Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Trump administration announced it will roll back tariffs on essential food items like coffee, bananas, and beef – confirming what Congresswoman Haley Stevens has been warning for months: Trump’s erratic tariffs are making prices too high. The administration’s actions follow Congresswoman Stevens introducing her No Tariffs on Groceries Act in September, which would stop Trump’s price hikes at the checkout counter to lower costs for Michiganders.

In response to the administration’s reversal, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens issued the following statement:

“It’s about time Trump realized that his reckless tariffs have done nothing but raise costs on Michigan’s hard-working families. That’s exactly why I  introduced my No Tariffs on Groceries Act – because Michiganders shouldn’t feel stressed every time they check out at the grocery store.  I will continue leading the charge to lower costs, stand up to this administration, and put Michigan families first.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Ellen Mei, a MA-07 Constituent & USDA Employee, was Fired by Admin After Media Interview Warning of Looming Hunger Crisis

Pressley Has Led Efforts in Congress to Reinstate and Protect the Rights of Federal Workers, Advocated for Unlawfully Terminated Workers in the MA-07

Text of Letter

BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins demanding the reinstatement of her constituent, Ellen Mei—a union leader and career public servant at USDA who has helped to administer food assistance—who was unlawfully terminated after warning the public of the administration’s cuts to SNAP and staff layoffs that would jeopardize access to food for millions.

“Our federal workers and the essential services they provide communities have been under attack by the Trump Administration long before their record setting, manufactured government shutdown, but the retaliatory firing of Ellen Mei for exercising her protected right to free speech is egregious and dangerous,” said Congresswoman Pressley in a statement alongside the letter. “While communities scrambled to mitigate Trump’s attempts to deny families their SNAP benefits despite court orders, Trump and the USDA were working around the clock to stifle Ellen’s voice and dissuade others from standing up and speaking out. That’s why I’m fighting for Ellen and dedicated federal workers like her who took an oath to serve and give back to our communities daily—to literally feed our neighbors. USDA must immediately reinstate her and allow her to get back to the service she has been called to and provided with distinction.”

Today, November 14^th at 1:00pm, Rep. Pressley will be joining Ms. Mei at a rally to speak out in solidarity with her and federal workers unlawfully terminated and mistreated by the Trump administration.

The rally will be held at the Tip O’Neill Federal Building. Media are asked to RSVP here.

Ms. Mei is one of the hundreds of thousands of federal workers impacted by Donald Trump’s unlawful firing frenzy since he entered office and recently received a Notice of Proposed Removal (NOPR) after participating in a media interview in her personal capacity. The NOPR came during Trump and Republicans’ government shutdown, in which they weaponized critical food security programs, refused to fund SNAP, and let families go hungry.

“Ms. Mei joined the USDA to serve her country and her fellow Americans who rely on the critical services of the Agency you are charged with leading and stewarding,” wrote Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “Like every public servant, she took an oath to serve this nation, protect and honor the Constitution, and dedicate her labor in pursuit of the USDA’s mission.”

During Republicans’ government shutdown, press outlets nationwide interviewed impacted constituencies, including federal employees, to inform the American public of their lived experiences under the shutdown. On October 2nd, Ms. Mei exercised her right to free speech to share her experience as a federal worker during a nationally televised interview. The next day, October 3rd, Ms. Mei received a Notice of Proposed Removal (NOPR) that noted the interview as cause for her removal from her position – a direct violation of her First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

“Ms. Mei remains committed to continuing that mission and our shared constituents would be well served with her in her current position,” Rep. Ayanna Pressley continued in her letter. “I am urging you to rescind the NOPR and allow her to resume her duties when the federal shutdown ends.”

Text of the letter is available here.

Congresswoman Pressley, an outspoken champion for workers and organized labor, has led efforts in Congress to halt terminations and protect federal workers. In February, Rep. Pressley led 85 lawmakers in writing to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) urging OSC to ensure all unfairly fired civil servants are immediately rehired and protected from greater abuse, and she has applauded numerous court rulings mandating their reinstatement. In March, Rep. Pressley led her Massachusetts colleagues demanding answers about the impact of the Musk-Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal workers in Massachusetts. Rep. Pressley was also proud to welcome Claire Bergstresser, an Everett constituent, dedicated public servant, AFGE union member, and terminated HUD worker as her guest to the presidential joint address to Congress.

Amid the Republican-manufactured government shutdown, Rep. Pressley has continued to fight to defend healthcare, reopen the government, and protect federal workers and the essential services they provide.

• Rep. Pressley slammed Republicans for harming families across America by shutting down the government, unlawfully cutting food assistance, and jacking up healthcare costs. Congresswoman Pressley also questioned witnesses about the harmful, misleading stereotypes pushed by Republicans about who relies on federal programs like the Affordable Care Act, SNAP, and Medicaid.
• Rep. Pressley held an emergency convening and press conference with SNAP-dependent food retailers to make plain how the Trump-Republican shutdown and ongoing uncertainty over November SNAP benefits is harming Massachusetts families and our local economy.
• Rep. Pressley and the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) convened to demand Donald Trump fund SNAP, with the authority and money he has readily available, to keep 42 million people in America fed—63% of whom are women and over 1 million of whom reside in Massachusetts.
• Rep. Pressley joined Reps. Jahana Hayes, Angie Craig, and 211 House Democrats on a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to urge the agency to use contingency reserve dollars to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown. 
• Rep. Pressley joined Senator Ed Markey and leaders from Massachusetts food banks to sound the alarm on the growing crisis of food insecurity under the Republican government shutdown and its impact on Massachusetts families.
• Rep. Pressley urged National Grid and Eversource to issue an immediate moratorium on utility shutoffs for households impacted by the government shutdown, including federal workers, federal contractors, and the people who depend on them.
  • Following the Congresswoman’s letter, National Grid of Massachusetts announced specific support and a payment plan opportunity for federal employees, contractors, and active military personnel in Massachusetts who are impacted by the government shutdown and concerned about paying their energy bill.
• Rep. Pressley participated in a House Steering and Policy Committee hearing in which she slammed Republicans for raising healthcare costs for families across the country and shutting down the government instead of addressing the healthcare crisis they created.
• Rep. Pressley joined her colleagues on the Democratic Women’s Caucus to call attention to the impacts of the Republican-manufactured health care crisis and government shutdown on women, families, and workers in the Massachusetts 7^th and across the country.
• Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning Republicans after they chose to shut down the government rather than work with Democrats to protect families and save healthcare for millions.
• Just days into the government shutdown, Rep. Pressley held an emergency convening in Boston to highlight the harm of the shutdown to MA-07 constituents – federal workers, patients, advocates, and more.
• Amid government shutdown, Rep. Pressley and Senator Tina Smith reintroduced bill to provide back pay for federal contract workers, including low-wage food service and janitorial staff.
• Just hours before the Republicans shut down the government, Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates, colleagues, and impacted folks to demand Republicans protect healthcare and keep the government open
• Congresswoman Pressley stood in solidarity with workers and families who would be impacted by the government shutdown.
• Rep. Pressley also joined an all-day event with House Democrats to hold the line against Trump and Republicans’ efforts to rip away healthcare from millions of Americans.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on CNN News Central, where he made clear that Democrats will continue working to protect the healthcare of the American people and push back against the corruption and extremism being unleashed by this administration.

JOHN BERMAN: With us now is the House Minority Leader, Democrat Hakeem Jeffries. Congressman, thank you so much for being with us. So it does look like this vote will be next week. What do you think it will tell us? Where are their numbers right now?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, good morning, great to be with you. It’s my expectation that the legislation will pass, potentially pass decisively. Democrats in the House, of course, will strongly support it. We believe in transparency. We believe it’s been far too long that this information has been hidden from the American people. And it’s extraordinary that rather than focus on trying to actually extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, drive down the high cost of living or make life better for the American people, Donald Trump and his folks have spent this week pressuring Republicans not to back the effort to release these Jeffrey Epstein files to the American people.

JOHN BERMAN: Now, this week, Republican Congressman Tim Burchett, once it was clear that the discharge petition would get enough votes, Tim Burchett tried to actually get a vote on the House floor this week. And through House procedures, apparently, it would have required leadership on both sides to sign on. House Speaker Mike Johnson says you wouldn’t sign on to having a vote this week. Why not?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, that’s actually inaccurate. It appears to me Mike Johnson didn’t reach out. He spent seven weeks stopping Representative Adelita Grijalva from being sworn in. And the reason why they were on vacation, a taxpayer-funded vacation for seven weeks, is because they had no answers for the American people on the healthcare crisis that Republicans have created, and they were unwilling to swear in Representative Adelita Grijalva because they knew she would be the 218th signature to trigger this up-or-down vote. So I have no idea what Mike Johnson is talking about.

JOHN BERMAN: It is interesting to me that, as we’re talking about this, you keep on turning the discussion back to healthcare and affordability. What risks are there, do you think, for Democrats in spending too much time on Epstein as opposed to these bread and butter, you know, kitchen table issues for the American people?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we have to focus on a variety of different issues that we know are important to the American people. And the American people deserve better than the extremism that has been unleashed on them from day one of this presidency. And it certainly is the case that we’re going to continue to focus on driving down the high cost of living in this country. America is far too expensive. The American people all across the country have made that clear repeatedly. Housing costs too high. Grocery costs too high. Child care costs too high. Electricity bills through the roof. And, of course, healthcare premiums about to skyrocket for tens of millions of Americans because of Republican inaction. But at the same period of time, we’ve made clear we also need to address the rampant corruption that we see in Washington, D.C., coming out of the Trump administration and enabled repeatedly by Donald Trump’s sycophants in the House Republican Conference. And as part of that—transparency, sunlight, of course, is the best disinfectant. And we’ve maintained from the very beginning that the American people just deserve the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth as it relates to the Epstein files that Donald Trump and his minions made a big deal about for years, but now all of a sudden that they’re in office, they’re trying to bury this information.

JOHN BERMAN: The government obviously now open. It had been shut down for some time, Democrats trying to get an extension of the Obamacare subsidies. When this continuing resolution runs out at the end of January, if there is not an extension of the Obamacare subsidies, what do you want Democrats to do? More importantly, what do you want, I suppose, the Senate to do?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, let’s take one step at a time. The Affordable Care Act tax credits are scheduled to lapse on December 31. And so, we have about 45 days to get this done. House Democrats have introduced legislation to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years to provide working-class Americans, middle-class Americans and everyday Americans the certainty that they need that they’ll be able to actually go see a doctor when they need to see one for themselves, their families or their children in an environment where Republicans have launched an all-out assault on the healthcare of the American people, the largest cut in Medicaid in American history. Hospitals and nursing homes and community-based health centers are closing all throughout America. Now they refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, John. So we’ve got to work on this issue over the next 45 days, and we’re going to continue to press the case.

JOHN BERMAN: And if you don’t succeed?

LEADER JEFFRIES: The appropriations process is going to proceed on a separate track, and that’s being led, of course, by our appropriators, Rosa DeLauro on the House Democratic side, who’s doing a great job, working with our Senate colleagues. And we’re going to try to enact bipartisan spending agreements that actually meet the needs of the American people, focused on improving their quality of life and, of course, driving down the high cost of living to deal with the Trump affordability crisis that exists in America right now.

JOHN BERMAN: I mean, you know politics. You’ve been in it for a while, and you know this is the type of question that does get asked after a shutdown like this. Who won the shutdown?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, the American people lost because Republicans made a decision, made a decision intentionally—they control the House, the Senate and the presidency—that they’d rather shut the government down than actually provide affordable healthcare to everyday Americans all across the country, including in the states that are going to be most affected, which happen to be states like West Virginia, Wyoming, Alaska, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina, Alabama, North Dakota and South Dakota. Those are the 10 states most affected by the failure to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. And Republicans have been able to do everything else, including finding $40 billion to bail out Argentina, but unwilling to find a dime to actually provide affordable healthcare to everyday Americans. And so, hopefully, they’ll adopt a different approach. And we’re going to continue to press the case on these core issues of making life better for everyday Americans in a country that is far too expensive, far too many people struggling to live paycheck to paycheck. They can’t thrive and can barely survive. This should not be the case in the wealthiest country in the history of the world.

JOHN BERMAN: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, we do appreciate your time this morning. Thank you.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

Washington, D.C. — Today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens announced she will introduce a bipartisan resolution designating November 15th, 2025, as “America Recycles Day” to celebrate recycling, drive public awareness, and spark action toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. Congresswoman Stevens is Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Recycling Caucus.

The resolution is co-sponsored by her fellow Recycling Caucus Co-Chairs Dave Joyce (R-OH), Marianette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Representatives Carson (D-IN), Carter (D-LA), Correa (D-CA), Dean (D-PA), Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Lawler (R-NY), and Adam Smith (D-WA), reflecting strong bipartisan support and advancing the priorities of the House Bipartisan Recycling Caucus.

“Recycling is good for our economy, Michigan manufacturing, our national security, and the planet,” said Rep. Haley Stevens. “In Michigan alone, the recycling sector supports over 17,000 jobs and contributes more than $5 billion to our economy. America Recycles Day is our chance to recognize this vital industry and encourage folks in Michigan and across the country to take part.”

“Recycling is one of the simplest, most effective tools we have to protect our planet, reduce waste, and strengthen our economy. After decades of progress, recycling rates have stalled, and communities are feeling the strain. This resolution serves as a clarion call to renew our national commitment to recycling and to promote policies that make recycling accessible and efficient for households, businesses, and municipalities alike. On America Recycles Day, I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in support of a future where recycling practices are accessible, efficient, and second nature for every American—and where planet and profit go hand in hand.” – Rep. Chellie Pingree.

“Keep America Beautiful applauds the Congressional resolution recognizing America Recycles Day,” said Jennifer Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “Our research shows that Americans of all ages, geographic location, and political affiliation overwhelmingly support recycling—and for good reason. Recycling conserves natural resources, drives economic growth, and helps keep our communities clean and beautiful. We’re grateful to Representative Stevens and Members of Congress for recognizing America Recycles Day and for their shared commitment to making recycling simpler, smarter, and accessible to every community.”

Recycling plays a powerful role in boosting jobs and manufacturing, protecting the environment, and enhancing national security by helping secure critical resources and strengthening domestic supply chains.

America Recycles Day aims to:

• Raise awareness of the economic and environmental importance of circular solutions

• Promote education so Americans know what, where, and how to recycle effectively

• Encourage participation in community recycling and reuse programs.

• Foster collaboration among governments, businesses, and individuals to reduce waste and build a more sustainable future.

The resolution has been endorsed by leading organizations including Keep America Beautiful, Advanced Drainage Systems, Alpeck Polyester US, Aluminum Association, American Beverage Association, American Cleaning Institute, American Forest & Paper Association, America’s Plastic Makers, a part of the American Chemistry Council, Arconic, BASF, Can Manufacturers Institute, Consumer Brands Association, EPR Leadership Forum, ExxonMobil, Flexible Packaging Association (FPA), Glass Packaging Institute, Hydro Aluminum, IAPD – The Performance Plastics Association, International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), NAPCOR, National Stewardship Action Council, National Waste and Recycling Association, Niagara Bottling, Novelis, Paper Recycling Coalition, Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), PLASTICS, Primo Brands, ReMA, SNAC International, Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, SWANA, Tetra Pak, The Recycling Partnership, World Wildlife Fund

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) and Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) led a letter urging Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy and Office of Budget and Management (OBM) Director Vought to immediately release the highest possible amount of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available under the November 2025 Continuing Resolution. The members emphasized the urgent need to restore energy assistance to millions of vulnerable households facing rising utility costs and extreme weather conditions nationwide.

“LIHEAP is more than just a utility assistance program, it is a lifeline for seniors, children, and low-income families,” said Congressman Ruiz. “In my district, families face some of the highest temperatures in the country. There is an urgent need to protect people from extreme cold or heat. Without immediate LIHEAP funds, many must choose between safety and basic needs. That’s unacceptable.”

“Families across the country are already stretched thin by rising costs, and now millions are wondering how they’ll keep the heat on as temperatures continue to drop,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “No one should have to choose between staying warm and putting food on the table. The administration must act with urgency to get LIHEAP funding out the door, so families aren’t left out in the cold this winter.” 

The letter is currently cosigned by 101 Democratic Members of Congress. The full letter can be found here.

LIHEAP is a federal program that helps eligible households afford heating in the winter and cooling during dangerously high summer temperatures. In previous years, nearly seven million families, seniors, and at-risk households have benefited from the program. However, recent administrative actions have placed the program—and millions of Americans who depend on it at risk.

Earlier this year, the Administration’s FY26 Budget Request proposed eliminating LIHEAP entirely, while reports in April indicated that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) had dismissed all LIHEAP staff. These decisions have created confusion and delay, leaving it unclear who will approve state energy assistance plans or oversee disbursement of funds now that the Continuing Resolution has been enacted.

The lawmakers noted that LIHEAP is already an underfunded and oversubscribed program—reaching only about 17 percent of eligible households. Without swift action to release funds, millions of seniors and families could be left without critical energy assistance until early 2026.

Key Impacts of Delayed LIHEAP Funding:

• Families face dangerous exposure to freezing winter temperatures and life-threatening summer heat.
• Rising electricity and heating costs are straining household budgets, particularly in rural and low-income communities.
• Administrative delays at HHS threaten to postpone LIHEAP disbursements by months.

  “Providing reliable LIHEAP funding is not a political choice, it is a moral and public health imperative,” Ruiz concluded. “We must act now to protect the most vulnerable families before temperatures drop, and lives are put at risk.”

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

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement on her vote against Republican’s funding bill:

From the beginning, the vast majority of House Democrats have been united in opposing any funding bill that doesn’t address the escalating health care crisis. Without immediate action, millions of Americans are going to be priced out of their health insurance in January. President Trump and Republican leadership have proven that they’re willing to take drastic measures—including a historically long government shutdown and the first-ever illegal attempt to deny SNAP benefits to food insecure Americans—to avoid addressing this crisis. 

This “deal” is going to be financially ruinous for thousands of Mainers—despite somehow managing to include provisions that will allow millions of dollars in cash payouts to Republican Senators. While it’s critical to end the shutdown and fund the government, this was not the way to do it. I am an emphatic no on this terrible bill. 

It became increasingly clear this week that Speaker Johnson will not put a clean ACA bill on the floor, regardless of the Senate’s handshake deal. But this fight is far from over. House Democrats have already filed a discharge petition to extend the ACA tax credits for a full three years. It is my sincere hope that, just as we are doing with the petition to release the Epstein files, we can get enough Republicans on board to pass these extensions—and bring much-needed relief to millions of Americans.

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

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) released the following statement on the Senate’s short-term government funding deal:

A “deal” that lets enhanced ACA credits expire, which will drive premiums higher for families already stretched thin, fails the millions of families counting on us to keep their health care affordable. That is not a compromise. It is capitulation.

House Democrats have been clear: Any responsible bipartisan funding bill must address the Republican-made health care crisis. Senate Republicans refused. Now they want the House to rubber-stamp legislation that leaves working families exposed to higher costs while pretending there’s some mythical path to a clean ACA vote in the House. After watching Speaker Johnson sprint away from simple questions on ACA extensions, no one should believe that fiction.

Republicans have spent years trying to dismantle the ACA. This “deal” gives them exactly what they’ve always wanted: higher premiums and fewer protections for the people we represent. I will not legitimize that choice, or the cruelty and chaos Republicans and this Administration have created.

I will vote no. And I will keep fighting—alongside Leader Jeffries and House Democrats—to secure a real solution that keeps the government open and preserves the ACA tax credits tens of millions of Americans rely on.  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rutherford (4th District of Florida)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday, co-chairs of the South Atlantic Red Snapper Task Force, U.S. Congressmen John H. Rutherford (FL-05), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Russell Fry (SC-07), and David Rouzer (NC-07), sent a bicameral letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in strong support of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina’s Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) applications that request approval to improve state data collection and implement state-led management of the recreational red snapper fishery in federal waters in the South Atlantic region.

The co-chairs were joined by Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Ashely Moody (R-FL), and Rick Scott (R-FL), and Representatives Byron Donalds (FL-19), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), Randy Fine (FL-06), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Aaron Bean (FL-04), Daniel Webster (FL-11), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Cory Mills (FL-07), Mike Haridopolos (FL-08), Laurel Lee (FL-15), Rick Allen (GA-12), Neal Dunn (FL-02), Darren Soto (FL-02), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), and Maria Salazar (FL-27).

“These requests from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina are the result of years of conservation work, collecting better data, and improving management techniques,” said Rutherford. “In fact, for years, I have heard from anglers that they see more red snapper now than ever before. Sadly, despite this success, anglers continue to face one- and two-day seasons, barring them access to a healthy, abundant resource even after years of conservation and compliance. That must come to an end. That’s why as a co-chair of the South Atlantic Red Snapper Task Force in the House, I remain committed to supporting state management. I look forward to working with Governor DeSantis and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to fight for recreational anglers in Northeast Florida and the Great State of Florida. Our states and governors are ready to lead the way by applying proven methods to collect high-quality data, expand sustainable harvests, and support the coastal economies that depend on this fishery. Together, let’s Make Fishing Great Again.”

“Federal, one-size-fits-all policies have choked Georgia’s recreational fishing industry for years. State-based management is the common-sense solution. Georgia anglers are the experts and better equipped to set conservation and fishing policies that protect fish stocks and our way of life. I’m proud that Georgia submitted this request and urge the Trump administration to swiftly approve it,” said Carter.

“South Carolina’s anglers and fishers are essential to our way of life and our economy,” said Fry. “Those who make their living on the water know these fisheries best. State-led management is the commonsense solution, allowing our states to use better data, extend seasons, and strengthen our coastal communities.”

“I strongly support North Carolina’s request for autonomy over red snapper season and urge the Trump Administration to move quickly so these reforms are in place by the 2026 season. For years, rigid federal rules have meant one- or two-day red snapper seasons in the South Atlantic even as they are plentiful in our waters. That makes no sense for our coastal economy or for conservation. Under state leadership, we can use up-to-date, local data to protect the red snapper population while allowing anglers in the South Atlantic more predictable and responsible fishing opportunities.” saidRouzer.

The South Atlantic Red Snapper Task Force is dedicated to improving data collection efforts and ensuring more predictable fishing seasons. Recently, Rutherford and several task force members led state delegation letters to the Department of Commerce and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requesting longer seasons and state management of South Atlantic fisheries.

Florida’s EFP request includes assuming state management of red snapper in federal waters and a 39-day recreational red snapper season in the South Atlantic. Specifically, Florida requests an EFP that would authorize the state to test new management strategies and allow the 2026 recreational red snapper season to run continuously from May 22 (the Friday before Memorial Day) to June 20 and then reopen in the fall for 3-day fishing weekends (Friday-Sunday) on Oct. 2-4, 9-11, and 16-18.

Read the full letter is below:

We, the undersigned Members of Congress representing the South Atlantic region, write to express our strong support for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina’s Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) applications that request approval to improve state data collection efforts and implement state-led management of the recreational red snapper fishery in federal waters in the South Atlantic region.

For too long, recreational anglers in the South Atlantic have been largely shut out of red snapper harvest opportunities despite unprecedented growth and record abundance in this fishery.  This is a sign that the current management system is out of step with the on-the-water reality.  Despite fishery managers’ success rebuilding the stock for more than a decade, anglers continue to face one-or two-day seasons, a frustrating cycle that leaves them unable to access a healthy and abundant resource even after years of conservation and compliance.

On June 11, 2025, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) finalized Amendment 59, establishing new measures to end and prevent overfishing.  We thank you for rejecting the bottom closures that were proposed by the Biden Administration.  Closing bottom fishing from December to February for 55 species off the east coast of Florida would have been devastating to our region’s economy. The drastic nature of that proposal underscores the need for significant changes to South Atlantic red snapper management to ensure reasonable harvest opportunities.

The South Atlantic states’ EFP requests align with President Trump’s April 2025 Executive Order on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, which directs the Department of Commerce and NOAA to expand the use of EFPs and modernize data collection so that fishery management decisions can respond to real-time conditions. Under these requested EFPs, states will develop and test reliable data collection programs that improve our understanding of the red snapper stock and expand fishing opportunities for anglers through more accurate, responsive management.

We have a proven model.  During President Trump’s first term, his administration approved state management EFPs for red snapper in the Gulf, moving management decisions closer to the resource.  That decision improved stock health, strengthened data collection, and led to longer, more predictable fishing seasons.  In 2025, Florida had its longest season since state management began in the Gulf, at 126 days, which is a dramatic improvement over the 3 federal season days in 2017.  That experience shows what happens when States are in the lead: with better data and more responsive management, anglers gain access, conservation is maintained, and coastal communities benefit. These are outcomes that Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina should be able to realize in the South Atlantic.

Now, during President Trump’s second term, there is an opportunity to extend the Gulf’s successful state-led red snapper management in the South Atlantic.  The region’s states are ready to lead by applying proven methods to collect high-quality data, expand sustainable harvests, and support the coastal economies that depend on this fishery.

Mr. Secretary, we urge your department to work swiftly with Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina to approve these EFPs and authorize state-led management of red snapper in the South Atlantic beginning in 2026.  We look forward to working with you to advance state management for the benefit of fishermen, conservation, and our coastal economy.

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

WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business’ Mornings with Maria to discuss the House Republican agenda going forward after Congressional Democrats kept the government closed for a record-long 43 days.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full interview here.

On the end of the Democrat shutdown:

The long national nightmare is finally over. We’re so grateful that Republicans stood together and faced down the Democrats. The whole thing was foolish and utterly pointless. As you know, they got nothing out of that political stunt other than imposing all that pain on the people. You had millions of American families go hungry, literally, through the 43 days of this nightmare. You had, you know, travelers stranded in airports. All those flights were canceled and delayed. People had their lives disrupted, you had troops and federal employees wondering where their next paycheck was going to come from. The Democrats knew all that pain would be exacted on the people, and they did not care. And nothing came out of it for them.  

It did cost real percentages on the GDP. It cost us probably trillions of dollars when it’s all said and done, literally. I mean, it’s the longest shutdown in history, as you noted. And there are real consequences for that kind of nonsense. And it’s going to take us a while to get back but we’re right back at it. I mean, the Republican Party, all of us said from the very beginning that this is an unnecessary thing. They made the whole cause up. As you know, Maria, the shutdown was never about health care. It was never about any issue. Their counterproposal for our clean continuing resolution back in mid-September was that they wanted to spend an additional $1.5 trillion, which included $200 billion to return health care to illegal aliens, among other crazy priorities. They knew we weren’t going to do that. They were trying to show, this is what it was all about, they were trying to show that they were willing to put up a fight against President Trump.

On the expiring, COVID-era Obamacare subsidies:

I haven’t and there’s a lot of reasons why. First of all, the Unaffordable Care Act has failed the American people. It did exactly the opposite of what they all promised is it would do. The Democrats broke the American health care system. The reason your premiums are skyrocketing is because they have terrible policies. And one of them is subsidizing insurance companies. That’s what this COVID-era subsidy was all about. Remember, the Democrat Party created this on their own. They’re the ones that put the expiration date on it December 31 of this year, because they knew it was a boondoggle. There was no way they could justify that being permanent policy. So, what we have said is, if there was going to be an extension of that, it would need massive reforms. You need some income caps on that. You should not be subsidizing health care for wealthy people. 

And you need all sorts of reforms on it. You need Hyde protections on those things and other innovations. The Republican Party has known this is going to expire at the end of the year as everyone in Congress has. We were always preparing to work through that in a deliberative fashion through October, November, December. But ironically, the Democrats, their shenanigans took a lot of the time off the clock on that for us to do it. So, we’re working on it in earnest. It is the Republican Party that will bring down health care costs, not the Democrats.

On restoring regular order to the appropriations process and preventing another Democrat shutdown:

I don’t put anything past Schumer and Jeffries and the Democrats right now, but we’re going to try to take that weapon out of their hand. And what I mean by that is over these next several intense days, these next couple months, we’ll be working around the clock to make sure we get more of these appropriations bills through the process. As you know, part of the vote Wednesday night was a minibus, a small package of three of those appropriations bills that we’ve now gotten off the table. There’s 12 of them in total. So, we’re working right now for the next package of those to push through the process and get this done in the way it’s supposed to be done, by regular order. That’s how we operate as good stewards of taxpayer funds. And as you know, Maria, it hasn’t worked that way in Washington for a long, long time. And since I became Speaker two years ago, I’ve been trying to force that like a boulder up a hill. And this is a big innovation. It seems like a small thing to cheer on, but in Washington, having gotten three appropriations bills signed into law, three individual appropriations bills is a big achievement. We’re going to do more of those and hopefully we can get all that done by that deadline in January.

On Democrats standing for nothing than opposing Republicans and President Trump:

They do because we have such a remarkable track record of success. I made the point after the big vote Wednesday night, I went to the press gaggle with all the Hill press corps, and I told them, I said, we have a split screen in America. You guys are not covering this. The first 10 months of this administration and this Congress were the most productive of any in the modern era. And arguably in all of history. Look at it on the Republican side, President Trump and our party, we did the biggest tax cuts in US history. We’re doing massive regulatory reform. We’re cutting fraud, waste and abuse out of government. We closed the border as we promised. We’re solving the crime crisis. We have all these great things going into the economy, infused pro-growth policies in our big, beautiful bill. The President has ended eight wars around the globe. 

All that in nine months, nine and a half months, what have the Democrats done at the same time Maria? They shut the government down and they pushed ICE officers around and they spurred on political violence. I mean, there is a big contrast, a wide chasm between the two parties. This is not your father’s Democrat Party. They’re Marxists now. They’re radicals. And they are so disturbed that we are delivering for the people. They had to do anything they could to try to disrupt it. And the shutdown was their plan. It didn’t work. It backfired. And I think now their leaders are going to lose their posts.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) released the following statement after Congress passed H.R.5371, Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026:

“Tonight, I voted to bring long-overdue relief to Texans who have faced weeks of uncertainty throughout this 42 day Schumer Shutdown. This bill passed by a vote of 222 to 209 and President Trump is expected to sign it into law soon.

Throughout this shutdown, Congressional Republicans stood firm against the $1.5 trillion in reckless spending demanded by Democrats and remained determined to put the American people first. It took seven weeks for members across the aisle to finally realize they were failing the American people. They put health care for illegal aliens ahead of paying American workers, keeping our airports running, and supporting the men and women in uniform who protect this nation.

This Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act keeps the government funded at Fiscal Year 2025 levels through January 30, 2026, or until full-year appropriations bills are enacted. The bill includes full annual funding for three of the twelve annual appropriations bills: Military Construction and VA, Agriculture/FDA, and Legislative Branch.”