Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — At today’s annual Worldwide Threats Assessment hearing before the House Intelligence Committee, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi confronted top U.S. intelligence officials over the exposure of classified military information in their Signal chat, highlighting that the senior Trump Administration officials on the chat lied to the public and withheld key information in claiming no classified information was shared in the unauthorized, insecure setting. During his question line, Congressman Krishnamoorthi repeated his call for a full investigation into potential ongoing security breaches by senior officials and demanded the immediate resignation of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

During his line of questioning, Rep. Krishnamoorthi cited Executive Order 13526 and the Department of Defense’s classification manual, both of which clearly define military operations, weapon systems, and strike planning as classified information. Despite repeated assertions by Trump Administration officials—including Secretary Hegseth and President Trump—that no classified information was shared, the text of the Signal chat unequivocally met the threshold for classification through Secretary Hegseth’s sharing of strike timings, F-18 and MQ-9 drone deployments, and known terrorist target details.

“This is classified information – it’s a weapon system as well as sequence of strikes as well as details about the operations,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “And so, I think that just piggybacking off of what some other members have said, using the DoD’s manual as well as the executive order in operation today with the Trump Administration, this text message is clearly classified information. Secretary Hegseth has disclosed military plans as well as classified information. He needs to resign immediately. He needs to resign immediately, and a full investigation needs to be undertaken with regard to whether other similar Signal chats are occurring in this administration.”

WATCH HERE

Congressman Krishnamoorthi questions senior Trump Administration intelligence community officials

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – During an interview tonight on MSNBC’s All In with Chris Hayes, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, sharply criticized the Trump Administration’s exposure of highly sensitive, imminent military plans through senior officials carelessly including a journalist on a group chat in violation of security standards for such discussions. Congressman Krishnamoorthi was the first Member of Congress to call for the investigation when the news broke on Tuesday, when Atlantic Editor in Chief Jeffrey Goldberg published an article revealing he had been mistakenly added to the Signal chat on which Secretary of Defense Hegseth disclosed secret war plans.

The interview comes ahead of tomorrow’s 2025 Annual Worldwide Threats Assessment hearing, during which the Director of National Intelligence, CIA Director, and other top American intelligence officials are set to testify before the House Intelligence Committee.

Calling the use of unsecured messaging platforms for sensitive national security discussions “dangerous” and “unconscionable,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi warned that the failure of the officials to take responsibility “means that this is going to happen,” in the absence of forceful oversight.

“The spinning and the refusal to acknowledge gross negligence here means this could happen again — at senior levels or by younger personnel who take cues from their superiors,” he said. “This endangers America because our adversaries will get a hold of this information, and our sons and daughters in uniform will be at risk.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi also drew parallels between the mishandling of national secrets and the casual treatment of Americans’ personal data by Elon Musk, DOGE, and others in the Trump Administration. “It’s part of a pattern — of kind of careless treatment of people’s information and the nation’s information, and its secrets. And it’s going to come back to bite us.”

Footage of the full interview is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) has re-introduced H.R. 2411, the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act, with Rep. André Carson (IN-07), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT). This bill will end the congressionally and administratively mandated pause on funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). 

The United States has historically been one of the largest financial supporters of UNRWA, which serves nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees across the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. In March of last year, the U.S. paused UNRWA funding after the Israeli government alleged that 12 agency employees had direct involvement in Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack. 

Following the United Nations’ investigation and proactive commitments made by UNRWA toward complete accountability and reform, all countries except the U.S. have resumed their UNRWA funding, including the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Finland, Germany, Japan, and Sweden. 

Humanitarian aid and supplies have not entered the Gaza Strip since March 2, when the Israeli authorities imposed a siege. Reports show that supplies are depleting at alarming rates, which could cause deaths from malnutrition and starvation. Several bakeries have already shut down after running out of cooking gas, and the U.N. World Food Programme reports that its flour supplies can only support bread production for five more day. UNRWA has served as the primary humanitarian aid organization operating in Gaza, and without funding, hundreds of thousands of Gaza civilians are left vulnerable.

“For decades, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been a lifeline for Palestinians throughout the Middle East, providing food, clean water, health care, shelter, education, and livelihoods. UNRWA has provided essential support to those in Gaza throughout the Israel-Hamas war and dire humanitarian crisis. UNRWA and the United Nations have taken swift and decisive actions to address the concerns raised by the U.S. government when it paused funding last year and our allies have long ago resumed funding for UNRWA. The U.S. must follow suit and finally resume funding for this critical humanitarian agency,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I am proud to co-lead the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act to restore funding to UNRWA and help Gazans get the humanitarian assistance they need at a time of unprecedented crisis.”

“The scale of this devastating, man-made crisis in Gaza cannot be overstated,” said Congressman André Carson. “Providing humanitarian aid to a starving nation – with funding Congress has appropriated year after year – should not be controversial. We need to end this blockade and restore full humanitarian funding to UNRWA. I urge my colleagues who care about basic human rights, the rights of pregnant women, and the wellbeing of innocent children to join our bill. It’s past time we restore funding and save lives.”

“For decades, UNRWA has played a unique and integral role in supporting the welfare of Palestinian refugees,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “The organization’s on-the-ground understanding is invaluable to ensuring that humanitarian aid makes it to the people who need it most — in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and critically in this moment, in Gaza. Permanently revoking funding for UNRWA will unquestionably lead to more devastation and loss of life in Gaza and throughout the Middle East. We must restore U.S. funding to UNRWA to ensure that those acting in good faith to save civilian lives have the necessary resources to continue their irreplaceable work.”

“Since day one of this conflict, UNRWA has proven to be the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza. It is unacceptable that the funding pause has gone on this long—the civilian populations of Gaza and the West Bank are paying the price. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to intensify, support for humanitarian aid is more important than ever,” said Senator Peter Welch. “Congress must pass this legislation to ensure UNRWA can safely deliver humanitarian assistance to starving women, children, and families desperate for food, medicine, and shelter.”

Below is a list of all endorsing organizations:

National Organizations: 99 Coalition, American Friends Service Committee, Amnesty International USA, Amnesty International USA, Carolina Peace Center , Historians for Peace and Democracy, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), Center for Constitutional Rights, Center for Constitutional Rights, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Center for International Policy Advocacy, Center for Jewish Nonviolence, Charity & Security Network, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), CODEPINK, Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces, Demand Progress, Doctors Against Genocide, DSA, End Wars Working Group of Progressive Democrats of America , Episcopal Peace Fellowship Palestine Israel Network, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Friends Committee on National Legislation , Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA), George Devendorf, Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, Health Advocacy International, Hindus for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, IfNotNow Movement, International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN), International Refugee Assistance Project, J Street, Jahalin Solidarity, Jahalin Solidarity, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Justice4palestinians, MADRE, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Medglobal , Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC), Migrant Roots Media, MoveOn, MPower Change Action Fund, Muslim Advocates, Muslims United PAC, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, National Council of Churches, New Jewish Narrative, No Dem Left Behind , Nonviolent Peaceforce, NRC USA, Partners for Progressive Israel, Pax Christi USA, Peace Action, Poligon Education Fund, Presbyterian Church, (USA), Office of Public Witness, Quincy Institute, ReThinking Foreign Policy, ReThinking Foreign Policy, RootsAction.org, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team, Terre des hommes Lausanne, The Borgen Project, The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP), United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR), UNRWA USA National Committee, USCPR Action, Win Without War, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, US Section (WILPF US), Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation 

State and Local Organizations:  Al Otro Lado, Atlanta Multifaith Coalition for Palestine (AMCP), Barry University, Brooklyn For Peace, Carolyn Eisenberg, Ceasefire Now NJ, Christian Jewish Allies for a just peace for Israel Palestine, Church Women United in New York State, Delawareans for Palestinian Human Rights, Florida Peace & Justice Alliance, FOSNA Pittsburgh , Greater Dayton Peace Coalition, Houston for Palestine Coalition, Indiana Center for Middle East Peace, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, MARUF CT (Muslim Advocacy for Rights, Unity, and Fairness), Massachusetts Peace Action, Minnesota Peace Project, Muslim Justice League, Nebraskans for Peace Palestinian Rights Task Force, NorCal Sabeel, Oasis Legal Services, Peace Action Maine, Peace Action WI, Peace Action WI, Peace, Justice, Sustainability NOW!, Peace, Justice, Sustainability, NOW!, Progressive Democrats of America – Central New Mexico, Progressive Democrats of America- Central New Mexico, Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom DC-Metro Action Group, The Palestine Justice Network of the Presbyterian Church USA, Bay Area, UPTE Members for Palestine, Valley View Presbyterian Church, Voices for Justice in Palestine, YUSRA

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

“These purported firings threaten the FTC’s existence as an independent enforcement agency and pave the way for you to use the FTC as a tool for partisan retribution.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

Full Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) are leading 74 lawmakers in calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to enact urgent reforms to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. As the Trump administration and Elon Musk look for ways to cut fraud and wasteful spending, corporate MA plans should be a major target to save billions each year.

Unlike Traditional Medicare, MA plans are administered by private insurers and have been found to be fraught with waste and abuse while sacrificing patient outcomes for higher corporate profit and threatening the overall solvency of Medicare. 

“Initially promoted as a way to save taxpayer dollars and improve quality of care, the Medicare Advantage program has continuously cost more than if the same enrollees were covered by Traditional Medicare and has not improved health outcomes. We strongly urge you to rein in the wasteful and harmful practices committed by corporate health insurers in MA,” wrote the Members.

The private insurance companies running MA plans mislead the public by claiming their plans save money and improve care. However, private insurers in MA overcharged CMS by at least $83 billion in 2024 without any improvements to the quality of care for patients. These overpayments to private insurers threaten the stability of the entire Medicare program for the 65 million Americans who rely on it. 

“At a time when Americans are paying nearly $26,000 per family in premiums per year, while the largest US insurer made $23 billion in annual profits, reining in profiteering could not be more important,” continued the Members. 

The Members are specifically calling on CMS and the Department of Health and Human Services to take the following actions: 

• Eliminate waste and abuse from overpayments by improving risk adjustment calculations in the proposed 2026 Medicare Advantage Rate Notice;
• Strictly enforce the overpayment regulations for Medicare Advantage Organizations outlined in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule;
• Strengthen enforcement against MA insurers that illegally deny care;
• Address additional barriers to care, including by enforcing statutory requirements compelling insurers to disclose the methodology behind algorithms used for coverage decisions, and;
• Enact reforms to reduce disparities in care.

“We cannot continue to allow Medicare Advantage to be a source of profit for greedy companies and suffering for seniors and people with disabilities. Medicare Advantage has never delivered on the promise of actually lowering the cost or improving the quality of care,” said Eagan Kemp, Health Care Policy Advocate for Public Citizen. “In the short term, there must be enhanced oversight of the Medicare Advantage program to ensure enrollees get the care they need and bring down unnecessary overpayments. In the long run, we must improve and expand traditional Medicare to guarantee it is around for decades to come.”

“Every day in my work as a gynecologic oncologist, I witness the harms inflicted on my patients by the profit-driven Medicare Advantage plans they were forced into by economic circumstances or their retirement plans. Care delays and denials decrease their chances of cancer cure and lead to needless suffering and hours of wasted healthcare provider time,” said PNHP President Dr. Diljeet K. Singh, M.D., DrPH. “I urge all members of Congress to fight for your constituents by taking the actions outlined in this letter to “Eliminate waste and abuse from overpayments, strengthen enforcement against MA insurers that illegally deny care, address additional barriers to care, and enact reforms to reduce disparities in care.”  Please support this effort to protect the health of all Medicare enrollees, extend the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund, and curb billions in taxpayer overpayments driven by for-profit insurers.”

The letter is cosigned by Alma Adams (NC-12), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Danny Davis (IL-07), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Al Green (TX-09), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Robert Scott (VA-03), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Lauren Underwood (IL-04), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05). 

It is also endorsed by Just Care USA, Social Security Works, Families USA, Consumers Council of Missouri, Physicians for a National Health Program, People’s Action, Center for Health Progress, Center for Health and Democracy, The People’s Lobby, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Progressive Maryland, Center for Medicare Advocacy, National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG), Physicians for a National Health Program of Minnesota, Public Citizen, Be A Hero, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), PSARA (Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action), Healthcare NOW, United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE), Michigan United, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and Citizen Action of New York. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

Full Text of Bill (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and introduced the Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act, legislation that would provide funding for clean water and wastewater utilities to become members of the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC). The WaterISAC is a critical source of information and best practices for water systems to protect against, mitigate, and respond to threats. 

“Every person should have access to clean water to meet their basic needs. As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increase and cyber security threats against our infrastructure emerge, we must work together to protect our nation’s water systems,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I am proud to join Senator Ed Markey in reintroducing the Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act. This bill will help assist local water systems in gaining access to the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC), a non-profit clearinghouse for information regarding threats to water safety. This kind of information sharing is critical to ensuring the health and safety of communities’ drinking water across the country.”

“The essential water systems that provide us with water to drink, cook, and clean are increasingly facing threats from extreme weather, cyber attacks, and even terrorism,” said Senator Ed Markey. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act will secure and protect our water systems against these threats by expanding access to the critical Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which helps water utilities of all sizes share information, best practices, and response techniques. I thank Congresswoman Schakowsky for her partnership on this important legislation.”

The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act is endorsed by American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, and Water Environment Federation.

“In recent years, our nation’s drinking water and wastewater utilities have faced mounting threats from cyber attacks and infrastructure vulnerabilities that pose national security concerns and public health hazards,” said Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act will enable more utilities to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to dangerous security threats by facilitating access to WaterISAC’s critical resources. AMWA is proud to support this legislation.”

“WaterISAC is a vital resource for public clean water utilities seeking to strengthen their preparedness and resilience against natural hazards, physical and cyber security threats,” said Adam Krantz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber (Water ISAC) Threat Protection Act will expand utility participation in WaterISAC, ensuring water systems of all sizes have access to its essential tools and resources.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, and Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust, released the following joint statement on President Donald Trump’s attempt to illegally fire the two Democratic commissioners at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

“President Trump’s attempt to unlawfully fire the two Democratic FTC commissioners is yet another direct assault on our democracy. Once again, Trump and his puppet master Elon Musk violate Congress’s laws and 90 years of legal precedent to carry out a partisan agenda as they continue their rampage of unchecked executive overreach.

“Just as alarming is the conspicuous lack of opposition from our Republican colleagues. Their silence in the face of this blatant power grab is not only an abdication of their duties, but suggests they only hold allegiance to Trump and Musk, rather than the American people they were elected to serve. It appears the GOP has willingly placed itself in the pockets of Trump and Musk, prioritizing the interests of ultra-wealthy billionaires over Americans.

“The FTC is one of the most crucial watchdogs for the American people, and today’s illegal decision cripples its independence. In 2024 alone, the FTC blocked a massive grocery store merger that would have raised prices for millions, eliminated junk fees from ticketed events, and fought to safeguard Americans’ privacy from corporate overreach. The agency secured lower prices for essential medications like insulin, EpiPens, and inhalers, making life-saving treatments more affordable. It cracked down on excessive corporate surveillance, defended Americans’ right to repair their own devices, and fought against Big Tech’s monopolistic practices.

“This unlawful activity imperils the FTC’s ability to stand up to corporate abuses and protect consumers. Trump and Musk want to transform a vital INDEPENDENT agency into yet another political plaything for their billionaire buddies as they continue to wage war on the rule of law itself, leaving Americans defenseless against skyrocketing prices, predatory practices, and the unchecked power of monopolies.”

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, along with fellow committee members Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Don Beyer (VA-08), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), today introduced the Repealing Outdated and Unilateral Tariff Authorities Act which would repeal Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, an outdated and dangerous tool that President Trump is threatening to use to destabilize global trade.

“Since taking office, President Trump has taken a reckless, arbitrary, and punitive approach to trade policy that will only hurt American consumers, American companies, and the entire U.S. economy,” said Rep. Schneider. “Tariffs, when used strategically, can be an important tool in defending U.S. economic interests – but that’s far from the sledgehammer and whipsaw approach President Trump has so far shown to be the only way he knows. Congress must exercise its constitutional responsibilities and step in to put a check on the President’s authority to punish our small businesses, retirement accounts, and economy. That’s what the Repealing Outdated and Unilateral Tariff Authorities Act will do – it removes a dangerous, never-before-used tool, Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, from President Trump’s arsenal and reclaims Congress’s trade authority.”

Recent media reports have suggested that President Trump may use Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose reciprocal tariffs on U.S. allies on April 2, 2025. Section 338 is a Great Depression-era provision that gives the President unilateral authority to impose up to 50 percent tariffs in response to “discriminatory behavior” by U.S. trading partners. Notably, Section 338 does not require the President to consult with Congress before imposing tariffs or publicly disclose the evidence supporting the decision. 

“President Trump has already exploited the law to ramp up his trade war with some of our closest allies and trading partners,” said Rep. DelBene. “This legislation would prevent him from imposing sweeping tariffs on American consumers through yet another previously unused and untested law without first getting a vote in Congress.” 

“Ensuring that our trade policies are fair and effective means removing outdated and unnecessary tariff authorities that could be misused,” said Rep. Panetta. “Our legislation would take a commonsense step to eliminate Section 338, an untested and excessive authority that is redundant to existing trade enforcement tools and potentially dangerous to our economy. I’m proud to support this effort to bring more certainty and balance to our trade policies.”

“In a few short months, President Trump has abused multiple trade authorities as he initiates trade wars with our allies,” said Rep. Sewell. “Congress must act to draw back trade authorities from this administration in order to protect American consumers, farmers, and manufacturers from President Trump’s reckless trade agenda. I am proud to join my colleagues in this effort to strengthen our checks against this administration.”

“The Trump administration’s economically and reputationally destructive abuse of existing trade authorities has made it plain that even as-yet unused executive authorities like Section 338 present an unacceptable risk to our economy. Repealing this authority is an important step in a necessary and overdue reassertion of Congress’ constitutional role in trade policy,” said Rep. Beyer.

Full text of the resolution is available here.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Cost-Share Accountability Act, introduced by Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA). This legislation would strengthen the Department of Energy’s accountability to Congress and the public when awarding funding grants.

While many Department of Energy projects require cost-sharing by their grant recipients, these requirements can be reduced or even eliminated in certain instances. This legislation would increase accountability by requiring the department to make public and submit to Congress quarterly reports on the use of its authority to modify or bypass the statutory cost-sharing requirement.

“For Congress to fulfill our oversight responsibilities, we must be able to access information on how our departments and agencies are operating,” said Foster. “Cost-sharing requirements help protect the use of federal funds at the Department of Energy. As the department continues their next-generation research and development, it’s critical Congress understands how cost-sharing is implemented in support of their projects.”

“The federal government has a responsibility to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” said Obernolte. “The Cost-Share Accountability Act ensures greater transparency in how the Department of Energy administers cost-sharing requirements, helping Congress and the public hold our institutions accountable. I’m proud to see this commonsense, bipartisan measure pass the House.”

A copy of the legislation can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced the reintroduction of the Shareholder Political Transparency Act. This legislation would amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require publicly traded companies to make quarterly disclosures to their shareholders detailing the types and amounts of political spending they engage in, ensuring greater transparency for investors and the public.

“Political contributions from publicly held companies should not be a secret, especially to people who invest their hard-earned money in them,” said Foster. ”This legislation is a commonsense measure that would provide investors with all the facts necessary to make informed decisions about where to put their money.” 

The Shareholder Political Transparency Act is cosponsored by Reps. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Sean Casten (D-IL), Chuy García (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Jim Himes (D-CT).

A copy of the legislation is available here.