Source: United States House of Representatives – CONGRESSMAN JIM HIMES (4th District of Connecticut)
Connecticut Congressional Members Urge Defense Department to Strengthen Investment in Black Hawk Platform | Press Releases | Congressman Jim Himes
ICYMI: MI Congresswoman Haley Stevens Votes No on GOP Spending Bill that Fails Michigan Families
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)
Washington, D.C. – ICYMI: Congresswoman Haley Stevens voted NO on the Republicans’ spending bill because it failed to lower costs for Michigan families and did nothing to make health care more affordable for Michiganders.
Here’s what Michiganders are seeing and reading about Haley standing up against the GOP spending bill:
Deadline Detroit: Michigan Democratic Congress Members Speak Out After Voting No On GOP Spending Package
By: Allan Lengel
- Some Michigan Democratic members of Congress spoke out Wednesday night, explaining why they voted against the GOP spending package to reopen the government.
- “Tonight, I voted no on the Republicans’ spending bill because their plan fails Michiganders, ignores working families, and offers lip service instead of actually lowering costs for our families.”
- “Republicans have time and time again voted to raise health care costs and threatened health care coverage for families who depend on it. I won’t rubber-stamp a plan that leaves Michiganders worse off. I will keep fighting to lower costs, expand affordable health care, and create jobs while investing in our manufacturing economy to support the hard-working families across our state.”
- Democrat Haley Stevens voted No on the bill.
- She says, “Republicans have time and time again voted to raise health care costs and threatened health care coverage for families who depend on it.”
- “I won’t rubber-stamp a plan that leaves Michiganders worse off.”
- Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens from suburban Detroit spoke out about why she voted No on this spending bill.
- “I voted no on the Republicans’ spending bill because their plan fails Michiganders, ignores working families, and offers lip service instead of actually lowering costs for our families.”
- Haley Stevens put out a statement about today’s vote, adding she voted No because the spending bill fails Michiganders.
- Following the vote on the funding bill, Michigan Congresswoman released the following statement.
- “Tonight I voted no on the Republicans’ spending bill because their plan fails Michiganders, ignores working families, and offers up lip service instead of actually lowering costs for our families.”
- Following the vote, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens said she voted No on the Republican spending bill.
- Because their plan “fails Michiganders, ignores working families, and offers lip service instead of actually lowering costs for families.”
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Dingell, Tlaib Demand Answers About Death of USPS Worker in Allen Park
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) today sent a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner demanding answers about the tragic death of Nicholas John Acker of Trenton at the USPS Detroit Network Distribution Center (NDC) in Allen Park.
“Reports indicate on Saturday, November 8, 2025, Nicholas was found in a mail handling machine and had been dead for 6-8 hours before he was found,” the lawmakers write. “We have been told he checked into work at 11 am and his body wasn’t found until 12:30 pm the following day. The NDC has not said when Nicholas was last seen.”
“Nicholas served nine years in the Air Force and had gotten engaged in the past two weeks. He was a maintenance mechanic at the NDC and had mentioned concerns about the way the facility was run to his fiancée,” the lawmakers continue. “His union management had also raised concerns about safety measures and procedures at the facility, and more than 90 days ago, the union filed an Article 14 grievance stating that management was putting pressure on staff to look for letters while the handling machine was operating. When Nicholas didn’t return home from work on Saturday, his fiancée went to the facility where she waited outside the gates for three hours, as she watched emergency responders arrive, before she was notified of Nicholas’s death.”
“We are requesting answers to questions that have arisen from this unnecessary tragedy,” the lawmakers conclude. “We worry what it means for the workers that officials were not called to the scene until hours after Nicholas died. Further, we are concerned how long Nicholas was in the machine before he was found and whether the machine was operating or turned off.”
- When was management made aware of Nicholas’s disappearance, and what actions were taken to locate him? At what time did these actions occur?
- Did the clock system flag Nicholas for missing his basic clock rings (check in/out and lunch in/out), and if so, when did it flag him?
- When did management learn of Nicholas’s death, and when was this reported to emergency services?
- Was the handling machine powered on or off at the time of Nicholas’s death?
- Why did it take so long to notice Nicholas’s disappearance?
- How often are workers accounted for during their shifts? After Nicholas checked in at 11am, did he check in or out again?
- Is there video surveillance or monitoring where Nicholas was working?
- Did Nicholas have a work sheet, route sheet, or work order for dumper A-17? What time did Nicholas go up to dumper A-17?
- When was dumper A-17 last serviced, and did it have a history of breaking down?
- What are the safety protocols for going up on dumper A-17 and when employees are working on dumper A-17, are they alone or partnered up? If they do not have a partner, why do they not have a partner?
- Have there been any prior accidents with this type of mail handling machine at the NDC or at any other USPS facilities?
- Are maintenance mechanics trained on how to withdraw fallen mail or packages from machines and what are the safety protocols for withdrawing the fallen mail or packages?
- Is there a certain time during a shift that maintenance mechanics are supposed to withdraw fallen mail or packages?
- Is there a briefing where tour 1 and tour 2 maintenance mechanics overlap and give updates on the status of maintenance work completed during the prior shift?
- Does the NDC keep training records, and if so, when was Nicholas trained on the safety procedures for dumper A-17 and for withdrawing fallen mail and packages from machines?
- Has management advised workers at the NDC to extract fallen mail and packages while the handling machines are operating?
- Do the conveyor and dumping machines at the NDC have sensors to halt the system when something, or someone, is impeding the moving parts of the machine? Does the conveyor system have emergency stops? If not, why not?
- Do the maintenance mechanics have a check-in system with their management when they are working in dangerous spots, such as dumper A-17?
- Where does the NDC keep their Postal Service Form 1767? It is our understanding that this form is where employees can express their safety concerns and receive a response to their concerns from postal management on the same day. However, we have been informed that when the maintenance mechanics raised concerns using PS1767s, the forms were relocated. Had anyone at the NDC filled out a PS1767 with concerns about dumper A-17, and if so, what was done to address their concerns?
View the full text of the letter here.
Latta Votes to Reopen the Government
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)
Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) released the following statement after voting in favor of the funding resolution to reopen the government and to keep it operating through January 30, 2026. The legislation also provides full fiscal year funding for Military Construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, as well as Legislative Branch operations.
“Today, I again voted to fund and reopen the government, a step I have advocated for since the House passed a clean, bipartisan funding resolution on September 19, 2025. In the longest government shutdown in American history, Senate Democrats put politics over the American people, leaving millions of Americans to feel the consequences of their inaction. It took six weeks for Senate Democrats to finally do their duty and vote to reopen the government.
“During the shutdown, I remained focus on serving my constituents, from leading Capitol tours for visitors and students to meeting with constituents and businesses back in Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District. Today’s vote ensures that we can finally move forward with bipartisan fiscal year 2026 appropriations negotiations, keeping our government accountable and operational for the people we serve.”
With both the Senate and House having passed this funding bill, the legislation now goes to the president to be signed into law to officially reopen the government.
NOTE: Included in this Continuing Resolution is Congressman Latta’s H.R. 4273 Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments (OMUFA) Act, a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Over-the-Counter Monograph User Fee program at the Food and Drug Administration that improves access to over-the-counter medicines and opens the program up to innovation.
Congressman Latta supported the bipartisan funding resolution that passed the House of Representatives on September 19, 2025.
On the first day of the shutdown, Congressman Latta directed Office of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to have his pay withheld for the full length of the government shutdown.
During the shutdown, Congressman Latta hosted a telephone town hall, taking questions and offering updates on the government shutdown and led Capitol tours for Otsego Junior High, Marion Local School, Coldwater Middle School, Fort Recovery Middle School, Antwerp Middle School, Willard High School, Upper Sandusky Middle School, and the Seneca County Honor Bus.
Guthrie Celebrates Reopening of Federal Government and Passage of Three Full-Year Appropriations Bill
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) issued the following statement following House passage of H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026. This legislation, which is expected to be signed by President Trump shortly, puts an end to the disastrous Democrat Shutdown.
“After 43 days, common sense has finally prevailed in Congress, and our government has reopened. For weeks, Democrats in the Senate have sadly put partisan politics over the well-being of hardworking Americans, including our servicemembers at Fort Knox, air traffic controllers, and those relying on SNAP benefits to survive,” said Congressman Guthrie. “The end to this shutdown was long overdue and completely avoidable. I am eager to get back to the important work of the American people.
“I am also excited that this Continuing Resolution contains three FY2026 appropriations bills, which include over $56 million for projects across the Second District that I helped to secure,” Guthrie continued. “This is the first step in completing the regular government funding process.”
Background:
The enactment of H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026, puts an end to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, providing government funding through January 30, 2026. It also includes three full-year FY2026 appropriations bills.
These three appropriations bills included over $56 million towards earmark projects secured by Congressman Guthrie. Information about these projects, as well as summaries for the appropriations bills, can be found below.
Congressman Guthrie Earmark Funding Secured for KY-02
- Fort Knox ARAC Aviation Support Facility – $50,000,000
- This funding will support the Army Reserve rotary wing aviation maintenance mission at Fort Knox.
- City of Lewisport Water Treatment Plant – $2,000,000
- This appropriation will help construct a new regional Water Treatment Plant to help ensure long term quality service for all Lewisport citizens as well as those households outside of the city limits that the plant services.
- City of Clarkson Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion – $1,500,000
- The funding will help upgrade the current wastewater treatment system, as it is currently at capacity. It will also expand the system to allow for new users in the city of Clarkson.
- Meade County Water District System Upgrades – $2,130,750
- This project will install a new transmission main, along with a new interconnect, tank, and pump station, to help provide a more reliable and consistent supply of water to more than 5,000 rural customers in Meade County.
- New Haven Asbestos Water Line – $675,000
- This project will allow the LaRue County Water District to replace approximately 4,500 linear feet of existing asbestos cement water lines in the City of New Haven with a six-inch PVC pipe, to improve water quality throughout the city.
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026:
- This legislation provides a total of $26.65 billion in discretionary funding to responsibly invest in America’s rural communities, support our nation’s farmers and ranchers, and keep our food and drug supply secure. A summary provided by the House Appropriations Committee – Majority can be found here.
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026:
- This bill provides funding for military construction projects in addition to fully funding the Department of Veterans Affairs and mandatory veteran benefit programs. In total, this bill included $259 million for projects at military installations across Kentucky.
- A summary provided by the House Appropriations Committee – Majority can be found here.
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026:
- Provides a total of $7 billion in discretionary funding, approximately $200 million below the FY25 enacted level, to support the legislative branch in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. A summary provided by the House Appropriations Committee – Majority can be found here.
House Republicans Restore Order: Congress Passes Clean Funding Extension and Full-Year Appropriations Bills to Reopen Government
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative John R Carter (R-TX-31)
Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026, with a vote of 222 to 209.
After a damaging and unnecessary shutdown that lasted 43 days, a funding extension that House Republicans called for and passed in September is finally headed to President Trump’s desk. Senate Democrats voted against this clean, nonpartisan measure 15 times over the course of the six weeks they held the government hostage.
In addition to the continuing resolution, Congress approved three full-year appropriations bills covering the Legislative Branch, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration.
Passage of this first tranche of bills is strong Article I progress for Appropriators, who have already advanced all twelve bills through the full committee. With the rest of the federal government now funded through January 30, 2026, the Appropriations Committee will continue working to move our remaining nine full-year bills across both chambers. This regular order momentum ends the era of backroom omnibus deals and puts taxpayers first.
While Democrat leadership and their progressive caucus determined that inflicting pain on the American people was their pathway forward, reason overturned their obstruction in the end. Republicans acted responsibly and stood with the nation from the start. Now, the Democrat shutdown is behind us, and Congress can refocus on the work the American people expect and deserve.
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “History reminds us that shutdowns never change the outcome – only the cost paid by the American people. This Democrat-led crisis proved just that. Minority Leaders Jeffries and Schumer have inflicted real pain across the nation for weeks. And for what? The funding extension we passed today reflects our position from the start. Democrats manufactured chaos, delayed paychecks, and disrupted vital services – only to end up exactly where Republicans, President Trump, and the American people said we should be all along. Forty-three days later, they gained nothing but the damage they caused: missed paychecks, lapsed nutrition assistance, stalled programs, and shaken public trust. Today, that ends. We’re reopening government, restoring stability, and continuing the hard work of delivering full-year appropriations through a transparent, line-by-line process. I hope Democrats remember this lesson: true courage is taking responsible action for the nation even when politics makes it inconvenient.”
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX) said, “For 43 days, Americans unnecessarily suffered because Democrats wanted to use them as leverage in a twisted political game. The legislation we passed today ends that suffering and responsibly reopens the government. It provides a runway to negotiate the other bills that need to be completed while providing year-long certainty for America’s veterans to access mental health services, medical care, and homelessness programs. I applaud Chairman Cole for his endless work to get us to this point and commitment to return to regular order. I hope as we face the January deadline, Democrats think long and hard about the impacts of their actions and instead choose to responsibly work with Republicans to tackle the remaining funding bills quickly.”
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD) said, “Millions of Americans have suffered unnecessarily because the Democrats refused to reopen the government – including those who depend on SNAP benefits, federal workers, border patrol agents, and our troops who were uncertain about their next paycheck. This legislation provides critical funding to support America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities and it ensures both USDA and FDA can safeguard our nation’s food and drug supply. Republicans have effectively locked in disciplined, flat spending levels while supporting the Trump Administration’s policy priorities and I thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Cole for his leadership throughout this process.”
Legislative Branch Subcommittee Chairman David Valadao (R-CA) said, “For over 40 days, Congressional Democrats have held our country hostage, and today I was proud to vote to reopen the government and return to regular order. As Chairman of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, I’m pleased that this bill strengthens Capitol security by increasing funding for sworn officers and staff, maintains the historic U.S. Capitol complex, and reopens our nation’s institutions to students, families, and visitors from across the nation. I want to thank Chairman Cole for his leadership throughout this process and look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to deliver the rest of the full-year funding bills for the American people.”
Clean, Nonpartisan Funding Extension
- This clean and straightforward short-term CR – free of poison pills – simply extends funding until January 30.
- The bill represents our original position, underscoring that Democrats have gained nothing during this shutdown other than wreaking havoc on the American people.
- It reopens government and blocks any Democrat attempt of a bloated, last-minute mega-omnibus bill right before Christmas.
- It supports a return to regular order and continued work in advancing full-year FY26 bills.
- Importantly, it includes no partisan demands, including far-left attempts to restrict presidential authority.
- Republicans held the line and proved what we’ve been saying since the start of this shameful charade: the people’s government is not a pawn for leverage or political extortion.
A Return to Regular Order
- There is no better way to end the cycle of shutdown threats than to pass and have President Trump sign into law full-year FY26 appropriations bills.
- Continuing progress on this front was the very purpose of the initial funding extension the House passed in September.
- We wanted to keep the government open to provide more time to pass full-year appropriations and allow for bipartisan, bicameral policy conversations.
- This reflects the Republican commitment to restoring a transparent, orderly approach to funding the government.
- Before Democrats forced this shutdown, we had made real, measurable progress on FY26 appropriations – and the House moved to conference with the Senate on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch bills.
- This marked the first time since Fiscal Year 2019 that regular appropriations bills advanced to conference, demonstrating real progress in restoring regular order.
- Appropriators acted decisively and began a member-driven process to finalize those bills.
- This is a notable and important change from backroom, bloated omnibus deals that sideline rank-and-file members and ignore the will of the American people.
- Even though Democrat leadership undermined this legislative process and squandered time that should have been utilized on passing and conferencing more bills, Republican Appropriators refused to back down in their commitment to delivering full-year appropriations, restoring regular order, and ending the shutdown Democrats chose.
Making Appropriations Great Again
- Our regular order efforts and conference committee determination paid off.
- This legislation includes three bipartisan, bicameral full-year appropriations measures, covering the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; Legislative Branch; and Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration divisions.
- These three bills have been negotiated between the two chambers and reflect a final, full, and bipartisan agreement.
- They are products that implement Trump Administration priorities, reflect fiscal restraint, and implement stable funding for critical agencies.
- The Appropriations Committee proved that we can be disciplined and hold spending levels effectively flat while delivering for American taxpayers.
- As a united conference, we are upholding our Article I duties while executing the America First agenda.
- These bills represent more than 10% of discretionary spending – funding that can no longer be taken hostage if Democrats irresponsibly choose to shut down the government again.
- Taken as a whole, these bills support America’s veterans, farmers, and agriculture, and keep government working for our constituents.
Grothman Issues Statement on Reopening of Government Following Needless Shutdown
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)
Grothman Issues Statement on Reopening of Government Following Needless Shutdown
Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) released the following statement after the federal government reopened following the longest shutdown in our nation’s history:
“I’m glad Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader Thune, and President Trump prevailed in reopening the government,” said Congressman Grothman. “It’s disappointing that Senate Democrats dragged the American people through weeks of uncertainty only to accept the same deal that was available before the shutdown.
“For 43 days, families and federal workers were used as political leverage to appease the radical wing of their party. This reckless approach put critical programs and hard-working Americans at risk for no reason. As we look ahead to January 31, I hope Democrat leadership will put governing ahead of political games so we can provide stability for the American people.”
U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) proudly serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
LEADER JEFFRIES ON MSNBC: “WE COULD NOT SUPPORT A PARTISAN REPUBLICAN SPENDING BILL THAT CONTINUES TO GUT THE HEALTHCARE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MSNBC’s Way Too Early, where he reiterated that Democrats will continue fighting to protect the healthcare of the American people and lower the high cost of living.
ALI VITALI: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joining us for the first time on Way Too Early. Thank you for coming on, waking up early. You and I were both up at the Capitol late last night. It’s pretty strong words there from Karoline Leavitt, but at this point the shutdown is over. I wonder, what was your reaction when you first saw the deal that Senate Democrats agreed to that ultimately ended this and was voted on last night?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well of course there was disappointment, but the reality is, notwithstanding what the unhinged White House Press Secretary had to say, is that Donald Trump is the President, Republicans control the House, the Senate and the presidency. They made the decision several weeks ago, shut down the government, their view, because they didn’t want to provide affordable healthcare to everyday Americans. Our position from the very beginning was clear. We wanted to find a bipartisan path forward to enact a spending agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people, but we could not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people.
ALI VITALI: Six of your Members ultimately broke ranks to do that, but by and large they stayed unified. I think you referenced the fact that the deal itself was disappointing because it fell short of those tangibles on healthcare that you were just talking about. But some of your Members have gone further to say that they think that Leader Schumer should no longer be the Democratic Leader. I know you’ve said that you support him, but do you understand where some of their criticism and frustration comes from?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Leader Schumer and the overwhelming majority of Senate Democrats waged a valiant fight week after week after week, month after month after month starting in September into November in order to make sure that we were being clear with the American people. That yes, we always support finding common ground. We certainly support our hardworking federal employees. But at the same period of time, we’re in the midst of a healthcare crisis that Republicans have created. This group of extremists has enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Hospitals and nursing homes and community-based health centers are closing all across the country because of what Republicans have done in their One Big Ugly Bill. And now these extremists refuse to find a dime to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits in order to help keep healthcare affordable for working-class Americans, middle-class Americans and everyday Americans. It’s unacceptable, and House and Senate Democrats are aligned in continuing to press the case to save the healthcare of the American people.
ALI VITALI: You introduced a discharge petition to that effect. It’s something that takes a long time. We’ve talked about the procedure a lot on this show. I’ve already talked to one Republican who I thought might be someone open to signing it, but they said that they would not be. Have you heard from Republicans that are open to this, bucking their own leadership and getting on board for something on the Affordable Care Act, specifically the three-year clean extension that you’re laying out in this discharge petition?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, over the last several weeks, several Republicans have gone on record saying that they understood the need to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits in order to prevent tens of millions of Americans from experiencing dramatically-increased premiums, copays and deductibles. What the American people who are in the middle of open enrollment right now may confront is the fact that for many folks all across this country, including in rural parts of America, they may see increases in their health insurance of $1,000 or $2,000 per month. That’s unsustainable. Now, it remains to be seen whether Republicans actually are going to behave in a manner consistent with what they’ve been saying and join with Democrats to partner to save their healthcare and extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
ALI VITALI: I think the open question is how do we avoid being in this exact same position come January 31st of next year?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I think one of the challenges that we’ve had throughout the entire year, and this is the American people who have been dealing with unprecedented extremism being jammed down their throats by Donald Trump and compliant Republicans in the House and the Senate, is that the Republicans have adopted a my-way-or-the-highway approach. And unless they change course, we’re going to have challenges, governmentally, for the balance of the first two years of Donald Trump’s time in office. Now, as Democrats, we continue to make clear we’re ready, we’re willing, we’re able to find a bipartisan path forward to enact a spending agreement that actually improves the quality of life. And, Ali, that means driving down the high cost of living in an environment where we have both an affordability crisis and a healthcare crisis. Donald Trump promised that costs would go down on day one. Costs haven’t gone down on day one. Costs have gone up. Inflation is up. The Trump tariffs are adding thousands of dollars per year of additional expense to everyday Americans. Housing costs are too high. Grocery costs are too high. Child care costs are too high. Electricity bills are through the roof. And now, because of the Republican healthcare crisis, tens of millions of people are facing the possibility that their healthcare will become unaffordable and they can’t see a doctor when they need one. These are core problems. And we need Republicans to partner with us, exercise some common sense, let’s find bipartisan common ground in order to enact the common good.
ALI VITALI: I wonder if we can just step back for a moment because relationships are the currency of Congress. You and I both know that. Over the last 43 days, we’ve seen your colleague, Speaker Johnson, keep the House out of session. We’ve seen him delay swearing in one of your Democratic colleagues, Adelita Gajalva. I wonder how you would characterize your relationship with the Speaker at this point because I can remember, just last year, House Democrats voting to help him keep his job as Speaker.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, it’s very interesting, and Marjorie Taylor Greene was on the other side of that issue—
ALI VITALI: She was—
LEADER JEFFRIES: And now Marjorie Taylor Greene continues to acknowledge that we have a healthcare crisis that has to be addressed, and that House Republicans have no clue as to what to do about it. That’s, I think, our biggest challenge with both Mike Johnson and with the Republicans. That they promised to do one thing, lower the high cost of living, but have done nothing about it. If anything, through their One Big Ugly Bill, all they’ve done, largest cut to Medicaid in American history, ripped $186 billion in SNAP benefits away from hungry children, seniors and veterans, and they did all of this so they could enact massive tax breaks for their billionaire donors, which they made permanent. That’s our big challenge with Mike Johnson and with these Republicans—
ALI VITALI: So sorry to interrupt, Mr. Leader, but for you, the way that you deal as leader to leader, it feels like there’s acrimony there that I did not see when this relationship began in a period of split government in Washington.
LEADER JEFFRIES: I wouldn’t suggest that there’s acrimony, but certainly there are going to be challenges moving forward in terms of real differences and policy friction. And there’s also a challenge—it was irresponsible for Mike Johnson to keep House Republicans on a taxpayer-funded vacation for more than seven weeks and to castrate, you know, the House of Representatives as it relates to his majority. At the end of the day, we’re a separate and co-equal branch of government. The problem with House Republicans is that they continue to function like a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trump cartel, as opposed to what Democrats will do, which is serve as a check-and-balance on an out-of-control executive branch.
ALI VITALI: I wonder if, given that, you regret the way that the Caucus acted when his job was in jeopardy.
LEADER JEFFRIES: No, I think that every moment calls for the best possible decision at the time. Joe Biden was the President, Senate Democrats were in the majority. We had a responsibility to continue to move forward, particularly in that instance where we needed to fund our ally Ukraine that’s in a war defending not just their territorial integrity, but also principles of democracy and freedom and truth.
ALI VITALI: Yeah, it was a different House at that point. We are in a different landscape now here. House Minority Leader, Hakeem Jeffries, I appreciate you waking up, first time on Way Too Early.
Full interview can be watched here.
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Van Hollen, Wasserman Schultz Lead Over 120 Members in Filing Amicus Brief Urging Court to Uphold Temporary Protected Status for Venezuela
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)
As they argued in their amicus brief submitted to the Supreme Court, the lawmakers again stressed to the Ninth Circuit that the District Court correctly ruled in alignment with the intent of Congress – that the Executive Branch is to determine humanitarian protections such as TPS according to set criteria as opposed to political preferences. “The Northern District of California properly determined that the plain text of the TPS statute does not support the Secretary’s argument that her actions are unreviewable. Nor does it support the Secretary’s actions with respect to Venezuelan TPS. Instead, the Executive Branch’s interpretation of the TPS statute essentially rewrites the statute to claim a power that Congress did not delegate to the Executive Branch,” they wrote in the brief’s introduction.
WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) were joined by 125 members of Congress in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the case of National TPS Alliance et al. v. Noem, urging the reversal of the Trump Administration’s baseless decision to vacate and terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela. First granted for Venezuela in 2021, TPS has provided approximately 600,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. refuge from economic turmoil and humanitarian crisis in their home country, and authorization to live and work legally in America.
A District Court ruled in September that the Trump Administration’s decision to vacate and terminate Venezuela’s TPS designation was unlawful. After the Trump Administration appealed the decision to the Supreme Court to request a stay of that ruling, Senator Van Hollen, Representative Wasserman Schultz, and their colleagues filed an amicus brief calling for the District Court decision to be upheld. The Supreme Court later sided with the Administration – allowing the Department of Homeland Security to continue stripping Venezuelans of their protections to remain lawfully in the U.S. while the case is fully considered in the Ninth Circuit.
As they argued in their amicus brief submitted to the Supreme Court, the lawmakers again stressed to the Ninth Circuit that the District Court correctly ruled in alignment with the intent of Congress – that the Executive Branch is to determine humanitarian protections such as TPS according to set criteria as opposed to political preferences. “The Northern District of California properly determined that the plain text of the TPS statute does not support the Secretary’s argument that her actions are unreviewable. Nor does it support the Secretary’s actions with respect to Venezuelan TPS. Instead, the Executive Branch’s interpretation of the TPS statute essentially rewrites the statute to claim a power that Congress did not delegate to the Executive Branch,” they wrote in the brief’s introduction.
They also pointed to Congress’ tradition of bipartisan support for TPS and for protecting law-abiding individuals from being sent into harm’s way, writing, “the Secretary’s actions not only violate the TPS statute but also contradict the bipartisan opposition to terminating Venezuela TPS. Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have long supported temporary protected status for Venezuelans who fled dangerous conditions in their country – conditions that persist today.”
Senator Van Hollen and Representative Wasserman Schultz have been leaders in the fight to protect TPS as the Trump Administration and the right-wing Supreme Court push to undermine it. Senator Van Hollen has introduced the SECURE Act, legislation to provide qualified Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients a path to legal permanent residency. Representative Wasserman Schultz co-authored the bipartisan Venezuela TPS Act of 2025, which would restore lawful status to Venezuelans deprived of protections by the Trump Administration, as well as the bipartisan Venezuelan Adjustment Act, which would allow Venezuelan TPS and parole recipients to become lawful permanent residents.
Joining Senator Van Hollen and Representative Wasserman Schultz on this brief are Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.); and Representatives Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Troy Carter (D-La.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Herb Conaway (D-N.J.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas), Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), John Larson (D-Conn.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), April McClain Delaney (D-Md.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.), James Walkinshaw (D-Va.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).
Text of the lawmakers’ argument is below, and the full brief can be viewed here.
West Side Elected Officials Call on NYC EDC to Pause Manhattan Cruise Terminal Master Plan
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)
West Side Elected Officials Call on NYC EDC to Pause Manhattan Cruise Terminal Master Plan
Washington, November 13, 2025
Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), NYS Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and NYS Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal released the following statement calling on NYC Economic Development Corporation to pause the Manhattan Cruise Terminal master plan:
“As representatives of the West Side, we are calling on the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to pause the Manhattan Cruise Terminal master plan. In January, New York City will have a new Mayoral Administration who deserves to be included in these discussions.
“While we applaud certain elements of the plan, including the implementation of shore power and broader infrastructure improvements, there has not been sufficient elected official, stakeholder, and community involvement to move forward with the plan.
“The best step to move forward is to form a working group of stakeholders and community leaders who can discuss and analyze how to enhance the Manhattan waterfront.”
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