Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Congresswoman Angie Craig of Minnesota will host a press conference on Tuesday, February 24th at 10:00 AM ET at HVC Studio B ahead of the State of the Union. 

WHAT: Press Conference hosted by Minnesota House Democrats

WHEN: Tuesday, February 24th at 10:00 AM

WHO: Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D, MN-04), Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D, MN-05), and Congresswoman Angie Craig (D, MN-02)

WHERE: HVC Studio B (access through HVC 117)

WATCH: Watch on Congresswoman McCollum’s YouTube Channel

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

February 23, 2026

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Ceasefire Compliance Act, legislation that would ban the use of US-origin weapons in Gaza and the West Bank if Israel violates the October 10, 2025, ceasefire agreement and 20-point plan, annexes the West Bank, or fails to combat settler violence against Palestinians. The bill creates an end-use monitoring group and congressional oversight mechanisms to enforce this ban while exempting defensive missile systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow 3, and maintaining US support for Israel’s security.

Text of the bill can be found here. A two-page summary of the bill can be found here. A section-by-section of the bill can be found here.

“As one of the United States’ most important allies, Israel must ensure that its policies and the use of U.S. military assistance align with American values, interests, and the law,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “That starts with requiring compliance with the October 10, 2025, ceasefire agreement and the steps laid out in the 20-point plan, curbing settler violence, and rejecting annexation in the West Bank. This legislation creates clear enforcement mechanisms, transparency, and consequences when those conditions are not met. To be clear, it does not deny Israel the right to defend itself, and it preserves support for missile defense. It does, however, set guardrails to help sustain the ceasefire and keep a credible path toward long-term peace, with security for Israelis and freedom and self-determination for the Palestinian people.”

“The Ceasefire Compliance Act puts into law the common sense principle that American weapons cannot be used by the Israeli government in Gaza and the West Bank in ways that fundamentally violate American values and directly contravene U.S. interests,” said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. “US assistance – whether aid or arms – should never come as a blank check. The CCA will ensure the Israeli government is held to agreements it has signed and abides by the ceasefire, allows a Palestinian governing council to take control of Gaza, and cannot annex the West Bank. Passing this bill is a critical step to lay the foundation for broader regional peace that creates a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel and guarantees Israel’s long-term security.”

“The Ceasefire Compliance Act recognizes a simple truth: American weapons must only be used in accordance with American laws and American values,” said Madeleine Cereghino, Director of Government Relations for New Jewish Narrative. “Conditioning their use on compliance with the ceasefire, on safeguarding civilians, and on ending unlawful annexation efforts is unfortunately necessary. This legislation honors the best of who we are as a country by insisting on accountability, transparency, and a clear path toward lasting security and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

“The American people want a just and durable peace for Palestinians and Israelis alike,” said Andrew Albertson, Executive Director of Foreign Policy for America. “The Ceasefire Compliance Act ensures that U.S. taxpayer dollars aren’t used to undermine efforts to end the cycles of violence that for too long have threatened U.S. interests, put Americans’ lives at risk, and undermined America’s standing in the world.”

In addition to Rep. Casten, the Ceasefire Compliance Act is cosponsored by Reps. Madeleine Dean, Veronica Escobar, Chris Deluzio, Becca Balint, Jim McGovern, Jan Schakowsky, Ro Khanna, John Garamendi, Don Beyer, Jill Tokuda, Lloyd Doggett, Valerie Foushee, Mike Thompson, Sylvia Garcia, Doris Matsui, Derek Tran, Emily Randall, Jared Huffman, Mark Takano, Troy Carter, Chellie Pingree, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Marcy Kaptur, Betty McCollum, and Joaquin Castro.

The legislation has been endorsed by J Street, Foreign Policy for America, New Jewish Narrative, and Refugees International.

What The Ceasefire Compliance Act Does

This bill would condition U.S. arms transfers and restrict the use of U.S.-origin defense articles in Gaza and the West Bank if Israel violates the ceasefire agreement, 20-point plan, and related conditions. These include maintaining compliance with the October 10, 2025, ceasefire and steps tied to the 20-point plan, supporting sustained humanitarian access and aid, and refraining from annexation and actions that fuel violence, including continued settler violence in the West Bank. The bill creates an end-use monitoring group and strengthens congressional oversight mechanisms through recurring reporting and certifications to enforce this ban while exempting defensive missile systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow 3, and maintaining US support for Israel’s security.

Why the Ceasefire Compliance Act is Important

Enforcing the ceasefire: This bill is critical to increase pressure to enforce the ceasefire, given the multitude of threats to it, including:

• Ongoing Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire in Gaza, which have killed over 600 Palestinians since the ceasefire began.

• Ongoing restrictions and delay, which limit the consistent flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

• Political and practical obstacles to establishing the governance and security arrangements envisioned for Phase Two, which are necessary to keep the ceasefire durable and prevent a return to hostilities.

Implementing the second phase of the ceasefire will require sustained, intense pressure on all actors. While other US allies such as Qatar and Turkey can place pressure on Hamas, only the United States can ensure Israel adheres to its obligations under the ceasefire agreement and moves forward with the 20-point plan.

Supporting Israel’s security: By focusing on a ban of US arms in the Palestinian territories as an accountability mechanism for ceasefire compliance, this bill maintains support for Israel’s self-defense against legitimate security threats from Iran, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

Security Safeguards: Nothing in this bill prevents Israel from defending itself, or the United States from assisting Israel in the event of another tragic attack. It also does not impose an automatic cutoff of U.S. arms transfers if Hamas resumes hostilities. The bill includes explicit language that:

• Does not limit funds for air defense systems, including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow 3.

• Does not prevent the United States from sharing intelligence or assisting Israel in defensive measures, including missile defense maintenance/resupply.

• Does not prevent the United States from assisting Israel in protecting its territory from terrorist and other external threats.

Protecting the West Bank: Conditions in the West Bank have deteriorated severely in the past few years.

• The Israeli government has failed to act against a massive escalation of settler attacks, despite the killings of Palestinian civilians, including American citizens.

• Members of the Israeli government continue to pursue de facto and de jure annexation of the West Bank through both legal measures and settlement expansion.

• Policies such as advancing construction plans in the E-1 corridor and changes to land administration and registration policies risk further fragmenting the territory and undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state.

This bill also strengthens Israel’s security by discouraging policies that lead to repeated cycles of war. Mass civilian casualties, humanitarian crises, and unchecked settler violence in the West Bank are moral stains on humanity and make Israel less safe and secure. Coupled with the Israeli government’s policies and acts of de facto or de jure annexation of the West Bank, Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank has fueled resentment and militancy, damaged Israel’s international standing, complicated prospects for expanding the Abraham Accords, and perpetuated a cycle of violence that harms Palestinians and Israelis. This bill seeks to incentivize policy changes that would reverse these damaging trends and recognizes that issues in the West Bank and Gaza are inextricably linked and must be addressed in tandem.

Ending the blank check: This bill redefines the system of US military aid to Israel, transforming it from a blank check to an accountability-based system that advances US strategic interests in the Middle East, aligns with American values, enhances Israel’s security, and protects Palestinian civilians. Through thorough oversight and tough enforcement mechanisms, it makes clear that actions undermining shared U.S. and Israeli interests and values will have consequences.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced he was selected by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries as designated survivor for tomorrow’s State of the Union address. Thompson will watch the speech from a secure, undisclosed location off campus. Thompson released the following statement on what he demands to hear from the President tomorrow: 

“Since the day he took office, this president has raised costs for hardworking families, unleashed ICE to terrorize our communities, and threatened unlawful military attacks on foreign countries. He’s made Americans’ lives and our democracy worse off. 

“President Trump is unpopular because he’s failed to lower costs, failed to fire Kristi Noem, and failed to follow the rule of law. Americans demand answers when he addresses the nation. We will keep holding him to account in the Congress, in the Courts, and in the court of public opinion.” 

Rep. Thompson’s guest, Napa veteran, small business owner, and city councilmember Bernie Narvaez, will attend in person. Click here to learn more about Bernie. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative James E (Jim) Clyburn (6th District of South Carolina)

I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend, Norman Francis, the first Black president of Xavier University of Louisiana and civil rights pioneer. Bolstered by strong values of faith and community, Norman served as America’s longest-serving college president. Because of his leadership, Xavier is consistently cited for sending more Black students to medical school than any other four-year college in the U.S. The first Black student to integrate Loyola University in 1952, the life of Norman Francis was, in so many ways, exceptional.

Norman was a tenacious warrior on the battlefield of justice. Serving on the Board of the Voter Education Project under his Chairmanship was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. And working with him during the Katrina/Rita crisis was a real blessing. Norman was an embodiment of Luke 12:48, “to whom much is given, much is required.”

My prayers are with his family and loved ones.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Riley M. Moore joined members of the House Committees on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs at the White House to formally present the comprehensive report outlining concrete actions to end the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and counter growing extremist violence in the region.

The meeting follows President Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on October 31, 2025. President Trump requested Congressman Moore and Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole to lead a comprehensive investigation on the persecution against Christian communities and security challenges plaguing Nigeria. This report is the result of months of investigation, including a bipartisan congressional fact finding trip to Nigeria, hearings with expert witnesses, consultations with religious leaders, meetings with Internally Displaced Persons, and engagement with senior Nigerian government officials.

The official report outlines several key recommendations, including:

– Establishing a bilateral U.S.–Nigeria security agreement to protect vulnerable Christian communities and dismantle jihadist networks.

– Withholding certain U.S. funds, pending demonstrable action by the Nigerian government to stop violence against Christians.

– Implementing sanctions and visa restrictions against individuals and groups responsible for or complicit in religious persecution.

– Providing technical support to the Nigerian government to eliminate violence from armed Fulani militias.

– Demanding the repeal of Sharia and blasphemy laws

– Working with international partners including France, Hungary, and the United Kingdom

Congressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement:

“Following today’s productive meeting at the White House, I want to thank President Trump for redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and for his Administration’s commitment to protecting our brothers and sisters in Christ from persecution and addressing the broader security challenges plaguing Nigeria. Since President Trump redesignated Nigeria as a CPC and tasked me to lead a Congressional investigation, I have worked diligently with my colleagues to produce the report we presented today. I also want to thank House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, Vice Chair Mario Diaz-Balart, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Congressman Chris Smith for their leadership on this comprehensive investigation and delivering this report to the White House. 

I traveled on a bipartisan delegation to Nigeria and saw with my own eyes the horrific atrocities Christians face, and the instability the Nigerian government must combat. Through Congressional hearings, expert testimony, meeting with Internally Displaced People, hearing from religious leaders, and engaging with high-level Nigerian government officials, we have provided a clear picture of the threat environment in Nigeria and the horrific persecution Christians face. This report outlines concrete steps to impose accountability measures, counter radical Islamic terrorism, and lays out a plan to work in coordination and cooperation with the Nigerian government to bring security to all the people of Nigeria.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ have suffered in silence for too long. The world is now watching, and I urge the Nigerian government to take the opportunity to deepen and strengthen its relationship with the United States. Doing so is in the interest of both our great nations. Together, we must address these pressing security challenges and bring an end to violence against Christians.”

The full report can be found HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

Silva is the son of a Minnesota woman who was detained at an immigration hearing despite being in the process of attaining legal permanent residency

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

San Francisco – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced today that Rev. Devon Jerome Crawford, Senior Pastor of Historic Third Baptist Church of San Francisco, will be her guest for tomorrow’s State of the Union address.

Rev. Crawford is a nationally respected faith leader and organizer whose work sits at the intersection of faith and moral leadership, public policy and grassroots advocacy. As Senior Pastor of Third Baptist Church of San Francisco, he leads a historic congregation dedicated to the pursuit of community.

“Rev. Devon Jerome Crawford represents the very best of faith in action. His leadership reflects a deep moral clarity and an unwavering commitment to justice, dignity and the belief that our nation can be better than it is,” said Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. “Throughout his ministry and public service, Rev. Crawford has brought people together to confront some of the most urgent challenges of our time—including the work of building a more inclusive democracy.”

Speaker Emerita Pelosi continued: “Rev. Crawford’s voice reminds us that faith is not meant to be passive, but active and demanding, calling us to stand up for the vulnerable and to act with courage and compassion. I am honored to recognize him as my guest in Washington tomorrow, and to lift up his example of service rooted in love, justice and the pursuit of a more perfect Union.”

“With gratitude to Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, I come to the State of the Union as a witness to a nation in moral crisis, where trust in our institutions has been eroded and righteous indignation is the rightful response to a broken and unaccountable governance,” said Reverend Devon Jerome Crawford, Senior Pastor of Historic Third Baptist Church of San Francisco. “We have watched American citizens killed in the streets defending their neighbors, children terrorized by state violence, and elders held hostage in budget battles that strip dignity and life from the most vulnerable.

Reverend Crawford continued: “In this moral moment, I stand anchored in a higher allegiance, to the sovereign God who has made of one blood all people to dwell upon the face of the earth, and to the uncompromising demand of love and justice that refuses to yield to fear, refuses to capitulate to division, and refuses to bless systems that deny the sacred dignity of every human life.”

A Birmingham native, Rev. Crawford previously led the Multifaith Initiative to End Mass Incarceration—founded by Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock—served in leadership roles at Morehouse College and Harvard Kennedy School, and has guided national efforts on racial equity, voting rights and public safety reform.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to take immediate action to hold accountable Azerbaijani officials who attacked peaceful protestors gathered outside the Waldorf Astoria in the District of Columbia last week. The media has reported that at least six protesters were injured.

Norton said the violent attack “was also an assault on basic American values and the First Amendment protections for free speech and peaceful assembly,” and was particularly an affront to the District of Columbia, as freedom to protest in the nation’s capital is paramount.

“The violent attack on the protestors was also an attack on the First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and peaceful assembly,” Norton wrote. “I urge you to bar any Azerbaijani official who attacked or ordered the attack of the protestors from reentering the United States if they have already left the country and to expel any that remain in the country.”

Norton requested a response by March 9, 2026. The full letter follows. 

February 23, 2026

The Honorable Marco Rubio

Secretary

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Rubio:

I was deeply disturbed by the attack last week on what appeared to be peaceful protestors outside the Waldorf Astoria in the District of Columbia by bodyguards for the Azerbaijani president. The attack on the protestors was also an attack on the First Amendment protections for freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.

I urge you to bar any Azerbaijani official who attacked or ordered the attack of the protestors from reentering the United States if they have already left the country and to expel any that remain in the country. I also urge you to follow traditional State Department practice and request a waiver of immunity from Azerbaijan for those connected to the attack if a prosecutor would otherwise prosecute.

I request a written response to this letter by March 9, 2026.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

**Reports of new ICE facilities have sparked backlash in New Hampshire and communities across the country**

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

Video of the August 2025 incident taken by Daniel Rascon from inside his family’s car shows CBP officers shattering windows and firing multiple gunshots into the vehicle

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) recently sat down with Martin Daniel Rascon, a U.S. citizen from San Bernardino, CA, who was shot at, targeted and harassed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in San Bernardino in August 2025. Daniel, his father-in-law and brother-in-law feared for their lives as they dodged bullets while driving away. You can watch the full conversation between Rep. Aguilar and Mr. Rascon here and read an excerpt from the conversation below:
Rep. Pete Aguilar: I wanted to talk to you a little bit about the experience that you had with agents here in town. You were the subject of a shooting by what has been determined to be DHS agents in August here in San Bernardino. I want you to walk me through that day. What do you remember about that day? And what happened? 
Daniel Rascon: I was running an errand with my father-in-law and his son, my brother-in-law, when some masked men with guns drawn started approaching the vehicle, two on each side of the vehicle. Right away, this didn’t seem like the police department or a federal agency. It just seemed like random men geared up with things that they bought online. 
Fear started running through my mind. What’s going to happen? What do they want? What are they going to do? The only thing I could do myself was start recording. And so I did. As I started recording, they’re asking us to lower the windows. They’re pulling on the door handles. My brother-in-law starts to record as well. So now both of us are recording because that’s our only option. 
The three of us were scared. You can feel it and you can see it, especially in the videos. That’s when one of them decides to break the driver’s window, and the other agent on the right side breaks the passenger window. 
Rep. Pete Aguilar: Both at the same time?
Daniel Rascon: Yes. Boom, boom. Just like that. And the agent on the driver’s side, he decides to punch through the window and hit Francisco in the face. It left him a big bruise on his face. That’s when he bravely decided to drive off, thinking that we were escaping from being attacked, when they decided to attack more by shooting into the side of the vehicle, which put us even more in fear and traumatized us.
The only thing I could think of was, I’m going to duck my head to not get shot through the back of the window, and hopefully nobody else gets shot in the vehicle. As we’re driving away more down the street, I realize that we made it through alive. But what just happened was unbelievable and was traumatizing at the time.
[…]
Rep. Pete Aguilar: As you reflect on this, how has it changed you? You talked about being out with your baby. How has this changed how you react, how you move around town and what you do? Do you feel safe? Do you feel like you are a target?
Daniel Rascon: I absolutely do not feel safe. That’s not just for me. I go out and I go to work. I pass the spot where it happened every day on my way home or to work…It’s just a lot to handle. Because not only am I driving, I’m looking everywhere else. Is there an agent behind me? Is there an agent next to me? Could it be this car? Could it be that vehicle? It affects your mental state. 
Rep. Pete Aguilar: And as we’ve seen, your status as a U.S. citizen doesn’t preclude them from terrible behavior. So I think that many, many people in this region and many people across the country feel the same way.