Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Chesapeake Bay Democrats Condemn Trump Administration’s Proposed Firings at Bay Office

“Terminating these employees is a direct attack on the decades-long work to preserve the Chesapeake Bay.”

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Second Missed Jobs Report

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) did not release a jobs report for the second month in a row. This is the first time BLS has missed two jobs reports in a row.

“Workers, businesses, and policymakers rely on the Bureau of Labor Statistics to provide accurate, up-to-date information about the labor market to maintain a healthy and functioning economy. However, today marks the second consecutive month without a jobs report, leaving key stakeholders without the crucial guidance they need to address sluggish job growth, and further eroding Americans’ confidence in the integrity of our economy.

“Working families across the country are struggling in an economy that is not working for them. Moreover, the Trump Administration’s reckless economic policies are driving up everyday costs. In addition to refusing to lower the cost of health care, the President has threatened to illegally withhold SNAP benefits from hungry children and seniors. With the government shutdown also jeopardizing the release of critical inflation data like the Consumer Price Index (CPI) moving forward, policymakers are flying blind on key indicators that affect gas, groceries, and other daily costs.

“The public must have confidence that policymakers are making decisions using accurate data and evidence. The continued absence of the monthly jobs report only deepens the anxiety and uncertainty Americans are feeling about the future of our country under this Administration.

“Speaker Johnson must call Republicans back from their weeks-long vacation and get back to work. The American people deserve an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy.”

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Judiciary Committee’s Baseless Allegations Against George Mason University President

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott issued the following statement following the release of the Judiciary Committee’s interim staff report entitled, “Illegal Racial Discrimination in Faculty Hiring at George Mason University Under the Direction of President Gregory Washington.”

“Under President Gregory Washington’s tenure, George Mason University welcomed the largest and most diverse freshman class in its history and its most academically prepared, with more than 70 percent of freshmen entering with a 3.5 GPA or higher. And George Mason University became the first four-year public university in Virginia to enroll more than 40,000 students.

“Despite President Washington’s cooperation with both the Trump Administration and the House Judiciary Committee’s investigations, he is now facing spurious and partisan attacks. It is not a crime to follow Virginia’s laws aimed at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across state government. And it is not a crime to offer equal employment opportunities to qualified job applicants.”

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Votes Against Republican Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting against the Republican funding bill: 

“This government shutdown has been painful for many, especially Virginians. It could have been entirely avoided if Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans had worked with Democrats to address the health care crisis caused by their own policy choices. Their Big Ugly Law decimated Medicaid and placed a huge strain on the health care system, particularly on rural health facilities that are now being forced to close. We are now in the middle of open enrollment season, and because Republicans refused to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, working families across the nation are seeing their health insurance costs skyrocket. 

“Outrageously, this bill includes millions of dollars in cash payouts to several Republican Senators who were investigated during the January 6th insurrection prosecutions. This provision applies to a handful of United States Senators only, not members of the public or even other government officials who were likewise investigated. This last-minute amendment corruptly enriches a few senators, all of whom voted for the payout.

“As we seek to open the government on a temporary basis while regular spending bills are worked on, it must be noted that traditionally an agreement is achieved which provides for spending to continue at the same rate as the last enacted spending legislation. Insofar as the president is required by the Constitution to faithfully execute the laws, all previous presidents have interpreted ‘Continuing Resolutions’ to require the president to spend the money as it has been appropriated.  However, since Donald Trump came back into office, he seems to believe he can spend money on what he wants, where he wants, when he wants, and if he wants. Therefore, for any spending agreement to make sense, Congress must now obtain assurances that when we come to funding agreements in a Continuing Resolution, the executive branch will actually spend the money as it has been appropriated. So we must now include provisions in spending bills that require funds to be spent as intended and, regrettably, this legislation fails to include such provisions.

“I appreciate that this bill will reverse the Trump Administration’s mass firings since October 1 and will prevent any future mass firings through January and restates the law ensuring that all federal employees will receive backpay. It also fully funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September, ensuring that the Trump Administration can no longer play political games with people’s ability to feed their families. However, we should address the important health care issues not addressed in the bill and address the spending assurances required for the agreement to be enforced and certainly delete the provisions that allow for the corrupt enrichment of a handful of Republican Senators from the bill. For those reasons, I voted no. 

“Finally, it should be noted that we will be forced to confront all of these policy questions again at the end of January when this Continuing Resolution expires. In the meantime, I will continue working to fully fund the government in a way that addresses the needs of American families.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier this evening, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D, MN-04), Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, delivered the following remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives during debate on H.R. 5371:

“Mr. Speaker, Donald Trump and Republicans control the entire government. For 42 days, Republicans shut it down. Why? Because they refuse to extend tax credits to help millions of Americans afford their healthcare. If that wasn’t bad enough, President Trump even withheld food assistance during the shutdown. Hunger should never be used as a weapon. This CR continues the Republican health care crisis. The Speaker already said that he won’t hold a vote to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits to reduce health care costs for Americans. So now, my constituents are going to have to choose between heating their homes, feeding their families, or taking their children to the doctor. It’s a terrible deal for the American people. Americans deserve an open and transparent government that works for them. They deserve access to affordable healthcare and nutritious food for their families. That’s what House Democrats are fighting for. I wish the President and Republicans would join us in this fight and share our priorities. I yield back.”

Click here to watch the full remarks on YouTube.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, issued the following statement on Monday upon Senate passage of a continuing resolution that fails to extend tax credits that millions of Americans depend on to access affordable health care.

“Donald Trump and Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. For 40 days, they have chosen to shut down government, because they refuse to extend tax credits that help millions afford their health care. They have chosen to use hunger as a weapon against the American people by withholding SNAP food assistance.

“I strongly oppose the Senate’s government funding bill, because it does nothing to address these Republican crises. It is a bad deal for Americans. In fact, their bill cuts $18 billion more from SNAP, and fails to include any guardrails to prevent the Trump Administration from continuing their illegal and unconstitutional misuse of congressionally appropriated funds.  

 “There is no reason to believe that House Republicans will take action to reduce health care costs for the American people. Speaker Johnson has said himself that he will not hold a vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits. The Republican failure to extend these tax credits will force millions of Americans to choose between feeding their families or taking their sick child to the doctor.

“What I want is for Minnesotans and all Americans to have an open and transparent government that works for them, have access to quality affordable healthcare, be able to have enough money for their groceries, and to live in welcoming communities. It is unfortunate that President Trump and my Republican colleagues do not share those priorities.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

On Thursday, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, released the following statement honoring Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi upon her retirement announcement: 

“Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi has been an incredible leader for our country. Her steadfast integrity and character were core to making her one of most effective and influential House Speakers in U.S. history. Throughout her Speakership and since she stepped down from that role in 2022, she has continued to be a tremendous mentor, particularly for new women members.

“I have deeply respected Nancy Pelosi since I first met her as a candidate for Congress in 2000 when women members were only 13 percent of the House of Representatives. It was a tremendous honor to nominate her for the position of Democratic Whip when she became the first woman to be elected to that position in 2001. As the first woman to be Speaker, her accomplishments on behalf of the American people were extraordinary and historic: She led the House in passing the Affordable Care Act, led the Democratic caucus through the COVID-19 pandemic and all its uncertainties, and spearheaded the passage of the largest infrastructure and climate change investments in our nation’s history, and so much more. It has been a privilege to have served together throughout the years on our shared priorities of expanding health care access, promoting human rights, and creating better, brighter futures for our children. Our friendship has grown, and she remains a close friend and trusted partner in this work. 

“As Speaker, she faced down the most dangerous threats and abuses of the Trump administration and never backed away from the president’s attacks on our democracy, including on January 6, 2021. Under her leadership, she led the House through two impeachments and entrusted me to lead impeachment proceedings on the House Floor on January 13, 2021 to hold the president accountable for his malfeasance in office. 

“I will always be grateful for Nancy’s constant reminder about what’s important, and how the votes we cast impact the people we serve, especially the children. She has always kept their interests central to her decades of service. I offer my sincere thanks and congratulations to her and Paul, as well as their children and grandchildren. I look forward to continuing to work with her throughout the remainder of the 119th Congress.”
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – This week, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), introduced the Innovation Fund Act to establish a program to reward communities that are taking innovative steps to increase housing supply. The bill creates a competitive pot of highly flexible funding for communities that are building more housing, which can be used to improve community infrastructure, build housing, and supplement water and sewer grants. The bill is included in the landmark bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act, which recently passed the Senate in the FY2026 NDAA.

The Innovation Fund Act:

• Will award competitive grants to cities, counties, other units of local government or Indian tribes that have demonstrated an objective improvement in housing supply.
• Requires applicants to describe how they are currently facilitating the expansion of their housing supply.
• Will prioritize eligible entities that demonstrate the use of innovative policies, interventions, or programs to increase housing supply.
• Allows eligible entities to use the funds to carry out CDBG eligible activities, as matching funds for water and sewer grants, and for initiatives that facilitate the expansion of the supply of attainable housing and supplement initiatives the eligible entity has carried out.

Official bill text is available here.

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Housing & Insurance Subcommittee Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) and Chairman Mike Flood (R-NE) introduced the HOME Reform Act of 2025, legislation that overhauls the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The bipartisan legislation will streamline regulations to strengthen public-private partnerships in efforts to encourage the building of more housing and rental properties to bring down the cost of housing.

“Americans in every community are struggling to stay afloat financially due to the high cost of housing, which is limiting opportunities for families to get ahead and weighing down local economies,” said Ranking Member Cleaver. “This is a crisis that demands immediate bipartisan action to lower costs, and I’m pleased to join Chairman Flood in the effort to provide relief nationwide. By revamping and revitalizing the HOME Program—one of our greatest tools to expand the supply of affordable housing for working-class families—we can ensure that affordable housing and the American Dream of homeownership are once again attainable from the heartland to the coasts. After months of meetings and hearings with local leaders, housing stakeholders, and American families from across the country, I’m proud to introduce the Home Reform Act with Chairman Flood to lower housing costs in Missouri and beyond.”

“America is in the midst of a housing crisis as families struggle to live the American dream due to the of a shortage of millions of homes,” said Chairman Flood. “The HOME program is a federal program that builds housing supply, but it has previously been weighed down by regulatory burdens that make it hard to build housing. Thanks to the insights of those who work directly with HOME, and the invaluable teamwork of my colleague Ranking Member Cleaver, I believe the HOME Reform Act of 2025 will cut the red tape that has been holding this program back. The reforms in this legislation will result in more homebuilding across the country as we work to tackle our nation’s housing shortage. From Columbus, Nebraska to Columbus, Ohio and beyond, local communities will have an unprecedented opportunity to build affordable homes and directly address the housing crisis gripping our nation. I look forward to working to pass this legislation with broad bipartisan support.”

The HOME Reform Act represents the first major reform to the program since its authorization in 1990 as part of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. The legislation provides greater flexibility for states and localities, cuts red tape, and supports the development and preservation of affordable housing.

The HOME Reform Act is the result of a bipartisan effort kickstarted by Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver earlier this year to develop meaningful solutions to the housing crisis in America. In April, Congressman Cleaver and Congressman Flood released a joint request for feedback on the HOME and CDBG programs. In July, the Housing & Insurance Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, “HOME 2.0: Modern Solutions to the Housing Shortage.”

The HOME Reform Act is endorsed by Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, American Planning Association (APA), Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH), Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA), Community Opportunity Alliance, Enterprise Community Partners, Fahe, Habitat for Humanity International, Housing Partnership Network (HPN), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Lincoln Avenue Communities, Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), National Apartment Association (NAA), National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders (NAAHL), National Association of County Community and Economic Development (NACCED), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), National Association of Realtors (NAR), National Community Development Association (NCDA), National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST), National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA), National Housing Conference (NHC), National Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NH&RA), National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), National NeighborWorks Association (NNA), Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF), Up for Growth and the US Conference of Mayors.

Official text of the HOME Reform Act is available here.

A detailed section-by-section of the HOME Reform Act is available here.

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement on the latest Senate spending proposal.

“For months now, as Americans plead for reforms that will address our national cost-of-living crisis, Democrats have called on Republicans in control of the White House, House of Representatives, and Senate to work with Democrats in Congress to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits that lower health care costs for working-class families. However, instead of working in a bipartisan fashion to avoid a shutdown and protect the health care of the American people, Republicans chose to slash taxes for the wealthy and well-connected while making the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs in history.

“From the very beginning of the Republican shutdown, I have said that I cannot support legislation that raises the health care costs of hardworking families across Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. Unfortunately, the legislation proposed in the Senate will ensure that tens of thousands of my constituents see their health care premiums skyrocket, some by more than double what they are today. That is a heartless way to govern, particularly at a time when the president is giving $40 billion-dollar bailouts to Argentina and spending hundreds of millions to build a gilded ballroom at the White House.

“Therefore, I will not support the legislation if it comes to a vote in the House of Representatives.”

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