Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement urging Pennsylvania Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick to vote no on final passage of a government funding bill that would raise health care costs for Pennsylvanians:

“I urge Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick to vote no on this bill that would strip health care from millions of Americans and send costs soaring for tens of millions more, including by more than 100 percent for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians. We need an agreement that reopens the government and protects Americans’ health care.”

Earlier today, Boyle held a press conference with local labor and civic leaders, urging Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick to defend Pennsylvania families and oppose this legislation.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, joined Representatives Dwight Evans (PA-03) and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) in calling on Speaker Johnson to immediately reconvene the House of Representatives and bring Members back into voting session.

“It is absolutely astounding that for over six weeks now, the House of Representatives has been shut,” said Boyle. “Those who are on the Obamacare exchange here in Pennsylvania, called Pennie, have seen their premiums skyrocket. In addition to that, because of this government shutdown 41 million Americans who rely on SNAP now are not getting it. So, I’m proud again to stand here with my colleagues, Dwight and Mary Gay, to speak with one voice to call on Speaker Johnson to immediately reopen the House of Representatives.”

Together, Philadelphia’s three U.S. Representatives visited Bebashi – Transition to Hope’s Philadelphia food pantry and urged the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP and comply with the federal court rulings that found President Trump illegally blocked food assistance. The Representatives were joined by Sebrina Tate, President and CEO of Bebashi – Transition to Hope. At today’s press conference, Boyle also slammed the devastating food assistance cuts in Trump’s Big Ugly Law.

“Just a few months ago, right before the 4th of July, despite our no votes the House of Representatives and Senate passed, and President Trump signed a bill that includes the largest cuts to health care in American history,” Boyle continued. “Also in that piece of legislation, $187 billion worth of cuts to SNAP food assistance, also the largest in American history. Why? To help pay for tax breaks that mostly go to the top 1%.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Dean of Pennsylvania’s Democratic Congressional Delegation, joined by Representatives Dwight Evans (PA-03), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Summer Lee (PA-12), and Chris Deluzio (PA-17), issued the following statement:

“Every day this Republican shutdown drags on, the harm to Pennsylvania families grows deeper. We urge our 10 Republican House colleagues from Pennsylvania to join us in calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the House back to Washington. We stand ready to work together on a bipartisan solution that reopens the government and protects affordable health care for Pennsylvanians in all 17 congressional districts who now face skyrocketing premiums or the loss of coverage altogether.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, North Carolina Representatives Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), and Don Davis (NC-01) led a letter calling on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to use “all available contingency funds and statutory transfer authority” to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) through November.

On Friday, October 24, the USDA announced they would not administer SNAP benefits in November due to the government shutdown despite Congress having already allocated $5-6 billion in SNAP contingency funds which the department can access for this purpose.

In the letter, lawmakers outlined the importance of SNAP and WIC, saying, “SNAP and WIC are among the most effective evidence-based programs our nation has to combat hunger and promote nutrition. They ensure low-income families, children, and older adults can access nutritious foods essential for their well-being. These programs not only reduce hunger but also yield measurable benefits for maternal and child health, improve birth outcomes, and lower long-term healthcare costs.”

The letter highlighted how important food security programs are as grocery prices continue to rise in the United States: “The Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows that food-at-home prices remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, rising faster than overall inflation and squeezing household budgets even further. Millions of Americans—especially those living paycheck to paycheck—cannot absorb a disruption to these critical programs.”

Lawmakers emphasized that North Carolina households and families rely on these benefits to put food on the table: “In North Carolina alone, over 1.4 million residents rely on SNAP to help put food on the table each month. This includes more than 600,000 children, 159,000 older adults, and 46,000 veterans—individuals who have served our country and now depend on these benefits for basic sustenance. WIC, likewise, provides essential support for mothers, infants, and children, ensuring access to nutritious foods and health services that foster strong starts in life. In North Carolina, 49%, nearly half, of infants born in the state participate in WIC, and 237,656 women, infants, and children rely on the program each month.”

In addition to food security, the letter stressed the economic impact of SNAP, especially to grocers and farmers: “In fiscal year 2024 alone, nearly $3 billion in SNAP benefits and $165.5 million in WIC benefits were redeemed at North Carolina retailers—an economic lifeline that sustains businesses and strengthens local economies… Many of the state farmers’ markets accept SNAP and WIC benefits, enabling families to purchase fresh, locally grown produce directly from the producers. When these programs lapse or funding is delayed, the effects ripple through our rural communities: families lose access to nutritious food, and farmers lose a dependable source of income.”

Lawmakers concluded by saying, “Given the urgency of the situation, we strongly urge the USDA to deploy all available contingency and reserve funds to continue SNAP and WIC operations in November and utilize statutory transfer authority to prevent any disruption in benefits during a government shutdown.”

The full letter can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

CHARLOTTE, NC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Senior Member of the House Agriculture Committee, joined Nourish Up and Second Harvest Food Bank to distribute food to Charlotte-Mecklenburg families at this week’s Pop Up Food Share event held at the Stratford-Richardson YMCA in Charlotte. Rep. Adams handed out food and spoke with attendees about their experiences with food security in the 12^th District.

Rep. Adams helped distribute food at a time when the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are stripping food assistance from Americans. Despite Congress allocating funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) contingency fund which can cover funding lapses in SNAP, the USDA has refused to use it, rather choosing to take SNAP benefits away from 1.4 million North Carolinians, including 34,000 households in the 12^th District.

“The Trump administration is choosing to withhold food from our most vulnerable so they can weaponize people’s pain—their choice is to let America go hungry,” said Congresswoman Adams. “I’m grateful that our food banks are stepping up to feed our community during this pivotal time, but they shouldn’t have to. Congress already allocated billions that can be used immediately to provide SNAP benefits, and legally, the courts have ruled they have to use it. It’s time for the administration to do its job, administer SNAP benefits, and end the pain being inflicted on American families.”

Press collateral from the event can be found here.A list of food resources for constituents can be found here and here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

In the letter, lawmakers raised concerns over the shutdown’s impact on the government, which has already faced major operational issues in 2025: “The [Education] Department has gone forward with another round of layoffs during the shutdown… Our Committee recently sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget outlining concerns about staffing losses across the Department, including in civil rights, K-12, and special education offices. This letter follows up specifically on [the Office of Postsecondary Education], which is now operating with limited capacity. Those cuts are already being felt by students, borrowers, and colleges.”

The letter emphasized how implementing provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will require significant staff capacity and resources now threatened by shortages, saying, “The Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee is working through new repayment rules, loan caps, and phaseouts that affect tens of millions of borrowers. The committee met with limited public input at the close of each day and without a dedicated civil rights voice at the table. The Department has said it plans to publish proposed rules later this year and move quickly. That work will require adequate staff, clear guidance, and reliable operations, not just at FSA, as well as clear communication with borrowers and institutions.”

Lawmakers questioned whether cuts leave the Department able to meet its obligations: “Taken together, these developments raise questions about the Department’s capacity to meet its Congressionally-mandated responsibilities. Who is handling grants, rulemaking, and stakeholder engagement at OPE? Who is staffing the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) and its compliance reviews? Who is processing borrower cases at FSA while new repayment rules are being written? If the Department intends to meet its legal duties on time, Congress needs to see the plan and staffing behind it.”

The lawmakers are calling for a response from the Department by Friday, November 14, addressing the concerns outlined in the letter, including a list of staffing cuts and the Department’s updated shutdown contingency plan.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) released a statement on her vote against the Republican Continuing Resolution (CR) which failed to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, leaving 88,000 12^th District residents without access to affordable health care in 2026. The CR also includes millions of taxpayer dollars to fund payouts to eight Republican Senators.

“I voted against the Continuing Resolution because I cannot support a CR that fails to address the Republican healthcare crisis, and one that gives millions of taxpayer dollars in payouts to their colleagues,” said Congresswoman Adams. “My constituents are struggling to afford healthcare, food, and to make rent. They have suffered under the weight of this administration’s poor economic policies and now 88,000 of my constituents are facing skyrocketing premiums next year without the ACA tax credits. My priorities have always been lowering costs for them. My promise to you remains the same—I will continue to fight to make your life more affordable because working hard is not enough if you don’t make enough.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

CHARLOTTE, NC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) released a statement on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) plans to deploy U.S. Border Patrol and ICE agents to Charlotte.

“I am extremely concerned about the deployment of U.S. Border Patrol and ICE agents to Charlotte,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Charlotte’s immigrant community is a proud part of the Queen City, and I will not stand by and watch my constituents be intimidated or harassed. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and what we have seen border patrol and ICE agents do in places like Chicago and Los Angeles—using excessive force in their operations and tear gassing peaceful protestors—threatens the wellbeing of the communities they enter. Those tactics and values have no place in the City of Charlotte or Mecklenburg County.”

Rep. Adams remains in contact with local, state, and federal leaders, as well as immigration activists in the 12^th District, to ensure fair and appropriate treatment of her constituents and the proud immigrant community that calls Charlotte home.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

HERMANTOWN, MN – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) announced that $1.37M in federal funding was secured for the City of Harris Municipal Water System Improvement and Water Main Looping project through the Senate Amendment to H.R.5371.

This critical investment will address structural vulnerabilities in Harris’s water system, create redundancy to prevent service disruptions, loop water mains to eliminate dead ends and boost fire protection, install shut-off valves for localized repairs, and upgrade aging infrastructure for greater reliability and water quality.

“As our northern communities continue to grow, reliable, up-to-date water systems are critical for economic success and long-term sustainability,” saidCongressman Stauber. “Harris residents deserve dependability, so I’m proud to deliver this funding to strengthen essential infrastructure and protect public safety in the Eighth District.”

“On behalf of the City of Harris, I want to thank Congressman Pete Stauber and our federal partners for securing this $1.37 million investment in our municipal water system,” said Randy Carlson, Mayor of Harris. “This funding directly addresses some of our most pressing infrastructure needs—creating true system redundancy, improving fire protection, eliminating dead-end mains, and ensuring that our residents and businesses have a safe, reliable water supply for decades to come. This is a transformational step forward for Harris, and we are grateful for the continued support in strengthening the essential services our community depends on.”

The Harris project is one of fifteen projects submitted by Congressman Stauber for Community Project Funding through the U.S. House of Representatives appropriations process. The Harris project was submitted under the FY26 Agriculture division, one of the three full-year appropriations measures included in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371. Other projects are still being considered under the remaining full-year FY26 appropriations bills, which Congress will be deliberating over the next few weeks. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) released the following statement after passage of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371, the continuing resolution to open the government:

“On September 19th, House Republicans did their job. We passed a clean continuing resolution to fund the government through November 21st, in order to give us time to put forth a budget for FY26.

Senate Democrats, including our two Minnesota Senators Klobuchar and Smith, voted 15 times against the continuing resolution because they wanted to use the American people for “leverage” in order to force US taxpayers to spend an additional $1.5 trillion on far-Left priorities, including free healthcare for illegal immigrants. They also wanted to remove the $50 billion investment for American rural healthcare that was signed into law by way of the Working Families Tax Cut legislation.

During this Democrat-led shutdown, air traffic controllers, military service members, law enforcement, and others went without pay. Families in need were shut out of their SNAP benefits and much more. This shutdown caused pain and misery for so many, all because the radical extremists have taken over the Democrat party.

Thankfully, the Schumer Shutdown ends tonight, and we move America forward once again!”

The Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371 includes three bipartisan, bicameral full-year appropriations measures covering the following divisions: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Legislative Branch; and Agriculture. It extends all other government funding until January 30, 2026, allowing Congress to continue its work on the remaining full-year FY26 appropriations bills. Additionally, the legislation reestablishes federal workforce levels, provides back pay for furloughed workers, and extends expiring healthcare and veteran programs.

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