Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) appeared on Fox Business Network’s Kudlow to discuss the impact of House Republicans’ one big, beautiful budget bill. Leader Scalise emphasized the need to continue the Trump tax cuts and explained how this bill would unleash American energy, lower costs, and fuel economic growth. Leader Scalise also highlighted the Ways and Means Committee’s work on ensuring President Trump’s pro-growth agenda is executed in this budget reconciliation process. 

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full interview. 
On economic growth through budget reconciliation:“[The Senate has come around], Larry, and you and I have talked about this many times, why it’s so important to have one bill. President Trump has been all in on the idea of one big, beautiful bill. [I] was just in the Oval Office talking with him about this on Monday, and he is really pushing as well. That’s why I think you’re seeing the Senate moving even faster now. We’ve got to get this bill moved through as quickly as possible to get those big bounces in the economy that Kevin Hassett was talking about. When you think about the economic growth that comes along with a, number one, not just a lower and simplified tax code, but the certainty that you get. Because right now there is a lot of uncertainty that’s holding back a lot of trillions, I’ve heard, of investment that could be coming into the economy that’s not right now until we get this done. Let’s get it done soon and then get the big bounce that comes with it for the American workers and the economy.”On the need to extend the Trump tax cuts:“Yeah, and the good news on that, Larry, on both fronts, the answer is yes. And the two are tied together because I think some people initially were worried that if you go to current policy baseline, it would be used to avoid cuts. We cannot avoid cuts. You know, with the deficit, with the debt, we have got to start getting control over spending. And President Trump’s got that as a top priority, too. So making sure that we get the savings as well as going to current policy as baseline allows you to go to permanency instead of ten-year renewal, and then you get an even bigger bounce. Ten-year renewal would be great. A permanent tax code would be even better. So we want the Senate to add that in. They’re the side that’s really got to address that. Their parliamentarian is the one who makes those decisions. It’s a Senate issue, really not a House issue. Let’s get it added in. Still do the real savings so that we get that economic bounce and a lower deficit at the same time. All that’s being worked on together. I think when you see this bill come back and then we start the reconciliation process, it’s going to be full steam ahead.“Yes, [I think the Senate can get to the $1.5 trillion budget savings that are implicit in the House budget]. Look, we went back and forth on this a lot. It took us probably a month of intense meetings with every element of our conference. We’ve got ultra-fiscal hawks. We’ve got people in swing, moderate districts that had very different views on this. We got everybody in a room, and that’s where we settled on $1.5 trillion. The Senate is going to find out the same thing.”On Republicans working toward one big, beautiful bill:“President Trump has been consistently pushing for that one big, beautiful bill. I think now that he’s being more vocal about it and pushing the Senate, I think he wanted to get the government funding issue taken off the table. We did that with the CR that we passed through the House, and Chuck Schumer had to swallow. The left’s going livid over that, but that removed a big obstacle. Now, President Trump’s got his exclusive focus on getting reconciliation done in one big, beautiful bill so that we can get that economic bounce for the hard working families, no tax on tips, all the things he talked about during the campaign, plus energy security, Larry, border security, the other things that go with it.”On the Ways and Means Committee’s work on maximizing impact of the budget bill:“Let me nail it down for you, Larry. You absolutely can do it in that one big, beautiful bill. Renewing existing tax policy is the first thing you do. But then [Chairman] Jason Smith and the Ways and Means Committee have also been meeting on the additional items. We’ve sat down with President Trump to go over things like no tax on tips. There’s other things we’re looking at, too. More pro-growth policies. All of that will be looked at. Now, ultimately, Ways and Means has to make all the numbers add up, and that’s when they can put it all together. Both renewal and new policy can be in that same bill coming out of the Ways and Means Committee. Then we’ll put it all together with the energy policies and the border policies. The debt ceiling will be handled for two years, so President Trump won’t have to worry about that. The deficit reduction components, all that will be in that one big, beautiful bill. We’ll put it all together, bring it, hopefully by the summer, pass that, and get it to the President’s desk.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) to discuss the need for the Senate to move on budget reconciliation now that Republicans successfully kept the government open, despite Democrats’ efforts to shut it down. Additionally, Leader Scalise highlighted Hyundai’s multibillion-dollar investment in Louisiana thanks to President Trump’s leadership and pro-growth agenda.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
On the unity of the Republican party: “While the Democrat Party continues to show the country that they’re a leaderless, rudderless ship, Republicans have been uniting to lead this country out of the doldrums from the Biden Administration. You can just look at the actions we’ve taken in the House, working with the Senate and with President Trump to start getting our country back on track. And that hard work is already paying off for American families. You’re seeing gas prices start to come down, egg prices are starting to come down.”On private investment moving to the United States under President Trump:“What’s really important for long-term growth – billions and now trillions of dollars of private investment are coming back home to America to create really good high-paying jobs for American workers. The Speaker and I were proud to attend a White House ceremony yesterday with our governor and other leaders, where Hyundai announced a multibillion-dollar plant that they’re building in the United States of America – going to create about 1,400 jobs in Louisiana. This is just one of many examples that we’re seeing that we call the Trump effect, where we’re seeing so many companies invest heavily in Louisiana and other states. In our state alone, we’ve had probably over $40 billion of private investment announced since President Trump took office again. And that’s not only really good jobs, it’s things like energy security, building more car manufacturing plants, and the resources that go along with it will no longer have to source those materials from other countries. Hostile countries, in many cases, will now be able to refine those materials here in the United States as well with American workers. That would not have happened without the leadership of President Trump. We’ve totaled up when you look at all the private investment that’s come into the United States just in the two months since Donald Trump has taken office, it’s nearly $4 trillion in new jobs and investment in the United States of America. That’s historic, it’s unprecedented, and we’re just getting started.”On Democrats voting to shut the government down:“We’ve been talking to President Trump. I talked to him twice over the weekend about budget reconciliation. Now that we got government funding out of the way, and the Speaker did a phenomenal job of uniting Republicans, imagine a CR to fund government passed exclusively by Republicans. One Democrat came along after we had the votes to pass it in the House, and then the Senate ultimately had to finally take that bill up and pass it themselves, which is what caused the Democrats to go into yet another tailspin because Democrats wanted to shut the government down. Almost every Democrat voted against that bill, which also, by the way, had a 40-year largest increase pay raise for our military. Our men and women in uniform who deserved that massive raise. Almost every Democrat voted no on that as well as trying to shut the government down. So, they still don’t want to be serious. They’re not going to be taken seriously by the American people. But we’re going to keep doing our job.”On budget reconciliation: “The next job is budget reconciliation. That is number one on President Trump’s priority list now to get Congress to work together with him to pass that one big, beautiful bill that we’ve been talking about – a bill that not only locks in tax rates, creates more investment in the United States, but also allows us to produce more energy in America, lowering costs for families, creates more border security for America, allows President Trump to continue the great work he’s done. We’ve seen over a 95% drop in illegal crossings. We need to build out the wall. We need to give more technology to our Border Patrol agents that President Trump has asked for, strengthening our national defense and bringing common sense back into the rule and regulatory process in Washington. These are just the first few months of what’s going to be a historic majority working for the American people, delivering results for the American people. “And the man who’s leading this cause and uniting Republicans, even with just a two-seat majority, hopefully not for much longer, we’re going to grow that number. But even with that, our Speaker has been keeping us together, moving our agenda.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

Speaker Johnson Welcomes Two New GOP Representatives to Congress

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

House Republican Leadership Urges Bipartisan Support for the SAVE Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) are teaming up to introduce bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) more easily access care and benefits—as well as boost MST claims processing. 

The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act would expand the evidentiary standard for survivors applying for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), ensuring MST survivors are provided equal access to the benefits and care they have earned. Given how many instances of MST go unreported during service, the bill would require VA to consider non-Department of Defense evidence sources when reviewing MST claims, and would expand this standard to all mental health conditions related to MST. The bill would also ensure all National Guardsmen, Reservists, and service academy students can receive MST-related care and counseling from VA. 

“Survivors of military sexual trauma have endured unimaginable pain and deserve the highest quality care and services,” said Ranking Member Blumenthal. “They should have clear access to every tool needed to heal from their trauma. Our bipartisan bill will afford survivors a stronger voice in filing claims and expand VA treatment.”

“I’ve heard from countless veterans whose profound harm is compounded by a system that repeatedly fails them. Their stories reveal a dual injustice—first from experiencing devastating abuse, and then again when navigating a claims process ill-equipped to support survivors. This goes far beyond administrative shortcomings at the VA; it’s a fundamental breach of our moral and constitutional duty to those who served,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “Our bipartisan, bicameral Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act directly confronts these systemic failures. It modernizes outdated evidentiary standards to recognize all trauma responses, expands critical access to MST-related health care regardless of discharge status, and establishes rigorous oversight to ensure genuine accountability. When our institutions fail and re-traumatize those who sacrificed in service to our country, we violate a sacred commitment. Veterans deserve better, and it’s our responsibility to deliver.”

Staunch advocates for strengthening benefits and care for MST survivors, the lawmakers introduced the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act in the 118th, 117th, 116th, and 115th Congresses. Building on the Ruth Moore Act from previous Congresses, the legislation addresses issues uncovered by the VA Office of Inspector General in 2021 by requiring VA to process all MST claims via specially trained teams, conduct annual accuracy reviews for MST claims processing, and study the quality of Veterans Benefits Administration training on MST claims processing.

The lawmakers’ efforts to improve MST survivors’ care and benefits has strong backing from the nation’s leading Veterans Service Organizations.

“MOAA is grateful to Senators Blumenthal and Murkowski for reintroducing the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support (SAVES) Act,” said Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) President and CEO Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, USAF (Ret), “This important legislation aims to strengthen the coordination of benefits and health care services, benefiting not only those impacted by military sexual trauma (MST) but all veterans seeking VA support. MOAA remains committed to working with Congress and the VA to ensure passage and effective implementation of this bill.”

“The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act makes critical and overdue changes to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ disability compensation and claims process for survivors of military sexual trauma, a cause Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) has championed for years. By broadening access for military sexual trauma survivors in the veterans’ healthcare system, this act acknowledges and addresses that MST survivors often feel vulnerable and forgotten; it is our nation’s responsibility to support these victims and provide the highest level of care during and after their service to our country. Service Women’s Action Network wholeheartedly endorses this legislation.” – Elisa Cardnell, Chief Executive Officer, Service Women’s Action Network

“VA offers benefits and health care to veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), but survivors often encounter barriers in accessing these necessary services. The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support (SAVES) Act would improve the claims process, codify evidentiary support, and increase access to mental health care for MST survivors. PVA strongly supports the SAVES Act and thanks Senator Blumenthal and Senator Murkowski for reintroducing this legislation.” – Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer, Paralyzed Veterans of America 

“The VFW supports the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025, that would assess gaps in health care and compensation eligibility related to military sexual trauma (MST). The adverse effects of MST can remain with service members well after their time in service. This comprehensive bill would ensure they receive dignified care and appropriate compensation as they rejoin the civilian world. We thank Senators Blumenthal and Murkowski for their bipartisan leadership on this issue and look forward to the passage of this bill into law.” – Nancy Springer, Associate Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

“The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act is about doing right by the men and women who’ve sacrificed for this country,” said Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) CEO Allison Jaslow. “For too long, survivors of military sexual trauma have faced a VA system that fails them—after the military has already failed them. IAVA is grateful for the leadership of Senator Blumenthal (D-CT) and Senator Murkowski (R-AK) in standing up for these veterans. Now, it’s time for Congress to step up, do the right thing, and pass this bill—because our veterans have waited long enough.”

“For too long, military sexual trauma (MST) survivors have faced significant hurdles in accessing the VA care and benefits they have rightfully earned. The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 offers a pathway to justice by ensuring their claims are handled with the care, sensitivity and expertise required to address this issue accurately and appropriately. DAV proudly supports this crucial legislation and the dignity it restores to those who have served, and we appreciate Sens. Blumenthal and Murkowski for incorporating the voices of MST survivors in crafting this important legislation.” – Joy Ilem, National Legislative Service Director, Disabled American Veterans

“Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is an experience that can have a complex and long-lasting impact on a veteran’s life,” said Wounded Warrior Project Chief Program Officer Jennifer Silva. “As our community continues to find ways to support MST survivors, the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act recognizes that more can be done to expand access to care, improve the benefits claims process, and ultimately make the system work better for them. Wounded Warrior Project is proud to support this effort and we are grateful to Senators Blumenthal (D-CT) and Murkowski (R-AK) for their leadership on this issue.”

The legislation is also supported by the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, Protect Our Defenders, and Vietnam Veterans of America.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), renewed calls for the Social Security Administration Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek to resign today, releasing the following statement in light of new reporting from The Washington Post: 

“Since Governor Mills courageously stood against the President’s egregious overreach with her now-iconic ‘See you in court’ declaration, the Trump Administration has unleashed an unprecedented barrage of bureaucratic terror against our state. Acting Social Security Commissioner Dudek’s own internal emails reveal not merely incompetence but calculated malice—a federal official explicitly ordering the sabotage of essential services to punish a state for daring to uphold its own democratically enacted laws. 

When warned by his own leadership team that terminating Maine’s data contracts would increase fraud nationwide, Dudek’s chilling response laid bare the constitutional perversion at work. He explicitly acknowledged that ‘improper payments will go up,’ yet proceeded anyway, declaring that punishing our governor—who he contemptuously dismissed as a ‘petulant child’—took precedence over his sworn duty to protect the integrity of America’s critical social safety net for millions of vulnerable citizens.

If a federal agency can be turned into a political hit squad at the whim of an acting appointee, what checks remain on executive power? Commissioner Dudek’s vindictive actions against Maine represent a fundamental betrayal of public trust that disqualifies him from public service. He should not only resign or be removed from office; he should be investigated for his flagrant abuse of power. 

The Constitution demands better. Maine citizens deserve better. And Acting Commissioner Dudek must go—immediately and disgracefully.”

Pingree first demanded Dudek’s resignation on March 19, 2025. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to expand financial support for fishing communities in Maine and across the country. The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act wouldallow businesses that provide direct assistance to fishing operations—like gear producers or cold storage—to access loans from the Farm Credit System (FCS) that are already offered to service providers for farmers, ranchers and loggers. The FCS is a network of lending institutions that provides credit to the agriculture industry

Joining King and Pingree in leading the introduction are Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA). 

“Maine’s fishing industry is more than just the hardworking folks who catch and harvest our delicious seafood, it is also hundreds of small family businesses that make gear, build and maintain fish freezers, and distribute the state’s iconic produce,” said Senator King. “The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act would allow fishing-support businesses to access the loans of the Farm Credit System like similar small businesses working with livestock and crop farmers. These reliable loans unlock rural economies, and help businesses invest in new expansions. Opening this program to the men and women who put fish on grocery shelves and kitchen plates is a smart way to help them hire more workers, and modernize operations to meet the demands of the 21^st century economy.”

“Fisheries are not only the backbone of Maine’s coastal communities and economy, they are a living, breathing ecosystem of interconnected businesses and generational knowledge—one that too often falls through the cracks of traditional credit systems,” said Congresswoman Pingree, a member of the House Agriculture Committee. “Our coastal communities need strategic, pragmatic policy solutions that acknowledge their economic realities. This bill does precisely that: creating a fair lending environment that mirrors the support we’ve long provided to agricultural sectors. It’s about economic resilience and honoring the profound maritime heritage that defines regions like coastal Maine.”  

“Our fishermen share the same mission as the American agriculture industry: to strengthen national food security with locally sourced, high-quality foods while building our economies,“ said Senator Murkowski. “Whether it’s the Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act or amending the Farm Bill, I am actively working to ensure that Alaska’s fishermen and the businesses they rely on can access the same resources available to American farmers and ranchers.” 

“Louisiana is home to a strong generational seafood industry, and our fishermen deserve a level playing field,” said Congressman Higgins. “Our legislation provides greater parity for America’s seafood producers and the supporting industries. We are working to provide the same financial opportunities and loan access that other agricultural commodities are entitled to.”  

“The Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) supports legislation that would allow Farm Credit institutions to lend to fishing-related businesses in the same way they lend to farm-related businesses. This change will increase the options for and availability of credit to businesses supporting the fishing industry in Maine and other coastal states,” said Patrice McCarron, Executive Director of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association. “The economies of Maine’s coastal communities center around commercial fishing and the businesses that support the fishing industry in the same way that many rural communities revolve around farming and businesses supporting farming. Fishing-related businesses deserve the same access to competitive financing.”

“Representatives Pingree and Higgins are strong advocates for U.S. fishermen, and we appreciate their leadership in introducing the Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act. Supporting rural communities is a vital piece of Farm Credit’s mission, and this bill will provide more financing options for our rural coastal communities,” said Farm Credit Council President and CEO Christy Seyfert. “Businesses providing services directly to the commercial fishing operators are impacted by same the pressures as the U.S. fishing industry. These businesses need access to competitive financing to maintain service to the U.S. fishing industry. We look forward to working with Reps. Higgins and Pingree include this commonsense legislation in the upcoming Farm Bill.” 

The FCS was founded in Congress in 1916 to help farmers who historically struggled to access reliable credit and has since provided almost a million loans totaling more than $373 billion to farmers, ranchers, fishermen, aquatic producers, and more. Borrowers must meet eligibility and creditworthiness requirements. It currently provides more than one-third of the credit used by those who live and work in rural America.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

 Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the top Democrats on the subcommittees that oversee funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are sounding the alarm over the EPA’s illegal plans to dismantle the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and fire hundreds of scientists nationwide. In a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin today, the Ranking Members of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittees stressed the dangers of the EPA’s so-called reduction in force (RIF) plan, which would gut the agency’s main scientific arm that protects human health and our environment.

“Reports detail EPA’s intent to dismantle ORD and terminate more than 1,000 critical positions including chemists, toxicologists, and biologists. This ‘reduction in force’ follows a pattern of politically motivated purges, where public servants reinstated by court order remain sidelined while allegiance to the president and his fossil fuel benefactors, not expertise, determines who stays and who goes,” wrote Ranking Members Merkley and Pingree. “To state the obvious, EPA is required to conduct research and develop the best available knowledge to support implementation of its regulatory authority.”

Their letter follows the EPA’s reported plans to slash the ORD by potentially eliminating 50 to 75 percent of the office’s 1,540 positions and severely impacting scientific research into dangers such as PFAS, support for natural disaster responses, and environmental monitoring at the agency and at academic and non-profit research institutions, hospitals, state and local governments, and Tribal organizations.

The senior Appropriators stressed, “Your actions will have devastating consequences. They will weaken scientific oversight, eliminate critical regulatory safeguards, and give polluting industries unchecked influence over environmental policy and ultimately human health. Stripping EPA of its independent research capacity would transform the agency into a rubber stamp for corporate interests rather than a protector of public health and the environment.  Eliminating ORD does not create jobs, does not promote economic growth, and does not serve the American people—it endangers public health and the environment.”

They also denounced the illegality of the EPA’s actions to direct funds without Congressional approval. Merkley and Pingree concluded, “We strongly urge you to immediately reverse course and abandon this dangerous plan. The integrity of the EPA’s scientific research must be preserved to ensure sound policymaking and the continued protection of public health and the environment. The American people will not stand by while their air, water, and communities are sacrificed for the profits of a few.”

Full text of the letter is available online here and copied below.

+++

Dear Administrator Zeldin:

We write to express alarm regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to eliminate its Office of Research and Development (ORD)—a blatant assault on science, public health, and the agency’s core mission. This reckless decision would erode the agency’s scientific foundation to the benefit of polluting industries at the expense of working-class communities and exacerbate climate change. It is a betrayal of EPA’s obligation to the American people to understand and use the best available science and a violation of the law.

For decades, ORD has been the backbone of independent, science-based policymaking at EPA. Its groundbreaking research has helped curb air and water pollution, regulate toxic chemicals, and protect communities from industrial waste. By dismantling ORD, you would gut the agency’s ability to conduct independent research and hand over environmental policy to industry insiders. This proposal is not about efficiency or improvement—it is a deliberate effort to strip away regulatory safeguards that protect ordinary Americans while boosting profits for the wealthiest polluters.

Reports detail EPA’s intent to dismantle ORD and terminate more than 1,000 critical positions including chemists, toxicologists, and biologists. This “reduction in force” follows a pattern of politically motivated purges, where public servants reinstated by court order remain sidelined while allegiance to the president and his fossil fuel benefactors, not expertise, determines who stays and who goes. To state the obvious, EPA is required to conduct research and develop the best available knowledge to support implementation of its regulatory authority.

Your actions will have devastating consequences. They will weaken scientific oversight, eliminate critical regulatory safeguards, and give polluting industries unchecked influence over environmental policy and ultimately human health. Stripping EPA of its independent research capacity would transform the agency into a rubber stamp for corporate interests rather than a protector of public health and the environment.  Eliminating ORD does not create jobs, does not promote economic growth, and does not serve the American people—it endangers public health and the environment.

Over just the past decade alone, EPA researchers have produced ground-breaking research on cancer-causing chemicals (such as Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Glyphosate), diesel engine exhaust that exacerbates asthma and is linked to lung-disease, Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) forever chemicals in our drinking water, and in-utero exposure to phthalates. ORD also provides critical support in response to disasters. For example, ORD developed tools for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater to assess community infection rates, assessed damage to human and marine health after the April 2010 explosion and collapse of the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and studied the conditions of coastal waters and drinking water infrastructure following Hurricane Katrina.

Moreover, if implemented, this proposal would violate federal law. ORD is recognized as EPA’s research organization in law throughout the United States Code (see 7 U.S.C. 4921, 15 U.S.C. 8962, 42 U.S.C. 4361c, among other examples). Further, the fiscal year 2025 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act appropriates $758.1 million for the EPA’s research initiatives through the Science and Technology Account. Unilaterally dismantling ORD and impounding funds appropriated for science and technology contravenes the statute and appropriations and undermines Congress’s constitutional authority over federal expenditures.

We strongly urge you to immediately reverse course and abandon this dangerous plan. The integrity of the EPA’s scientific research must be preserved to ensure sound policymaking and the continued protection of public health and the environment. The American people will not stand by while their air, water, and communities are sacrificed for the profits of a few.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

In a statement on Friday, Maine First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree condemned President Trump’s Executive Order to strip collective bargaining rights from workers across the federal government, calling the move explicit union busting that threatens the livelihoods of thousands of Maine workers:

President Trump’s Executive Order eliminating collective bargaining rights is a direct attack on the hardworking federal employees who keep our country functioning every single day. This move threatens thousands of workers in Maine, including employees at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Togus VA Medical Center, and countless other federal workplaces across our state that depend on collective bargaining to secure fair pay, safe working conditions, and a meaningful voice on the job. 

By dismantling these rights, President Trump is engaging in explicit union busting, threatening the livelihoods of families, weakening our communities, and trampling on generations of hard-fought labor progress.

I call on everyone who claims to stand for working people to join me in unequivocally condemning this egregious overreach and to stand together in reversing this shameful attack on the labor movement. Maine’s federal workers—and all workers—deserve nothing less than our steadfast solidarity and support.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

Bergman Urges President Trump to Visit Michigan Following Devastating Ice Storm