Kelly. “We’re putting a stop to Wall Street’s control of the single-family housing market so more working families can afford a place of their own.” 
 
“Family homes should not be used as a profit center for private companies and investors to get richer, making the American dream of home ownership more difficult,” said Senator King. “Currently, hedge funds are able to purchase single family homes in bulk with no restriction as part of their investment strategy. The Humans Over Private Equity (HOPE) for Homeownership Act would establish sensible restrictions that level the playing field for potential buyers. This legislation is a commonsense step toward putting American families ahead of large-scale, profit-seeking investors.”
 
“Hedge funds are buying up larger and larger shares of single-family homes – hoarding the housing supply to turn huge profits for their rich investors and crowding out hardworking families from the market. This legislation ends the warped incentives that are enabling deep-pocketed hedge funds and private equity firms to dominate the housing market, while leveling the playing field so more everyday Americans can achieve their goal of homeownership and build wealth,” said Senator Van Hollen.
 
“It is outrageous that homes Americans lost to foreclosure during the Great Recession were sold to the Wall Street firms that caused the crisis. Meanwhile, in America today, there is not a city, state or town where a full-time minimum wage worker can afford rent. Enough is enough. Wall Street billionaires cannot continue raking in obscene profits by buying up homes across the country and raising rents. That has got to end — this bill would help us do just that,” said Senator Sanders.
 
“Homeownership for working families today feels more like a fever dream than the American Dream,” said Rep. Sánchez. “Greedy corporations are buying up residential properties, especially in neighborhoods like mine in Southern California, pushing affordable options out of reach for first-time buyers and driving up home and rent prices. That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor the HOPE for Homeownership Act, which will lower housing costs and give working families a fair shot at owning a home.”
 
The HOPE for Homeownership Act is endorsed by Americans for Financial Reform, Consumer Action, National Housing Resource Center, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), National Housing Law Project, and Private Equity Stakeholder Project.
 
“Our housing market needs to work for U.S. families, not hedge funds. Unfortunately, private equity firms and other corporate landlords, flush with cash, have unfair advantages over first-time homebuyers who are struggling with sky-high home purchase prices and high interest rates. The HOPE for Homeownership Act will keep corporate landlords from gobbling up even more of our housing stock while giving a leg up to people who actually want to live in the homes they buy,” said Caroline Nagy, Associate Director for Housing at Americans for Financial Reform.
 
“With penalties for predatory hedge funds, the HOPE for Homeownership Act provides hope to homebuyers that the housing market will no longer be overrun by hedge funds devouring consumers’ chances of homeownership,” said Ruth Susswein, Director of Consumer Protection at Consumer Action.
 
Full text of the HOPE for Homeownership Act can be found by clicking here.
 
A bill summary can be found by clicking here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement:

“Last night, President Trump addressed a joint session of Congress. As Commander-in-Chief, he could have used this forum to bring the country together during a time of economic distress. Instead, he used his speech to mislead the American people and lie about critical issues. The American people deserve better from their President. 

“Families across our nation are struggling with high grocery prices, unaffordable housing, and expensive health care costs. Instead of addressing these problems, Trump has used his platform to reduce assistance for veterans, cut off cancer research, and cancel school meals for kids. He has spent the first 43 days in office cutting blank checks to the richest 1 percent, while leaving Middle-America to foot the bill. 

“The President’s priorities, from the economy to national security, are clearly wrong. At Trump’s urging, Elon Musk is blindly firing thousands of essential federal employees that keep our skies safe, safeguard our nuclear weapons, and keep our communities healthy from foreign viruses. Trump has also used the last 43 days alienate all of our friends in the world and make concession after concession to Putin. Trump’s efforts appear to be focused on weakening our federal government so he, Elon Musk, and their billionaire supporters can have great unchecked power.

“I urge my constituents who are concerned about Trump’s actions to remain engaged. Prioritize the issues that concern you most and devote your energy to addressing those issues. Our democracy thrives when people are present and informed. I am committed to standing with my constituents against policies that undermine our democracy, erode civil liberties, and favor the wealthy at the expense of working families.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Smith (D – Wash.) released the following statement regarding the passage of the Continuing Resolution by House Republicans:
 
“We need to pass a full-year budget that funds health care for veterans, education for our kids, and affordable housing for our communities. However, instead of passing a full-year funding bill that meets critical needs in communities across America, House Republicans offered a Continuing Resolution (CR) on the House floor that effectively guts services for working- and middle-class families to fund military projects and gives a blank check to Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
 
“This poorly crafted bill would also hand vast discretion over spending decisions to President Trump and tech CEO Elon Musk to cut programs and redirect funding as they see fit. All of the thousands of pages of funding guardrails have been erased in favor of a 90-page bill that lacks congressional direction and clarity. The broadness of the language in the CR will give a blank check to Donald Trump and Elon Musk to continue their agenda to empower billionaires at the expense of the working- and middle-classes. Among the critical services that this CR cuts are health care access for veterans, rent subsidies that assist 32,000 families, and key infrastructure projects.
 
“We need to pass a budget that addresses high health care costs, unaffordable housing, and other critical needs in American communities. The CR offers no solutions to those challenges, threatens to exacerbate a growing divide between the wealthiest one percent and the working class, and hands vast amounts of power to Trump and Musk. I voted no.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement:
 
“Trump is creating mass confusion with his constantly changing, on-again, off-again tariff policies. There are new announcements every day about what is included and excluded from these tariffs, making it difficult for businesses and consumers to plan ahead.

“In rapid succession over the past few days, he has announced tariffs, declared potential forthcoming tariffs on all agricultural imports, rolled back tariffs for the auto industry, exempted goods from Mexico that fall under USMCA, and exempted goods from Canada that fall under USMCA. These haphazard announcements create chaos, confusion, and uncertainty. 

“Tariffs can be a strategic tool, but Trump’s approach makes it clear he is simply using tariffs as a political stunt without any clear plan for how to use them effectively and actually confront the issues everyday Americans are facing. We need the President to adopt sensible, steadfast economic and trade policies that strengthen the American economy and help American workers. Trump’s current behavior only recklessly endangers our economy and undermines our relationship with our trade partners.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement regarding the Egyptian Gaza reconstruction plan and the Trump Administration’s response: 
 
“Last week, Arab leaders endorsed an Egyptian-led plan for reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The $53 billion plan for reconstruction would take place over five years and covered issues including immediate crisis repair, the construction of permanent housing and infrastructure, and plans to stimulate future economic growth.  

“There’s much more work that needs to be done before this plan could become a reality, as it fails to address details over the governance of Gaza and security arrangements for the region. However, despite its flaws, this proposal was a much-needed step forward for negotiations necessary to uphold the ceasefire and bring us closer to the ultimate goal of a two-state solution.  

“It is critical that the Trump Administration and the Israeli government take this starting point seriously and offer constructive feedback to continue the dialogue. We must be clear-eyed that Trump’s A.I.-fever-dream of a “Gaza Riviera” is an unacceptable option. Trump’s proposal would only result in the forcible displacement of over 2 million Palestinians and further destabilization of the region.  

“We must have a path forward that can lead to both legitimate Palestinian self-governance and security for Israel. The Egyptian plan for Gaza reconstruction is a starting point for how we can build a sustainable peace and must be taken seriously by Israel and the Trump Administration.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

President Trump’s speech neglects to address lowering costs, instead plans on cutting Americans’ healthcare and prescription drug benefits.

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Representative Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus and member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee, released the following statement on President Trump’s joint address to Congress:

“Tonight, President Trump confirmed what we already know: Trump does not care about lowering prices for American families. Since taking office, Trump has launched an all-out attack on American workers, our allies abroad, and our democratic system of checks and balances. Planning to take away Medicaid, Medicare, and prescription drug benefits from seniors and children. 

“As prices continue to rise for hard-working families, Trump offered no solutions for Americans who continue to struggle. I co-founded the Congressional Labor Caucus to make sure workers have a voice in Washington. Trump’s anti-worker agenda makes it clear who he stands with, billionaires and big corporations, not the men and women who build our country.

“I will fight back against Trump’s disastrous plans that are hurting South Jersey families. In Congress, I will continue to advance policies that prioritize lower costs, good jobs, affordable quality education, healthcare, and security in our nation. While we may disagree on policies we should never disagree on the cornerstones of our democracy.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC– Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) joined congressional leaders, labor leaders, and workers to introduce the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act. Rep. Norcross, a co-founder of the Congressional Labor Caucus, is a union electrician by trade, a former union organizer, and was president of an AFL-CIO regional labor council for nearly two decades. 

“I know how important it is to give workers a voice and protect them from unfair labor practices because I lived it,” said Congressman Norcross. “At its core, the PRO Act carries Rich’s legacy forward by promoting worker solidarity, giving hardworking women and men a voice in their workplace, and holding accountable corporate bosses who violate workers’ rights. I first met Rich back in the 80s at a union hall in Cherry Hill, where he was collecting donations to support striking coal miners.  The PRO Act strengthens union protections, and I can think of no better person to name this critical piece of legislation after than Rich.” 

The PRO Act increases protections for workers engaging in union or other collective bargaining activities, expanding unfair labor practices to prohibitions on the replacement of, or discrimination against, workers who participate in strikes. The bill also makes it an unfair labor practice to require or coerce employees to attend employer meetings designed to discourage union membership. 

The PRO Act protects the basic right to join a union by: 

1. Holding employers accountable for violating workers’ rights by authorizing meaningful penalties, facilitating initial collective bargaining agreements, and closing loopholes that allow employers to misclassify their employees as supervisors and independent contractors. 
2. Empowering workers to exercise their right to organize by strengthening support for workers who suffer retaliation for exercising their rights, protecting workers’ right to support secondary boycotts, ensuring workers can collect “fair share” fees, and authorizing a private right of action for violation of workers’ rights. 
3. Securing free, fair, and safe union elections by preventing employers from interfering in union elections, prohibiting captive audience meetings, and requiring employers to be transparent with their workers. 

For a fact sheet on the PRO Act, click here. 

For a section-by-section of the PRO Act, click here. 

For the bill text of the PRO Act, click here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Jim Costa (CA-21), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act to create a grant program to support students who have epilepsy or a seizure disorder. Based on a New Jersey law, the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act would authorize funding to ensure all students nationwide are surrounded by trained and prepared individuals in the event of a seizure. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“I’m honored to introduce the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act to build on the progress we’ve made in New Jersey with Paul’s Law and ensure school staff members across the nation are prepared if a student has a seizure in the classroom,” said Congressman Norcross, Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce. “We know that about 470,000 children and teenagers live with epilepsy in the United States, and all our schools must know how to keep them safe.”

“This legislation is crucial for creating a safer school environment for children with epilepsy and seizure disorders. By funding response training, we ensure school staff are prepared to act, providing every child the support they need to succeed,” said Congressman Costa.

“Medical emergencies like seizures demand immediate action from school personnel to ensure the safety of all individuals,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1). “Our primary duty is to protect our children, and the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act is key to fostering safer learning environments and providing families with much-needed peace of mind. I am championing this bipartisan effort to ensure that no child facing a medical crisis is left without the care they need.”

“Nearly half of America has followed in New Jersey’s footsteps and passed legislation to create safer environments for children with epilepsy,” said Senator Booker. “It’s now time we take action at the federal level, which is why I’m pleased to stand alongside my colleagues in the New Jersey delegation to reintroduce the Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act. This legislation will equip our schools with the resources they need so school personnel are trained and prepared in the event that someone has a seizure.” 

In 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed “Paul’s Law” into law, the first-of-its-kind in New Jersey named in honor of Paul St. Pierre, a New Jersey teenager with epilepsy. The legislation authorized the development of individualized health care plans for students with seizure disorders or epilepsy and mandates that school personnel are trained on how to care for students with such conditions.

About half of the states in the country have passed similar legislation to mandate or encourage seizure recognition and first aid training of school personnel, as well as other provisions to help ensure students with epilepsy are safe and supported in the school environment. The Seizure Awareness and Preparedness Act would continue this momentum by authorizing funding to help ensure all students nationwide are surrounded by trained and prepared individuals, including:

• Training of school personnel to administer or assist with the administration of seizure medications.

• Training and education of students on seizure awareness and preparedness.

• Recruiting, hiring, and retaining compliance staff who are responsible for ensuring that all training and program requirements related to seizure awareness, preparedness, and management are consistently met.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) released a statement on the House Republican government funding package vote. 

“House Republicans just voted to target Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, cutting the programs Americans across the country rely on. Taking care of our seniors and veterans is not wasteful, it is our duty.  

“This vote is only the beginning. Now, House Republicans are turning their full attention to gutting Social Security, the very program seniors rely on. For our seniors, Social Security is a hard-earned benefit.  

“While housing, groceries, and healthcare costs are increasing, this vote makes it clear that House Republicans are focused on taking programs away that help our veterans and seniors. That’s why today I stood up for the people of South Jersey and voted no on this legislation.” 

 

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