Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

Our great state is home to beautiful rolling hills and scenic, winding highways. There’s also certainly an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, as well. After all, they don’t call it the Natural State for nothing. But this abundance of vast natural beauty also means that our state isn’t made up of big cities with sky high buildings and a bustling city life. No, Arkansas is largely made up of rural communities. These rural communities we call home provide opportunities for a way of life unavailable in the big cities but cherished by most who have experienced it. Just as rural life provides wonderful opportunities, it also comes with unique challenges such as communications and healthcare.

Driving across the stately Ouachita and Ozark mountains, through the Arkansas River Valley, across the piney woods and the delta, and everywhere in between, locals who live in these parts know that their best chance at receiving up-to-date news and weather bulletins is often on the radio. Other rural communities across the country are also aware of how vital radio is to their livelihood, which is why the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 was introduced earlier this year. As a proud cosponsor of this bill, it is well-understood the importance of ensuring that AM radio is maintained in vehicles even though several car manufacturers are trying to move away from maintaining AM broadcast radio in their modernized automobiles. 

Not only is receiving timely news a contributor to the challenges rural Arkansans face, the ever-present need for effective healthcare is always a concern for those living in under-resourced areas. Congress must work toward passing commonsense legislation that works for the families and individuals who require and deserve timely, reliable, and quality health care. Rural hospitals play a crucial role in the well-being of these individuals which is why it was a privilege to cosponsor the Rural Health Care Technical Assistance Act last week. This bill will codify and expand a current United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that is responsible for providing vital assistance to rural health care facilities, works toward preventing hospital closures, strengthens needed health care services in rural communities, and bolsters the stability of these institutions.

As a representative of one of the more rural congressional districts in our country, I know firsthand just how vital it is for Congress to work toward passing commonsense legislation that works for the families and individuals in these under-resourced communities – not legislation that keeps them further from resources Americans in urban areas have every-day access to. The vast majority of our nation is built upon these vibrant communities, and the Arkansas Congressional Delegation will certainly continue to work with House Republicans to continue serving rural America.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

Under the new Administration, illegal border crossings have never been lower. However, the aftermath of incredibly loose border security policies has created a mess that now needs to be cleaned up. Under numerous Executive Orders, our border security measures have been tightened, securing communities near the border and across the United States. In step with these measures, the House Committee on Natural Resources is producing legislation that will protect our lands and expand Border Patrol’s access in wilderness areas.

This week, under Natural Resources Committee jurisdiction, a hearing was held through the Subcommittee on Federal Lands to discuss the FLASH Act, which provides comprehensive solutions to complement the Trump administration’s actions and ensure that federal border lands are protected from the national security, environmental, and humanitarian crises resulting from illegal immigration. 

Over the past several years, we have seen a buildup of trash and unauthorized trails, laying waste to the majesty of our nation’s landscape and unique geography that frames the southern border. Taking care of our nation’s land has always been a priority, especially as Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. In that capacity, it was a privilege to visit the southern border last spring to see first-hand how many problems leaving our border wall unfinished caused. Federal land management agencies oversee roughly 35 percent of the U.S. southern border. Even during periods of strong border enforcement, the remote nature of these border lands makes them prime targets for criminals, drug smugglers and human traffickers. And because of this influx, we see large amounts of trash and unauthorized trails created in their wake.

It’s a privilege to be able to contribute to our nation’s border security crisis by implementing solutions, like the FLASH Act, that will provide much-needed relief for border communities and the men and women who risk their lives to protect them. House Republicans are ready to offer solutions to the problems Americans have been asking for years to be solved. And the House Natural Resources Committee is stepping up to the plate to deliver on that promise.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

For the sake of both the environment and the economy, Congress must advance common sense Endangered Species Act (ESA) reforms that return power to private landowners while simultaneously protecting endangered species in a responsible way. Weaponization of the ESA and its morass of red tape are impeding our ability to move forward on vital land management practices and even building important and necessary infrastructure, all in the name of environmental activism that’s actually doing more environmental harm than good. That is why I was proud to introduce the Endangered Species Act Amendments Act of 2025 this week.

The original noble intent of the ESA was to evaluate and label at-risk wildlife while also providing a path toward full recovery. Yet since its implementation over 50 years ago, only 3% of listed species have ever been recovered. As stewards of God’s creation, we must always be mindful of our land and waters, the flora and fauna inhabiting it, and our responsibility as caretakers. When we manage our lands, waters, fields, and forests, we are caring for the homes of the plants and wildlife who reside there. Unfortunately, the ESA is failing on its goal to recover species.

My bill, the ESA Amendments Act of 2025, will implement necessary measures to take the power away from litigious environmental activist groups who openly profit off weaponizing species management and instead give more responsibilities to state, local, and tribal governments who often times have a much better understanding of the species, their needs, and their habitats.

As Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, it is my duty to lead on this issue, and it is immensely important that Congress passes this legislation which will restore commonsense to the species management process and ensure America’s rich, abundant wildlife thrives for generations to come.

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

Washington, D.C.— Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee along with key California Western Caucus members introduced three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to overturn the Biden administration’s approval of California’s vehicle emissions mandates, including the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, the Advance Clean Trucks regulation, and the Omnibus Low-NOx Emissions rule. These rules, previously approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), allow California to impose aggressive regulations on cars and trucks that drive up costs and restrict consumer choice in California and nationwide.

The three CRAs, co-lead by Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), were introduced by Representatives John Joyce (R-PA), John James (R-MI), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and would repeal these unrealistic mandates, preventing California from being able to force these costly policies on its residents and onto the rest of the country.

“California’s sweeping and unachievable emissions mandates are a direct assault on everyone who lives, works, or does business in our state,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “These regulations drive up costs, limit consumer choice, and force trucking and automotive industries into an impossible transition timeline. Californians are already paying some of the highest fuel and energy costs in the country. These rules are causing the cost of new and used cars and trucks to increase for everyone. If you want to buy an electric vehicle, buy one, but everybody else shouldn’t be forced into this mandate. The Federal Government cannot allow one state to destroy the American car and truck market. Instead of making life even more expensive, we should focus on what consumers want. I’m pleased to support this effort to stop California’s insanity and protect drivers and consumers across my state and the country.”

“The American people should choose what vehicle is right for them, not California bureaucrats. By submitting the three California waivers to Congress, Administrator Zeldin is ensuring that Congress has oversight of these major rules that impact every American,” said House Energy and Commerce Chairman Guthrie. “The Committee has been committed to addressing this issue since California first attempted to create a de facto EV mandate. Energy and Commerce Republicans will continue to fight against far-left policies that would harm consumers and will now work to ensure that the Congressional Review Act process finally puts these issues to rest.”

Background

Under the Clean Air Act, states are generally prohibited from setting their own tailpipe emission standards for cars and trucks. However, California has a unique exemption under Section 209, which allows the state to establish its own emissions regulations if it submits a waiver to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and receives approval. Once granted, these California standards can also be adopted by other states under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act. Currently, about a dozen states follow California’s emissions policies, effectively turning the state’s regulations into a nationwide mandate.

The Biden administration approved several controversial waivers requested by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), allowing the state to impose extreme emissions rules that impact car and truck costs and availability across the country. These include:

• Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC2) – Approved in December 2024, this regulation mandates that 35% of new car sales be zero-emission by 2026, increasing to 100% by 2035. At least 12 states have already adopted ACC2. Failure to meet this goal means a maximum penalty of $25,000 per non-compliant vehicle sold to consumers.
• Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) – Approved in March 2023, this regulation forces truck manufacturers and retailers to meet strict zero-emission quotas by 2035, including 55% of Class 2B-3 truck sales, 75% of Class 4-8 straight truck sales, and 40% of truck tractor sales. At least 11 states have adopted ACT.
• Omnibus Low-NOx Emissions Rule – Approved in December 2024, this regulation imposes aggressive emissions reductions on medium- and heavy-duty truck and other engines, requiring NOx emissions to be cut by 75% below current standards for Model Year 2024-2026 compared to 2010 levels and particulate matter emissions to be cut by 50%.

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 Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to repeal the 12% federal excise tax on heavy trucks, the highest excise tax on any product in the country. This outdated tax drives up the cost of new trucks by as much as $30,000, forcing businesses to keep older, less efficient vehicles on the road. The bill, introduced alongside Reps. Pappas (D-NH), LaHood (R-IL), Carbajal (D-CA), and Miller (R-OH), has already earned strong support from industry leaders who recognize the need to modernize America’s trucking fleet. Here’s what they’re saying:

“First implemented over a century ago to help finance America’s effort in World War I, the FET has become the largest excise tax on any product, adding $24,000 to the cost of each new clean-diesel tractor-trailer,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear.  “Keeping this antiquated tax on the books imposes an enormous hardship, particularly for the small fleets, family businesses, and independent truckers who make up the overwhelming majority of trucking. Removing this burden will allow motor carriers to replace their trucks with modern, safer, and cleaner equipment, which will in turn provide a boost to manufacturing jobs.  Our industry is grateful to Reps. LaMalfa, Pappas, LaHood, Carbajal, and Miller for their leadership on this issue to improve highway safety, reduce emissions, and strengthen our economy.”

“The California Trucking Association is grateful to Reps. LaMalfa, Pappas, LaHood, Carbajal, and Miller for recognizing the importance of removing significant financial barriers to fleet modernization,” said Eric Sauer, CEO, California Trucking Association. “By repealing the Federal Excise Tax, Congress is paving the way for the broader adoption of cleaner, more fuel-efficient trucks. This effort will encourage trucking companies across California to invest in state-of-the-art equipment, including zero-emission technologies, supporting both our environmental goals and the continued development of innovative solutions. It’s a win for the environment, the economy, and our industry.”

“The Clean Freight Coalition (CFC) is grateful to Reps. LaMalfa, Pappas, LaHood, Carbajal, and Miller for their leadership on repealing the FET, which will incentivize motor carriers to refresh their fleets with cleaner and safer trucks,” said CFC’s Executive Director Jim Mullen. “There are many pathways to reducing truck emissions, and replacing old equipment with trucks equipped with the most advanced technology provides immediate benefits for the environment, and at the same time protects the resiliency of the supply chain and guards against rising freight costs which are ultimately paid by consumers. The stakeholders represented by the CFC applaud the Sponsors of this bill for their efforts to improve the environment and support the trucking industry.”

“The burdensome 12 percent Federal Excise Tax on the sale of new heavy-duty trucks and trailers is an outdated levy which drives up costs and slows the adoption of safer, more fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Scott Pearson, ATD Chairman and President of Peterbilt of Atlanta. “This onerous tax adds approximately $20,000 to the price of a new diesel truck, and $50,000 to the cost of a new electric truck. America’s truck dealers commend Reps. LaMalfa and Pappas for their leadership on this important issue, which will help motor carriers modernize their fleets and improve road safety.”

“The U.S. tank truck industry needs relief from the outdated Federal Excise Tax—originally imposed more than a century ago to fund World War I,” said Ryan Streblow, President and CEO of National Tank Truck Carriers. “Repealing this 12% tax would empower our industry to reinvest in the specialized equipment we need—equipment that features critical safety enhancements and cleaner-emission power units to serve the U.S. bulk segment. As costs continue to rise, this tax remains a significant barrier to upgrading our fleets and supporting a safer, more sustainable supply chain.”

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 Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to repeal the twelve percent Federal excise tax on heavy trucks with Reps. Pappas (D-NH), LaHood (R-IL), Carbajal (D-CA), and Miller (R-OH). The 12% excise tax on heavy trucks is the highest excise tax levied on any product in the country and could add $15,000 to $30,000 to the cost of new heavy trucks, trailers, semitrailer chassis, and tractors for highway use. Off-highway equipment such as agriculture, earthmoving, forestry, and mining machinery are exempt from the tax. This tax is paid at the time of sale and is not levied on used truck sales, consequentially encouraging the purchase of used vehicles.

“For over a century, the federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks has gone from a temporary wartime measure to fund World War I, to an outdated tax that punishes truck buyers,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “This is the highest percentage-based tax Congress imposes on any product, yet it fails to be a reliable source of funding for the Highway Trust Fund. This tax forces buyers to stick with older, less efficient models and makes it harder for truckers to modernize their rigs, holding back the trucking industry from updating. Let’s repeal this outdated tax and support the men and women who keep America moving.”

“Every potential saving we can deliver to businesses makes a difference to help them operate and lower costs for families,” said Rep. Pappas. “Cutting the federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks and trailers will help America’s Main Street economy grow and strengthen our supply chains, while also supporting the adoption of newer, safer, and cleaner trucks. This legislation is bipartisan and commonsense, and I’ll keep fighting for Congress to take it up to provide immediate relief to small businesses and consumers alike.”

“The Illinois trucking industry is a vital economic driver that impacts agriculture, manufacturing, and small businesses,” said Rep. LaHood. “I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this critical piece of legislation that abolishes the federal excise tax on semi-trucks and trailers. This outdated tax hinders trucking companies from hiring more drivers and upgrading their fleets to cleaner, safer, and more efficient models.”

“Repealing the outdated federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks—which was first enacted over a century ago—is essential to modernize our transportation sector and help reduce emissions,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This outdated tax drives up the costs of cleaner, more efficient trucks. By eliminating this financial barrier, we can accelerate fleet turnover, enhance road safety, and promote economic growth while supporting American manufacturing and jobs. I am glad to join this effort to pave the way for a cleaner, safer, and more competitive industry.”

“America’s truckers work hard to keep our economy moving, but outdated policies like this federal excise tax on heavy trucks and trailers make it harder for them to upgrade to safer, more reliable equipment,” said Rep. Miller. “By eliminating this excessive tax, we can empower small trucking businesses to invest in modern trucks, reduce costs, and improve safety on our highways. Supporting our truckers means ensuring they have access to the tools they need to keep goods moving efficiently in our communities.” 

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 Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH) led 38 House Democrats in condemning President Trump’s executive order targeting the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) responsible for coordinating the federal response to homelessness. In a letter to President Donald Trump, the lawmakers called on the Trump Administration to rescind the executive order and to discontinue all executive actions that serve to exacerbate the nation’s fair and affordable housing and homelessness crisis.

“The issuance of an EO declaring current components and functions of the USICH as elements of the federal government that “the President has determined are unnecessary” during an all-hands-on-deck homelessness crisis is nonsensical,” wrote the lawmakers. “This decision follows your Administration’s abrupt discontinuance of an unprecedented number of [Continuum of Care] technical assistance contracts through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) without any remedial efforts to offset the loss to CoCs coordinating housing and services for people experiencing homelessness.”

“Your Administration’s EO undermining the work of USICH, and other federal agencies and departments, is irrational and counterproductive to federal efforts to address homelessness across the nation,” the lawmakers continued. “Therefore, we urge you to rescind the EO and respond to this letter with your plans to strengthen USICH’s independent, interagency mission and work with Congress to provide adequate funding and support for federal agencies, programs, and partners working to address the nation’s fair and affordable housing crisis.”

Since the inauguration of President Trump, Congressman Cleaver has fought to protect federal housing programs from deep and reckless cuts being illegally imposed by Elon Musk and DOGE. In February, Cleaver launched the Congressional Public Housing Caucus to serve as a dedicated resource for Members of Congress to help defend and strengthen public housing nationwide. Last month, as co-chair of the CPHC, Cleaver condemned the Trump Administration and DOGE for their efforts to eliminate HUD initiatives, programs, and personnel essential to public housing, calling on Secretary Turner to provide a detailed analysis of the impact of such cuts. Last week, Cleaver joined Senator Alex Padilla to lead more than 100 congressional Democrat in denouncing cuts to HUD Field Offices nationwide.

The official letter from lawmakers is available here.

 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) today led Reps. Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36) and David Valadao (CA-22) in reintroducing the Armenian Genocide Education Act to promote accurate and effective education about the Armenian Genocide during which the lives of 1.5 million Armenians and hundreds of thousands of Assyrians, Greeks, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians were lost at the hands of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th Century.

The Armenian Genocide Education Act establishes a new program in the Library of Congress tasked with developing resources, including digital resources, to foster understanding of why and how the Armenian Genocide happened. These resources will be incorporated into curricula at schools across the country. The bill authorizes $2 million annually for the program over five years and allows the Library of Congress to supplement this funding with private donations.

“By equipping students with educational resources to understand the Armenian Genocide, this bill combats genocide denialism while honoring the memory of the victims,” said Rep. Titus. “This bill is a commitment to truth, justice, and the power of education to build a more informed and compassionate world for future generations.”

“Our darkest moments as a human race have come during times when those who knew better stood silently, making excuses for passivity and allowing injustice and persecution to reign. We must acknowledge the atrocities of the past so that we might hopefully prevent them in the future,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “One of the best ways to achieve this goal is through education and awareness, which is why I am proud to co-lead the Armenian Genocide Education Act again.

“The Armenian Genocide caused the loss of over 1.5 million lives at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, and it’s crucial that dark chapter isn’t forgotten,” said Rep. Valadao. “Teaching Americans about this tragedy is essential, and as the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I’m proud to support this effort to strengthen educational efforts and reaffirm our commitment to truth and remembrance.”

“The Armenian Genocide was a horrific manifestation of evil,” said Rep. Lieu. “Though we cannot go back 110 years to prevent the senseless killing of roughly 1.5 million Armenians, we can use education to ensure the victims are never forgotten. The horrors of this atrocity have left a lasting impact on Armenia and its diaspora. It is imperative that we ensure future generations learn about this massacre so nothing like it can ever happen again. I am pleased to join Congresswoman Titus and my Congressional colleagues in co-leading the Armenian Genocide Education Act to provide resources for Armenian Genocide education.”

“We welcome today’s reintroduction of the Armenian Genocide Education Act – a much-needed measure to ensure that American students learn the truth about the Armenian Genocide and the enduring lessons of this still unpunished crime against humanity,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

“As we solemnly remember the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and tirelessly work to reverse the Artsakh Genocide of 2023, we stand with Armenians worldwide in thanking Congresswoman Titus for her leadership in spearheading this Act and in expressing our appreciation to Representatives Bilirakis, Lieu, and Valadao for joining with her in this bipartisan genocide education and prevention initiative.”

Background

Between 1915 and 1923, 1.5 million Armenians, and hundreds of thousands of Assyrians, Greeks, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians were systematically slaughtered at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Millions more were displaced and forced to start anew. For more than a century, nations failed to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide because of their relationship with Turkey. As of 2023, 31 United Nations member states had formally recognized the genocide, along with Pope Francis and the European Parliament. On April 24, 2021, President Joe Biden declared the United States’ formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) and Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) today introduced the Housing Vouchers Fairness Act to increase the number of vouchers allocated to fast-growing states such as Nevada and Arizona to lower rental housing costs. Reps. Greg Stanton (D-AZ) and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) are original co-sponsors of this legislation.

“The number of Affordable Housing Choice Vouchers has lagged behind increased demand in fast-growing cities such as those in Southern Nevada,” Rep. Titus said. “Access to affordable, clean and safe rental housing is one of our most pressing issues. This bill directs HUD to provide funding for additional vouchers to the 25 fastest-growing metropolitan areas of 100,000 people or more. I will continue working to ensure housing is treated as a right, not a privilege.”

“Growing up, I watched my single mom work tirelessly to afford a safe apartment for my sisters and me. But for too many Arizonans, no matter how hard they work, rents continue to rise and the only hope for assistance is at the end of a years-long waitlist,” said Senator Gallego. “My bill finally addresses the disparities in the federal housing voucher program so that more Arizonans can get into safe, affordable homes. This is just the first step in my fight to bring down housing costs in Arizona and across the country.”

“The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) supports the reintroduction of the Housing Vouchers Fairness Act and the authorization of an additional $2 billion in funding to HUD for the Housing Choice Voucher program,” said Lewis Jordan, Executive Director of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority. “Our organization works to provide safe and affordable housing which we feel is foundational for strong families and strong communities.  Increasing access to vouchers in fast-growing and high-cost communities ensures that working families have the opportunity for better employment, better education, and better opportunities, rather than struggle to provide basic needs for their children or elderly loved ones.”

“The Nevada Housing Coalition supports the reintroduction of the Housing Voucher Fairness Act. This legislation takes a meaningful step toward correcting deep-rooted inequities in the distribution of housing assistance.

Communities like Southern Nevada; one of the fastest-growing regions in the country continue to face tremendous challenges due to outdated funding formulas that simply don’t reflect current population growth or housing market realities,” said Maurice Page, Nevada Housing Coalition Executive Director. “This investment is not just about vouchers, it’s about giving families a fair shot at stability, dignity, and opportunity. We commend Representative Titus for championing this effort and remain committed to working alongside federal leaders to ensure housing resources reach the communities that need them most.”

“We commend Congresswoman Titus for taking thoughtful steps to address Nevada’s growing housing affordability challenges,” said Robin Crawford, executive director of the Nevada State Apartment Association. “This legislation reflects a practical approach to strengthening the housing voucher program in a way that supports both residents in need and the housing providers who serve them. We look forward to continued collaboration with Representative Titus and other leaders to ensure meaningful progress on this critical issue.”

“The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) supports the reintroduction of the Housing Vouchers Fairness Act, which will expand access to rental assistance by increasing the number of HUD housing vouchers allocated to states,” said the National Association of REALTORS®.  “Ensuring more families have access to safe, stable housing is critical to begin addressing our nation’s affordability crisis. REALTORS® are committed to advancing policies that promote housing stability, affordability, and fairness, and we thank Congresswoman Titus for introducing this important legislation.”

Background

The Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, is the federal government’s major program for assisting low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled with affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.

Currently, HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program does not meet Southern Nevada’s demand for affordable rental housing because the number of available vouchers has not kept pace with the state’s growing population. Currently, the federal formulas that allocate vouchers are based on outdated population calculations dating back to the 2000 census.

Clark County, NV, with a population of 2.3 million, has just over 12,500 vouchers available for residents. The city of Chicago, with a population of 2.6 million, has 47,000 vouchers, nearly four times the amount. From 2012 to 2022, Clark County’s population increased by 333,341 (16.75%), according to the US Census Bureau. There is currently a waitlist of 27,000 applicants for vouchers in Southern Nevada. 

The Housing Vouchers Fairness Act corrects this disparity by authorizing an additional $2 billion in funding for HUD for the Housing Choice Voucher program to ensure the public housing authorities that represent the country’s 25 fastest-growing areas with a population of over 100,000 have enough vouchers to meet the needs of their populations.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Congresswoman Dina Titus is leading a letter signed by 127 members of the House of Representatives urging President Trump to reconsider his executive order dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

“Eliminating the IMLS would deprive millions of Americans of the educational resources they need to succeed in today’s society,” Congresswoman Titus said. “Libraries and museums are part of the cultural bedrock of this nation, driving learning, innovation, and community engagement. We should be enhancing museum and library services — not decimating them.”

“Libraries and museums are critical to local communities, providing educational and other services to people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “The proposal to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services is unacceptable. I’ve heard from many Oregonians and local institutions with grave concerns about losing this necessary stream of funding. Closing IMLS will hurt the American people for years to come, and we will fight every step of the way to save it.”

The full text of the letter to President Trump is as follows:

We write to express our deep concern over the proposed elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the devastating impact such cuts would have on communities throughout the country. 

The IMLS is the only federal agency dedicated to supporting America’s museums and libraries. Operating in all 50 states and U.S. territories, it plays a vital role in strengthening these institutions which serve as essential educational, cultural, and economic pillars in our communities. From early literacy programs and STEM education initiatives to high-speed internet access and job training resources, funding for the IMLS enables libraries and museums to provide critical services to millions of Americans. The loss of this funding would be particularly devastating for rural, tribal, and other underserved communities that rely heavily on these institutions for access to learning resources, workforce development, and technological infrastructure.

Beyond their valuable contributions to education and social development, museums and libraries also serve as significant economic drivers. The American Alliance of Museums reports that museums alone contribute more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy each year and support over 726,000 jobs. Museums have immense power to draw tourism and foot traffic to other local businesses and revitalize communities. For every $1 that museums and other nonprofit cultural organizations receive in government funding, they return more than $5 in tax revenue. They also have broad public support, with 96% of Americans wanting to maintain or increase federal funding for museums.   Libraries similarly generate economic returns through workforce training programs, small business support, and research services. Nearly all of the approximately 17,000 public libraries across the nation offer Wi-Fi access at no charge, and in 2019, Americans accessed the Internet using library computers close to 224 million times.  This includes millions of students who lack adequate broadband access at home and rely on libraries to complete their homework.  Despite this, IMLS funding accounts for a mere 0.0046% of the federal budget, an incredibly modest investment relative to the immense benefits these institutions provide.

Eliminating the IMLS would not only jeopardize these essential services but also dismiss the everyday needs of millions of Americans who rely on libraries and museums for learning, job opportunities, and community engagement. We urge the Administration to reconsider this decision and recognize the far-reaching impact of IMLS funding. Maintaining and strengthening federal support for museums and libraries is not just an investment in cultural preservation, it is an investment in education, innovation, and economic growth.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to working with you to ensure that America’s libraries and museums continue to thrive and serve the public.