Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barragán’s Statement on Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s Retirement From Congress in 2027

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

November 6, 2025

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Rep. Barragán’s Statement on Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s Retirement From Congress in 2027

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Barragán (CA-44) released the following statement on Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s retirement from Congress in 2027: 

“Nancy Pelosi broke the glass ceiling as the first woman to become Speaker of the House — then went on to become the best Speaker we’ve ever seen. In her time in Congress, Rep. Pelosi has been a voice for Californians and Americans everywhere.

As Speaker, she shepherded the passage of the Affordable Care Act that made health care affordable for millions of Americans, and we continue that fight today. She protected our democracy when she went toe to toe with Trump. And she inspired the Democratic women of the caucus and showed us that glass ceilings are meant to be broken.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.”

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Pelosi: "America Is Great When America Is Good"

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

The Atlantic: America Is Great When America Is Good
[Nancy Pelosi, 11/6/2025]

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, I have returned again and again to the words of Thomas Paine, who advanced the cause of American freedom with a memorable call to action: The times have found us. 

The times had indeed found Paine, and the rest of our Founders, who summoned the courage to declare independence from a king; to win a war against the strongest empire in the world; and to write our Constitution (thank goodness they made it amendable). In the century that followed, the times found Abraham Lincoln, who saved our union by winning the Civil War. And now the times have found us once again. 

In our own lives, and in the life of our nation, great good can come from great trials. But we also know this: Nothing we love ever comes easily. Ours is a nation forged by war and protest, in the loneliness of struggle and the slow work of centuries. We have always sought to perfect our union, even—especially—in the face of forces that seem too strong to ever overcome. This is another moment of extraordinary difficulty. It amazes me that so many people can endure so much suffering of others while doing nothing to address their needs. 

It is easy to despair. I know this is the way millions of Americans feel now. Yet the story of this country is the story of patience in tribulation, and hope in the face of fear. What we choose to do in this hour of our history will determine the shape of America and the world for decades. 

I am a child of America and a child of great religious faith. Both teach that there is no light without darkness. So what can we do? In the song of Saint Francis, the patron saint of my home city, we ask the Lord to make us an instrument of his peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love. The way of Saint Francis, the way of soldiers and suffragists, the way of our beloved John Lewis—that must be our way, too. We the people must follow the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

That has always been who Americans are. Time and again, we have stepped up for our fellow Americans in times of need; expanded the definition of freedom to include more of us in it; and fended off tyrants seeking to take power away from the people. Once again, we will prove who we are through what we do in this precarious moment. And we can do so through actions both profound and personal. Our democracy depends as much on casting a ballot as lending a hand to a neighbor in need.

Those of us who believe in liberty and dignity, goodness and generosity must never give in to the forces arrayed against the things we hold dearest. The battle can be exhausting, but it is a battle to which we are called by conscience and by love of country. This is the spirit that has motivated my decades of public service, through moments of great progress, great pain, and even great peril. Through it all, what kept me going were those lessons I learned as a child in Baltimore: to sow love and to help others. Those are unshakable responsibilities that all of us, as Americans, share. And as I soon begin my final year in Congress, I believe as fervently as ever that this must be our path forward.

America has always been a long-standing promise and an ongoing project. Decades of peace and prosperity made it tempting to believe that our democracy was self-sustaining—but in fact, it must be constantly tended to, strengthened, and defended. Democracy has been described as a horizon: unreachable, because inevitably our ambition for more freedom always grows. 

So just as patriots launched a revolution against a king, turned the tide at Gettysburg, stormed the beaches of Normandy, and marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, we, too, must be patriots for our time. That means not just holding on to the rights and freedoms our fellow Americans have fought for, but refusing to surrender the courageous spirit that inspired them.

Yes, the times have found us once again. But generations past have always prevailed, and so shall we, for our faith in the goodness of America, and our commitment to the freedom we owe to our children, is what will always give us hope.

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Rep. Norcross Releases Statement Calling out Trump, Republicans on One Month Long Government Shutdown

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement to call out Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans for shutting down the federal government for one month.  

“It has now been one month since Donald Trump and Republicans shut down the federal government, and we are nowhere close to a government funding deal. Where is the art of the deal now, Trump? Democrats have been in Washington, ready to negotiate and find an agreement that reopens the government and saves healthcare, but Republicans can’t even be bothered to come to D.C.,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “Tomorrow, New Jerseyans will receive notices that their healthcare premiums will be going up an average of 175 percent, and people in need of food assistance may have to go hungry. No working family can afford those prices, and no one should have to go hungry. It’s time for Trump to get back from his trip to Asia and start putting America first – not last – by working to reopen the government and lower Americans’ healthcare costs. 

If Congress does not extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, hundreds of thousands of people will lose their healthcare, and millions more will see their costs skyrocket. If Republicans get their way, 24,000 individuals in New Jersey’s First Congressional District will see their healthcare costs rise.

The Trump administration has also failed to activate the $5 billion in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) contingency fund to ensure food assistance is available for those in need. Congressman Norcross signed onto a letter with 213 of his House Democratic colleagues to urge U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to use these funds over the next few weeks and ease the burden caused by this Republican Government Shutdown.  

For constituents who have questions about how the Republican Government Shutdown might impact them, visit Congressman Norcross’ resource webpage here. Congressman Norcross has been filming videos every day of the Republican Government Shutdown to keep constituents informed. 

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Representatives Peters, Goldman, Krishnamoorthi Introduce Legislation to Restrict Excessive Use of Force by ICE

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Scott Peters (CA-50), Dan Goldman (NY-10), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8) introduced the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, a bill to make our communities safer by establishing a stronger standard for Federal immigration agents’ use of force. All law enforcement officers should be focused on upholding public safety. Yet in recent months the tactics of federal agents are more aggressive and dangerous, making everyone in our communities less safe.  

“In May, Federal agents stormed into Buona Forchetta, a small, neighborhood restaurant that was filled with families. They threw the owner against the wall, handcuffed all employees, and used flash-bang grenades on concerned bystanders outside the restaurant. Why terrorize law-abiding, hardworking people? That makes no one safer; it makes Americans less safe,” said Rep. Peters. “Immigration enforcement should not be conducted by masked, unidentified agents using unchecked force and aggressively deploying tear gas, pepper balls, and flash bangs. We must curb excessive force and make it easier to identify officers acting improperly, ensuring Federal law enforcement can still apprehend those who pose a genuine threat to public safety and national security.” 

“ICE, CBP, and DHS agents must be held to the same constitutional standards as every other law enforcement officer,” said Rep. Krishnamoorthi. “Yet each day of the Trump Administration’s ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ brings a new story of excessive force being used in Chicago and its suburbs—from a faith leader shot with a pepperball while praying outside Broadview to a reporter struck while documenting ICE protests to my own constituents being terrorized for performing civilian oversight over DHS’s actions. This unchecked aggression against civilians must stop. Our Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act restores transparency and safeguards both the public and law enforcement by ensuring clear standards, mandatory body cameras, and a fundamental respect for basic rights.” 

“For months now, we all have seen how encounters with immigration enforcement mean chaos, violence, and trauma, regardless of immigration status. The Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act brings humanity and transparency into those moments. It limits the use of militarized force and ensures that agents are accountable to the communities in which they operate. Every family deserves to feel safe. Every life deserves dignity,” said Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). 

“Masked agents endangering our people with unnecessary force is an affront to the principles of American democracy,” said Deborah Weinstein, Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs. “The Coalition on Human Needs is proud to endorse the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act and stands with Rep. Peters and co-sponsors in requiring accountability and careful restrictions on federal immigration officials’ use of force.”   

“The Trump administration’s reckless and indiscriminate immigration enforcement actions have stoked fear in communities across the country,” said Nick Wilson, senior director of Gun Violence Prevention Policy, Center for American Progress. “We welcome the introduction of the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, which seeks to ensure the safety of our communities and officers by implementing common sense standards to improve transparency and accountability in enforcement actions. Law enforcement should protect the public, not trample on people’s rights and put Americans at risk. This bill offers urgently needed guardrails and accountability mechanisms that ensure that federal law enforcement better protects and promotes the rights and safety of communities.”   

“As ICE under President Trump pursues increasingly extreme actions against both immigrants and U.S. citizens, lawmakers must act to protect their constituents and uphold public safety. The Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act does exactly that—ensuring federal officers have the tools they need to safeguard the public and themselves, without undermining the security of the communities they are supposed to serve,” said Sarah Pierce, Director of Social Policy, Third Way. “Its training, oversight, and proportionality requirements are especially critical as ICE expands its workforce through rushed recruitment and abbreviated onboarding. Immigration enforcement should strengthen public safety and the integrity of our immigration system—but never at the expense of the public’s security.”  

The authority to use force is a serious responsibility, and every person has a right to be free from excessive use of force by law. The bill restricts Federal immigration enforcement agents’ use of crowd munitions like tear gas, aligns immigration enforcement with the heightened DOJ standards on use of force, and creates greater transparency in enforcement by requiring the use of body cameras and strictly limiting the use of masks. 

The bill is also supported by original cosponsors Representatives Nydia Velázquez, Yvette Clarke, Ro Khanna, Gil Cisneros, Judy Chu, Brad Schneider, Juan Vargas, Emily Randall, Sylvia Garcia, Mike Quigley, Robin Kelly, Veronica Escobar, Jimmy Panetta, Seth Moulton, Linda Sanchez, Doris Matsui, Mike Thompson, Jerrold Nadler, Luz Rivas, Shri Thanedar, and Julia Brownley. 

The bill has been endorsed by CHIRLA – The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, the Coalition on Human Needs, Church World Service, and Third Way.  

The bill text is available here, a one pager is available here, a Section by Section is available here, and examples of excessive use of force are available here.  

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The government shutdown is now the longest in our country’s history. I am doing everything I can to end the gridlock and pass a budget. Click here to find resources on what a shutdown means for San Diegans.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Frequently Asked Questions

Click to jump to a specific question or scroll down to read through all the information.

Will I continue to receive my Social Security?

A shutdown will not impact Social Security benefit payments but be aware that benefit verifications have ceased, meaning new recipients may see delays in processing their claims.

Will Medicare or Medicaid be interrupted?

Medicare and Medicaid will continue for the foreseeable future, but you may experience difficulty reaching these agencies as some employees are furloughed. 

Will Open Enrollment on Healthcare.gov still take place?

The federal insurance marketplace open enrollment will be unaffected. Open Enrollment will proceed as normal from November 1 through January 15.

Is USPS still delivering mail?

All services under the Postal Service will continue unimpacted throughout the government shutdown.

Will my student loans continue to be disbursed?

Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans can continue to be obligated and make disbursement during a shutdown, but only as long as carryover and mandatory appropriations last. However, department staff needed to carry out and support these functions are significantly reduced. Free Applications for Student Aids (FAFSA), Pell Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans, and servicing of federal student loans could continue for a “very limited time” under a shutdown. If the shutdown continues for an extended period of time, school districts, colleges, and universities may begin to experience funding shortages due to lapsed federal funding.

Do military personnel continue working?

The Department of Defense will continue defending our nation and all military personnel will continue their usual duty. However, our service members will not receive pay during the shutdown. It is unacceptable that the men and women who put their lives on the line for our nation are going unpaid because of House Republican chaos.

Can veterans still get treatment at the VA or access other services?

All functions within the Veterans Health Administration will continue and veterans will continue to receive compensation and pension claims.

Should I cancel my upcoming travel?

You can and should continue to enjoy your travel plans! TSA officers and Air Traffic Controllers are considered essential and are reporting to work throughout the shutdown. However, both TSA and Air Traffic Control are currently working without pay so please have patience with any delays.

I’m coming to DC, will my tours still take place?

Unfornately, the Capitol Visitors Center will be closed for the duration of a shutdown, and Capitol tours will not be permitted. If your scheduled tour has been impacted, our office will be in touch with your group. If you have any questions, or are interested in rescheduling your tour, please contact our D.C. office at (202) 225 0508 or submit a new tour request.

Visitors to Washington D.C. should also note that the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will be closed for the duration of a shutdown. Open air monuments remain accessible to the public. White House tours remain suspended through October.

What about international travel?

All services at international embassies and consulates will continue during a lapse of appropriations. If you are abroad and need help, you can contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Will my passport renewal still be processed?

Passport applications will continue to be processed. The Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is designated as an essential service provider and is funded through passport fees, so all of Passport Services, including agencies and the National Passport Information Center, will remain open during a lapse of appropriations.

Will immigration applications still be processed?

Visa and passport operations are fee-funded and thus are not normally impacted by a lapse in appropriations. Immigration court cases on the detained docket will proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement will retain the vast majority of their employees during a shutdown. 

Are National Parks closed?

National Parks will remain open, but please exercise caution during any visits as most services will be halted. Visitor centers will be closed, entrance fees won’t be collected, educational programs will be canceled, and campsites won’t be staffed. In many instances, restrooms will be closed and services like trash collection and road maintenance will be suspended. There are also limited emergency/rescue services and safety updates will not be published. Please keep this in mind when planning any visits or hikes in our National Parks.

I have an issue with a government agency, can I still call them for help? Can you help me instead?

Due to the lapse in funding, many agencies have furloughed workers, so their help desks may have little or no staffing. You are encouraged to contact any agency to learn if they are still able to assist you at this time. You can also contact my office to open a case for you. We can contact an agency on your behalf and provide you with updates if they are open or when they re-open at the conclusion of a shutdown.

I already have a case open with your office, should I do anything during the shutdown?

My office is continuing to submit inquiries to federal agencies including requesting updates on constituents’ behalf, submitting paperwork, and opening new cases. During the shutdown, though, most congressional liaisons are furloughed which means there will be delays in obtaining casework updates and responses. We will provide you with an update as soon as it is available. 

I rely on food programs like SNAP and WIC, will I keep getting my payments?

SNAP payments will continue as normal but other nutrition programs, like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), will only continue at the state and local level. In California, this means 972,418 people are at risk of losing nutrition assistance.

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Reps. Peters and Torres Introduce Legislation to Help Americans Save for Retirement

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, DC – On Friday, Reps. Scott Peters (CA-50) and Norma Torres (CA-35) introduced the Saving for the Future Act. This bill will address the nation’s retirement savings crisis and help Americans afford emergency expenses. Three-in-ten American workers lack access to workplace retirement plans, and nearly half don’t participate in one. The Saving for the Future Act would help all Americans establish financial security and economic mobility.

“Today’s cost of living crisis means most Americans aren’t able to put enough money away for retirement or protect their families from unexpected emergency costs,” said Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50).  “The Saving for the Future Act would help hardworking Americans build wealth through employer contribution plans. Now more than ever, retirement benefits should follow a worker as they move to new companies throughout their career. This legislation expands proven models of employer-provided savings and invests in portable benefits, so Americans can save for a more secure and prosperous future.” 

“Nearly a third of workers don’t have access to retirement plans through their job and are just one problem away from a financial crisis,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35). “In the Inland Empire, too many families are struggling to afford groceries and pay rent. The Saving for the Future Act would change that by giving working families a real chance to build wealth, prepare for emergencies, and secure their future.”

“The Saving for the Future Act is an essential approach to reduce wealth disparity and improve the fortunes of working-wage Americans. This bill is bold, far-sighted, affordable, and pragmatic,” said Gabe Horwitz, Senior Vice President for the Economic Program at Third Way.

For the one-in-three Americans who have no retirement plan or pension, the Saving for the Future Act provides a path to long-term financial security by establishing a minimum employer contribution that easily transfers from job to job. 

Companies with ten or more employees would be required to contribute at least 50 cents per hour worked to an employer contribution savings plan, which could include existing plans, such as a 401(k). Employees at smaller companies would be able to save through federally provided “UP Accounts,” modeled after the popular Thrift Savings Plan for federal workers. UP Accounts would have low fees, could easily be transferred from job to job, and would be tailored to the employee’s age and savings needs.  

The bill text is available here.

A one-pager and FAQs on the bill are available here.

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Rep. Costa Statement on Federal Appeals Court Denying President Trump’s Bid to Halt SNAP Funding

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

FRESNO, Calif. – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement in response to a federal appeals court denying President Trump’s bid to halt SNAP funding. “No family in my district or across the nation deserves to have their food access stripped away because of the Administration’s reckless back-and-forth decisions, which is what the federal appeals court ruled today. In the richest nation in the world, it is outrageous that we would use food for political negotiations,” said Congressman Costa.
“As I’ve stated before, they have had both the resources and the authority, given to by Congress, to fully fund SNAP for November. The Administration must pay now the full SNAP benefits for November to keep food on the table for hardworking families.”

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Trump Quietly Makes It Harder And More Expensive For Americans To File Tax Returns

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Amid President Trump’s ongoing temper tantrum over affordability, his Administration also quietly made it more inconvenient and expensive for the American people to file their tax returns. On Tuesday night, as much of the political world turned its attention to results from Election Day, the Treasury Department officially ended the IRS Direct File program, which many Americans used to easily file their taxes for free, saving millions of dollars in filing fees.

“This is another corrupt decision by the Trump Administration to help corporate donors while raising costs and making life more difficult for the American people,” said Rep. Don Beyer, who serves on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax. “Whether it’s raising price-hiking tariffs, cancelling infrastructure projects, driving up electricity prices, blocking attempts to lower the cost of health care, going to court to prevent hungry people from getting SNAP, or eliminating a no-cost method to file taxes, President Trump is going all out to make life less affordable for American families.”

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Bacon Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Urging Armed Services Conferees to Include Provisions to Support Baltic Allies in Final NDAA

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Urging Armed Services Conferees to Include Provisions to Support Baltic Allies in Final NDAA

Bacon Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Urging Armed Services Conferees to Include Provisions to Support Baltic Allies in Final NDAA

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and Co-Chair of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, led 28 members of Congress in sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter to the four Senate and House leaders of the Armed Services Committees urging them to preserve provisions that support Baltic allies in the final Fiscal Year (FY26) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The four leaders of the Armed Services Committees are currently engaged in conference negotiations to finalize the text of legislation.
 
“As you continue conference negotiations for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, we strongly urge you to retain provisions in the final text that are critical to maintaining the security, cooperation, and deterrence capabilities of our Baltic allies,” the lawmakers wrote.
  
“In recent years, Congress has reaffirmed through the annual National Defense Authorization Act and Defense Appropriations Act that the United States should strengthen security cooperation with interoperability among Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.  The Baltic states are among America’s most capable allies, firmly committed to investing in their own defense and meeting NATO spending commitments.  U.S. security assistance to the Baltics bolsters regional and European stability while protecting U.S. and allied security interests.  Any proposed cuts to U.S. security assistance will undermine deterrence efforts and embolden adversaries,” the lawmakers wrote.
 
The lawmakers continued their letter, advocating for the inclusion of robust funding for BSI.
 
“The initiative provides targeted security assistance to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, three vital NATO allies facing direct Russian aggression.  This funding has helped enhance key defense capabilities in the Baltics, including long-range precision fire systems, integrated air and missile defense, maritime awareness, and improved cyber defenses and resilience to hybrid threats.  Authorizing this program—without creating any new authorities or bureaucracies—is critical to ensuring its continuation amid concerns that the Pentagon may terminate certain security assistance programs, including for the Baltics,” the lawmakers wrote.
 
The members also called for the inclusion of a provision that would streamline defense cooperation between the U.S. and the Baltics as Russia has continued to enter Baltic airspace.
 
“Russia continues to test NATO through provocative incursions into Baltic airspace and views the region as a single operational area, as reflected in NATO’s regional defense plans.  Improving the effectiveness of HIMARS [High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems] deployments and enhancing collective defense capabilities will further strengthen deterrence and complicate Russia’s strategic planning,” the lawmakers wrote.
 
The lawmakers concluded their letter by underscoring the history of Congress’ bipartisan support for the Baltic region, which is even more critical amid Russia’s war on Ukraine.
 
“These provisions reflect Congress’ bipartisan commitment to regional stability and the collective defense of NATO in the face of escalating Russian aggression,” the lawmakers concluded their letter.
 
Receiving a copy of today’s letter were U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL-03), Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services; and U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-WA-09), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Armed Services. U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services; U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services.
 
Joining Bacon in sending today’s letter were U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Angus King (I-ME), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Peter Welch (D-VT), as well as U.S. Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Wesley Bell (D-MO-01), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-03), Bill Keating (D-MA-09), Michael Turner (R-OH-10), Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), Dina Titus (D-NV-03), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY-26), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Ted Lieu (D-CA-33), Gil Cisneros (D-CA-36), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), and James Walkinshaw (D-VA-11).
 
A copy of the letter is available below:
 
November 6, 2025
 
Dear Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Reed, Chairman Rogers, and Ranking Member Smith,
 
As you continue conference negotiations for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, we strongly urge you to retain provisions in the final text that are critical to maintaining the security, cooperation, and deterrence capabilities of our Baltic allies. 
 
In recent years, Congress has reaffirmed through the annual National Defense Authorization Act and Defense Appropriations Act that the United States should strengthen security cooperation with interoperability among Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.  The Baltic states are among America’s most capable allies, firmly committed to investing in their own defense and meeting NATO spending commitments.  U.S. security assistance to the Baltics bolsters regional and European stability while protecting U.S. and allied security interests.  Any proposed cuts to U.S. security assistance will undermine deterrence efforts and embolden adversaries.
 
Baltic Security Initiative.  Section 1230C of S. 2296 and Section 1306 of H.R. 3838 would authorize the Baltic Security Initiative, an effort created by Congress in 2021 with bipartisan support.  The initiative provides targeted security assistance to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, three vital NATO allies facing direct Russian aggression.  This funding has helped enhance key defense capabilities in the Baltics, including long-range precision fire systems, integrated air and missile defense, maritime awareness, and improved cyber defenses and resilience to hybrid threats.  Authorizing this program—without creating any new authorities or bureaucracies—is critical to ensuring its continuation amid concerns that the Pentagon may terminate certain security assistance programs, including for the Baltics.
 
Transfers of HIMARS between Baltic states.  Section 1230B of S. 2296 allows the Baltic states to share High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and related ammunition for training and operational needs without requiring additional U.S. approval, streamlining defense cooperation and enhancing the collective defense capabilities in the region.  All three Baltic states are procuring HIMARS, and consistent with U.S. recommendations, pursuing joint maintenance of their systems to allow the fleet to operate freely within the Baltics.  Russia continues to test NATO through provocative incursions into Baltic airspace and views the region as a single operational area, as reflected in NATO’s regional defense plans.  Improving the effectiveness of HIMARS deployments and enhancing collective defense capabilities will further strengthen deterrence and complicate Russia’s strategic planning.
 
These provisions reflect Congress’ bipartisan commitment to regional stability and the collective defense of NATO in the face of escalating Russian aggression.  Thank you for your attention to our request.

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Nadler Statement on New York’s Approval of NESE Pipeline

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s approval of permits for the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement Pipeline project:

“I am profoundly disappointed by New York State’s decision to approve the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked-gas pipeline. This project was rejected three times in the past for failing to meet the state’s own water-quality standards, and nothing about the project has changed. 

“I have been fighting back against this pipeline since 2019, when I first wrote to former Governor Cuomo urging him to reject it. Last month, I proudly led more than a dozen members of the New York congressional delegation in writing to Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to once again urge them to deny the project because of the serious environmental, public health, and safety risks it poses. Those concerns remain just as urgent today. 

“The NESE pipeline will cut through sensitive marine ecosystems off Staten Island and the Rockaway Peninsula, potentially dredging up contaminated sediments that contain arsenic, mercury, lead, and PCBs. It threatens coastal economies that depend on clean water, recreation, and tourism, while exposing nearby communities to unnecessary health and safety risks. 

“Williams Companies, the pipeline developer, has a long and troubling safety record that includes multiple explosions and repeated federal violations. Granting this project a Section 401 Water Quality Certification despite these facts sends the wrong message about New York’s commitment to protecting its environment and public safety. 

“This approval also runs counter to the overwhelming public opposition. More than 120 environmental, civic, and faith-based organizations from across New York have spoken out against the NESE pipeline.

“Their voices reflect what most New Yorkers already know: we should not be doubling down on fossil fuel infrastructure at a time when our state is leading the nation in clean-energy investments and climate accountability. 

“The pipeline is also expected to increase energy costs for New Yorkers. Ratepayers in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island could ultimately be forced to shoulder more than $3 billion in costs over the next 15 years for a project that will only deepen our dependence on fossil fuels while delivering no real public benefit. 

“This decision regrettably disregards the science, the voices of New Yorkers, and the goals set out in our own climate law. By approving this pipeline, the state risks locking our communities into decades of unnecessary fossil fuel dependence and undoing much of the progress we’ve made toward a cleaner, safer future.”

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Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s approval of permits for the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement Pipeline project:

“I am profoundly disappointed by New York State’s decision to approve the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked-gas pipeline. This project was rejected three times in the past for failing to meet the state’s own water-quality standards, and nothing about the project has changed. 

 

“I have been fighting back against this pipeline since 2019, when I first wrote to former Governor Cuomo urging him to reject it. Last month, I proudly led more than a dozen members of the New York congressional delegation in writing to Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to once again urge them to deny the project because of the serious environmental, public health, and safety risks it poses. Those concerns remain just as urgent today. 

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“I am profoundly disappointed by New York State’s decision to approve the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked-gas pipeline. This project was rejected three times in the past for failing to meet the state’s own water-quality standards, and nothing about the project has changed. 

 

“I have been fighting back against this pipeline since 2019, when I first wrote to former Governor Cuomo urging him to reject it. Last month, I proudly led more than a dozen members of the New York congressional delegation in writing to Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to once again urge them to deny the project because of the serious environmental, public health, and safety risks it poses. Those concerns remain just as urgent today. 

 

“The NESE pipeline will cut through sensitive marine ecosystems off Staten Island and the Rockaway Peninsula, potentially dredging up contaminated sediments that contain arsenic, mercury, lead, and PCBs. It threatens coastal economies that depend on clean water, recreation, and tourism, while exposing nearby communities to unnecessary health and safety risks. 

 

“Williams Companies, the pipeline developer, has a long and troubling safety record that includes multiple explosions and repeated federal violations. Granting this project a Section 401 Water Quality Certification despite these facts sends the wrong message about New York’s commitment to protecting its environment and public safety. 

 

“This approval also runs counter to the overwhelming public opposition. More than 120 environmental, civic, and faith-based organizations from across New York have spoken out against the NESE pipeline.

 

“Their voices reflect what most New Yorkers already know: we should not be doubling down on fossil fuel infrastructure at a time when our state is leading the nation in clean-energy investments and climate accountability. 

 

“The pipeline is also expected to increase energy costs for New Yorkers. Ratepayers in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island could ultimately be forced to shoulder more than $3 billion in costs over the next 15 years for a project that will only deepen our dependence on fossil fuels while delivering no real public benefit. 

 

“This decision regrettably disregards the science, the voices of New Yorkers, and the goals set out in our own climate law. By approving this pipeline, the state risks locking our communities into decades of unnecessary fossil fuel dependence and undoing much of the progress we’ve made toward a cleaner, safer future.”

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NEW YORK, NY – Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s approval of permits for the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement Pipeline project:

 

 

“I am profoundly disappointed by New York State’s decision to approve the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked-gas pipeline. This project was rejected three times in the past for failing to meet the state’s own water-quality standards, and nothing about the project has changed. 

 

“I have been fighting back against this pipeline since 2019, when I first wrote to former Governor Cuomo urging him to reject it. Last month, I proudly led more than a dozen members of the New York congressional delegation in writing to Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to once again urge them to deny the project because of the serious environmental, public health, and safety risks it poses. Those concerns remain just as urgent today. 

 

“The NESE pipeline will cut through sensitive marine ecosystems off Staten Island and the Rockaway Peninsula, potentially dredging up contaminated sediments that contain arsenic, mercury, lead, and PCBs. It threatens coastal economies that depend on clean water, recreation, and tourism, while exposing nearby communities to unnecessary health and safety risks. 

 

“Williams Companies, the pipeline developer, has a long and troubling safety record that includes multiple explosions and repeated federal violations. Granting this project a Section 401 Water Quality Certification despite these facts sends the wrong message about New York’s commitment to protecting its environment and public safety. 

 

“This approval also runs counter to the overwhelming public opposition. More than 120 environmental, civic, and faith-based organizations from across New York have spoken out against the NESE pipeline.

 

“Their voices reflect what most New Yorkers already know: we should not be doubling down on fossil fuel infrastructure at a time when our state is leading the nation in clean-energy investments and climate accountability. 

 

“The pipeline is also expected to increase energy costs for New Yorkers. Ratepayers in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island could ultimately be forced to shoulder more than $3 billion in costs over the next 15 years for a project that will only deepen our dependence on fossil fuels while delivering no real public benefit. 

 

“This decision regrettably disregards the science, the voices of New Yorkers, and the goals set out in our own climate law. By approving this pipeline, the state risks locking our communities into decades of unnecessary fossil fuel dependence and undoing much of the progress we’ve made toward a cleaner, safer future.”

###

NEW YORK, NY – Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s approval of permits for the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement Pipeline project:

 

 

“I am profoundly disappointed by New York State’s decision to approve the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked-gas pipeline. This project was rejected three times in the past for failing to meet the state’s own water-quality standards, and nothing about the project has changed. 

 

“I have been fighting back against this pipeline since 2019, when I first wrote to former Governor Cuomo urging him to reject it. Last month, I proudly led more than a dozen members of the New York congressional delegation in writing to Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to once again urge them to deny the project because of the serious environmental, public health, and safety risks it poses. Those concerns remain just as urgent today. 

 

“The NESE pipeline will cut through sensitive marine ecosystems off Staten Island and the Rockaway Peninsula, potentially dredging up contaminated sediments that contain arsenic, mercury, lead, and PCBs. It threatens coastal economies that depend on clean water, recreation, and tourism, while exposing nearby communities to unnecessary health and safety risks. 

 

“Williams Companies, the pipeline developer, has a long and troubling safety record that includes multiple explosions and repeated federal violations. Granting this project a Section 401 Water Quality Certification despite these facts sends the wrong message about New York’s commitment to protecting its environment and public safety. 

 

“This approval also runs counter to the overwhelming public opposition. More than 120 environmental, civic, and faith-based organizations from across New York have spoken out against the NESE pipeline.

 

“Their voices reflect what most New Yorkers already know: we should not be doubling down on fossil fuel infrastructure at a time when our state is leading the nation in clean-energy investments and climate accountability. 

 

“The pipeline is also expected to increase energy costs for New Yorkers. Ratepayers in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island could ultimately be forced to shoulder more than $3 billion in costs over the next 15 years for a project that will only deepen our dependence on fossil fuels while delivering no real public benefit. 

 

“This decision regrettably disregards the science, the voices of New Yorkers, and the goals set out in our own climate law. By approving this pipeline, the state risks locking our communities into decades of unnecessary fossil fuel dependence and undoing much of the progress we’ve made toward a cleaner, safer future.”

###

NEW YORK, NY – Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s approval of permits for the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement Pipeline project:

 

 

“I am profoundly disappointed by New York State’s decision to approve the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) fracked-gas pipeline. This project was rejected three times in the past for failing to meet the state’s own water-quality standards, and nothing about the project has changed. 

 

“I have been fighting back against this pipeline since 2019, when I first wrote to former Governor Cuomo urging him to reject it. Last month, I proudly led more than a dozen members of the New York congressional delegation in writing to Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to once again urge them to deny the project because of the serious environmental, public health, and safety risks it poses. Those concerns remain just as urgent today. 

 

“The NESE pipeline will cut through sensitive marine ecosystems off Staten Island and the Rockaway Peninsula, potentially dredging up contaminated sediments that contain arsenic, mercury, lead, and PCBs. It threatens coastal economies that depend on clean water, recreation, and tourism, while exposing nearby communities to unnecessary health and safety risks. 

 

“Williams Companies, the pipeline developer, has a long and troubling safety record that includes multiple explosions and repeated federal violations. Granting this project a Section 401 Water Quality Certification despite these facts sends the wrong message about New York’s commitment to protecting its environment and public safety. 

 

“This approval also runs counter to the overwhelming public opposition. More than 120 environmental, civic, and faith-based organizations from across New York have spoken out against the NESE pipeline.

 

“Their voices reflect what most New Yorkers already know: we should not be doubling down on fossil fuel infrastructure at a time when our state is leading the nation in clean-energy investments and climate accountability. 

 

“The pipeline is also expected to increase energy costs for New Yorkers. Ratepayers in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island could ultimately be forced to shoulder more than $3 billion in costs over the next 15 years for a project that will only deepen our dependence on fossil fuels while delivering no real public benefit. 

 

“This decision regrettably disregards the science, the voices of New Yorkers, and the goals set out in our own climate law. By approving this pipeline, the state risks locking our communities into decades of unnecessary fossil fuel dependence and undoing much of the progress we’ve made toward a cleaner, safer future.”

###