Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Newhouse Statement on Court Order Impacting Columbia River System Operations

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Statement on Court Order Impacting Columbia River System Operations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement regarding U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon’s ruling in the Columbia River System Operations (CRSO) litigation: 

“Our dams remain under attack. This latest ruling increasing spill throughout the year will harm salmon populations while straining our electric grid. Once again, environmental activists are using judicial allies to threaten our hydroelectric system, which provides clean, baseload energy to millions in our region. These vital pieces of infrastructure allow irrigation and navigation for farmers, their commodities, and many other products that move on the rivers. The dams and salmon can, and do, coexist, and I remain committed to ensure the system has the resources needed to improve fish passage at lower spill levels.” 

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Newhouse Statement on President Trump’s State of the Union

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Statement on President Trump’s State of the Union

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address: 

“Tonight, President Trump delivered a lengthy speech that emphasized the state of our union is strong. Our Southern Border is secured, inflation is down, our Nation is safer, and we are reversing the damage caused by the Biden administration.  With a Republican majority in DC, we have delivered on our promise to reduce government spending, keep taxes low, and establish energy dominance. Through the Working Families Tax Cut, we have prevented the largest tax hike in American history, increased the Child Tax Credit, and increased wages for middle class families. As I wind down my tenure in Congress, I remain committed to working with this administration to advance policies that benefit my constituents throughout Central Washington.”

Rep. Newhouse’s guest for the State of the Union was State Senator Matt Boehnke (R-Kennewick). 

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Rep. Panetta, City of Monterey Officials Announce $1.92 Million in Federal Funding for Critical Repairs to the Monterey Municipal Wharf

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta was joined by City of Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson, Vice Mayor Ed Smith, and Interim City Manager Lew Bauman to announce $1.92 million in federal funding for the City of Monterey to make critical repairs to Monterey Municipal Wharf No. 2.

“The Monterey Municipal Wharf was built in 1926, exactly 100 years ago, and for the last century this wharf has been the working spine of this waterfront,” said Rep. Panetta. “Repairing the structure is about not just the rehabilitation of the Wharf, it’s about investing in our infrastructure and our Monterey Bay ecosystem and economy. I’m proud deliver this federal funding today to ensure the federal government is playing its part to support our local communities.”

“I personally thank Congressman Panetta for his advocacy in securing this federal funding for our Monterey’s Wharf II,” said Mayor Williamson. “The community bond that our iconic wharves epitomize connects our rich cultural heritage with today, highlights our economic vitality that has supported generations of Montereyans, and reminds us of our important environmental stewardship responsibility. Built in 1926, Wharf II has served Monterey’s working waterfront for nearly a century. Preserving it isn’t just about repairing a structure; it’s about ensuring that 100 years from now, future generations can stand there and feel the same connection to Monterey Bay that we do today.”

“On behalf of the City of Monterey, I extend gratitude to Congressman Panetta for his leadership in securing nearly $2 million of federal funding the ‘Monterey Wharf Critical Repairs’ project,” said Interim City Manager Bauman. “Our iconic wharves are the centerpiece of our beautiful Monterey Bay and represent decades of history, culture, and economic vitality. Preserving them is an investment for the Monterey region, now and for future generations.”  

The funding announced today will be used to restore wharf infrastructure to ensure continued usage, economic support for fishing operations, and public safety.

Rep. Panetta worked for this federal funding to be included in the most recent appropriations package. For FY 2026, he secured $2.77 million in community project funding for local projects across Monterey County, and a total of over $15 million to fund 14 local projects in California’s 19th Congressional District.

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Congressman Marc Veasey Calls on Major League Baseball and Texas Rangers to Remove Statue Honoring Segregationist Figure

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Congressman Marc Veasey Calls on Major League Baseball and Texas Rangers to Remove Statue Honoring Segregationist Figure

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) sent a letter to Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Rob Manfred, and Texas Rangers Co-Chairmen Ray Davis and Bob Simpson, raising serious concerns about the reported installation of a statue honoring a segregationist law enforcement officer associated with efforts to block the integration of Mansfield High School in 1956 following the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

In the letter, Congressman Veasey stated that honoring a statue tied to resisting school integration contradicts the inclusive values baseball represents and undermines the legacy of pioneering leaders such as Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby, who helped make baseball a sport that belonged to everyone, regardless of skin color.

“Ballparks should be places where families gather, and fans of every background feel welcome,” said Rep. Veasey. “Honoring a figure tied to resisting school integration—and doing so with imagery that evokes racist violence—sends exactly the wrong message about who belongs in that space.”

Rep. Veasey urged Major League Baseball and the Texas Rangers to remove the statue and requested answers about whether MLB reviewed or approved the monument and what guidelines govern commemorative displays at league ballparks.

The full letter can be found here.

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Pappas Helps Introduce Congressional Stock Trading Ban, Additional Measures to Restore Public Trust as Part of ‘No Getting Rich in Congress Act’

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

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) helped introduce the No Getting Rich in Congress Act, sweeping legislation to crack down on insider trading in Congress and the White House, restore trust in government, and ensure public service is about serving the American people, not personal profit.

The No Getting Rich in Congress Act establishes strong, enforceable standards to prevent officials from profiting from conflicts of interest and close longstanding loopholes that have undermined confidence in federal leadership. This includes banning stock trading by public officials and their families, prohibits lobbying on behalf of foreign adversaries, closes loopholes and regulates shadow lobbying, and extends existing ethics rules to spouses and dependents.

“The American people deserve to have no doubt that their elected officials are working for them – not for personal gain and profit or rich donors or foreign governments. But currently there are far too many loopholes that public officials can use to enrich themselves at the expense of the people they were elected to serve,” said Congressman Pappas. “The No Getting Rich in Congress Act would establish enforceable standards and close loopholes on stock trading, lobbying, and ethics rules for public officials so that we can restore faith and trust in this institution. For me, representing Granite Staters in Congress will always be about public service, not self-service. We should make sure that’s the case across the country and at all levels of government.”

Specifically, the No Getting Rich in Congress Act would:

  • Ban trading by public officials and their families. Prohibits the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, candidates for federal office, spouses, and dependents from buying or selling individual stocks, futures, commodities, and cryptocurrency, with strict reporting and enforcement mechanisms, including penalties for violations.
  • Prohibit lobbying on behalf of foreign adversaries. Permanently bans former public officials from lobbying on behalf of foreign adversaries, including China, to influence U.S. government decisions.
  • Close loopholes and regulate shadow lobbying. Requires spouses of both Members of Congress and senior Administration officials to register and report any effort to influence government decisions, ensuring spouses cannot use public office for personal financial gain.
  • Restrict corporate board service. Bars Members and their spouses from serving on or being officers of a corporate board, with strict reporting and conduct requirements for any pre-existing board service.
  • Extend existing ethics rules to spouses and dependents. Applies all gift, travel, and reimbursement restrictions that cover Members to their spouses and dependents, preventing backdoor deals and conflicts of interest.

Full text of the legislation, led by Representative Haley Stevens, can be found here.

Background: 

Pappas has led the fight against Members of Congress from trading stocks since entering Congress. Pappas has repeatedly broken with his own party in support of the stock trading ban. Following his advocacy in 2022, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi reversed course and announced legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress would be considered by the House. Pappas led a bipartisan call for a vote on legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress. In 2023, He joined 20 of his colleagues in calling for leaders of the House Committee on Administration to hold a markup on legislation that would prohibit Members of Congress from trading stocks. Pappas has also fought to change the rules of the House to include a ban on trading stocks by members of Congress

In 2025, Pappas helped introduce the TRUST in Congress Act, which would require Members of Congress — as well as their spouses and dependent children — to put certain investment assets into a qualified blind trust during their entire tenure in Congress, effectively banning them from trading individual stocks. Pappas cosponsors the Restore Trust in Congress Act, legislation that would ban Members of Congress from trading stocks and profiting off of public service, and supported the bipartisan effort to force a vote on it.

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MEGAFIRES: Harder Secures $2 Million for First-Ever Regional Fire Training Facility

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

First training facility inside SSJCFA’s nearly 200 square mile service area

VIDEO from the tour is available here

TRACY – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that he secured $2 million in federal funding for the South San Joaquin County Fire Authority (SSJCFA) for the first-ever Regional Fire Training Facility in south San Joaquin County. SSJCFA is one of the largest fire agencies in the state that does not have its own fire training facility inside its service area – which spans nearly 200 miles – forcing personnel to travel nearly 30 miles away. 

“Communities like Tracy are some of the fastest growing anywhere in the state, and it’s insane that we’re sending our firefighters outside their service area because they can’t get their training here,” said Rep. Harder. “That’s why this investment is so exciting – it’s bringing a world-class training center to our backyards and will ultimately mean faster responses and safer communities for our families. I’m committed to making sure our brave first responders have everything they need to protect Valley communities.”

As a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Harder secured this $2 million investment through Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Community Project Funding. The funding will build on the nearly-completed training ground to bring more training rooms, props, and hardscape to the site. Once completed, the complex will not only keep personnel in their service area, but it will also support fire prevention and medical safety response while building educational partnerships across the Valley.

Harder was joined by SSJCFA Chief Randall Bradley and local first responders.

“The time we spend going to other training facilities takes away from the time we’re here to protect the community, so having these resources here makes a huge difference,” said Chief Randall Bradley, SSJCFA. “We’re going to be better prepared to respond to structure fires, wildfires, warehouse emergencies, and even railway problems. We’re grateful for Rep. Harder’s support in securing this funding and we’re excited about having these resources in Tracy and dedicated to our fire agency.”

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Congressman Cuellar Introduces American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act of 2026

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

This week, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) introduced H.R. 7865, the American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act of 2026, to return money directly to consumers after the Supreme Court ruled the administration’s retaliatory tariffs unconstitutional.

“Tariffs function as hidden taxes on families and create uncertainty for businesses,” said Congressman Cuellar. “When companies pay more to import goods and materials, those added costs are passed on to consumers, driving up prices on groceries, fuel and energy, vehicles and auto parts, building materials, and other everyday household items.”

The American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act of 2026 provides direct payments to help offset those higher costs. Taxpayers with adjusted gross income above $400,000 are excluded from receiving payments, allowing those savings to fund additional support for families, including a $125 payment per qualified child.

Using current IRS return estimates, payments for South Texans would average about:

  • Single fiers: $1,020
  • Head of Household: $1,530
  • Married Filing Jointly: $2,040

“My bill is secure, efficient, and focused on those most affected by rising prices,” Dr. Cuellar continued. “I look forward to working in a bipartisan way to advance this provision and deliver meaningful relief to families across South Texas and the country.”

The full text of the bill is available HERE.

El congresista Cuellar presenta la Ley de Reembolso de Aranceles al Consumidor Estadounidense de 2026
 La legislación devolvería dinero directamente a los consumidores afectados por el aumento de precios provocado por los aranceles

Washington, D.C. – Esta semana, el congresista estadounidense Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), presentó el proyecto de ley H.R. 7865, la Ley de Reembolso de Aranceles al Consumidor Estadounidense de 2026 (American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act of 2026), con el objetivo de devolver dinero directamente a los consumidores después de que la Corte Suprema dictaminara que los aranceles de represalia de la administración eran inconstitucionales.

“Los aranceles funcionan como impuestos ocultos para las familias y generan incertidumbre para las empresas”, afirmó el congresista Cuellar. “Cuando las empresas pagan más para importar bienes y materiales, esos costos adicionales se trasladan a los consumidores, lo que incrementa los precios de los alimentos, el combustible y la energía, los vehículos y autopartes, los materiales de construcción y otros artículos esenciales del hogar”.

La Ley de Reembolso de Aranceles al Consumidor Estadounidense de 2026 establece pagos directos para ayudar a compensar estos costos adicionales. Los contribuyentes con ingresos brutos ajustados superiores a $400,000 quedarían excluidos de recibir pagos, lo que permitiría que esos ahorros financien apoyo adicional para las familias, incluyendo un pago de $125 por cada hijo que califique.

Con base en estimaciones actuales de declaraciones del IRS, los pagos para los residentes del sur de Texas promediarían aproximadamente:

  • Contribuyentes solteros: $1,020
  • Jefes de familia: $1,530
  • Matrimonios que presentan declaración conjunta: $2,040

“Mi proyecto de ley es seguro, eficiente y está enfocado en quienes más se ven afectados por el aumento de los precios”, continuó el Dr. Cuellar. “Espero trabajar de manera bipartidista para impulsar esta propuesta y brindar un alivio significativo a las familias del sur de Texas y de todo el país”.

El texto completo del proyecto de ley está disponible AQUÍ.

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Casten, Van Hollen Push for Answers on Venezuelan Oil Proceeds in U.S. Treasury-Run Accounts

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

March 11, 2026

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) pressed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for answers on the Treasury’s claimed authority over, and handling of, funds generated from the sale of Venezuelan oil.

“On February 4, 2026, at a House Financial Services Committee hearing, you agreed to provide the specific statutory authority the Treasury Department is relying on to custody and exercise control over Venezuela’s sovereign assets, as well as a copy of the written agreement referenced in your testimony and additional details regarding the arrangement with the Qatari bank,” the lawmakers wrote. “Regardless of whether the Qatari bank account has been wound down, it is important that the Administration produce related documents, submit to congressional oversight, and provide the American people with much-needed transparency on this opaque and legally questionable plan.”

On January 9th, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order directing the Treasury Secretary to hold and safeguard the proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan oil and to facilitate transactions of these funds as directed by the Secretary of State.

In January, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that $500 million in proceeds from the first sale of Venezuelan oil were placed into a bank account in Qatar. Secretary Rubio also claimed that the Treasury Department has a written agreement with the Venezuelan government to review monthly budget requests from this bank account in Qatar. Energy Secretary Chris Wright recently stated that these funds are no longer going to Qatar and are being deposited into a U.S. Treasury-managed account.

In February, under questioning from Rep. Casten during a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Secretary Bessent was unable to detail where, how, or under what authority the Treasury Department is controlling these Venezuelan oil funds. Secretary Bessent also denied the existence of any written agreement with the Venezuelan government that governs how these funds will be spent. A video of this testimony can be found here.

Text of the letter can be found below. A copy of the letter can be found here.

Dear Secretary Bessent:

In the weeks since the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the Trump Administration has overseen the sale of Venezuelan oil. President Trump stated that the United States would take control of up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil, valued at approximately $2.8 billion, and sell the oil at market price. In a January 6, 2026, Truth Social post, President Trump stated that the oil revenues “will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!”

On January 9, 2026, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) declaring that the proceeds from these oil sales are the sovereign property of the Government of Venezuela and directing the Treasury Secretary to hold these funds solely in a “custodial and governmental capacity.” The EO further directs the Treasury Secretary to “comply with instructions regarding disbursements or transfers…as may be determined by the Secretary of State”. The President invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and declared a national emergency, stating that the risk of court-ordered seizure or other actions against these funds constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy.

At a January 28, 2026, Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the first sale of Venezuelan oil, valued at $500 million, had been deposited in a Qatari bank account. He further testified that $300 million had been transferred to the Venezuelan government to meet payroll obligations for public sector employees. Secretary Rubio also testified that the Treasury Department has a written agreement with the Venezuelan government to review monthly budget requests from the Qatari bank account. He stated that the $200 million in oil proceeds remained in a “short-term account” and would ultimately be transferred to a U.S. Treasury account.

On February 4, 2026, at a House Financial Services Committee hearing, you agreed to provide the specific statutory authority the Treasury Department is relying on to custody and exercise control over Venezuela’s sovereign assets, as well as a copy of the written agreement referenced in your testimony and additional details regarding the arrangement with the Qatari bank. Regardless of whether the Qatari bank account has been wound down, it is important that the Administration produce related documents, submit to congressional oversight, and provide the American people with much-needed transparency on this opaque and legally questionable plan.

We request that you respond to the following questions by no later than March X, 2026:

  1. Under what statutory authority is the Treasury Department relying on to exercise custody over the sovereign assets of another country? Please provide the relevant statutory citations.

  2. Under what statutory authority did the Treasury Department exercise custody indirectly through a third-country financial institution and direct the release of funds through an offshore bank account owned by the Government of Venezuela? Please provide the relevant statutory citations.

  3. Has the Treasury Department’s Office of the General Counsel issued a written legal opinion concluding that the Department can lawfully exercise custody over Venezuela’s sovereign assets under these circumstances?

    1. If so, please provide a copy of that legal opinion.

    2. If not, please describe the legal analysis on which the Department is relying.

  4. Did the Treasury Department request or receive a legal opinion from the Justice Department’s Office of General Counsel regarding the Department’s custody of Venezuelan sovereign assets under these circumstances?

    1. If so, please provide a copy of this opinion.

  5. Please provide a copy of the written agreement between the Treasury Department and Venezuela’s interim government regarding monthly budget requests, payments, and disbursements.

  6. Is there a memorandum of understanding or other written agreement that governed or is currently governing the role of the Qatari bank that held or is currently holding these funds?

    1. If so, please provide a copy of this document.

  7. In your testimony, you indicated that no formal audit agreement is currently in place, but the Treasury Department will bring in outside auditors. Secretary Rubio committed to notifying the Senate Foreign Relations Committee once an audit system is established.

    1. Has this audit system been established, and if so, when did it begin operating?

    2. Will you commit to providing notification once the Treasury Department has finalized this audit system?

  8. On February 13, 2026, Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that these funds “won’t go to Qatar anymore” and there is a U.S. Treasury account. He also said that Venezuelan oil sales have totaled $1 billion and in the next few weeks will bring in another $5 billion.

    1. As of the date of your response to this letter, what is the current balance being held in this Qatari bank account?

    2. Has the Qatari bank account been closed? If so, were any funds transferred to another account upon closure? To what account or where were these funds transferred?

    3. Under what statutory authority is the Treasury Department transferring Venezuelan oil revenues from an offshore bank account to a U.S. Treasury account?

    4. As of the date of your response to this letter, what is the current balance being held in the designated U.S. Treasury account?

    5. Since January 28, 2026, has the Treasury Department authorized or facilitated any additional payments to the Venezuelan government or to any other recipients from either the Qatari account or from the U.S. Treasury account? If so, please provide an itemized list with details on the transaction amounts, recipients, and the purposes for which the payments were authorized.

  9. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York serves as the primary fiscal agent for the Treasury Department, including related to management of the Treasury General Account.

    1. Are the Venezuelan oil funds being held in a U.S. Treasury custodial account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York? If so, are these funds being held in the Treasury General Account or held in a segregated custodial account?

    2. Are the Venezuelan oil funds being held in a subaccount of the Government of Venezuela or Central Bank of Venezuela at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or at any other U.S. insured depository institution?

    3. Has any U.S. financial institution been involved in or will be involved in transactions related to or the movement of Venezuelan oil funds?

  10. In early January, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued licenses permitting the commodity firms Vitol and Trafigura to engage in certain sales of Venezuelan oil. Both firms have previously been involved in bribery schemes, and a senior employee of Vitol was a major donor to President Trump’s 2024 campaign. Please describe the process by which Vitol and Trafigura received these licenses, including whether other firms with comparable businesses were considered for these licenses.

Sincerely,

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Rep. Garamendi, Sen. Warren Agree with Trump: Defense Contractors Must be Held Accountable For “Failures to Meet Our Warfighters’ National Security Needs” 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), along with Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) wrote to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in support of their effort to limit underperforming defense contractors’ executive pay and the ability to buy back their stock. The lawmakers pressed the President and Secretary Hegseth to provide clarity on how the administration plans to tackle these contractor practices to inform legislation that would codify oversight tools for the industry. The letter follows large defense contractors agreeing to quadruple the production of “Exquisite Class” weaponry amid the Trump administration’s war with Iran.

On January 7, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) restricting executive pay packages and limiting stock buybacks and dividend payments for defense contractors that don’t meet DoD’s needs and fail to invest in expanding their production capacity. The order addresses the decades-long problem of defense contractors consistently falling short in delivering weapons programs to the Department of Defense (DoD) on time and on budget.

“Amidst these failures, some of the largest defense contractors have increasingly issued dividends and engaged in stock buybacks… instead of making investments in their capacity to produce quality products,” wrote the lawmakers.

The American Enterprise Institute has equated this pattern by defense contractors of delaying weapons programs, going over budget, and delivering under scale, to “running a victory lap after finishing fifth.”

A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that about 100 of the most costly defense systems in the 23 years “continue to cost more and take even longer to deliver.” Delays in just 5 programs by General Dynamics, Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin represent 34 years of delayed capability. 

At the same time, large defense contractors have directed a significant portion of their cash towards shareholders and stock buybacks. In 2024, Lockheed Martin used almost $6.8 billion to conduct buybacks and pay dividends to benefit its shareholders. That same year, RTX, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman each gave $3 billion or more to shareholders. And from 2020 to 2024, Northrop Grumman increased the amount of money it put toward dividends and buybacks by over 156 percent.

Defense contractors have failed to invest in research and development despite ongoing failures to meet required timelines. DoD has warned that even when contractors do invest, those programs are not meeting the needs of service members. In 2023, the Army issued a warning to General Dynamics explaining that an order did not meet the “technical requirements of the contract” and that the Army would seek to replace General Dynamics with another contractor for that program if it did not invest in the proper equipment.

“We are also concerned that the defense industry is underinvesting in its workforce,” wrote the lawmakers, highlighting a high turnover rate in the industry that “mak[es] clear that defense contractors’ investments in talent are not enough to keep a consistent workforce.. 

“Congress needs to codify this effort to ensure the executive order is a step towards lasting change. Therefore, we urge President Trump to support legislation that enhances the executive order and cements accountability tools for the defense industry,” concluded the lawmakers. 

The coalition asked President Trump and Secretary Hegseth to clarify how they plan to evaluate companies and enforce President Trump’s executive order’s limits by March 24, 2026.  

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Davids, Johnson County Leaders Launch Regional Effort to Prepare for 2026 FIFA World Cup

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

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids spoke at the launch of Johnson County United, a regional initiative to coordinate planning and community engagement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Davids, who founded and co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus, has been working with federal, state, and local partners to ensure host communities have the resources needed to safely and successfully welcome visitors from around the world.

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a chance to showcase the Kansas City region on a global stage while making smart investments that benefit our communities for years to come,” said Davids. “By working together across all levels of government, we’re making sure Johnson County is prepared to welcome visitors, support local businesses, and create lasting economic opportunities for families across the region.”

Johnson County United brings together Johnson County, local cities, regional partners, and state and federal leaders to coordinate preparations for the tournament. Planning efforts include new transportation services to help residents and visitors travel between cities and key destinations, coordinated public safety planning, and community programming so local families can participate in the World Cup experience. Leaders also launched a virtual hub for information on transportation, events, and visitor resources.

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase Johnson County to the world while delivering lasting economic and community benefits,” said Mike Kelly, Chair, Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. “We’re grateful for the strong federal partnership that makes this work possible — especially Representative Sharice Davids, whose leadership in securing safety and transit investments is helping ensure our region is ready to welcome the world.”

At the federal level, Davids has helped lead efforts to ensure host communities have the resources needed to prepare for the tournament. Through her work leading the Congressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus, Congress secured more than $625 million for safety and security efforts and $100 million for transit operations to support host cities across the country. She has also hosted multiple community conversations across the Kansas City region, bringing together federal, state, and local leaders to coordinate preparations on health care, public safety, small business, transportation, and other key priorities ahead of the tournament.