Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, DC) — On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, shared remarks in a Financial Services Markup of Various Measures.

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s remarks by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C.—As small businesses in South Texas are struggling with labor shortages and higher costs, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, announced that his bipartisan bill, H.R. 4449, the Advocating for Small Business Act, advanced out of the U.S. House of Representatives. It was included in a wide-ranging legislative package called the Incentivizing New Ventures and Economic Strength Through Capital Formation (INVEST) Act and would specifically establish Offices of Small Business within each of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rulemaking divisions to make federal regulators more responsive and accessible to local entrepreneurs. 

“Small businesses are the backbone of America and create two out of every three new jobs,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Yet, far too often, these businesses face barriers when trying to access capital because the rules are designed with only large firms in mind. To strengthen South Texas’s economy and create jobs, we need to provide the same flexibility given to those on Wall Street. I’m elated that my bill was included in the INVEST Act and passed out of the House. Now, I urge the Senate to join us in delivering much-needed support to small business owners who are eager to reach their full economic potential.”

In July 2025, Congressman Gonzalez championed his bill before the House Financial Services Committee before it was reported favorably out for full consideration. The SEC is primarily responsible for enacting rules that both protect investors and help businesses raise capital. However, there is currently no dedicated office within the SEC that represents the best interests of small businesses during the rulemaking process. 

Read the full bill text here.

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming House passage of H.R. 3176, which amends the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act to reauthorize the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System.

In June, Congresswoman Amata voted for this bipartisan bill in the Natural Resources Committee. The bill reauthorizes the important National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System (NVEWS) through fiscal year 2030. 

This system monitors the most active and hazardous volcanoes to give ample time to evacuate communities in surrounding areas. The bill, introduced by Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, was passed with bipartisan support in both the Committee and then Monday in the full House of Representatives. 

NVEWS is the national plan to ensure that 170 U.S. volcanoes are monitored based on their threat levels. The plan was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Volcano Hazards Program (VHP), working with partnering states, universities and academic institutions. 

On March 12, 2019, Congress passed the John D. Dingell, Jr., Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (Public Law 116–9; 133 Stat. 580), in which Title V, §5001 (43 U.S.C. 31k) authorized the establishment of NVEWS within the USGS. The program has assessed 57 of the volcanoes as most in need of monitoring, including coastal and inland sites in Alaska, Hawaii, and the Northern Marianas. 

“In American Samoa, we know the power of tsunamis, and we recognize the possibility of volcanic activity in our region from seamounts,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I strongly support the best possible research and monitoring in this important field of study to save lives and provide warning. This program builds expertise and ensures resources are developed if American Samoa should ever need it, and provides much-needed services for the most active sites in other states and territories.”

House Resolution Honors Servicemembers

On Monday, by voice vote, the House passed H. Res. 923, honoring the service and sacrifice of United States Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and United States Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, who were tragically shot in Washington, D.C., in a targeted assault against United States service members on November 26, 2025.

This resolution honors their service and sacrifice as members of the West Virginia National Guard and extends sympathy, gratitude, and support for their families in the wake of the attack. The resolution also honors the bravery of the other National Guard members on the scene, expresses gratitude for the action of first responders, and condemns the attack.

Federal Maritime Commission Reauthorized

Also on Monday, again by voice vote, the House passed H.R. 4183, authorizing appropriations for the Federal Maritime Commission for fiscal years 2026 through 2029. The bill expands the commission’s capacity to prevent anticompetitive practices within the international ocean transportation system, and requires the commission to report annually on anticompetitive and nonreciprocal trade practices by controlled carriers or marine terminal operators.

The bill establishes a National Port Advisory Committee and a National Ocean Carrier Advisory Committee. The committees, together with the existing National Shipper Advisory Committee, are charged with advising the commission on policies relating to competitiveness, reliability, and efficiency in the international ocean freight delivery system.

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting final House passage of the Senate version of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act, sending the legislation to the President to be signed into law. In the parallel House effort, Congresswoman Amata was an original cosponsor, introduced in April 2025 jointly with Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon) and Rep. Jim Moylan (R-Guam), and she is delighted to welcome passage of legislation to reduce marine debris in the ocean, and support the efforts of NOAA and the Marine Debris Foundation.

The Save Our Seas (S.O.S.) 2.0 Amendments Act of 2025 builds upon the success of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act—the most comprehensive marine debris legislation ever passed by Congress—and provides greater flexibility to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to work with other stakeholders in marine debris prevention and removal efforts. The Senate legislation, S. 216, was sponsored by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), and had already passed the Senate. The House passed the bill Monday by voice vote.

“The ocean provides much of American Samoa’s beauty, way of life, recreation and employment,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I strongly support ocean conservation and keeping our waters and shores clean and beautiful. This excellent bipartisan bill reauthorizes NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, and cooperative efforts with the Marine Debris Foundation. Thank you once again to my committed colleagues Representatives Bonamici and Moylan, and Senators Sullivan and Whitehouse this final legislation to achieve our objectives.” 

The bill strengthens NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, reauthorizing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program through 2029. It enhances flexibility for contract agreements and in-kind contributions for projects. It also supports the Marine Debris Foundation’s Operations, including authorization for the location of its principal office, and flexibility to better address regional marine debris challenges. It supports better outreach and the development of best practices for conducting outreach to Tribes for effective engagement in marine debris prevention and removal efforts. 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Department of State, and Related Programs of the House Committee on Appropriations, spoke on the House floor in opposition to a War Powers resolution that would restrict President Trump’s ability to take decisive action against narco-terrorist cartels operating in the Western Hemisphere where their criminal activity most directly threatens the safety and security of the American people.

Watch his remarks here or below.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today reintroduced the Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act, legislation to help American families cover the cost of eliminating lead from their homes.  The Home Lead Safety Tax Credit Act would significantly broaden the national response to this threat to public health by providing refundable tax credits for homeowners, landlords, and tenants to remove lead from homes.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“The safest place for a child should be his or her own home, but many homes built before 1978, including thousands in Memphis, have lead-based paint and other potential lead-related hazards. Children deserve to grow up free from the permanent harm, including neurological problems, that exposure to lead can cause.  This legislation would create a tax credit to provide property owners the resources they need to address and remove hazards within their homes, and prevent long term health problems.”

The legislation, which Congressman Cohen first introduced in 2020, would create tax credits worth up to $4,000 to cover half the cost of abating lead hazards in paint, pipes, or soil.  The new tax credits would supplement state and local lead control programs and would be available to offset costs for removing lead from houses built before lead-based paint was banned for residential use in 1978.

Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that can severely compromise the behavioral and cognitive development of children.  Despite the widespread contamination of housing stock in the United States, funding for lead abatement programs, such as the Lead Hazard Control Grant Program, have only put a dent in the problem.

The Biden-Harris Administration issued a final rule in 2024 requiring the replacement of all lead pipes associated with drinking water systems within 10 years and requiring more rigorous testing of drinking water to prevent lead exposure. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today questioned expert witnesses on organized retail crime at a hearing in the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime. 

In his opening statement, Congressman Cohen described the breadth of organized retail crime and its impact on Memphis, in particular, as a transportation and logistics hub.  He also discussed the importance of a carefully calibrated federal policy that respects state and local public safety efforts.

“Organized Retail Crime [policies]… must be well-designed, with thoughtful allocation of roles and responsibilities.  We need federal assistance, especially in tackling the interstate problems. We need federal expertise and tools to investigate sophisticated syndicates. But in doing that, we must be careful not to undermine the local policing,” Cohen said.  

Pointing to the ongoing complications with the Memphis Safety Task Force, Congressman Cohen noted the unnecessary and ineffective deployment of the National Guard and that “we now have U.S. Marshals in Memphis, doing traffic stops.”  Cohen continued, “this is troubling and potentially dangerous.  First, it’s confusing. But it also undercuts the exact type of community-based policing that we have been striving to build.” 

Acting as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Congressman Cohen focused his questions on thefts from railroad boxcars, a serious ongoing problem in Memphis. 

See his opening statement here and his questions to question to witnesses here.

Witnesses at today’s hearing were:

• Scott McBride, Chief Global Asset Protection Officer & Chief Security Officer, American Eagle Inc.;
• Chris Spear, President and CEO, American Trucking Association;
• Shane Bennett, Principal of Cyber Defense for Theft, Fraud & Abuse, Target; and
• Summer Stephan, District Attorney, San Diego County, California 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep Judy Chu (CA-28) introduced the San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025, which would designate 35,335 acres of protected wilderness and 20.2 miles of wild and scenic rivers. In the Senate, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act, a package that includes identical companion legislation to Rep. Chu’s.

“My district is fortunate to be home to the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains right in our backyard. But, as one of the most park-poor regions in the country, increasing access and expanding protections is critical. That’s why I worked for years with community advocates and the Obama Administration to secure the designation of the San Gabriels as a national monument in 2014 — and why I continued pushing under President Biden to expand the monument’s boundaries last year to better protect these lands and improve access for millions of Angelenos. Still, more work remains to protect the wilderness and rivers of the San Gabriels,” said Rep. Chu. “I’m so proud to partner with Senator Padilla on his PUBLIC Lands Act, which includes my San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act, to preserve California’s pristine natural spaces and ensure Californians can continue to access these spaces for generations to come.”

In 2014, President Obama acted on Rep. Chu’s call for permanent protection of the San Gabriel Mountains and declared 346,000 acres as a national monument. The monument designation has helped raise awareness of local recreational opportunities, promoted improved access, and encouraged greater availability of management resources, including enabling the U.S. Forest Service to leverage private-public partnerships to support the stewardship of the monument. 

In 2024, following advocacy by Rep. Chu, Sen. Padilla, and dedicated advocates, President Biden expanded the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by 105,919 additional acres to include the western Angeles National Forest—protecting the significant natural, cultural, and recreational resources in Southern California. This declaration was also followed by millions of dollars in new investments into the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument including new field staff, enhanced visitor engagement and interpretation resources, trash and pollution mitigation, and more. 

The San Gabriel Mountains’ rivers and natural spaces provide critical habitat for threatened and endangered species including the California condor, Nelson’s bighorn sheep, and the Santa Ana sucker. Ensuring the wildlife and waters of the San Gabriel Mountains are protected is the next step to preserve these natural spaces for years to come. 

“Our public lands and natural spaces are some of California’s greatest gifts — from the Northern California Redwoods, to the Carrizo Plain, to the San Gabriel Mountains,” said Senator Padilla. “As the Trump Administration tries to sell off our state’s precious public lands and waters, we must protect and restore these areas to mitigate wildfire risk, reach California’s conservation goals, protect our natural resources, and ensure generations to come can enjoy access to the outdoors. I was thrilled to see President Biden heed our calls to permanently protect the entire San Gabriel Mountains last year, and I urge my colleagues to pass this package to protect access to green space for millions of Californians.” 

“Thank you, Representative Chu, for advancing a decades-long vision to protect our San Gabriel Mountains,” said Belén Bernal, Executive Director of Nature for All Coalition. “Designating more Wilderness areas and protecting special rivers as Wild and Scenic are important next steps towards achieving this goal. Over 18 million people live within a 90 mile radius of the San Gabriels and depend on these places for access to nature, time outdoors with family and friends, and tribal rituals and ceremonies, as well as for activities like hiking, swimming, picnicking, and more. We are grateful for your ongoing leadership to ensure that more Angelenos, especially historically underrepresented communities, can enjoy access to these beloved places now and into the future.”

The San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025 is endorsed by: CalWild, The Wilderness Society, and Nature for All Coalition

Full text of the San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and Rivers Protection Act of 2025 can be found here.

This bill is cosponsored by Reps. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24), Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr (CA-31), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Maxine Waters (CA-43). 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28), Mike Carey (OH-15) and U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) reintroduced the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act.

This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will assist family caregivers, improve coordination between caregivers and Medicare beneficiaries, and make it easier for caregivers to access pertinent health information.

“Family caregivers shoulder enormous responsibility while helping loved ones navigate Medicare, yet too often they face confusing systems, long wait times, and language barriers when trying to get basic information,” Rep. Chu said. “That’s why I’m joining Rep. Carey and Sens. Hassan and Tillis to reintroduce the bipartisan, bicameral Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act. Our bill would strengthen Medicare’s support for caregivers by expanding outreach about available caregiver resources, improving training for 1-800-MEDICARE operators, ensuring caregivers can access accurate information when beneficiaries authorize them to do so, and making this information available in non-English languages. By improving coordination and communication, this bill helps reduce unnecessary stress for caregivers and supports better care for seniors.”

“We can help family caregivers, who already bear other personal, professional, and medical responsibilities and worries, by easing the conveyance of assistance and resources to them through 1-800-Medicare,” Rep. Carey said. “This legislation is bipartisan, bicameral, and straightforward. I am committed to finding ways to help millions of caregivers coordinate the delivery of benefits and medical care to their loved ones.”

“Caregivers carry a tremendous burden while caring for loved ones, and I know first-hand that caregivers too often face unnecessary barriers when trying to coordinate care,” Senator Tillis said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Senator Hassan to enable caregivers to better advocate for their loved ones and make it easier for caregivers to communicate with Medicare on their behalf.”

“The 1-800-MEDICARE hotline is a vitally important resource for seniors and caregivers to get information about care options, medical expenses, and more,” Senator Hassan said. “This bill is a commonsense, bipartisan measure to ensure that the hotline is providing the best and most efficient support possible for seniors and their family caregivers through increased education, training, outreach, and opportunities for feedback.”

“AARP, which advocates for 125 million Americans age 50 and older and their families, is pleased to endorse the Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act. There are 63 million family caregivers in the United States who assist their older parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, adult children, and other loved ones so they can live independently in their homes – where they want to be. Caregivers provide an estimated $600 billion in unpaid labor each year, saving taxpayers billions of dollars, and without them, America’s health and long-term care systems would collapse. The Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act would help inform people about Medicare’s voluntary option for Medicare beneficiaries to allow family caregivers to access their health information through 1-800-MEDICARE. This is a commonsense solution to make it easier for families to provide care to their loved ones, including at home, where most Americans want to be,” Nancy A. LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, said.

BACKGROUND:

The bipartisan Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act aims to improve the coordination of care between caregivers and Medicare beneficiaries. It will publicize resources Medicare has for family caregivers, including the voluntary option allowing Medicare beneficiaries to allow family caregivers to access their health information through 1-800-Medicare.

The legislation also requires Medicare to train 1-800-Medicare operators on how to properly provide family caregivers with all the appropriate information. It further requires that information be provided in non-English languages.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

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

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the House Committee on Financial Services passed the Housing for the 21^st Century Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. The comprehensive housing legislation introduced by Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance Chair Mike Flood (R-NE), House Committee on Financial Services Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA), and House Committee on Financial Services Chair French Hill (R-AR), will streamline housing development and affordability by updating outdated programs, removing regulatory roadblocks, and increasing local control. The bill is now set for House consideration. 

“After a year of good-faith negotiations, I’m thrilled that we have successfully gathered the bipartisan support necessary to advance comprehensive and meaningful housing legislation out of the Financial Services Committee,” said Ranking Member Cleaver. “Included in this long overdue housing package are reforms that will revitalize our rural housing programs, streamline housing development in communities nationwide, and lower costs for American families who desperately need relief. I want to thank Chairman Flood, Ranking Member Waters, and Chairman Hill for their partnership in this important effort. We remain committed to working with our House and Senate colleagues to send urgently needed housing legislation to the president’s desk, ensuring more working-class families will have access to quality, affordable housing.”

The Housing for the 21^st Century Act includes multiple reforms introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and various colleagues, such as:

• HOME Reform Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Chairman Flood, the legislation is the most significant reform to the HOME program since authorization in 1990 and would increase the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.
• Rural Housing Service Program Improvements: The legislation includes sections of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), representing the most significant Rural Housing Service reforms in decades. The included sections would allow for greater use of the Rural Housing Service Section 504 Home Repair Program, including expanding participation to include more low-income families, among other provisions.  
• Choice in Affordable Housing Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY), the Choice in Affordable Housing Act is a major reform the HUD’s Section 8 program that would streamline the program and increase the number of private landlords participating in the program. 
• Manufactured Housing Innovations: The legislation includes the Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Cleaver and Rep. Rose (R-TN), which would update the federal definition of manufactured housing and allow for more efficient and cost-effective designs. Additionally, the housing package includes legislation introduce by Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver that would streamline energy efficiency and safety standards for manufactured housing.
• HUD Accountability Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Rep. Lawler, the HUD Accountability Act requires the Secretary of HUD to testify on an annual basis before Congress.

Official text of the Housing for the 21st Century Act is available here.

A one-pager for the Housing for the 21^st Century Act is available here.

A section-by-section of the Housing for the 21^st Century Act is 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.