Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)
MADISON, WI – Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02), Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus,led a letter with 35 of his colleagues to the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, expressing deep concern regarding the proposal to sunset the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) by the end of 2026, undermining any chance at achieving the global goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
“This decision – announced without prior public notice or clear transition planning – threatens to undermine decades of global progress against HIV and AIDS at precisely the moment when sustained leadership, coordination, and accountability are most needed,” the Members began. “For over 25 years, UNAIDS has served as the world’s coordinating body for HIV and AIDS response: aligning the efforts of eleven UN agencies, national governments, donors, and global clinics to prevent new infections and expand access to care.”
“UNAIDS’ mandate has been indispensable in ensuring that HIV responses are grounded in human rights, guided by data, and inclusive of the communities most affected by the epidemic,” the Members continued. “As countries increasingly assume greater ownership of their HIV programs, UNAIDS remains a vital partner in maintaining a global unified strategy and upholding countries’ commitments to transparency, accountability, and equity.”
“UNAIDS also continues to serve as an essential advocate for key populations, such as LGBTQ+ people, adolescent girls and young women, pregnant women, people who use drugs, sex workers, and other marginalized groups, whose rights and safety are too often under threat,” the Members wrote. “Sudden dismantling of UNAIDS functions would risk creating dangerous gaps in surveillance, coordination, and advocacy – gaps that could lead to increased transmission and death across the globe.”
“We urge you to reconsider the proposed closure of UNAIDS and to follow the transition timeline approved by consensus by the UNAIDS board, which includes the United States. The board-established process ensures that the future transition of programmatic functions and sunsetting of UNAIDS proceeds strategically, with great care, and over a longer course of time, as to not abruptly disrupt current response efforts to the epidemic in countries,” the Members concluded.
The list of signers includes: Mark Pocan (WI-02), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Sean Casten (IL-06), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Danny Davis (IL-07), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Jesus Garcia (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Doris Matsui (CA-07), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)
Endorsing Organizations: AVAC, Council for Global Equality, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Fast-Track Cities Institute, Global Health Council, Health Global Access Project (Health GAP), HIV i-Base, HIV Medicine Association, Institute for Health Research & Policy at Whitman-Walker, International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, NASTAD, National Working Positive Coalition, NMAC, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Positive Women’s Network-USA, PrEP4All, Presbyterian Church USA, Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association, Presbyterian HIV Network, Ribbon-A Center of Excellence, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, The AIDS Institute, The Reunion Project, The Well Project, Treatment Action Group, Vivent Health, AIDS Action Baltimore, AIDS Alabama, AIDS Foundation Chicago, APLA Health, Equality California, Equitas Health, HIV+Aging Project – Palm Springs
BOSTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) 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. The convening, which took place at the Dorchester Food Co-op, comes as Republicans’ government shutdown and Trump’s refusal to fully fund the SNAP program threatens food assistance for over 1 million people in Massachusetts—including 100,000 households in the Massachusetts 7th—and could cause many of the food stores they rely on to go under.
“Trump and Republicans’ government shutdown and refusal to fully fund SNAP is not only leaving our families hungry, but it is also pushing local, small businesses and farmers out of business, destroying local economies, and leaving communities without an essential resource,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07). “Thank you to the Dorchester Food Co-op for having us and to the many corner store owners, nonprofit leaders, urban farmers, and grocers for the role you play in keeping our families fed. Together, we’ll keep pushing to end Republicans’ shameful government shutdown and get SNAP funds out the door, and we’ll keep choosing community over chaos.”
Congresswoman Pressley was joined at the convening by dedicated food providers and partners, including La Oaxaqueña Store Everett, Davey’s Super Market Roxbury, Tropical Foods (El Platanero), Mattapan Square Farmers Market, The Urban Farming Institute, Dorchester Food Co-op, Eastie Farm, Fresh Truck, as well as state and city officials, including Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, Boston Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy, Boston Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia, Boston Councilor At-Large Henry Santana, Boston City Councilor Brian Worrell, the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance, the Boston Mayor’s Office of Food Justice, and the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative.
“The 140,000 Boston residents who rely on SNAP to purchase food for their families have begun to feel the impacts of this federal SNAP freeze as early as this past Saturday,” said Aliza Wasserman, Director of the City of Boston Office of Food Justice. “For over six decades, our communities have counted on this program to meet basic needs, and this unprecedented freeze by the Trump administration will have ripple impacts on Boston’s economy until it is fully restored.”
“These cuts to SNAP funding are cruel, unnecessary, and out of touch with the reality working families face every day,” said Council President Ruthzee Louijeune. “When we talk about building a better America, that starts with ensuring every family has food on the table. Instead, these actions move us backward. Boston will continue to stand with our most vulnerable residents and push for policies that reflect compassion and common sense.”
“Those who have the least right now stand to lose the most from these violent and disgraceful policy choices from Washington,” said Julia Mejia, Boston Councilor At-Large. “That said, having governed during the height of COVID and Trump 1.0, I know what these times call for: mutual aid, collective action, and the political will to protect one another by standing in the gap created by a hostile federal government.”
“As an At-large City Councilor representing the entire city, I am committed to ensuring that our families—especially our children—have access to the resources they need to avoid hunger,” said Henry Santana, Boston Councilor At-Large. “The ongoing government shutdown threatens that access, and having reliable food resources is essential for our families to thrive and stay healthy. In moments like these, we must stand united to protect SNAP benefits, support our local food providers, and keep our neighborhoods nourished and thriving.”
“At DFC, we’re grateful to exist at such a time like this to be a support, a hub, a food resource in a diverse community with complex needs,” Roudnie Célestin, Board Member, Dorchester Food Co-op. “The more prepared we are, the better equipped we’ll be to face any ripple effects families and people in our community could face due to this SNAP lapse.”
“This is a Lose-Lose-Lose situation for everyone. SNAP recipients, businesses, and the country,” said Ronn Garry, Tropical Foods. “SNAP benefits shouldn’t be a leverage point in a political battle. We need this situation to get resolved so that we can feed our communities.”
“When SNAP benefits shut down, the impact hits fast and hits home,” said Jacqueline Teixeira, Davey’s Super Market. “Families who depend on that support suddenly can’t afford the groceries they need, and food insecurity rises overnight. Those SNAP dollars don’t disappear — they stop flowing to local stores, markets, and small businesses that count on them. SNAP isn’t just a safety net; it’s the heartbeat of local economies, keeping shelves stocked, workers employed, and families fed. If we want strong communities, we need consistent SNAP funding that protects both people and small businesses.”
“During the early months of the pandemic, we were shocked to realize how many kids in our neighborhood were going hungry. One hungry child is too many,” said Kannan Thiruvengadam, Eastie Farm. “We are heartbroken that we are at the doorsteps of such a horrendous time once again—only this time it is 100% due to our own federal government. As a farm growing produce and connected to other small farms in the state, Eastie Farm is working harder to bring more produce to the community. Even so, lack of access to SNAP funding means we have to front the full cost of the produce boxes ourselves, which significantly limits the number of families we can support. We know that our partners, funders, sister community orgs, and local and state governments are all stretched. We are grateful to our congressional representative, Congresswoman Pressley, and Senators Warren and Markey, who are fighting to restore the critical assistance families need for sustenance. Thank you!”
“Eighty-five percent of our shoppers rely on SNAP and nutrition assistance programs. Right now, they’re scared, confused, and calling us to figure out how to feed their families. We want them to know they can still use their HIP benefits or other payment methods with us, and our markets will stay open,” said Fresh Truck. “But a family of four cannot feed themselves for the month with $60 worth of produce. HIP helps, but it’s not enough. Fresh Truck will keep showing up, but this crisis makes clear that local solutions cannot bear the full weight of federal failure. The programs we all pay into, with billions in reserves for moments like this, must be activated. And we need sustained investment in organizations like ours that make those benefits work on the ground.”
“The unprecedented delay in SNAP benefits has harmed Massachusetts households, retailers and farmers,” said MA Food System Collaborative. “Withholding of SNAP benefits cuts off a vital source of revenue for Massachusetts farmers and local food system businesses; every dollar of SNAP generates around $1.50 of economic activity and SNAP is a steady source of revenue for small retailers. The Collaborative is proud that Massachusetts continues to support SNAP retailers by funding the healthy incentives program (HIP). We call on the federal government to follow the courts and release contingency funds to fund SNAP.”
La suspensión temporal del programa EBT ha dejado a muchas familias en nuestra comunidad en una situación de profunda incertidumbre,” Felipa Celaya, fundadora de La Oaxaqueña. “Para miles de padres y madres, este apoyo representa la posibilidad de poner comida en la mesa; cuando se interrumpe, no solo se vacían sus hogares, también se resiente la economía de pequeños negocios como el nuestro, que dependemos del bienestar de quienes servimos. En La Oaxaqueña no hablamos de política, hablamos de personas reales: de familias que trabajan, que sueñan y que sostienen con esfuerzo a esta nación. Creemos que las decisiones públicas deben guiarse con empatía y sentido humano, recordando que detrás de cada programa hay historias, rostros y esperanzas que merecen ser escuchadas. Seguiremos trabajando con fe y compromiso, apoyando a nuestra comunidad como siempre lo hemos hecho, porque cuando una familia se levanta, toda la comunidad avanza.
Footage from the roundtable discussion is available here and footage from the press conference is available here. For photos, click here.
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 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 7th 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.
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.
Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has also been a champion for food security and justice and ensuring families have the essential food assistance they deserve. She has been an outspoken critic of the Big, Ugly Bill since its inception and Republicans’ harmful cuts to SNAP and other government service programs.
Rep. Pressley joins Rep. McGovern convened a listening session in East Boston with Project Bread to highlight the devastating impacts that Trump’s Big, Ugly Bill will have on Massachusetts families who rely on federal food assistance.
Rep. Pressley joined colleagues at a press conference imploring the House to reject the cruel and harmful legislation.
Rep. Pressley joined the Congressional Black Caucus and over 100 colleagues in stalling a vote on the Big, Ugly Bill.
Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Senate’s passage of the Big, Ugly Bill and vowing to continue fighting it using every tool available.
Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates from Caring Across Generations, Care Can’t Wait, and partner organizations to protest Trump’s and Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill that proposes disastrous cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential programs and would leave communities sicker, poorer, and more vulnerable.
Ahead of the House’s vote on the bill, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned speech on the House floor in which she made a direct appeal to her Republican colleagues to oppose this cruel and harmful bill.
Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she slammed the bill’s proposed Medicaid cuts, which would decimate reproductive healthcare in America and worsen maternal health outcomes.
Rep. Pressley co-hosted a press conference with Color of Change to oppose the Republicans’ cruel and harmful budget reconciliation package, which would gut critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
In the House Oversight Committee’s markup of the Republican reconciliation bill, Rep. Pressley demanded Republicans answer to the families who would go hungry by way of this reconciliation bill – and she was met with silence.
In an impassioned speech on the House floor, Rep. Pressley slammed Republicans’ cruel and callous budget resolution that would slash Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical government services to pay for trillions of dollars in tax giveaways for Donald Trump’s billionaire donors.
WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the House Financial Services Committee, and Representative Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA), introduced the Innovation Fund Act to establish a program to reward communities that are taking innovative steps to increase housing supply.
The bill creates a competitive pot of highly flexible funding for communities that are building more housing, which can be used to improve community infrastructure, build housing, and supplement water and sewer grants. The bill is included in the landmark bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act.
“As the daughter of a tenants’ rights organizer, I learned firsthand how essential it is that all people have a safe and healthy place to call home,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “Our bill rewards innovative approaches that improve housing supply, leading to increased housing affordability and quality. I’m proud to partner with Senators Warren and Warnock and Congressman Cleaver to invest in safe and stable housing for all.”
The Innovation Fund Act:
Will award competitive grants to cities, counties, other units of local government or Indian tribes that have demonstrated an objective improvement in housing supply.
Requires applicants to describe how they are currently facilitating the expansion of their housing supply.
Will prioritize eligible entities that demonstrate the use of innovative policies, interventions, or programs to increase housing supply.
Allows eligible entities to use the funds to carry out CDBG eligible activities, as matching funds for water and sewer grants, and for initiatives that facilitate the expansion of the supply of attainable housing and supplement initiatives the eligible entity has carried out.
As a Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the House Financial Services Committee (FSC), Rep. Pressley has consistently advocated for policies that affirm housing as a human right and center the dignity and humanity of all people.
In May 2025, Rep, Pressley, along with Representatives Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Greg Casar (TX-35), reintroduced the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, legislation to protect the power of tenants, including those with federal vouchers, to organize.
In June 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Representatives Maxine Waters (CA-43) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), re-introduced the Tenant Empowerment Act, bold legislation to strengthen HUD tenant protections and provide renters with the tools necessary to improve the quality of their homes.
In March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Mayor Wu, visited Roxbury to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal funding she secured to provide emergency childcare support for families experiencing homelessness in the City of Boston.
In March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Senators Warren and Markey, applauded the final passage of $850,000 in federal community project funding for The Pryde, an affordable housing development for LGBTQ+ seniors in Hyde Park.
In March 2024, Rep. Pressley urged Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to cut interest rates to boost home affordability and construction of affordable housing.
In January 2024, Rep. Pressley, during a House Financial Services Committee Hearing, highlighted the growing housing crisis and how appraisal bias and discriminatory tenant screening practices exacerbate the racial wealth and homeownership gaps, especially for Black communities.
In December 2023, Rep. Pressley requested the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide data on housing needs for Medicaid beneficiaries and feedback on challenges the agency is having in covering housing support for people requiring home and community-based services (HCBS).
In July 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), reintroduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act, critical legislation to provide much-needed assistance to those facing eviction amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In September 2021, Rep. Pressley joined Rep. Bush and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in introducing the Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021 to enact an urgently needed nationwide eviction moratorium.
On July 2021, ahead of the expiration of the previous CDC eviction moratorium, Reps. Pressley, Bush, Gomez and their progressive colleagues sent a letter renewing their calls for President Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to extend the federal eviction moratorium and prevent the historic and deadly wave of evictions that would occur if the government failed to do so.
On July 30, 2021, Rep. Pressley joined House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) in introducing the Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021, legislation to extend the eviction moratorium through the end of the year.
In June 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Reps. Gomez and Bush, led over 40 of their colleagues on a letter urging President Biden and CDC Director Walensky to extend and strengthen the moratorium for the duration of the public health crisis.
In June 2021, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), re-introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
On May 18, 2021, Reps. Bush and Pressley sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), calling on the CDC to strengthen and extend the federal moratorium on evictions, ensuring families can remain safely in their homes for the duration of the COVID-19 global health emergency.
On July 28, 2020, Rep. Pressley, Rep. DeLauro and Sen. Harris introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act to provide much-needed, layered assistance to those facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 24, 2020, in a Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed the unprecedented financial cliff facing millions of renters and homeowners, the economic consequences of millions losing their homes, including the ability to return to work, and why funding for legal representation is so critical.
On May 11, 2020, Reps. Tlaib, and Joe Neguse (D-CO) urge House and Senate leadership to include $11.5 billion in funding for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) in the next relief package to aid the nation’s homeless population who are experiencing heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 10, 2020, Rep. Pressley urged Congressional leadership to prioritize recurring monthly cash payments to those most at-risk during the COVID-19 crisis. This funding would allow people to cover all their bills, including rent.
On April 17, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and colleagues introduce the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
On March 23, 2020, Reps. Pressley and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020, legislation to provide critical funding to states and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation was included and passed through the HEROES Act and H.R. 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.
On March 19, 2020, Rep. Pressley, along with progressive lawmakers and organizations, introduced the Housing is a Human Right Act to authorize more than $200 billion in federal spending over 10 years for crucial housing infrastructure and reduce homelessness.
On March 18, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Katie Porter (D-CA) and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to HUD calling for a moratorium on evicting renters during the coronavirus pandemic.
In July 2019, Rep. Pressley announced legislation that would prohibit the use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), protecting tenants from biased surveillance technology.
In November 2019, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Tlaib wrote to HUD blasting the agency for ignoring low-income tenants seeking to save their homes.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Santa Paula, CA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) held a press conference at Santa Paula City Hall to renew her demands for Republicans to end the government shutdown and protect Americans’ access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Joined by Ventura County Supervisor Vianey Lopez and Santa Paula Mayor Pedro Chavez, Brownley condemned the Trump administration for deliberately putting millions of families at risk of going hungry.
“For more than six weeks now, House Republicans have been on paid vacation while President Trump hosts extravagant parties and demolishes the East Wing to build a salacious ballroom for his wealthy friends and wealthier donors,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “Meanwhile, families across America – and right here in Ventura County – are struggling to put food on the table.”
SNAP provides critical food assistance to 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. In July, Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans enacted the largest cuts to food assistance in U.S. history through their so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” slashing nearly $200 billion from the program to pay for massive tax breaks for billionaires and corporations.
“Donald Trump had the funds and the legal authority to ensure families didn’t go hungry on November 1 – but he chose not to,” Brownley continued. “Instead, he’s sending $40 billion to bail out Argentina while American children go hungry. Let’s be clear: this was a deliberate choice – a weaponization of hunger to score political points. It’s cruel. It’s unnecessary. And it’s un-American.”
Brownley noted that Congress set aside billions in contingency funds to keep SNAP running during emergencies, like this shutdown, and Congress has authorized USDA to also transfer funds from other programs to SNAP, such as from tariff revenues. Yet, even after two federal judges ordered the Trump Administration to pay SNAP benefits, Trump is only allowing partial payments from the contingency funds and refusing to transfer funds to cover the SNAP shortfall. While the court cases continue, House Speaker Mike Johnson also refuses to call the House back to work to address this crisis.
“Republicans are holding the government hostage rather than working with Democrats to fix the chaos and crisis they created,” Brownley said. “This is not leadership – it’s a complete abdication of responsibility. Democrats are ready to work – to reopen the government, restore food assistance, and protect affordable health care for families, veterans, seniors, and children.”
Brownley also thanked local organizations for stepping up to meet urgent needs during the shutdown.
“I want to thank Food Share, volunteers and the many food pantries throughout our county who are stepping up to help people during this time,” said Ventura County Supervisor Vianey Lopez, Fifth District. “This shutdown may appear to be a distant issue happening thousands miles from Ventura County. But it is not; it is happening here and it is impacting local families as Cal Fresh benefits have been delayed. It is imperative that this shutdown ends – the well-being of our communities depends on it.”
“These attacks on working families like those here in Santa Paula – go against the very values we cherish as Santa Paulans and as Americans,” said Pedro Chavez, Mayor of the City of Santa Paula. ”
Following the press conference, Brownley joined Food Share Ventura County and community volunteers for a meal distribution at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, underscoring that no family in America should ever have to wonder where their next meal will come from because of political games in Washington.
Photos from the press conference can be found here. Photos from the meal distribution can be found here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) reintroduced the Same Day Registration Act, legislation that would require all states to allow same-day voter registration for federal elections. The bill’s introduction comes on Election Day in California and numerous other states, as key races across the country underscore that democracy itself is on the ballot.
“Elections are a cornerstone of our democracy, and participation in that democracy should always be encouraged,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “Far too often, the right to vote is obstructed by outdated voter registration regulations, cumbersome pre-registration requirements, and the absence of same-day voter registration laws that make it harder for Americans to cast their ballots. In many states, these unnecessary barriers keep eligible voters from having their voices heard.
“High participation in our elections ensures representation that works for the people. Same-day voter registration is one of the most effective tools we have to increase voter turnout, expand access to the ballot box, and strengthen representation. It is an important step that every state should take to make our democracy more responsive to the will of the people. Every eligible voter deserves the chance to participate, and this legislation moves us closer to that promise.”
Currently, 23 states and the District of Columbia permit same-day voter registration, which allows any qualified resident of the state to register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day. Brownley’s legislation would require every state to enact same-day voter registration for all federal elections, much like the process allowed in her home state of California.
Brownley has long championed policies that increase voter participation and strengthen representation that works for the people, not special interests. The Same Day Registration Act will ensure more eligible voters can make their voices heard at the ballot box.
The Same Day Registration Act is co-sponsored by Representatives Wesley Bell (MO-01), Don Beyer (VA-08), Troy Carter (LA-02), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and George Whitesides (CA-27).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), along with Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Derek Tran (CA-45), and 33 members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation in strongly opposing the Department of Education’s decision to rescind $350 million in funding from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs).
The lawmakers voiced their disappointment and disagreement with the Department of Justice’s July 25th determination that Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) apply “racial quotas” in a manner that is “unconstitutional,” especially since no court has found the MSI program unconstitutional or instructed the Department of Education to reprogram this funding. The signatories also warned that the Department’s actions would disproportionately harm Californian students and weaken California’s – and America’s – long-term competitiveness.
“To be clear, diverting resources away from these schools will disproportionately harm California students and students across the nation who depend on MSIs as the most accessible and affordable pathway to a degree,” wrote the lawmakers. “It would also weaken proven engines of upward mobility, deprive our workforce of diverse talent, and undercut the nation’s long-term competitiveness.”
“Rather than reallocate scarce dollars from MSIs to HBCUs and TCCUs, we urge you to allocate funding as intended by Congress to support all MSIs, HBCUs, and TCCUs. … Equitable, sustained funding across the spectrum of MSIs, HBCUs, and TCCUs will ensure that more institutions can continue broadening opportunity, reducing inequities, and powering the American economy,” continued the lawmakers. “Our collective goal must be to invest in all students, no matter which institution they attend.”
There are over 800 federally recognized MSIs, including Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHSIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTIs), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). MSIs enroll over 5 million students, many of whom are first-generation college students. These institutions rely on federal funding to provide vital supports and services for students to help them complete their degrees. The Trump Administration’s decision to end funding for MSIs could threaten the institutions’ ability to adequately serve all the students they enroll.
Earlier this year, Tennessee filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education to challenge the eligibility requirements necessary to receive a federal HSI designation. In July, the Department of Justice decided to not defend the constitutionality of the program in the ongoing litigation. Despite no ruling or court instructions, the Department of Education announced during HSI week on September 10th that it would end and reprogram $350 million in discretionary grants for HSIs and other MSIs. On October 10, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee allowed the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and LatinoJustice Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (LatinoJustice PRLDEF) to intervene in the litigation, ensuring affected campuses can help defend the programs.
California has the largest concentration of MSIs in the country. The state is home to 170+ HSIs and 85 eligible AANAPISIs. In addition, MSIs enroll the majority of first-generation and low-income students in California and consistently demonstrate higher rates of economic mobility than non-MSI institutions. The Department of Education’s decision to reprogram funding from the MSI program undermines the ability of these universities to serve communities that have long been underrepresented in higher education.
The letter was also signed by Representatives Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Ami Bera (CA-06), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Josh Harder (CA-09), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Mike Levin (CA-49), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Scott Peters (CA-50), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Norma Torres (CA-35), Juan Vargas (CA-52), and George Whitesides (CA-27).
The Honorable Linda McMahon Secretary of Education U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, DC 20202
Dear Secretary McMahon,
As members of the California Congressional Delegation, we write to express our strong opposition to the Department of Education’s (EDs) decision to rescind federal resources from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) – including Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHSIs), Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTIs), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs).
California is home to the largest concentration of MSIs in the country. Our state has 85 eligible AANAPISIs, serving large numbers of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students, as well as more than 170 HSIs, educating nearly two million students of all backgrounds. For example, twenty-one of twenty-two California State University campuses are federally designated HSIs, and five University of California campuses have reached HSI status. California’s community colleges – our primary access point to higher education – are overwhelmingly HSIs, with over 90 percent already meeting the federal threshold. Collectively, MSIs enroll the majority of first-generation and low-income students in California and consistently demonstrate higher rates of economic mobility than non-MSI institutions. The Department’s decision to reprogram funding from the MSI program undermines the ability of these universities to serve communities that have long been underrepresented in higher education.
We are disappointed in and disagree with the Department of Justice’s July 25th determination that HSIs apply “racial quotas” in a manner that is “unconstitutional.” No court has found the MSI program unconstitutional, nor has a court instructed the Department of Education to reprogram this funding. We note that on October 10, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee granted Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and LatinoJustice PRLDEF the right to intervene in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. U.S. Department of Education, ensuring that affected institutions have a voice in defending these programs. To be clear, diverting resources away from these schools will disproportionately harm California students and students across the nation who depend on MSIs as the most accessible and affordable pathway to a degree. It would also weaken proven engines of upward mobility, deprive our workforce of diverse talent, and undercut the nation’s long-term competitiveness.
Rather than reallocate scarce dollars from MSIs to HBCUs and TCCUs, we urge you to allocate funding as intended by Congress to support all MSIs, HBCUs, and TCCUs. We are encouraged that affected institutions can now participate in the judicial process to ensure these programs are fully and fairly defended. In light of these developments, we would welcome the opportunity to work with the administration to increase investments in MSIs, HBCUS, and TCCUs. Equitable, sustained funding across the spectrum of MSIs, HBCUs, and TCCUs will ensure that more institutions can continue broadening opportunity, reducing inequities, and powering the American economy. Our collective goal must be to invest in all students, no matter which institution they attend.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)
U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) today introduced the Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act, bipartisan legislation to improve soil health on farms and support sustainable alternatives to annual agriculture. The legislation would ensure United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) conservation programs are better able to support farmers who incorporate perennial systems and agroforestry into their operations.
“American agriculture faces many challenges today, including harmful soil erosion exacerbated by the climate crisis’ extreme weather patterns,” said Rep. Beyer. “Our bill is a significant step to support the health and sustainability of American farms by ensuring the USDA has the resources necessary to be a strong partner for farmers who prioritize perennial agriculture and agroforestry. These practices promote soil health, which not only makes the soil more resilient to extreme weather events and erosion but also improves long-term agricultural productivity and farming’s impacts on watersheds and wildlife.”
“By supporting farmers in the utilization of perennial systems and agroforestry, the Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act encourages healthy soil management – improving overall farm productivity and stimulating microbial life,” said Rep. Lawler.“This is a win for farmers, a win for the environment, and a win for American families. I’m proud to join my colleagues Don Beyer and Chellie Pingree in introducing this commonsense bipartisan bill.”
“In Maine and across the country, farmers are on the frontlines of the climate crisis – dealing with severe drought, flooding, wildfires, and other extreme weather conditions,” said Rep. Pingree. “In order to make our food system more resilient and to ensure our agricultural producers survive the worsening climate crisis, we must encourage and invest in climate-smart practices. My and Representatives Beyer and Lawler’s Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act does just that – promoting soil health, investing in agroforestry research and development, and incentivizing greenhouse gas reduction. Our bipartisan, commonsense bill is a win-win.”
“The Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act provides common-sense, straight-forward support for high-impact perennial practices through NRCS conservation programs. It also ensures increased technical capacity at USDA for new and exciting perennial practices through a series of agroforestry centers,” said National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Conservation Specialist Jesse Womack. “This bill is a win for farmers committed to building soil health across their operation through plant diversity and strong, living roots.”
“Perennial and agroforestry systems strengthen soils by minimizing disturbance, maximizing living roots, and bolstering land-based carbon sinks – all while delivering benefits across biodiversity, on-farm resilience, and producer bottom lines,” said Interim Director of Policy at Carbon180 Mary Olive. “The Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act of 2025 enhances NRCS conservation programs to increase support and flexibility for US farmers and ranchers looking to implement these innovative, soil-friendly production systems. We applaud Representatives Beyer, Lawler, and Pingree for their leadership in prioritizing soil health.”
Annual crops and monoculture cropping, common in farming, require tilling which disrupts the natural soil structure and can lead to increased erosion and a reliance on harmful fertilizers and pesticides. Perennial and agroforestry systems require less soil disturbance – improving soil structure, preventing erosion, increasing ecosystem nutrient retention, and promoting carbon sequestration.
Successfully designing, installing, and maintaining perennial systems and agroforestry on farms, however, is a long and complex process that comes with real costs. The Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act would support these farmers by improving USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) programs, the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP); increasing technical assistance for farmers installing perennial systems; and designating four national and regional agroforestry centers.
Text of the Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act is available here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on CNN’s The Arena, where he emphasized that Democrats will continue to push back against the Republican effort to rip nutritional assistance and healthcare and work to end the Trump-Republican government shutdown on behalf of the American people.
BORIS SANCHEZ: Leader Jeffries, thank you so much for being with us this Halloween. I want to start by getting your reaction to what we have heard from Kevin Hassett about the White House agreeing to use these emergency funds to cover SNAP benefits. He seems to lament that the judges ruled this way.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah this is shocking to me because Donald Trump, Republicans and the administration should not be weaponizing hunger and jeopardizing the ability of more than 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, to put food on the table. But from the very beginning of Donald Trump’s time in office, cruelty has clearly been the point. We’re thankful for these rulings. The law is very clear. Funds do exist within the administration for exactly this reason—a contingency fund to make sure that no one in America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, ever goes hungry. What the administration needs to do is comply with the law and make sure that these SNAP benefits don’t lapse.
BORIS SANCHEZ: The counterargument from the administration, Leader Jeffries, is that it is Democrats, who by not voting for the CR almost identical to the one that they voted for just months ago, are holding these SNAP recipients and the beneficiaries of other government programs hostage. And I am curious about where you see all of this ending because eventually that emergency funding will run out again. It’s somewhere in the neighborhood of $6 billion, not enough to cover the $9 billion that I understand is required for SNAP benefits in November. Eventually there will be more agencies and programs that will run out of money. So what is the plan?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, Donald Trump is the President. Republicans control the House and the Senate. And they’ve taken a my-way-or-the-highway approach from the very beginning of this year, unleashing their right-wing and extreme agenda and jamming it down the throat of the American people. But all of a sudden, they’re powerless. No one is buying that in America. As Democrats, what we’ve said is that we’ll sit down with Republicans anytime, anyplace, at the White House or in the Congress, in order to reopen the government and find a bipartisan path forward to a spending agreement that actually makes life better for the American people in an environment where the cost of living is way too high. And as part of dealing with that situation, we have to decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis, particularly as it relates to the pending expiration of the Affordable Care Act tax credits.
BORIS SANCHEZ: I do want to get your thoughts on the way that the President and some Republicans have characterized SNAP recipients. Here’s something the President said earlier.
RECORDING OF PRESIDENT TRUMP: Largely when you talk about SNAP you’re talking about largely Democrats, but I’m President, I want to help everybody. I want help Democrats and Republicans. But when you’re taking about SNAP, if you look, it’s largely Democrats. They’re hurting their own people.
BORIS SANCHEZ: What do you think the President means by that?
LEADER JEFFRIES: You know, it’s unbelievable to me. He should be functioning as the President of the United States of America, but, of course, he’s shown no interest in doing that. He just wants to be the President of his cult-like followers, but is unwilling to actually be there for everyday Americans, working-class Americans and middle-class Americans, who, by the way, are of every political persuasion. And, of course, people in every single state across this country are going to be impacted. You’re talking about 42 million Americans—16 million children, 8 million older Americans and seniors and more than a million veterans. And they’re in every single state in the country of every single political persuasion. You know, it’s Halloween. Donald Trump should put on a costume and pretend to act like a President, at least on this day.
BORIS SANCHEZ: I want to pivot to the President’s call to get rid of the Senate filibuster and actually play sound from President Barack Obama back in 2020. Let’s listen.
RECORDING OF PRESIDENT OBAMA: If all this takes eliminating the filibuster, another Jim Crow relic, in order to secure the God-given rights of every American, then that’s what we should do.
BORIS SANCHEZ: You yourself have used similar language to describe the filibuster. You wrote on X in 2021, quote, ‘The filibuster is a Jim Crow era relic that has been used to stop progress for decades. Enough.’ By your own standards, shouldn’t Republican Senators heed Trump’s call to eliminate the filibuster?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, you know, Marjorie Taylor Greene made this point a few weeks ago, that Republicans are actually making a choice to keep the government shut down when everybody in Washington understands they have the power to reopen it. But they’re asking Democrats to support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of the American people in an environment where they’ve already enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health centers are closing because of Republican policies all throughout the country. And now they’re refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, and they want us as Democrats to go along with it. In terms of what Republicans in the Senate may decide relative to the filibuster rule, it is a Jim Crow relic, but ultimately it’s their decision. But keep in mind that the filibuster has already been eradicated or watered down in other instances. That’s the reason why Republicans could pass their One Big Ugly Bill with only Republican votes. Every single Democrat in the House and every single Democrat in the Senate opposed it. It was a simple majority. And they used the erosion of the filibuster in the case of that budget reconciliation bill to visit upon the American people a trillion dollars or so in cuts to Medicaid, to rip food away from the mouths of hungry children. And, at the same time, to enact the largest tax break for their billionaire donors in American history, and they made that permanent.
BORIS SANCHEZ: As you know, Leader, thousands of federal employees will not be getting paid. Paychecks for Members of Congress, though, do go out tomorrow, on November 1. CNN actually connected with Speaker Mike Johnson’s office, who said that he is not planning on collecting that paycheck. You’ve said that you plan on telling your constituents on or before that date whether you plan on accepting pay yourself. Can you share your decision?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yes, I made clear to my constituents that my check will be withheld.
BORIS SANCHEZ: And as we speak, another impact of the shutdown is on air traffic. New York’s JFK International Airport is currently under a ground stop because of staffing shortages at air traffic control centers. These are your constituents that are using this airport. There have been multiple concerns already raised about shortages in air traffic control before the shutdown. How concerned are you about potential safety risks for your constituents?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I’m very concerned with all of the harmful effects of the shutdown. The fact that our air traffic controllers and many hardworking federal employees, TSA agents, are being asked to work without pay. This is the reason why Donald Trump needs to get serious about sitting down and finding a path toward a bipartisan agreement. Understand, this is day 31 of the Trump-Republican shutdown. Donald Trump has spent more time on the golf course than he has talking with Democrats who represent half the country. He spent more time talking to Hamas over the last 31 days than he has with Democrats who represent half of the country, and he spent more talking to the Chinese Communist Party than he has talking with Democrats as part of an effort to reopen the government, to enact a spending agreement that meets the needs of the American people and that addresses the Republican healthcare crisis that is hurting working-class Americans, everyday Americans and middle-class Americans, no matter where you live—rural America, urban America, small town America, the heartland of America and, of course, Black and brown communities throughout America. Donald Trump can help lead at this moment, but he refuses to do so.
BORIS SANCHEZ: Leader, could you specifically name a Republican who you’ve called in recent days and describe what that conversation was like?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, Mike Johnson and I have had maybe two brief conversations over the last week or so, but they’re not serious. At the end of the day, understand, until Donald Trump tells them what to do, Republicans in the House and the Senate are going to be unwilling to find a bipartisan path forward, because Republicans, this version of the Republican Party in the Congress, they don’t work for the American people. They work for Donald Trump. He says jump. They say, how high? They’ve been nothing more than a reckless rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda, consistently hurting their own constituents, which is what they’re doing right now as it relates to their refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits when we know the five states that will be impacted the most are West Virginia, Wyoming, Alaska, Tennessee and Mississippi. Those are the five sates. The next five states are also in Republican-controlled hands. They could care less, and that’s a shame.
BORIS SANCHEZ: Turning now to the mayoral race underway in your city right now. Early voting in New York City has been underway this week. Have you voted in the mayoral race yet?
LEADER JEFFRIES: I have.
BORIS SANCHEZ: Can you share who you voted for?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I issued a statement endorsing a Democratic nominee a little over a week ago. So of course that’s exactly who I voted for.
BORIS SANCHEZ: Yeah, and I wonder if you spoke with your colleague, Senator Chuck Schumer, about your decision to back Zohran Mamdani.
LEADER JEFFRIES: I have not.
BORIS SANCHEZ: Why?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, Chuck Schumer makes his decisions, I make my decisions. I let him know the direction that I was heading in, and that was the extent of the conversation.
BORIS SANCHEZ: Well, it just seems like this race in New York City for mayor is a microcosm of a battle within the Democratic Party between what’s seen as the old guard and the new guard. And there are clearly some apprehensions about endorsing or even voting for someone like Zohran Mamdani, even publicly voicing support for him. I wonder if you told Senator Schumer that you would back him, what he said in response, if you could share some of his perspective.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, a private conversation is a private conversation between Leader Schumer and myself—
BORIS SANCHEZ: Of course.
LEADER JEFFRIES: —as would be the case relative to any other Member of Congress. But I certainly informed him in advance of my decision, as he often does with me. And of course, we speak often. We’re focused, I think, the two of us—and he’s done a tremendous job right now, and so have Senate Democrats, in standing up for the healthcare of the American people, pushing back against these extreme cuts and doing everything we can to reopen the government and to enact a spending agreement that actually drives down the high cost of living in an environment where Donald Trump promised to lower costs on day one. Costs aren’t going down. They’re going up. Inflation through the roof. Housing costs up. Child care costs up. Grocery costs up. And, of course, electricity bills skyrocketing.
BORIS SANCHEZ: One final question, Leader, just on that point that’s been made, including by former Governor Andrew Cuomo, current candidate in the mayoral race, that this is a quiet civil war going on in the Democratic Party. Do you see it that way that this mayoral is an indicator of where the party stands, perhaps where it’s headed?
LEADER JEFFRIES: I mean, I don’t think it’s a quiet civil war. That’s a hyper-aggressive statement from, you know, a candidate on the campaign trail who obviously is trying to appeal to a wide variety of people outside of the Democratic Party. I think we’re focused on the fact that we’ve got a responsibility both to push back against the extremism that has been unleashed on the American people from January 20 on, an attack on all the things—on the economy, on healthcare, on farmers, on veterans, on law-abiding immigrant families, on the rule of law, on the American way of life and, of course, on democracy itself—while also articulating to the American people an affirmative vision of how to make things better. It certainly is the case that the American people deserve better than what they’ve received. What are we going to do as Democrats about it? We’ve got to address the affordability crisis, drive down the high cost of living. We’ve got to fix our broken healthcare system that Republicans are destroying right now. And we certainly have to clean up corruption in an environment where the Trump administration is running the largest pay-to-play scheme in the history of the country and undermining the ability of our country to actually be one that is of the people, by the people and for the people.
BORIS SANCHEZ: Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, we’ll leave the conversation there. We appreciate your time. Thanks so much.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)
Washington, DC – Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) joined Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) in introducing theWithhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act. This legislation prohibits members of Congress from collecting pay during the ongoing federal shutdown and deducts pay from members’ paychecks during future shutdowns. Steil has requested his pay be withheld during the ongoing federal shutdown.
“There is no reason our government should be shut down. If service members, men and women of federal law enforcement, and other essential employees are working without pay during the shutdown, members of Congress should not be paid either,” said Steil. “I’ve had my pay withheld and believe every member of Congress should do the same. This legislation ensures that members of Congress are not collecting pay during the ongoing shutdown and are treated the same as every other federal employee.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)
Washington, D.C. (October 21, 2025) – Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) joined Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10) in introducing the No Free Rides Act to address fare issues in transit systems across the country. The No Free Rides Actensures local transit agencies enforce fare collection.
This action follows investigative reporting that revealed Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) enacted a policy instructing drivers to not request bus fares from passengers. This policy contributed to a loss of $4 million in fare evasion and contributed to MCTS’s $10 million operating deficit. Under the bill, local transit agencies can adjust fare policies to meet new federal grant requirements.
“Federal funds are intended to strengthen and sustain public transportation, not give free rides to people who cheat the system,” said Steil. “Whether it’s refusing to simply request fare from riders, or eliminating fares entirely, these policies not only push local transit agencies like MCTS toward insolvency, but are fundamentally unfair to the hardworking families who rely on public transportation, follow the rules, and pay their fares.”