Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

SPRING HILL, KS — Today, Representative Sharice Davids, a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, visited the Ottawa Cooperative Association (Co-Op) to hear directly from local producers and discuss her efforts to strengthen the regional agricultural supply chain and lower grocery prices for Kansas families. The visit came ahead of next week’s long-awaited Farm Bill markup, which has been delayed for several years.

“When we invest in our local food systems, we’re not just supporting farmers and producers — we’re lowering costs at the checkout line, creating good-paying jobs, and making sure families in Kansas have access to fresh, healthy food,” said Davids. “I’ve heard from folks across the community who want more affordable options and more control over where their food comes from. Strengthening the local agricultural supply chain helps us do both, and that’s what I’m focused on for next week’s Farm Bill markup.”

Why strengthening the local agricultural supply chain matters:

• Lowers grocery costs: Local food cuts out middlemen, reducing fuel, labor, and distribution expenses.
• Delivers fresher food: Produce grown and sold locally lasts longer, reducing waste and giving consumers more value for their money.
• Boosts local economies: Money spent on local food stays in the community, supporting small businesses and creating more jobs — 13 jobs per $1M in local sales compared to 3 in non-local.
• Builds resilience: A strong local supply chain is less vulnerable to global disruptions and price shocks.

“Thank you, Rep Davids, for taking the time to visit The Ottawa Cooperative Association,” said Clark Wenger, President, Ottawa Co-Op. “We are grateful for your visit and the opportunity to discuss the challenges impacting agriculture. Your engagement with our cooperative means a great deal to our members.”

Davids recently helped introduce the Farm and Family Relief Act with her Democratic colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee. This is the first bill this year aimed at giving real relief to family farmers and working families struggling with rising costs caused by President Trump’s tariffs and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Today, Davids also reintroduced her Resilient Food Supply Chain and Affordability Act. This bill would make permanent the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program, which strengthens the food supply chain, supports local farmers, creates jobs, and helps lower grocery costs for consumers.

Davids has made lowering the cost of groceries for families and small businesses a priority in Congress, including by: 

• Completing a one-day tour to highlight how strengthening supply chains helps lower grocery prices for Kansas families.
• Supporting the bipartisan Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification (HPAI) Act, which ensures fair compensation for all farms affected by avian flu, including those in both infected and buffer zones.
• Urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to begin enforcing the Robinson-Patman Act to prevent corporate price discrimination that drives up grocery costs for consumers.
• Voting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, assure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs for consumers.
• Supporting the Price Gouging Prevention Act, legislation ensuring large corporations can’t take advantage of consumers at the grocery store.
• Holding multiple roundtables with Kansas businesses, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their businesses’ financial security.
• Working a “Sharice’s Shift” at a local Price Chopper, where she helped store employees unload deliveries from shipping trucks, stock grocery shelves, and bag groceries. 

To support Kansas producers, Davids has also embarked on a Farm Bill listening tour, where she visited a poultry and livestock operation in Anderson County, a co-op in Franklin County, a goat farm in Miami County, an organic vegetable farm in Johnson County, and an educational community farm in Wyandotte County. Davids also toured a Garnett-based renewable ethanol producer, participated in FFA activities at Spring Hill High School, served a school lunch at Black Bob Elementary in Olathe, spoke with industry leaders on financial support programs for farmers, toured a dairy farm in Garnett, and more.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WATSONVILLE, CA — Today, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) visited Watsonville Civic Plaza to deliver a check for $1,092,000 as one of her 13 community projects she submitted for the Fiscal Year 2026 congressional appropriations cycle. This funding will be used for the City of Watsonville’s new Headworks and Influent Pump Station Facilities Project.

“It’s always a pleasure to visit Watsonville, but today was especially exciting, as I got to present over $1 million to the City for their new wastewater treatment facilities,” Rep. Lofgren said. “The existing infrastructure is not meant to function much longer, and I wanted to prioritize this funding so that Watsonville can construct these new facilities that will meet federal and state water quality standards. This is also an investment in energy efficiency, one that will reduce overall operation and maintenance costs and save taxpayers’ money.”

“We’re grateful for the funding that will support critical infrastructure upgrades of the Headworks and Influent Pump Station at our Wastewater Treatment Plant,” said Watsonville Assistant Public Works Director Danielle Green. “These pumps move wastewater into the plant so it can be safely treated, keeping our water clean and our community healthy. The improvements will benefit Watsonville and the nearby communities of Freedom, Salsipuedes, and Pajaro, while protecting the Pajaro Valley and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary for generations to come.”

The City’s current wastewater treatment facility was constructed in 1961. A large capital project was completed in 1986, which upgraded the treatment processes to meet new standards passed in the Clean Water Act. Nearly 40 years later, much of the infrastructure installed to comply with the Clean Water Act is reaching the end of useful life.

The new Headworks and Influent Pump Station Facilities Project will include a complete replacement of the existing headworks screening and influent pump station facilities, a new frit handling area, new influent sewer interceptors, and a new headworks electrical building. It will be of similar size and capacity to the current facility but modernized to improve process and energy efficiency.

Rep. Lofgren will continue to deliver checks to community project funding recipients in the near future, which includes a total of $58,022,000 for Watsonville and Santa Cruz County.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

Hialeah Gardens, FL – Today, U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), and Senator Ashley Moody marked the 30th year since the 1996 shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue aircraft ordered by Raúl Castro, which resulted in the deaths of four innocent men. The Representatives were joined by family members of the victims who perished, as well as leaders of the Cuban American exile community.

This event honored the memory and demanded accountability for Armando Alejandre Jr., Carlos A. Costa, Mario M. de la Peña, and Pablo Morales—three American citizens and one legal U.S. resident who were murdered in cold blood when Raúl Castro deliberately targeted and ordered Cuban Mig fighter jets to obliterate two Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft over international waters.

“Thirty years ago, Raúl Castro carried out a brutal attack that murdered innocent Americans whose only mission was to save lives,” said Congressman Díaz-Balart. “We gather not only to honor their memory, but to reaffirm that crimes against Americans cannot be ignored, excused, or forgotten. There must be accountability for those responsible. I commend President Trump for his maximum pressure campaign against anti-American regimes and for always prioritizing our national security. The United States must continue to stand firmly with the Cuban people in their pursuit of freedom, justice, and democracy.” 

“Today, we reaffirmed a simple truth: justice delayed is justice denied,” said Congressman Giménez. “Nearly three decades after the 1996 Brothers to the Rescue shootdown, the Castro regime has never been held accountable for the cold-blooded murder of Americans carrying out a humanitarian mission. The facts are clear, the evidence is overwhelming, and responsibility leads directly to Raúl Castro. If America First means defending our citizens and confronting tyranny in our hemisphere, then the time has come for the Department of Justice to act and finally hold Raúl Castro accountable.”

“For 67 years, the Cuban people, in Miami and on the island, have lived through repression and exile under the Castro regime,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “As we mark the anniversary of the shooting down of two unarmed civilian planes and the killing of three U.S. citizens and one lawful permanent resident, we remember a crime that for decades went unanswered. But this moment is different. Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio, accountability is finally within reach. It’s time to indict Raúl Castro and bring this dictatorship to an end. Freedom is no longer a distant dream.”

“I’m honored to join Congressman Diaz-Balart in remembering the four lives tragically lost in the Brothers to the Rescue shootdown 30 years ago—four men who believed so deeply in freedom that they were willing to fly toward danger in order to save others seeking it,” said Senator Moody. “It is essential that we continue putting pressure on the communist regime that ordered this horrific attack on civilians. America is at its best when we stand for liberty and lead through strength.” 

Last week, U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Carlos A. Giménez (FL-28), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump asking that his administration consider indicting Raul Castro for his involvement in the 1996 shootdown of the Brothers to the Rescue civilian aircraft which resulted in four murders in cold blood.

Read the full letter here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Janesville, WI – Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) joined Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) in introducing legislation to authorize Wisconsin memorials at Antietam National Battlefield and Manassas National Battlefield Park. These memorials will recognize the service and sacrifice of the Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Wisconsin Infantry Regiments during the Civil War. 

“The bravery demonstrated by Wisconsin’s Union Soldiers at the site of the Civil War’s fiercest fighting should be permanently recognized,” said Steil. “These monuments will honor the sacrifice of Wisconsin soldiers in protecting our nation, securing liberty for all Americans, and will preserve their legacy for future generations.”

“Wisconsin’s regiments stood firm in some of the fiercest fighting of the Civil War. Their bravery deserves more than a footnote in history. It deserves lasting recognition,” said Fitzgerald. “By establishing these monuments, we are fulfilling a long-overdue commitment to honor their sacrifice and preserve their story for generations to come.”

BACKGROUND:

In August 1862, General Stonewall Jackson and Confederate forces surrounded Union General John Pope and his men on their return to Washington. Among the Union units were the Second, Sixth, and Seventh Wisconsin Infantry Regiments. As the Union troops advanced toward Gainesville, Wisconsin’s Second Regiment was brought under fire by an enemy artillery battery. Despite being severely outnumbered, the Second regiment charged the Confederate troops before later being supported by the Seventh and Sixth regiments. After hours of fighting and standing firm, Union leaders ordered the men back. Devastatingly, 515 men from Wisconsin who entered the fight had been killed, wounded, or remained missing. 

Later, on September 17, 1862, the Battle of Antietam stopped the Confederate Army’s first invasion of the North and helped give President Lincoln confidence to issue the Emancipation Proclamation mere days after the battle. Among the brave soldiers who fought in the deadliest one-day battle in American military history were officers and enlisted men from the Second, Third, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Wisconsin Infantry Regiments. Four of these regiments fought in the cornfield at Antietam, while the Fifth regiment was held in reserve to support artillery efforts. Together, men from these regiments paid the ultimate price and suffered great loss, with over 500 killed, wounded, or missing after the battle.

Wisconsin’s Second Regiment was composed of ten companies, including Company F, which was made up primarily of volunteers from Janesville and Rock County, and Company D, whose ranks were largely filled by men from Racine County. George B. Ely, a former district attorney from Janesville and captain of Company D, played a key role in organizing the company before being wounded at the Battle of Antietam.

To honor the bravery and sacrifice of these men, the Wisconsin Legislature authorized a monument commission in 1913 to explore constructing a monument at the Antietam and Manassas Battlefields. Unfortunately, this effort never came to fruition. Over a century after the effort began to honor these men, it’s time to make this unkept promise a reality.

Representatives Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), and Tony Wied (WI-08) were all original cosponsors of this legislation.

CLICK HERE to read the bill text.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Her Speech Ties Local Port, Air Tower, Hospital to Broader U.S. Objectives

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) hosted a press conference with local leaders from KC2026, Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), and the Kansas City Transportation Authority (KCATA) to highlight federal funding secured to support World Cup security and readiness in Kansas City. Cleaver secured nearly $6,118,000 for public safety and transportation projects through the appropriations process in recent years. Following a bipartisan push in Congress, Kansas City will receive $59,000,000 for the FIFA World Cup Grant Program and $14,240,568 for the Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Grant Program, bringing a total federal investment of $79,358,568 to the region ahead of the World Cup. The investments will strengthen coordination between local public safety agencies and improve regional transportation operations, helping ensure residents, workers, and visitors can safely move through and enjoy the region during this global event.

“As a host city, our responsibility is clear: deliver a safe, secure, and seamless experience for fans while protecting our local community,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This federal funding strengthens security coordination, modernizes transportation infrastructure, and ensures our first responders and transit systems are equipped to handle a global event of this scale. When the world comes to Kansas City, they will be met with a community that is prepared, resilient, and ready to welcome our neighbors from across the globe.”

Included in the recently passed funding packages are investments for local projects supported by Congressman Cleaver:

• $1,994,000 to the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) to purchase automated license plate readers to combat reckless driving and boost traffic safety.
• $1,031,000 to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) to support their Transit Ambassador Program, which is aimed at strengthening transit security during the 2026 World Cup.
• $1,031,000 to KCATA to purchase a combination of public safety technology, including license plate readers, a security camera system, lighting improvements, gun-shot detection systems, and other installation costs.
• $1,031,000to the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) to purchase additional police cruisers.
• $1,031,000 to KCPD to purchase police aviation technology equipment.

Kansas City will host six matches, as well as a minimum of eight teams, during the FIFA 2026 World Cup. According to estimates, Kansas City is expected to welcome 650,000 visitors during the month-long event. 

In September 2024, lawmakers called on the Biden administration to establish a White House Task Force on Global Sporting Events to oversee preparation for events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. In December 2024, Representatives Cleaver and Davids joined a bipartisan coalition to call on Congress to provide $625 million to support security efforts during the 2026 World Cup. In April, led by Rep. Davids, the lawmakers again called on the Trump administration to provide $625 million in federal funding to strengthen security services at World Cup host cities. 

Photos from the event are available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

SCHAUMBURG, IL — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi today announced that he secured more than $15 million in federal funding for critical community projects across the region. The funding, approved through the annual appropriations process, will support local priorities including infrastructure improvements, education and workforce development, public safety enhancements, flood mitigation, and transportation upgrades—projects identified in close coordination with local governments, educational institutions, and community partners.

 

Community Project Funding Secured

Elgin Community College — $2,000,000

City of Des Plaines — $1,800,000

 Village of Bartlett — $1,500,000

 City of Batavia — $1,200,000

• To build a new segment of the Fox River Regional Trail, restoring a dedicated off-road path and improving safety, connectivity, and river access for pedestrians and cyclists.

 Village of Schaumburg — $1,152,000

 Village of Elk Grove Village — $1,092,000

 Fox River Water Reclamation District — $1,092,000

 DuPage Water Commission — $1,000,000

• To fund planning and early work for a new Lake Michigan intake, regional treatment plant, and pipelines delivering safer, more reliable drinking water to up to 2 million residents in Cook and DuPage Counties.

 Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office — $1,000,000

• To modernize technology, case management systems, and secure infrastructure to support a growing staff and protect sensitive data.

 Village of Mount Prospect — $850,000

 Pace, Suburban Bus Division — $840,000

William Rainey Harper College — $765,000

Itasca Park District — $250,000

• To expand and remodel the Itasca Community Center, creating new and repurposed space for youth programs, senior services, and inclusive recreation.

County of DuPage — $240,000

• To reduce neighborhood flooding through a new detention pond, storm sewer improvements, and wetland and water-quality enhancements in the Nelsons Highview area.

Palatine Police Department — $239,000

• To equip the Community Engagement and Planning Bureau with gas and electric motorcycles and e-bikes to enhance patrols, traffic enforcement, and community-based policing.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation wrote a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance to help repair state infrastructure damaged in December’s historic flooding. Preliminary damage assessments performed in partnership with FEMA over the past two months estimate damage totaling $182.3 million. This is the second of two Major Disaster Declaration requests from Governor Ferguson. 

“As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s February 17 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance due to devastating flood damages incurred from December 5 through 22. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible,” Jayapal and the other members of the delegation wrote. “The surge of rain in Washington state strained the state’s aging infrastructure, resulting in several levee breaches, leaving residents vulnerable to dangerous floods. In the middle of the night, residents of the city of Pacific were forced to quickly evacuate after a levee failed along the White River. While state and county officials have worked quickly to reinforce the breached sections, these are short-term solutions that leave our communities at risk of future extreme weather events.”

From early to mid-December 2025, severe storms and devastating flooding battered Washington state, threatening critical infrastructure as well as lives, property, businesses, and livestock across the state. The flooding caused severe damage that wreaked havoc in communities across Washington state, and is among the most devastating natural disasters to ever hit the state. 

“An initial damage assessment revealed extensive and widespread damage to critical infrastructure and local economies. Highway 2, one of the two major year-round connections between eastern and western Washington state through the Cascade Mountains, suffered several washouts of the roadway which temporarily closed access along the corridor. Extensive repairs led by the Washington State Department of Transportation allowed for a partial reopening, but 14 miles of the highway in Tumwater Canyon will remain closed for months. The only available local detour has been reduced to one-lane due to slope failures, and any cross-state detour to I-90 would add several hours per trip. Thousands of residents and businesses call the Highway 2 corridor home and are negatively impacted by the damage of these storms, not to mention the hundreds of farmers and producers that rely on Highway 2 as a gateway to access the seaports along Puget Sound,” the Members continued.

Joining Congresswoman Jayapal and Senator Murray in the letter to President Trump were Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Dan Newhouse (R, WA-04), Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10). 

“This extreme weather event has put significant stress on Washington state’s infrastructure, emergency response teams, and communities across the state. Throughout this crisis, state, local, Tribal, and federal first responders have stepped up and worked tirelessly to keep our communities secure,” Jayapal and the delegation concluded. “We are incredibly grateful for their diligent work and careful coordination to keep Washingtonians safe and informed throughout this disaster.”   

If FEMA approves Public Assistance as part of the major disaster declaration, Washington will qualify for grant funding up to 20 percent of the total damage assessment – in this case, a maximum of $36.6 million. Last month, Senator Murray led the Washington delegation in supporting Governor Ferguson’s request for federal Individual Assistance to aid survivors. That application is pending.

Back in December 2025, Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation wrote a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Ferguson’s request for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating storms and severe flooding hitting Washington state—that request was approved. 

The full letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Mr. President,  

As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s February 17 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance due to devastating flood damages incurred from December 5 through 22. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible. The surge of rain in Washington state strained the state’s aging infrastructure, resulting in several levee breaches, leaving residents vulnerable to dangerous floods. In the middle of the night, residents of the city of Pacific were forced to quickly evacuate after a levee failed along the White River. While state and county officials have worked quickly to reinforce the breached sections, these are short-term solutions that leave our communities at risk of future extreme weather events.  

An initial damage assessment revealed extensive and widespread damage to critical infrastructure and local economies. Highway 2, one of the two major year-round connections between eastern and western Washington state through the Cascade Mountains, suffered several washouts of the roadway which temporarily closed access along the corridor. Extensive repairs led by the Washington State Department of Transportation allowed for a partial reopening, but 14 miles of the highway in Tumwater Canyon will remain closed for months. The only available local detour has been reduced to one-lane due to slope failures, and any cross-state detour to I-90 would add several hours per trip. Thousands of residents and businesses call the Highway 2 corridor home and are negatively impacted by the damage of these storms, not to mention the hundreds of farmers and producers that rely on Highway 2 as a gateway to access the seaports along Puget Sound.  

This extreme weather event has put significant stress on Washington state’s infrastructure, emergency response teams, and communities across the state. Throughout this crisis, state, local, Tribal, and federal first responders have stepped up and worked tirelessly to keep our communities secure. We are incredibly grateful for their diligent work and careful coordination to keep Washingtonians safe and informed throughout this disaster.  

We reiterate our full support for the February 17 request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance. We appreciate you in advance for your prompt attention to this urgent matter. 

Issues: Environment, Housing, Transportation, & Infrastructure

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $419,741 grant. The funding supports research into biomolecule modeling and characterization. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Dedicated academics, students and scientists support Virginia Tech’s growing role in scientific research.

“This HHS outstanding investigator award for more than $419,000 reaffirms Virginia Tech’s status as a premier research institution.”

BACKGROUND

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Outstanding Investigator Awards provide support for an investigator’s research program or lab rather than discrete research projects.

The HHS office responsible for this grant is the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee. 

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