Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Reps John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03) reintroduced the bicameral HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act to address America’s housing crisis. 

Since 1992, the state of California has received over $5.7 billion from the HOME program as it built or preserved 125,167 homes benefiting 48,499 families. This bill will increase the amount of federal funds available for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Companion legislation in the U.S. Senate is led by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (NV). 

“While Republicans are cutting critical housing funding and evicting families, Democrats are focused on building new homes for working Americans,” said Representative Garamendi. “The Bay Area is facing a housing crisis where minimum wage workers must work nearly 96 hours a week to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment. This is unacceptable. This bill reauthorizes the HOME Investment Partnerships Program to provide states and local governments with the funding to construct and rehabilitate affordable rental housing and provide homeownership opportunities for working families. I’m thankful to Senator Cortez Masto for introducing the companion legislation in the Senate, and we will work every day to ensure this bill passes.” 

“For over thirty years, the HOME program has provided critical funding for states to tackle the ever-growing housing crisis that is afflicting our country,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “From young professionals looking to grow their family, to seniors that need critical home repairs, hardworking Ohioans deserve safe, affordable housing – and this legislation makes it possible. I am proud to join Senator Cortez Masto and Congressman Garamendi in counteracting Republican-led attempts to cut critical housing funding for the American people. Instead, this legislation authorizes ample funding for the HOME program for the next five years; powering Ohio housing equality forward.” 

The HOME program is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments to create affordable housing for low-income households. Since 1992, HOME has supported a wide variety of housing needs, from financing new construction and home repairs to funding down payment and rental assistance. It also provides additional funding to housing developments financed by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, helping the program serve more extremely low-income people including seniors, veterans, those experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities. 

The program was last reauthorized in 1994 and needs critical updates to better address today’s housing crisis. 

This bill, the HOME act, would: 

• Authorize $5 billion in HOME funding for fiscal year 2025 and boost the funding for the program five percent annually through 2029. This legislation would address chronic underfunding of the affordable housing investment program.
• Improve HOME’s ability to provide down payment assistance to homebuyers and home repair assistance to homeowners.
• Enable HOME funds to support Community Land Trusts and other shared equity homeownership programs.
• Increase access to HOME funds for nonprofits and provide state and local governments loan guarantee options that would allow them to leverage their future HOME funds for investments today. 

The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (MD), John Fetterman (PA), Michael Bennet (CO), Jacky Rosen (NV), Tina Smith (MN), and Chris Van Hollen (MD), and Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Andre Carson (IN-7), Judy Chu (CA-28), Dwight Evans (PA-3), Bill Foster (IL-11), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia Velázquez (NY-7), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). 

The bill is also supported by the National Council of State Housing Agencies, Institute of Real Estate Management, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, National Association of Realtors, Enterprise Community Partners, National Apartment Association, National Multifamily Housing Council, National NeighborWorks Association, National Community Development Association, National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations, National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies, Council of State Community Development Agencies, National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Grounded Solutions Network, and Habitat for Humanity. 

You can find the full bill text HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced the introduction of his annual National Women’s History Month Resolution. This legislation honors the often-forgotten contributions of women and our nation’s work to add women’s stories to our historical record. Thompson introduces this resolution each year to mark March as Women’s History Month and to spotlight our district’s critical contributions to the cause. 

“Women’s history is the foundation for our nation’s history, but far too often it is forgotten and overlooked. In the 1970s, women in our district sought to right this wrong by forming the Education Taskforce of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women. This group started a Women’s History Week, leading an effort that became a national movement and eventually established Women’s History Month,” said Thompson. “Each year, I am honored to introduce a Congressional Resolution marking Women’s History Month and honoring our district’s critical role in the movement. Now more than ever, we must continue adding the stories of women to our national consciousness.”

“When we began our work 45 years ago, the greatest obstacle to women’s history was lack of information. Today, the challenge is more dangerous — women’s history is seen as powerful, and with that power comes fear, resistance, and distortion,” said Molly Murphy MacGregor, Co-Founder of the National Women’s History Alliance. 

BACKGROUND

Women’s History Month has its origin in California’s Fourth District. In 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women coordinated a “Women’s History Week” during the week of March 8th to correspond with International Women’s Day. In 1980, a group of Sonoma County women founded the National Women’s History Project (NWHP) in Santa Rosa, California. The goal of this organization was to highlight and recognize the historical national achievements made by women. 

In partnership with other women advocacy groups and historians, the NWHP successfully lobbied for national recognition in 1980, with President Jimmy Carter declaring the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. After this accomplishment, the NWHP began advocating for the entire month of March to be designated as Women’s History Month. Seven years later, Congress officially passed legislation designating the entire month of March as Women’s History Month. Every year since, Women’s History Month has been recognized in March to uplift and celebrate the incredible contributions and accomplishments of American women.

The theme of National Women’s History Month 2025 is ‘‘Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” Click here to read the resolution. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05) reintroduced the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) Reauthorization Act. This legislation will improve the management of spectrum and update the mission and functions of the agency.

With Congress recently providing NTIA with $42.8 billion to address broadband deployment and digital equity and inclusion, the NTIA Reauthorization Act would give NTIA the tools to be successful in their mission and ensure American tax dollars are not wasted.

“Since NTIA was last reauthorized over three decades ago, the pace of technological innovation has accelerated exponentially,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “From spectrum governance to the digital economy, NTIA must be empowered to keep America the vanguard of global tech leadership. The bipartisan NTIA Reauthorization Act modernizes NTIA’s mission and provides new tools to ensure the agency can keep up with the pace of innovation.”

“NTIA plays a role in closing the digital divide for Americans who lack basic broadband Internet access, and it is the responsibility of Congress to re-evaluate these duties and ensure the agency has the tools and guidance to appropriately carry them out,” said Congressman Latta. “As the former Chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I’m pleased to reintroduce this legislation to reauthorize the NTIA for the first time in 30 years. This important, bipartisan legislation I’m leading with my colleague, Congresswoman Matsui, will help the agency carry out their mission to connect more Americans while ensuring taxpayer dollars are not wasted.”

Congressman Matsui and Congressman Latta introduced the NTIA Resolution in the last Congress, where it successfully passed the House of Representatives.

Background on the NTIA:

NTIA plays a significant role in closing the digital divide, managing our nation’s spectrum, and advocating the United States’ telecommunications position on the world stage. NTIA has not been reauthorized since 1992, causing it to fall behind in new tools and direction to carry out the mission of connecting all Americans and finally closing the digital divide.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12), Vice Chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI-05), reintroduced the Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced (FUTURE) Networks Act, legislation that directs the FCC to bring together industry leaders, public interest groups and government experts to establish a 6G Task Force.

“To keep America at the vanguard of wireless communications technology, we need to be proactive in our preparations for the next generation of networks,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “6G holds the potential to revolutionize connectivity, support smart transport, and supercharge augmented reality applications for education, healthcare, and manufacturing. The race to 6G isn’t just about faster phones – it’s about national security, economic security, and America’s standing on the international stage. The FUTURE Networks Act will bring together experts within the communications industry, academia, public interest organizations, and government to accelerate U.S. leadership in next-generation communications.” 

“6G is the future of telecommunications and we must ensure the United States is a global leader in this emerging technology,” said Congressman Allen. “Just like in the business world, we want the best, most qualified individuals to have a seat at the table. By establishing a 6G Task Force, we can bring together America’s brightest industry leaders, stakeholders, and innovators to collaborate on the future deployment of 6G and strengthening our wireless networks. As Vice Chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I am proud to co-lead the FUTURE Networks Act this Congress.” 

“Our economic and national security depend on the United States remaining the leader in wireless technology,” said Congressman Walberg. “I am proud to partner with Representatives Matsui and Allen to introduce this vital legislation which brings stakeholders together to continue to strengthen our networks to protect them from cyberattacks, improve wireless security, and promote innovation. The FUTURE Networks Act will better prepare us for the future deployment of next-generation 6G networks.”

Specifically, the FUTURE Networks Act:

• Requires the FCC to establish a 6G Task Force comprised of industry, government, and public interest representatives to issue a report on:
  • The role of standards setting bodies in 6G
  • Possible use cases for 6G technology
  • Potential threats such as supply chain or cybersecurity, and;
  • Interagency coordination and promoting deployment

Full text of the bill is available HERE. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ami Bera (D-CA)

Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera (CA-06), Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, joined Ranking Member Jim Himes and all committee Democrats in a letter to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, calling for the Intelligence Community to conduct an independent investigation into the Signal group chat in which participants discussed detailed plans for an impending U.S. military attack on Houthi terrorists in Yemen. 

The letter follows the Committee’s Worldwide Threats hearing, during which DNI Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe answered questions about their participation in the chat. 

“Since you and other intelligence community leaders testified about the group chat before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence last Wednesday, there have been new developments,” the 11 Members wrote. “First, the bipartisan leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee requested the Acting Inspector General of the Department of Defense conduct an inquiry into the facts and circumstances of the chat. Second, the Wall Street Journal, citing multiple U.S. officials, reported that a key American ally ‘provided sensitive intelligence from a human source in Yemen on a key Houthi military operative’ who was targeted in the U.S. military attack; that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz sent texts on the Signal chain following the attack—noting the U.S. had ‘positive ID’ that the building in which the operative was located had collapsed—that may have been linked to information from that source; and that the U.S. ally complained to the United States that Mr. Waltz’s texts had become public. The Wall Street Journal’s reporting, if accurate, is deeply concerning.”

The Members continued: “These developments underscore the need for the intelligence community, under your leadership, to conduct a parallel inquiry into the chat, to complement the congressionally-requested inquiry by the DOD IG and the inquiry that is—according to your testimony—apparently being conducted by the National Security Council.”

The full list of signers includes Representatives Ami Bera (CA-06), Jim Himes (CT-04), André Carson (IN-07), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Jason Crow (CO-06), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) and Mike Quigley (IL-05).The full text of the letter is available here.

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ami Bera (D-CA)

Today, the Congressional Doctors Caucus released the following statement condemning RFK Jr.’s proposed mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), warning of devastating consequences for public health and safety.

“Eliminating 25% of HHS staff, including scientists and researchers, weakens our ability to combat disease outbreaks, ensure food and drug safety, and advance life-saving medical innovations. These cuts come as we are facing active threats to our public health, including a rapidly expanding measles outbreak and a deadly bird flu outbreak. Weakening these agencies at such a critical time threatens public health, slows medical innovation, and puts millions of American lives at risk. The American people deserve a government that protects them, not one that abandons them.”

Background

According to an HHS fact sheet, the 20,000 eliminated positions include:

• 3,500 FDA employees, reducing the agency’s capacity to review and approve life-saving medications, monitor food safety, and regulate medical devices.

• 2,400 CDC employees, with the agency’s role drastically narrowed to epidemic response, undermining efforts to prevent chronic diseases, track opioid overdoses, and address vaccine hesitancy.

The Congressional Doctors Caucus is calling for an immediate reversal of these dangerous layoffs and for the Republican leadership in Congress to take action to protect Americans’ public health.

Members of the caucus include:

• Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) – Internal Medicine

• Herb Conaway Jr., M.D. (NJ-03) – Internal Medicine

• Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) – Pulmonary & Critical Care 

• Kelly Morrison, M.D. (MN-03) – Obstetrics & Gynecology

• Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) – Emergency Medicine 

• Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) – Pediatrics

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ami Bera (D-CA)

Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) held a press conference alongside Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon to address the devastating impacts of the Trump Administration’s sweeping federal education cuts on Sacramento-area schools.

The event followed a roundtable discussion with local education leaders, who shared firsthand how these proposed cuts would affect students, educators, and their school communities. 

“These reckless cuts threaten the future of our children,” said Representative Bera. “We’re talking about slashing support for our most vulnerable students – those with disabilities, English learners, and children from low-income families. President Trump’s executive order to eliminate the Department of Education is illegal. I’m committed to doing everything I can in Congress to stop these cuts, and work with community leaders to protect our public schools and stand up for students and families across Sacramento County.”

“Federal funding helps us support our all students, and especially our students with disabilities, our homeless students, and our early learning initiatives—so they can get the right start in their learning early on,” said Superintendent Gordon. “But when families are fearful and uncertain about potential budget reductions and immigration actions, efforts to improve learning take a backseat. This is about protecting our families, our people, and our communities—and ensuring that our schools can fulfill their mission to help our students learn the skills they will need to be good citizens and contributing members of our community. We will fight for our kids, and we will make sure they are protected—and that they build the skills necessary to succeed in college and careers. ”

Federal education funding plays a critical role in supporting Sacramento County’s public and charter schools, which serve more than 250,000 students, including:

• 62% who are socioeconomically disadvantaged

• 18.1% who are English learners

• 13.6% who are students with disabilities

• 3.7% who are experiencing homelessness

Key impacts of the proposed cuts include:

• More than $63 million in special education funding through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

• Over $403 million in Title funding and COVID-19 relief aid

• In CA-06 alone, an estimated $92 million in Title I funding—supporting schools with high numbers of low-income students—could be slashed, potentially resulting in the loss of 1,395 teachers

• Reductions to Title II, III and IV programs, which support teacher training, English learners, student wellness and educational technology

If you or your community are directly impacted by these proposed education cuts and would like to share your story, please visit here to report how these changes are affecting you.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ami Bera (D-CA)

Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) joined the Democratic Members of the California Congressional Delegation in demanding the United States Department of Agriculture reverse harmful federal program cancelations and freezes impacting state food banks and farmers. 

Despite encompassing less than 4% of the country’s farmland, California generates over 11% of the U.S. agricultural value; over a third of the country’s vegetables and over three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts are grown in California.  The Trump Administration’s discontinuation of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreements for 2025, the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Cooperative Agreement Program, and the freeze of the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) funds threatens the livelihoods of more than 600 California farmers and jeopardizes food assistance for more than six million Californians.  A network of 49 food banks, serving 58 counties in California, have already seen over 300 food loads paused or cancelled. 

“These programs provide critical support to farmers and food producers in California while ensuring access to nutritious, locally sourced food for families, students, and communities, which we feel are in line with this Administration’s stated goals to provide more opportunities for Americans to eat healthy, support farmers, and boost domestic demand for produce,” wrote the Members.  “We remain committed to working with USDA to find solutions that sustain and expand market access for American farmers while ensuring that families and communities continue to benefit from fresh, locally produced food. We respectfully request that you revisit these decisions in light of the millions of our constituents who would be impacted.”

Additional signers of the letter include: Reps. Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Adam Gray (CA-13), Josh Harder (CA-09), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Scott Peters (CA-50), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Norma Torres (CA-35), Derek Tran (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Maxine Waters (CA-43), and George Whitesides (CA-27).

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Madam Secretary, 

We write regarding recent decisions to discontinue the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Cooperative Agreements for 2025, the Local Food for Schools (LFS) Cooperative Agreement Program, and the freeze of the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) funds. These programs benefit producers of all sizes, expand market opportunities, and increase resilience in our local food systems, particularly as farmers continue to navigate rising input costs and economic uncertainty. With these cancellations, more than 600 California farmers will lose a vital market, and families and children will lose an important lifeline and access to healthy, locally grown food. We request and encourage you to reverse this decision and continue to fully fund and support these important initiatives. 

As Members of the California Delegation, we proudly represent the farmers and producers that contribute to California’s agricultural abundance and the nation’s food supply. Despite encompassing less than 4% of the country’s farmland, California generates over 11% of the U.S. agricultural value; over a third of the country’s vegetables and over three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts are grown in California. It is important that this Administration continues to support California producers and bolster their access to local markets. 

Given the significant role that USDA plays in bolstering local and regional agricultural supply chains in California and across the country, we urge your reconsideration of the discontinuation of the LFPA Cooperative Agreements for 2025 and LFS Cooperative Agreement Program. As you know, LFPA strengthens agricultural supply chains by facilitating the purchase of regionally grown food, while LFS helps schools and childcare facilities provide fresh, local options to students. These programs provide critical support to farmers and food producers in California while ensuring access to nutritious, locally sourced food for families, students, and communities, which we feel are in line with this Administration’s stated goals to provide more opportunities for Americans to eat healthy, support farmers, and boost domestic demand for produce. 

Additionally, both the freeze and cancellation of TEFAP funds will significantly impact our state’s food banks who partner with their network of churches, schools, and food pantries. As of the writing of this letter, we are aware that food banks across the state have had over 300 food loads paused or cancelled across the network of 49 food banks for distribution to eligible individuals and households within 58 counties. This means less food than expected for food banks who are serving more than 6 million Californians each month. 

We remain committed to working with USDA to find solutions that sustain and expand market access for American farmers while ensuring that families and communities continue to benefit from fresh, locally produced food. We respectfully request that you revisit these decisions in light of the millions of our constituents who would be impacted. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we look forward to your response. 

Sincerely,

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) issued the following statement after President Trump signed an Executive Order dismantling the Department of Education.

“President Trump’s action today threatens the greatest investment we as a country can make in our future – public education. Across the country, students are struggling, with a recent study finding that more than two-thirds of eighth graders can’t read at grade level. We should be directing more funding to our schools to meet these challenges to support our nation’s students and families. Instead, Trump is stealing resources from tens of millions of students, including those with disabilities, in underserved schools, and who need help affording higher education, all as part of an effort to give even more tax cuts to billionaires and his ultrawealthy donors.

Let’s be clear – abolishing a federal agency requires an act of Congress, and we will fight this blatantly illegal order in the courts. As a senior member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, I urge my Republican colleagues to stand up for the thousands of students, teachers, and families in their districts who will be harmed by this reckless action and fight back with us.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced he will host a roundtable discussion on the harm of Republicans’ proposed cuts to Medicaid on Tuesday, March 18^th at 4:00 p.m. PT at the George Miller Center-Concord. He will be joined by medical experts and advocates to discuss how these cuts would harm the 130,000+ people on Medicaid in the district he represents who are at risk of losing their health care under the Republican budget. The roundtable is open to press.

Immediately following the roundtable, Congressman DeSaulnier and the roundtable participants will hold a press conference at 4:20 p.m. to take questions. 

WHO: Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, Contra Costa County District 5
Sascha Bittner, Disability Advocate, Member of the National Council on Disability
Dr. Brian Blaisch, Pediatrician, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
Kausha King, Director of Leadership and Programs, Family Resource Navigators
Dr. Gabriela Sullivan, Contra Costa Health Ambulatory Medical Director
Dr. Josie Urbina, UCSF Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology 

WHEN: TUESDAY, March 18, at 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: George Miller Center-Concord, 3020 Grant St, Concord, CA 94520

RSVP: Please RSVP to Mairead Glowacki at (202) 760-1365 or mairead.glowacki@mail.house.gov