Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) and Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), recently reintroduced H.R. 5961, the Flood Insurance for Farmers Act of 2025, which ensures agricultural producers are not saddled with thousands of dollars in unnecessary government-imposed fees when obtaining flood insurance and have access to the financial tools they need to expand or conduct business by making reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

“Farmers shouldn’t be punished just because their operations happen to be near or in a floodplain,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “The current Federal flood insurance program sticks farmers with unnecessary fees, making already expensive flood insurance even more costly, and can prevent them from getting loans to expand or make repairs. The NFIP can help America’s farmers after floods, but if it’s so expensive and cumbersome that they ultimately receive little or no benefit, then it defeats the purpose of this program. Our bill cuts through NFIP bureaucracy and reduces program costs so farmers can stay competitive and keep producing while helping them manage flood risk.”

“For generations, California families have farmed the floodplain, and this legislation ensures that they can continue to do so by keeping agricultural land in production,” said Rep. Garamendi. “Our bill protects farmers from hidden fees, unnecessary costs, and excessive paperwork, allowing them to focus on their essential work—producing the food that sustains our communities. As a former Insurance Commissioner and a farmer myself, I am committed to standing up for family farmers and fighting against unfair insurance practices. This legislation fulfills that commitment.” 

“This is a plain and simple pocketbook issue that will help farmers across the country,” said Marc J. Boomgaarden, SBFCA Board Chair & Vice Mayor of Yuba City. “The Sutter Basin may be rich in almonds and peaches, but our farmers need relief from flood insurance policies that view premiums for sheds the same way they view premiums for homes. The Sutter Butte Flood Control Agency is dedicated to reducing flood risks for the community and NFIP is an important component of those efforts. We applaud the commonsense approach that Congressman LaMalfa and Garamendi are working on to help farmers back home.”

Under current law, agricultural producers with property located in certain flood areas designated by FEMA are required to purchase flood insurance in order to qualify for a federally backed mortgage. However, NFIP commercial policies charge a $250 surcharge per structure, meaning farmers with multiple barns, sheds, or storage facilities can be hit with thousands of dollars in additional costs on top of high insurance premiums.

The Flood Insurance for Farmers Act would allow farmers to bundle multiple structures under a single commercial NFIP policy, meaning they would only pay one $250 surcharge instead of being charged per building.

The legislation also gives counties flexibility to grant variances from FEMA’s minimum floodplain standards for new or expanded agricultural structures, allowing them to remain in the NFIP while recognizing the practical needs of farmers. Counties could issue variances when elevating or flood-proofing a structure isn’t practical, the variance wouldn’t increase threats to public safety, and no significant flood claims have been made on the property in the past decade.

Together, these reforms reduce government-imposed costs and red tape, helping farmers continue to modernize and operate efficiently while maintaining participation in the federal flood insurance program.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) announced that $22 million for Beale Air Force Base has been included in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, secured in coordination with Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) to ensure the base can continue its vital missions. 

“This funding is a needed step to ensure Beale Air Force Base can continue its vital missions well into the future,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “The MDOC will modernize the base’s facilities, improve efficiency, and allow Beale to incorporate next generation technology like the new Collaborative Combat Aircraft program while expanding and strengthening its role in high-altitude intelligence and reconnaissance. Working together with Senator Schiff, we made sure this project, which had been identified as an unfunded priority, finally got the support it needs. It keeps Beale at the forefront of our national defense, supporting our airmen, and investing in the capabilities our country needs for national security.”

“As the West Coast remains on the front line of deterring adversaries in the Pacific and the home of the nation’s technological innovation, supporting Beale Air Force Base in Congress remains a bipartisan priority for our California delegation,” said Senator Schiff. “And with the Air Force’s selection in May of Beale for testing of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, the funding we secured in this year’s budget will reinforce the base’s new mission and support thousands of jobs in Yuba County. I was proud to work with Congressman LaMalfa to support this important funding, and the efforts of the dedicated servicemembers that I had a chance to meet at Beale earlier this year.”

The funding will construct a new Multi-Domain Operations Complex (MDOC) at Beale Air Force Base. The two-story facility will consolidate aircraft maintenance, training, and operational planning for Beale’s high-altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission, as well as support new missions planned for the base.

The funding complements Beale’s new role as the preferred location for the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, a next-generation defense initiative that will integrate advanced autonomous aircraft with existing missions. Together, these efforts solidify Beale’s position as a cornerstone of the Air Force’s modernization strategy.

The project was included in the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2025 Unfunded Priority List and is authorized in Title XXII, Section 2301(a) of Public Law 118-159.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, to reopen the government after six weeks of closure.

“After forty-three days, I was pleased to vote in favor of H.R. 5371 to end this unnecessary government shutdown,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “This shutdown was entirely avoidable. Senate Democrats refused to act on the House’s clean funding bill and instead chose to hold the government hostage for political leverage. Because of their political games, millions of people—including many in District 1—experienced a lapse in SNAP benefits, critical disaster payments and agricultural loans were stalled, prescribed burns and hazardous forest fuels projects were delayed, and air travel spun into chaos. I appreciate our Congressional Leadership for getting the government back to work where we should’ve been all along. I’m looking forward to refocusing on the priorities that have sat in limbo over the last six weeks and resuming work on the issues that matter most to the people I represent.”

Background:

H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, reopens the federal government and extends funding through January 30, 2026. The measure also includes three full-year appropriations bills covering Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration, and the Legislative Branch.

H.R. 5371 ensures critical operations—such as veterans’ services, agricultural programs, SNAP benefits, and essential federal oversight—continue without interruption while Congress completes work on the remaining Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bills through regular order.

Approved Community Project Funding requests that benefit District 1 include:

• $22M for Beale Air Force Base to construct a new Mission Data Operations Center to support and enhance the base’s capabilities.
• $2.5M for Collins Pine Forest Health and Resiliency Partnership in Tehama County to reduce wildfire risk.
• $2M for the Durham Irrigation District 1.0 Million Gallon Water Storage Tank Project to provide the area with reliable, clean drinking water.
• $605,000 for the City of Willows to purchase a Type 1 Fire Engine to serve the local area.
• $256,150 for the Siskiyou Business Innovation and Community Resilience Center for structural upgrades and critical renovations.

Other priorities in H.R. 5371:

• Waives the pay cap limitation for wildland fire personnel through January 30th.
• Provides an increase of $500,000 to the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for the suppression of grasshoppers to prevent crop losses, an important issue in Modoc and Siskiyou counties.
• Includes a $250,000 funding increase for smoke exposure research, a larger priority for northern California winegrape growers.
• Includes $15M for the IR-4 program, which supports research into safe and effective specialty risk management tools to reduce pest and disease outbreaks.
• Extends the Farm Bill for one full calendar year, along with the Grain Standards Act full extension, to ensure continuity of critical farm safety net programs that help our farmers, ranchers, and dairy producers manage risk and grow the food we all eat.
• Closes the hemp loophole that has resulted in the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating, synthetic hemp products, including Delta-8 and hemp flower, being sold online and in gas stations across the country.
• Provides full funding of $107.4B for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and $8.2B to the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) beneficiary payments.
• Reimburses states for certain expenses and benefits incurred during the shutdown that would otherwise have been covered by Federal funding.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Acting Administrator Sean Duffy demanding that NASA immediately halt plans to close and move laboratories and mission-critical facilities at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The Ranking Member states NASA must respond within 24 hours and emphasizes the threat these chaotic and veiled moves and closures, partially carried out during a government shutdown, pose for flagship NASA missions. Committee staff obtained new information late last week that Goddard has told staff additional facilities would need to be emptied by Wednesday, November 12. 

“In recent days, my staff has received disturbing reports that NASA is directing the imminent closure of laboratories and facilities hosting mission-critical capabilities at the Greenbelt, Maryland, campus of the Goddard Space Flight Center,” said Ranking Member Lofgren in the letter. “These actions put essential hardware and capabilities at great risk. The laboratories and facilities facing closure support many NASA flight missions, and they include laboratories essential to the completion of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The agency’s hastily planned moves and closures – some of which I understand are already well underway – risk causing significant delays for multi-billion-dollar missions under development such as Roman and could heighten the risk of mission failure altogether.”

“NASA must halt any and all laboratory, facility, and building closure and relocation activities at Goddard as well as the relocation, disposal, excessing, or repurposing of any specialized equipment or mission-related capabilities, hardware, and systems, and it must do so now,” continued Ranking Member Lofgren. “Further, NASA must ensure the continuing operation of the laboratories and facilities needed to sustain the ongoing, excepted work occurring at the Goddard campus, especially work on the Roman Space Telescope. The agency must respond to this letter, in writing, within 24 hours to confirm that all such activities at Goddard have been put on hold indefinitely.”

The letter can be found here.    

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) released the following statement after the Senate narrowly passed a proposal to extend government funding:

“The deal passed by the Senate tonight fails millions of people,” Rep. Lofgren said. “Americans need their healthcare costs to be lowered now. Getting the “promise of a vote” to extend ACA tax credits a month from now is just not good enough, especially given the lack of trust Senate Republicans have earned. This is not the time for Democrats to cave and accept empty promises, and I’m certainly not done fighting for Californians’ healthcare.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

SAN JOSE, CA – Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) issued the following statement after Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) announced that she will not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

“I’ve had the honor to serve in the House alongside Nancy Pelosi for 30 years. I watched in awe as she shattered the marble ceiling to become the first woman to hold the Speaker’s gavel, and I was witness to her many remarkable legislative achievements. From delivering healthcare to millions of Americans through the Affordable Care Act to lowering energy costs through the Inflation Reduction Act, Speaker Emerita Pelosi has a record of accomplishments that is simply unrivaled.

“There’s one quote from her that she would always tell us in our Democratic Caucus meetings: ‘Our diversity is our strength, but our unity is our power’. She kept this caucus united with some incredibly thin margins during some very uncertain times, and she did so with grace and humility. When Nancy Pelosi set out to get something done, it got done.

“I want to congratulate her on her retirement and her 40 years of service to the people of San Francisco and the state we both love. I’ll miss being her colleague, but I will always cherish being her friend.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, DC – With a pivotal statewide election around the corner, a group of 41 Democratic Members of Congress from California are defending the Golden State’s transparent and secure election system while denouncing the use of election monitors from President Trump’s Department of Justice to intimidate voters. 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced that it will send federal election monitors to polling sites in five California counties ahead of the November 4, 2025, general election. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, the lawmakers outlined California’s robust election system and urged the DOJ to refrain from conduct that lowers voter participation or intimidates voters.  

“While we believe this decision is unnecessary and unjustified, California’s election administration represents the gold standard for the nation, and we welcome fair and impartial DOJ observation and monitoring,” the lawmakers wrote. “However, we urge you to respect the free and fair election already underway and refrain from further engaging in conduct that seeks to lower voter participation, intimidate voters, or undermine voters’ trust in the outcome.” 

The Trump Administration, without any evidence, has made widespread false claims about the integrity of states’ elections and has pulled back its duty to enforce civil rights protections. The California lawmakers emphasized the need to protect eligible voters, including naturalized U.S. citizens, from voter suppression tactics. 

They wrote: “let us be crystal clear: We will not tolerate federal interference in Californians’ right to vote, including by the Department engaging in any form of intimidation of immigrant communities.” 

The letter was co-led by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, (CA-18), Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation; Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Co-Chair of the Taskforce on Strengthening Democracy; Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36); Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), and Rep. Norma Torres (CA-35). The letter was also signed by Reps. Aguilar (CA-33), Barragán (CA-44), Bera (CA-06), Brownley (CA-26), Carbajal (CA-24), Chu (CA-28), Cisneros (CA-31), Correa (CA-46), Costa (CA-21), DeSaulnier (CA-10), Friedman (CA-30), Garamendi (CA-08), Garcia (CA-42), Gomez (CA-34), Huffman (CA-02), Jacobs (CA-51), Khanna (CA-17), Levin (CA-49), Liccardo (CA-16), Matsui (CA-07), Min (CA-47), Panetta (CA-19), Pelosi (CA-11), Peters (CA-50), Rivas (CA-29), Ruiz (CA-25), Sánchez (CA-38), Sherman (CA-32), Simon (CA-12), Swalwell (CA-14), Takano (CA-39), Thompson (CA-04), Tran (CA-45), Vargas (CA-52), Waters (CA-43), Whitesides (CA-27). 

Read the letter here or the text below. 

Dear Attorney General Bondi and Assistant Attorney General Dhillon: 

We write to you in response to the announcement made by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on October 24, 2025, that it will monitor polling sites in five California counties ahead of the upcoming November 4, 2025, general election. While we believe this decision is unnecessary and unjustified, California’s election administration represents the gold standard for the nation, and we welcome fair and impartial DOJ observation and monitoring. However, let us be crystal clear: We will not tolerate federal interference in Californians’ right to vote, including by the Department engaging in any form of intimidation of immigrant communities.  

California routinely administers the largest statewide elections in the United States. In the last such election in November 2024, more than 16.1 million Californians voted without incident, representing more than 71 percent of registered voters, well above the national average. We are proud that the state continues to be a model of free and fair elections not only in the United States but around the world. 

In addition to being the largest, California elections are also highly transparent and secure. First, every voter in the state receives a ballot that they may return in lieu of voting in person. Each returned ballot has a voter-verifiable paper audit trail, which means voters know that their ballot has arrived and has been counted. Ballots are carefully checked in an open, audited process that ensures the integrity of every vote. Second, voting machines used for in-person voting are carefully tested – also in an open process – including by validating source code, reviewing hardware and software security, and conducting penetration testing.  

While we support transparency, any interference in California’s state election – absent a violation of federal law – is unacceptable. Thus far, the DOJ has provided neither evidence nor a credible allegation of a violation of federal law with respect to elections in California. Federal monitoring of elections is not new. However, what is new is the way this Department is using its power: Shortly after taking office, Assistant Attorney General Dhillon announced the Civil Rights Division would move away from enforcing civil rights laws and instead focus on “voter fraud” particularly among undocumented immigrants. This is despite the fact that even allegations of such incidents are exceedingly rare across the country.  

In at least 40 states – including California – the Department has already taken steps to undermine elections by seeking to obtain sensitive personal information of voters. These are inappropriate and blatant attempts to suppress voter turnout. Such moves are unacceptable and have no place in the United States. Now that the Department has decided to send election monitors to California without any credible foundation, we remind you that the Department’s role is to observe and, where appropriate, enforce federal law; the United States DOJ has no other role to play at this stage in California’s state election. 

We welcome the DOJ’s impartial observation of California’s exemplary elections process and stand ready to work with our federal partners in good faith to address any issues should they arise. However, we urge you to respect the free and fair election already underway and refrain from further engaging in conduct that seeks to lower voter participation, intimidate voters, or undermine voters’ trust in the outcome. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) joined Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), along with House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA-02) and House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.-06), led over 100 lawmakers in demanding President Trump and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum immediately cease any plans to open new offshore oil and gas leases in U.S. federal waters off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, in the Arctic Ocean and northern Bering Sea off of Alaska, and in the Eastern Gulf. The lawmakers warned that opening these untouched coastlines to new offshore drilling would devastate coastal economies, jeopardize our national security, ravage coastal ecosystems, and put millions of Americans’ health and safety at risk, hurting people across the political spectrum.

By reversing long-standing legal protections for vulnerable coastal waters, new offshore leases would cause significant environmental damage to communities already reeling from natural disasters and recent oil spills. Oil spills not only cause irreparable environmental damage, but also suppress the value of coastal homes, harm tourism economies, and weaken coastal infrastructure. Already, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forced to respond to over 150 oil and chemical spills each year. One disastrous spill can cost taxpayers billions in lost revenue, cleanup costs, and ecosystem restoration.

These threats of expanded oil drilling come as the Administration already dismantled NOAA’s oil spill prevention and response programs, as almost 30 percent of the team in charge of addressing oil spills has been laid off or took early retirement. The Emergency Response Division team and the oil spill program are slated to lose half their funding from the Administration’s proposed FY 2026 budget.

“This is a matter of national consequence for coastal communities across the country, regardless of political affiliation. It puts our economies, national security, and our most vulnerable ecosystems at severe risk,” wrote the lawmakers. “… Expanded oil and gas leasing poses risks to the health and livelihoods of our constituents, jeopardizes our tourism, fishing, and recreation economies, and threatens the marine life that inhabits our coastlines.”

“The United States already leads the world in oil and gas production. The industry currently holds more than 2,000 offshore leases covering over 12 million acres of federal waters —yet fewer than 500 of those leases are actively producing oil and gas,” continued the lawmakers. “There is no justification for opening vast swaths of our oceans to leasing when existing leases remain largely unused, while imposing mounting environmental and economic costs on coastal communities.”

Additionally, the Department of Defense (DOD) previously warned that oil and gas leases in portions of the Eastern Gulf would impact areas critical to our military readiness, including for military training and testing opportunities and assets. DOD has also signaled that parts of the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Planning Areas are “not compatible with oil and gas activities and infrastructure.”

The lawmakers condemned the potential expansion of offshore drilling while the Administration simultaneously curtails offshore wind and clean energy development. This year, the Trump Administration has withdrawn all outer continental offshore wind leases, rescinded all designated Wind Energy Areas, and eliminated $679 million in offshore-wind-related port infrastructure funding, including over $426 million for Humboldt Bay offshore wind infrastructure.

Specifically, the lawmakers demanded that President Trump and Secretary Burgum:

• Halt any steps toward new offshore oil and gas leasing in the Atlantic, Pacific, off the coast the Arctic and Bering Sea coasts of Alaska, and the Eastern Gulf;
• Limit offshore drilling, consistent with previous statutory and agency protections;
• Prioritize coastal resilience, including expanded storm-surge and flood protection, restoration of wetlands and sand dunes, and early-warning systems, so that communities in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, New Jersey, Alaska, and beyond are better protected; and
• Restore a credible pathway for offshore wind and other clean-energy projects by rescinding the OCS wind-leasing withdrawal and rescinded WEAs, enabling science-based projects that support jobs and coastal economies.

“Our coastal communities, fishermen, small business owners, Tribal Nations, tourism operators, and families cannot be sacrificed in the name of short-term drilling booms,” concluded the lawmakers. “Opening new offshore lease areas while cancelling clean energy progress is potentially illegal, a failure of leadership, and a dereliction of the public trust.”

In addition to Lofgren, Padilla, Booker, Huffman, and Pallone, the letter is also signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11) and U.S. Representatives Gabe Amo (D-R.I.-01), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.-03), Becca Balint (D-Vt.-AL), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Wesley Bell (D-Mo.-01), Donald Beyer (D-Va.-08), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.-01), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.-05), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), André Carson (D-Ind.-07), Ed Case (D-Hawaii-01), Sean Casten (D-Ill.-06), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.-09), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.-05), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.-09), Herbert Conaway (D-N.J.-03), Danny Davis (D-Ill.-07), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.-04), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.-01), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.-01), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.-06), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.-03), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.-03), Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.-04), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-04), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.-10), Jim Himes (D-Conn.-04), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51), Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-Ga.-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.-08), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.-02), George Latimer (D-N.Y.-16), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Sam Liccardo (D-CA-16), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.-08), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Sarah McBride (D-Del.-AL), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.-10), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.-04), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.-04), James McGovern (D-Mass.-02), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.-08), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.-06), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.-12), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.-02), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.-01), Eleanor Norton (D-D.C.-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.-02), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine-01), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.-09), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.-05), Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), Emily Randall (D-Wash.-06), Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.-02), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.-05), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.-09), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.-08), Robert “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.-03), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Adam Smith (D-Wash.-09), Darren Soto (D-Fla.-09), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.-03), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.-02), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii-02), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.-20), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.-03), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), James Walkinshaw (D-Va.-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.-12), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.-24) also signed the letter.

Environmental advocates including Food & Water Watch, Oceana, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Surfrider Foundation, Earthjustice, and Alaska Wilderness League supported the letter.

“These reckless offshore drilling plans would put coastal communities and workers directly in harm’s way, risking new oil spills, worsening climate disasters, and erasing decades of progress toward clean energy,” said Jim Walsh, Policy Director for Food & Water Watch. “We cannot keep sacrificing people and places for fossil fuel profits. Protecting our coasts isn’t just sound policy, it’s a moral obligation necessary for a livable future.”

“Offshore drilling is a threat to the lifeblood of our coastal communities,” said Oceana Campaign Director Joseph Gordon. “The people who live and work along our coasts depend on healthy oceans for their economic security and way of life. Oceana commends Sen. Padilla, Sen. Booker, Rep. Huffman, Rep. Pallone, and the many lawmakers across the country who are working to protect our coasts from more drilling and spilling. There’s too much at stake to gamble our future on deadly oil spills that can last for generations to come.”

 “Selling off our ocean to the fossil fuel industry is wholly inconsistent with a livable future,” said Taryn Kiekow Heimer, Director, Ocean Energy at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Despite the urgency of ramping down fossil fuel production to address the climate and biodiversity crises, Interior is putting forth an outrageous proposal to offer up our coastal waters from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and the Gulf to the High Arctic to Big Oil. It’s inconceivable we would put polluter profits above coastal communities and wildlife.”

 “The federal administration’s offshore oil drilling plan will damage coastlines and communities, while threatening coastal recreation and tourism industries that contribute billions of dollars to our nation’s economy,” said Pete Stauffer, ocean protection manager of the Surfrider Foundation. “New drilling will also increase the likelihood of yet another destructive oil spill off our coasts.”

“The Trump administration should abandon its misguided plan to force offshore drilling on coastal communities that have made it clear they don’t want it,” said Laura M. Esquivel, Senior Legislative Representative, Earthjustice. “This reckless proposal threatens the way of life, health, and livelihoods of millions of people along America’s coastlines—regardless of political affiliation. The last thing Americans need is yet another threat to their wellbeing and economic security. Voters will remember who tried to bring this deeply unpopular plan to their communities.”

 “Alaska Wilderness League stands firmly against this Administration’s push for offshore drilling in Alaska’s coastal waters and the Arctic Ocean,” said Andy Moderow, Senior Director of Policy at Alaska Wilderness League. “For years, industry has shown no interest in drilling Arctic waters, and an oil spill in these fragile waters would be a global catastrophe with irreversible consequences for the coastal communities, marine wildlife, and the climate.” 

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Mr. President and Secretary Burgum:

We write to express our strongest opposition to any effort to open new offshore oil and gas leasing in federal waters off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, in the Arctic Ocean and northern Bering Sea off of Alaska, and in the Eastern Gulf. This is a matter of national consequence for coastal communities across the country, regardless of political affiliation. It puts our economies, national security, and our most vulnerable ecosystems at severe risk. These reported proposals would reverse long-standing protections that shield sensitive coastal waters from new drilling, including withdrawals under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, statutory moratoria, and agency restrictions.

Expanded oil and gas leasing poses risks to the health and livelihoods of our constituents, jeopardizes our tourism, fishing, and recreation economies, and threatens the marine life that inhabits our coastlines. Many of these communities are already reeling from compounded disasters: hurricanes, sea-level rise, storm surge, and the lingering legacy of oil-spill disasters. Since 1980, hurricanes alone have generated well over $1.5 trillion in damage in the United States. Expanding offshore leasing increases the likelihood that future storms, oil spills, or other disasters will impose even greater burdens on front-line coastal communities.

In addition to storms, the threat of oil spills remains real and costly. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard reported a spill of more than 30,000 gallons of “oily-watery mixture” off Louisiana’s coast earlier this year. Oil spill damage threatens not just the environment, but the value of coastal homes, the health of tourism economies, and the resilience of coastal infrastructure. A single catastrophic spill could cost taxpayers, states, and local communities tens of billions of dollars in cleanup costs, lost revenue, and degraded ecosystems. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) already responds to over 150 oil and chemical spills in U.S. waters every year. Under the administration’s proposed plan, every part of the United States’ coastline would be at risk of disaster.

These risks are magnified by the administration’s dismantling of NOAA and its oil spill prevention and response programs. Nearly 30 percent of NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration Emergency Response Division staff—the team that addresses oil spills—were already laid off or took early retirement as part of the administration’s ongoing reductions in force. The administration’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget would cut in half funding for the oil spill program and the Emergency Response Division.

Under the administration’s reported plans, harmful seismic testing could take place across every coast. NOAA Fisheries recently concluded that oil and gas activities like seismic exploration in the Gulf of Mexico could drive the endangered Rice’s whale—of which only a few dozen individuals remain—to extinction. Seismic testing for oil and gas disrupts communication, navigation, and breeding among whales, fish, and other marine species, inflicting irreversible harm on ocean ecosystems.

The administration’s reported plans would also open up oil and gas leasing in areas the Department of Defense (DOD) has previously stated would be problematic for military readiness. Leaked documents report that the administration will conduct leasing in parts of the Eastern Gulf, which includes irreplaceable military training and testing opportunities and assets. The DOD has similarly labeled portions of the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic Planning Areas “not compatible with oil and gas activities and infrastructure.”

The United States already leads the world in oil and gas production. The industry currently holds more than 2,000 offshore leases covering over 12 million acres of federal waters —yet fewer than 500 of those leases are actively producing oil and gas. There is no justification for opening vast swaths of our oceans to leasing when existing leases remain largely unused, while imposing mounting environmental and economic costs on coastal communities.

While the administration prepares to expand offshore drilling, it is simultaneously undermining offshore wind and clean energy development, thereby reducing our ability to expand energy supplies and build resilient coastal economies. On January 20, 2025, the President issued a memorandum withdrawing all areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from offshore wind leasing, pending review. On July 30, 2025, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) rescinded all designated Wind Energy Areas (WEAs). The Department of the Interior has issued directives curbing so-called “preferential treatment” for wind and solar, and the U.S. Department of Transportation withdrew $679 million in offshore-wind-related port infrastructure funding. These actions raise electricity costs for families, make our coastlines less safe, and our communities more vulnerable.

We therefore urge your administration to take the following actions to reverse course immediately:

1. Halt any steps toward new offshore oil and gas leasing in the Atlantic, Pacific, off the coast the Arctic and Bering Sea coasts of Alaska, and the Eastern Gulf;

2. Limit offshore drilling, consistent with previous statutory and agency protections;

3. Prioritize coastal resilience, including expanded storm-surge and flood protection, restoration of wetlands and sand dunes, and early-warning systems, so that communities in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, New Jersey, Alaska, and beyond are better protected; and

4. Restore a credible pathway for offshore wind and other clean-energy projects by rescinding the OCS wind-leasing withdrawal and rescinded WEAs, enabling science-based projects that support jobs and coastal economies.

Protecting our waters from offshore drilling is broadly supported by the American public. Nearly two-thirds of registered voters oppose new offshore drilling, and hundreds of municipalities along the Atlantic, Pacific, the eastern Gulf, and these regions of Alaska have passed formal resolutions against its expansion. These communities have made clear that safeguarding their coastal economies, fisheries, and way of life must take precedence over short-term fossil fuel interests. Our coastal communities, fishermen, small business owners, Tribal Nations, tourism operators, and families cannot be sacrificed in the name of short-term drilling booms. Opening new offshore lease areas while cancelling clean energy progress is potentially illegal, a failure of leadership, and a dereliction of the public trust.

We look forward to your prompt response detailing what specific steps the Administration will take to halt this course of action and recommit to safeguarding our nation’s shores, economy, and shared future.

Sincerely, 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) voted along with a majority (222 to 209) of the House of Representatives to pass the FY2026 Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act. The bill, once signed into law by President Trump, will end the ongoing federal government shutdown. It includes full-year funding for three of the 12 annual appropriations bills – Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. The bill provides funding through January 30, 2026, for all other programs.

“For more than 40 days Democrats in Congress held the American people, especially those dependent on SNAP benefits and federal workers, hostage in a desperate attempt to achieve their political goals,” said Rep. Calvert. “Today, we are releasing the hostage. Ending our government shutdown is vital, but it’s also important for Americans understand that Republicans refused to pay a ransom. The Democrats who waived the white flag and voted to end the shutdown did so because we called their bluff. Paying our troops, providing food assistance, and having fully staffed air traffic control operations aren’t bargaining chips. They are vital government functions. I hope Democrats in Congress learn a valuable lesson from this shameful political charade that harmed our country and realize that they will not be rewarded when they behave like terrorists.”

“The passage of three full-year appropriations bills marks important progress in our annual appropriations process. House and Senate appropriators must maintain this momentum to complete our work on the nine remaining full-year appropriations bills. The bills passed today implement Trump Administration priorities, reflect fiscal restraint, and implement stable funding for critical agencies. I’m especially pleased that the bill fully funds veterans’ health care programs, as well as fully funds veterans’ benefits and VA programs.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) re-introduced the Stuck on Hold Act, H.R. 5992, legislation designed to add convenience and transparency to Americans who call the Veterans Administration (VA) for assistance. The bill would require the VA to implement a new and improved customer service telephone system that informs callers of their estimated wait times and, if the wait is estimated to be longer than 10 minutes, gives the caller the option of receiving an automated call back when it is their turn in line.

“Our veterans answered the call for our country, so it’s only right to make sure the VA answers the call when our veterans are looking for help,” said Rep. Calvert. “The Stuck on Hold Act is commonsense legislation that will ensure our veterans aren’t stuck waiting endlessly on hold, hoping someone answers when they need assistance with the benefits they have earned. I appreciate Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introducing companion legislation in the Senate and working with me on this important bill for our veterans.”

Last year, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity held a legislative hearing on the Stuck On Hold Act. At the hearing, a number of veteran service organizations voiced their support for the bill, including Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). The bill passed the House in September 2024 by a unanimous vote. 

 

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