Hoyer Statement Ahead of U.S. Talks with Iran

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today ahead of the United States’ talks with Iran:

“As the Trump Administration prepares to enter talks with Iran, it is crucial that we continue to pursue a permanent end to Iran’s nuclear capabilities and the complete dismantlement of its nuclear infrastructure. Whether through these negotiations or alternative means, achieving that objective is absolutely essential to preserving the security of America, our ally Israel, and the world.

“Any agreement must also end Iran’s malign activities throughout the region, including funding and providing strategic support to Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and its other terrorist proxies.  Additionally, the negotiations need to address Iran’s vast drone and ballistic missile arsenal. It is vital that we not allow Iran to use the negotiations to buy time and advance their nuclear program – especially with the window to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran closing imminently. 

“For decades, Iran has posed a grave threat not only to the region but to the world. America ought to be prepared to do what it takes – diplomatically or otherwise – to achieve these goals and uphold our security.”

Congressman Veasey Release Statement In Response to Presidential Address

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Congressman Veasey Release Statement In Response to Presidential Address

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Veasey released the following statement following Trump’s Presidential Address on March 4, 2025:

“The few moments of coherent speech by Trump at the Presidential Address was proof that he doesn’t give a shit about you or your family” said Congressman Veasey. Don’t be fooled, by the made-up numbers or the empty promises, this is an all-out attack on working Americans. It’s an attack on American jobs. It’s an attack on your health care. It’s an attack on social security. Trump stands for Taxes, Tariffs, and Terminations.”

Veasey, Doggett, Fletcher Lead Texas Democrats in Letter to CDC Condemning Mass Firings and Vaccine Misinformation Amid Measles Outbreak

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Veasey, Doggett, Fletcher Lead Texas Democrats in Letter to CDC Condemning Mass Firings and Vaccine Misinformation Amid Measles Outbreak

Lawmakers demand answers following an unprecedented surge in measles cases across Texas and nationwide, including the death of a Texas child, as DOGE cuts and HHS Secretary vaccine misinformation hinder response efforts.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Marc Veasey, Lloyd Doggett, and Lizzie Fletcher led Texas Democrats in sending  a letter to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Acting Director Dr. Susan Monarez expressing deep concern over the surging measles outbreak in Texas and across the country. The lawmakers requested an urgent, detailed report on the CDC’s efforts to contain the outbreak, combat vaccine misinformation, and assess the impact of workforce reductions on outbreak response.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has reported 259 confirmed cases of measles, including 34 hospitalizations and the tragic death of an unvaccinated school-aged child. The outbreak has disproportionately impacted school-aged children. 

“We write to you with deep concern and grave urgency regarding the unprecedented spread of measles across the United States, with Texas at the epicenter of this alarming crisis.” The Representatives wrote. “We are troubled that anti-vaccine misinformation, cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) workforce, and reductions of public health funding will threaten the country’s ability to respond to the current measles outbreak, and future public health threats.” 

The lawmakers raised alarm over the dangerous spread of anti-vaccine misinformation, including mixed messaging from Health and Human Services (HHS). Notably, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly downplayed the effectiveness of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, falsely suggesting that “natural immunity” from measles infection is preferable, while promoting alternative treatments such as Vitamin A supplements and cod liver oil.

“Suggesting that children are better off contracting measles during an unprecedented outbreak is not only dangerous, but instills further distrust in the very safe and effective MMR vaccine amongst Americans,” the letter states.

The lawmakers also condemned the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for mass firings at the CDC, including the layoff of at least 750 public health workers—many of whom were critical to outbreak response efforts. These cuts, along with a shift away from real-time public health data reporting, have significantly weakened the nation’s ability to contain infectious disease outbreaks.

“With more than 70% of the CDC’s budget supporting state and local health departments, any cuts will have catastrophic consequences,” the lawmakers warned. “The CDC must have the necessary funding and personnel to protect American communities from infectious disease outbreaks.”

The letter calls on the CDC to provide a detailed briefing on its plans to contain the outbreak, restore public confidence in vaccination, and describe how cuts have impacted the agency’s ability to fulfill its public health mission.

“The people of Texas, and the entire country, rely on your agency’s leadership to address this outbreak and ensure that no more children suffer preventable harm,” the lawmakers concluded. “We look forward to your prompt response.”

 The complete text of the letter can be read here: 

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Congressman Veasey reacts and announces to the Department of Defense awarding Lockheed Martin a $4.9 Billion Contract for Precision Missiles Increment One in Grand Prairie, Texas

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Congressman Veasey reacts and announces to the Department of Defense awarding Lockheed Martin a $4.9 Billion Contract for Precision Missiles Increment One in Grand Prairie, Texas

“This nearly $5 billion contract for Lockheed Martin is yet another powerful example of how our district continues to lead in strengthening our national defense while supporting good-paying jobs right here in the district” said Congressman Veasey (TX-33). “I’ve been proud to champion programs like this one right here in the Texas 33rd, and I’ll continue standup for the livelihoods of our skilled workforce who continue to produce some of the best American made products in the world. This investment is a win for North Texas, a win for families who depend on the program for a livelihood, and a win for America’s security.”

Congressman Veasey Blasts House Republicans After They Vote to Gut Medicaid and Social Security

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Congressman Veasey Blasts House Republicans After They Vote to Gut Medicaid and Social Security

Washington, DC: “House Republicans just voted to gut your Medicaid and your Social Security—period. Don’t let them spin it any other way,” said Congressman Veasey. “They’re calling it $1.5 trillion in ‘savings,’ but let’s be clear: that’s just code for a massive tax break for their billionaire buddies, paid for by cutting the benefits hardworking Americans have earned” said Congressman Veasey.  “More than 20% of Americans rely on these programs to keep their families fed, get the health care they need, and keep a roof over their heads. But Republicans just made it clear they do not care about those families. This isn’t a budget—it’s a stick-up in broad daylight. And your families are the ones getting robbed.”

Congressman Cohen and Senator Markey Lead a Letter to EPA Requesting a List of Companies Seeking Presidential Permission to Pollute

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

Fifty-four House Members and seven Senators want to know who is seeking to circumvent the Clean Air Act

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) and Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts today led 59 Congressional colleagues in a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting a list of companies seeking a Presidential Exemption under the Clean Air Act. The letter also requests information about how the companies claim the exemption would be in the national security interests of the United States, whether technical issues make meeting existing standards difficult, and other details about the companies’ requests. See the letter below.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“The Clean Air Act is a foundational law that protects public health and the environment by regulating air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. While the Act allows for limited exemptions in certain circumstances, it is vital that these exemptions not be granted arbitrarily or behind closed doors — especially when they will result in increased pollution and potentially harm public health.” 

Senator Markey made this statement:

“Rather than protect the health of all Americans by enforcing existing rules and regulations designed to reduce the risk and incidence of cancer caused by air pollution, the Trump administration is instead handing out polluter privilege passes — opening a VIP lane and an email inbox for coal plants and chemical giants to dodge Clean Air Act rules. Families in fenceline communities don’t get to opt out of breathing mercury, arsenic, and other toxics. These clean air protections save lives — up to 11,000 every year — and the public has a right to know who’s trying to dodge them. I’m proud to join Representative Cohen in demanding transparency and accountability. The Clean Air Act was written to protect people, not polluters.”

The letter reads in part:

“We are writing to request a comprehensive list of companies that have requested a Presidential Exemption under the Clean Air Act, as outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 24, 2025. Given the EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment, the Administration’s expressed commitment to transparency, and your own written and oral testimony to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee during your confirmation hearing, we believe it is imperative that the EPA disclose which companies are seeking to circumvent current environmental regulations.

“We request that you expeditiously provide the names of all companies that requested a presidential exemption under the Clean Air Act and the details of their exemption request, including 1) any emissions standards or limitations subject to the request, facility(ies) and/or affected sources, 2) the length of compliance period being requested, 3) their explanation why the technology to implement the standard is not available, and 4) their explanation why an extension is in the national security interests of the United States. Please also include which of these companies, if any, expressed an intention to submit proprietary information.

“We would also like to know how your agency plans to evaluate and announce which companies are granted a presidential exemption and which applied but are denied. We expect all of this information to be made easily available to the public, as the Trump Administration repeatedly states that it is the ‘most transparent administration in history.’ ”

The lawmakers ask to see the information by Friday, April 18.

See the entire letter here.

The letter request is endorsed by the Center for Biological Diversity, EarthJustice, EcoMadres, the Environmental Defense Fund, the League of Conservation Voters, Moms Clean Air Force, Rise4EJ, the Sierra Club, and the Southern Environmental Law Center.

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Congressman Cohen Speaks and Votes Against Disastrous Budget Resolution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) went to the House floor Wednesday evening to speak against a Republican budget resolution aimed at requiring massive cuts to the social safety net programs in order to give a tax cut to millionaires and billionaires. The measure passed on a 216 to 214 vote this morning.

In his floor speech, Congressman Cohen said in part:

“This is about the billionaires. It’s not about the middle class. It’s not about a budget deficit because they wouldn’t have to give the money to billionaires if they gave it to decreasing the budget.  This is the party that is trying to kill Social Security through the DOGE boys who are cutting out services for people who use the phone to deal with their Social Security.”

See the entire speech here.

The bill passed today sets up a House-Senate budget reconciliation process in which massive cuts will be made to programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP that people rely on to live.

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Miller, Schneider Introduce the RESILIENCE Act of 2025

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) introduced the Repair Expenditures Support Infrastructure, Labor Investment, Energy Needs, and Creates Equity Act of 2025 (RESILIENCE Act of 2025). This bipartisan legislation will allow utilities to deduct repair costs from the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax and will ensure that these companies are treated fairly.

 

Click here for bill text.

 

“The Inflation Reduction Act picked winners and losers in energy production, and hard-working Americans suffered the most by having to pay more for everything, including utilities. The Resilience Act of 2025 would fix the unfair tax treatment of utilities under the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax by allowing regulated utilities to fully deduct repair expenditures. This bill would increase energy affordability for consumers and ensures tax fairness, ultimately creating a more resilient and reliable energy grid,” said Congresswoman Miller. 

 

“EEI’s member electric companies make significant investments each year to maintain the energy grid and to make it stronger and more secure,” said EEI Interim President and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn. “The current process for taxing these critical investments under the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax needlessly raises costs for electricity customers, threatens job creation, and undermines ongoing efforts to strengthen America’s energy security. We greatly appreciate Representatives Miller and Schneider’s leadership in developing this common-sense solution, which will help keep customer costs as low as possible while enhancing the reliability and resilience of the grid.”

 

“America’s natural gas utilities invest $37 billion each year in enhancing the safety and efficiency of natural gas distribution and transmission systems – these investments help us to deliver affordable, reliable, safe and cleaner natural gas and have lowered emissions from the natural gas distribution system by 70% since 1990. This bill from Reps. Miller and Schneider will help to remove an important barrier for this type of strategic investment in America’s energy future and will help our industry to maintain affordability for American families and businesses while fueling innovation and growth for a stronger future,”said George Lowe, AGA Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy. 

 

“Storms can wreak havoc on our facilities and repairs are necessary to ensure reliable service. AEP spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year on storm repairs and maintenance activities. Allowing these critical expenditures to be deducted from the minimum tax lowers rates for customers and frees up capital that we can invest in other areas of our operations,” said American Electric Power.

 

“We commend Representatives Miller and Schneider for introducing bipartisan legislation that will lower energy costs and create jobs for customers and communities nationwide, in addition to supporting grid upgrades to address growing energy demand for generations to come, putting regulated utilities on equal footing with non-regulated businesses. We look forward to engaging with Congress as this bill advances through the legislative process,” said Exelon.

 

“At FirstEnergy, we are committed to providing reliable electric service at the lowest price possible for the six million customers across our footprint, including 556,000 in West Virginia. Repair and maintenance are critical investments that ensure a reliable and resilient grid. We applaud U.S. Reps. Carol Miller and Brad Schneider’s bipartisan efforts to create a practical solution that allows electric companies to account for these expenses more efficiently, reducing base rates and strengthening our energy infrastructure,” said FirstEnergy. 

“Nearly 250,000 IBEW members work for regulated utilities, and a repair adjustment protects their jobs and allows them to help build a strong economy. Without the inclusion of a repair’s adjustment, IBEW members who currently perform repairs and maintenance work at our nation’s utilities could be in real danger of losing their mission-critical jobs,” said IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper.

Smucker Statement on Budget Resolution Vote

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

WASHINGTON—Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Vice Chair of the House Budget Committee and a senior member of the Committee on Ways and Means, released the following statement after voting in favor of the amended House Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res.14): 

“My top priority throughout the budget reconciliation process has been to deliver on the mandate that the American people delivered in November—extending tax relief for hardworking families and small businesses, securing our border, unleashing American energy dominance, and achieving peace through strength. Every Republican in the House believes that it is critical that we move forward on these priorities as quickly as possible. Today’s vote unlocks our ability to advance to the next stage of the process. I have also always made it clear that we must craft the final reconciliation bill in a fiscally responsible way, without saddling future generations of Americans with even more debt. 

I voted yes on the budget resolution after we received firm commitments from President Trump, Speaker Johnson, House Majority Leader Scalise, and Senate Majority Leader Thune that the final “One Big, Beautiful Bill” will reflect the same fiscally disciplined approach outlined in the House’s budget resolution.

The House resolution provides critical guardrails to ensure the reconciliation process leads to a final product that is fiscally responsible. I’m encouraged that the Senate is finally aligning with President Trump’s bold vision to put America back on a path toward a balanced budget.

Speaker Johnson has pledged that the final package will be deficit neutral. Leader Thune has agreed to adopt the House’s savings targets as targets in his chamber—a major shift from the watered-down savings of their initial amendments.

I also appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his commitment to pursuing additional savings as we craft the final bill. His engagement and assurances send a clear message: the age of reckless spending in Washington is coming to an end.

This is our moment to change America’s fiscal trajectory. A fiscally responsible budget reconciliation package advances the mandates the American people delivered to President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress last November—and it’s also a necessary step to secure our nation’s economic future. There is more work ahead, and we are committed to seeing it through—because the future of our nation depends on it.” 

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Reps. Smucker, Van Duyne Introduce Reduce Duplication and Improve Access to Work Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

Legislation Grants States Flexibility to Use Federal Funds for Workforce Development Programs

Washington—Reps. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) and Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), members of the Ways and Means Committee, have introduced the introduction of the Reduce Duplication and Improve Access to Work Act. 

This legislation allows states to use a portion of their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding—up to the existing 30 percent cap—for workforce training programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), expanding states’ flexibility to support employment and job readiness initiatives. Current law allows states to transfer up to 30 percent of their TANF funds to other funds supporting childcare or other social services programs. 

“The best pathway out of poverty is a great job. Providing states greater flexibility to invest federal funds in workforce development programs will create more opportunities for individuals to connect with a job and live their own American Dream,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11).  

“Every person deserves the opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their families,” said Rep. Van Duyne (TX-24). “By allowing states to use TANF funds for workforce development programs, it will create new opportunities for individuals to secure good, stable jobs. This step will help empower Americans to reach their fullest potential and thrive in today’s workforce.”

Background:

  • TANF currently allows states to transfer up to 30% of funds to the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and/or the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG).
  • This bill would add WIOA as an allowable program for states to transfer TANF funds, within the existing 30% cap.
  • States would be allowed to retain 15% of TANF funds transferred to WIOA for statewide workforce investment activities and the rest would be allocated to local workforce boards for service delivery through American Job Centers.
  • The transferred funds would only be permitted to be used for individuals with income below 200% of the federal poverty line.
  • As a condition for transferring the funds, states must inform the Secretary of HHS of their intention to transfer TANF funds to WIOA and describe how they will coordinate with the one-stop delivery system under WIOA in their state TANF program.

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