Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Congressman Russell Fry (R-S.C.), and House Republicans’ sophomore class to discuss how the Democrat party over-promises and under-delivers. Leader Scalise also highlighted one year of promises made, promises kept thanks to President Trump and congressional Republicans.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
Excerpts from Leader Scalise’s remarks:On one year since President Trump’s historic election:“We celebrate that a year ago today, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. And when he ran, he ran on very specific things, not socialism. Seven out of seven swing states rejected that form of socialism that has now taken over the Democrat Party. What President Trump and House Republicans ran on was delivering results for American families. We said we would secure the border. We actually delivered on that in record time. We said we would prevent a tax increase on anybody, every American, no matter what income level you were at, you were facing a tax increase… We said we wouldn’t do it.“The Democrats bragged that they were going to raise your taxes. The American people decided that – not New York City – the American people, a year ago, decided they didn’t want a tax increase, and we followed through on that by preventing the largest tax increase on American families. Also, by delivering no tax on tips, no tax on overtime for seniors, 85% of whom will not have to pay taxes on their Social Security income when you factor in the deduction. We delivered on that. Every Democrat, by the way, voted no because Democrats don’t want hardworking Americans to keep more of their money. They want socialism.”On the radical direction of the Democrat party under Zohran Mamdani and the hollow promises of socialism:“Let’s think about those hollow promises that Zohran Mamdani talked about last night. Can anybody wait to see what those free buses are going to look like? I’m sure they’re going to be incredibly safe and clean when you ride the free buses. Can anybody wait to see what those government-run grocery stores are going to look like? Shelves unstocked, expired food… That’s what socialism does. Socialism always over-promises and under-delivers. But should we be surprised? That’s what Democrats up here in Washington have been doing for years. Does anybody remember the Inflation Reduction Act? Yes, that was a Democrat-created product that ushered in record levels of inflation. Where was the inflation reduction? They have no problem lying to the American people. Does anybody remember, by the way, the Affordable Care Act? Yes, that was Democrats only creating current healthcare law. The law of the land in healthcare today is Democrat-only-created Affordable Care Act that’s anything but affordable. All we’ve seen is 80% increases in costs for families, record profits for insurance companies, but 80% increases on families. Democrats have never had a problem lying to the American people, over-promising to the American people, and never delivering the goods.“You contrast that with Republicans. Again, a year ago today, we ran on very specific things, and we’ve already, working with Donald Trump, ushered in a new level of American greatness…“We’re going to keep delivering wins for the American people, and Democrats will continue to give the hollow promises of socialism that come along with the failures of socialism that it truly delivers for people. Yeah, people in New York, when they realize how bad socialism is, they can just leave like they’ve been doing years. They can move to states like Florida, to Texas. They can even come to Louisiana. But if they ruin America, if they’re able to take hold with socialism in America, where else are people going to go? There is no plan B to this great United States of America, and we’re not going to let socialism take over in this great country.”On Democrats imposing suffering on millions of Americans to appease their Trump-hating base:“All we’re seeing during this shutdown is Democrats scared to death of the Mamdani wing of the party. They’ve said it. Some of them said it out loud, but they have exercised it in their votes. They voted time and time again to keep the government shut down, knowing they’re inflicting suffering and pain on the American people, admitting that they’re using that suffering to try to get leverage. They still can’t tell you what the leverage is for. Leverage for what? To go boast to the socialist Mamdani wing of their party that they’re fighting Donald Trump, who was elected not by the people of New York or New Jersey or Virginia, but by a majority of Americans, 77 million Americans, seven out of seven swing states running on very specific things that that President, Donald Trump, and this Republican majority have continued to deliver on.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and House Committee on Education and Workforce Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) to discuss Democrats voting against food assistance for millions of Americans, federal employees receiving a paycheck, and benefits for women, infants, and children in need. Leader Scalise emphasized the need for Senate Democrats to vote for House Republicans’ clean CR and reopen the government.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
Excerpts from Leader Scalise’s remarks:On Democrats catering to their far-left, radical party:“Let’s remember when the Senate votes today, they’re not voting on some big, massive omnibus bill, a bill that resolves all of our differences. If you’re one of these Democrats, and it only takes five to get this government back open, and you’re struggling with the decision: do you offend your far-left radical base, it’s about to elect the new leader of their Democrat Party in Mamdani in New York, or do you stand up for the tens of millions of people around the country who are actually suffering? And if you vote yes today, are you giving anything up?“What’s in that bill? A clean continuing resolution that violates any of your principles? There’s nothing. Again, that bill does not solve our differences. That bill just keeps the lights on. That bill just allows federal workers to get paid for the work that they’re doing – those that have to show up and work and keep our airports open. The air traffic controllers who are working under high incredible stress in a normal time so that planes can land and take off safely with 150 plus people on each one of those planes without worrying about the stress that as soon as they get off the job, they’ve got to go do a second shift as an Uber driver because they can’t put food on the table because Democrats shut down the government. Hopefully, they weigh that when they cast their vote today.”On Democrats voting against funding SNAP and WIC programs and paying servicemembers:“We see every day, of course, unfortunately, more and more consequences to the suffering Democrats are causing. We know on the SNAP program, 42 million people. And yes, the courts are trying to work with the White House to find ways to move some other money around. But as we know, even if they’re able to move money around, it doesn’t make that program whole. The only way to make the SNAP program whole is by Democrats opening up the government. It’s real straightforward. You vote yes or no. You vote yes because you want to put food on the table for 42 million low-income families. But if you vote no, maybe because you’re afraid of some radicals in Portland or San Francisco or New York City, when you vote no, you are taking food off the table for 42 million low-income people, the least among us who need that help.“6.7 million going without the Women, Infant, and Children program funding. WIC program is really, really important, again, to very low-income people who need that help. Democrats have no problem shutting off that funding, causing that suffering, and to use their term, because they think they’re getting some leverage. We still don’t know what the leverage is for. They’re trying to leverage the American people, and they can’t even articulate what it is they want. Yeah, a $1.5 trillion wishlist of crazy items like free health care for illegals, gutting a rural health care fund. Is that really the leverage they want to use the American people for and deny the WIC funding?“Two million people in the military, two million servicemembers [at risk of] going without pay. What do they say to them? Oh, gee whiz. They were so afraid of Mamdani in New York that they couldn’t vote to pay our men and women in uniform who are keeping our country safe, risking their lives while their families are wondering if they’re going to be able to put food on the table. What a profile in courage. It’s gutless. 700,000 federal employees without pay, 670,000 federal workers furloughed, 5.9 million households at risk of losing their home heating services under the LIHEAP program.”On labor unions and airlines supporting House Republicans’ clean CR:“We all know all the different groups that have come out over and over. They’ve not said, let’s pass some big sweeping omnibus bill. They’ve just said, pass the clean CR that the House passed over a month ago. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, American Federation of Government Employees, Teamsters, Coalition of Airlines Pilots Association, Association, Airlines’ Association, NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots, Southwest Airline Pilots. Additionally, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines have all called for the same thing – is for the Democrats in the Senate to pass the clean CR. The message couldn’t be clear. Their mission can’t be more direct. You just show up today and do your job and vote, yes. It doesn’t solve all of our differences. It just gives us a few more weeks to start negotiating our differences on so many things, but while not holding the American people hostage. End this madness, Democrats. Open up the government.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) appeared on Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria to discuss the Democrats holding Americans hostage to placate their radical base. Leader Scalise also highlighted Republicans’ work to lower premiums and the historic trade deals President Trump has secured.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full interview. 
Excerpts from Leader Scalise’s interview:On Senate Democrats selling out American families to appease their far-left, radical base:“Look, this shutdown by Democrats have caused already dramatic pain to real families, and it’s going to get worse. You see the SNAP benefits: that’s 42 million people that are going to be going without food because Democrats are just angry at the election of Donald Trump. Donald Trump is delivering on all the things he said he would do. The far left has gotten even more nutty. You look, they’re about to elect Mamdani as the mayor of New York City, an avowed socialist Marxist. That’s where their party is going, and that’s who Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are trying to appease. They don’t care about the American people. They’ve said they know they’re inflicting suffering on families. Democrats have said that openly, and they said they don’t care, they just want leverage. They can’t say what they want leverage for. That’s really the worst part of this. They’re hurting families knowingly, and Democrats still want to keep this going. I don’t think it’s sustainable because the American people have figured it out. They’re disgusted by it.”On House Republicans working to lower health care premiums:“We had a provision called cost-sharing reductions in the reconciliation bill. It passed the House. It was scored by the CBO to lower premiums by 11% on families. You would get 11% lower premium in your renewal if you’re a family under our bill. Democrats are the ones who went and fought it in the Senate. They had it removed in the Senate. Democrats have never cared about lowering premiums. But those good ideas are still out there. PBM reform is something we had passed last year. We have other ideas, too. Pulling together health savings accounts, small businesses pulling together to lower premiums. Again, every time we’ve come together, all of our committees of jurisdiction, we’ve put ideas on the table that focus on lowering premiums, and Democrats have never wanted to be a part of that conversation, unfortunately.“They named it the Affordable Care Act. You should always watch when Democrats name something, the Inflation Reduction Act. Remember that under Biden? Inflation Reduction Act dramatically increased inflation. The Affordable Care Act is unaffordable health care for families. And by the way, it’s broken up the doctor-patient relationship. So all these states that want more bailouts, insurance companies that are seeing record profits, and want more bailouts. Interesting that the Democrat Party is the one fighting to get those bailouts to those insurance companies while families pay more in premiums.”On President Trump’s leadership in stark contrast to President Biden:“I think if you look at what the President has done with tariffs, it’s helped America get better deals overall and be treated fairly. There are a lot of countries, friend and foe alike, who have not treated America fairly in trade deals. China has been the worst offender because they manipulate their currency. They do a lot of other things, steal intellectual property. But even our friendly nations have had the same problems. And so what President Trump has done with tariffs so far is open up markets. A lot more American goods are available now in other countries because of these tariffs. And then we’re ultimately getting to a stabilized, I think, level where you’re seeing, look at Asia. I mean, it wasn’t just China. China was massive, not only for what it meant for critical minerals, what it meant for our farmers, for soybeans, the fentanyl agreement. But there were other Asian nations, too, that he got deals with.“He’s working on European deals to get better deals, Canada, Mexico. This President doesn’t rest. He’s amazing at how much he delivers for the American people. Oh, and by the way, he’s working on global peace in the Middle East, in Ukraine, in Russia. That’s what President Trump does. He delivers on what he said he would do. And sadly, the left is going nuts because of that. They don’t want to celebrate success for America and the rest of the country is watching in disbelief at the meltdown of the Democrat Party.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) to discuss the blatant lies Chuck Schumer is spreading to deflect blame for shutting down the government. Leader Scalise noted that while Democrats try to blame Republicans and refuse to reopen the government, the pain American families are facing will only get worse.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks.
Excerpts from Leader Scalise’s remarks:On Chuck Schumer’s lies about health care costs:“Over the weekend, Chuck Schumer tweeted out, ‘Republicans have done everything in their power to raise your health care costs and kill SNAP for millions of hungry Americans.’ Now, Chuck Schumer knows good and well what he said there is not only misleading, it’s patently false.“Let’s start with the first half of what he said there, raising health care costs. Who is the party that’s done that? The health care law of the land, and not sure if Chuck Schumer has been updated on the law, but Obamacare is the law of the land in health care. And we can all go look at the votes going back the last 10 years. It’s been partisan votes all the way through for Obamacare. They called it, as the Speaker said, they named it the Affordable Care Act. It’s been anything but.“Costs for families are up over 80% in their premiums because of Obamacare. And what have they tried to do over and over again? They’ve tried to mask the cost. They haven’t tried to work with Republicans to fix it. They’ve tried to mask the cost, hundreds of billions of dollars of bailouts to insurance companies, not helping families get better options. Democrats have never cared about that. And in fact, when we, as we pointed out multiple times, passed provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts, the cost-share reductions that were scored by CBO to lower premiums by double digits for families, it passed the House, and it was Democrats who worked overtime to get that removed in the Senate. They are still bragging about it today on the Democrat Budget Committee’s website that they removed a provision that would have lowered premiums for families.“So who is it that’s raising costs for families? Of course, it’s been Democrats every step of the way, and the only thing scored by CBO to reduce premiums on families that have passed either House, the Democrats worked overtime to get that removed.”On Schumer’s lies about SNAP: “The other half of that, [Schumer] talks about SNAP. And of course, we know there have been votes in the House and Senate to save the SNAP program from cuts, from being zeroed out. It’s called the clean CR. Passed the House with Republican-only votes, primarily with Democrats uniting to try to kill it. But luckily, we have the majority in the House, and you go over to the Senate, and we know they have a 60-vote requirement, and Democrats have over and over and over again voted in lockstep with Chuck Schumer to block SNAP benefits. There is a vote you can go look at, every day that they’ve taken that vote, that would have opened the government, fully funded SNAP, or shut it down. And it’s Republicans who are voting yes, and it’s Democrats who are voting no. Chuck Schumer has been leading that charge. And then he votes no to kill the SNAP program, to create tremendous uncertainty, to create millions of hungry Americans, to use his own word. Chuck Schumer has voted to put those millions of hungry Americans in that situation. And then he walks out to the microphone, as the Speaker said, and then he tries to blame it on somebody else.”On Democrats diverting blame for the shutdown Democrats caused:“It is votes in Congress that have caused a government shutdown. That’s why we’re here. You either vote yes to open the government or you vote no to keep it shut down. And the votes are public record. And the same people that are voting to shut down the government, to deny food to families, are then walking out and trying to lie to the American people and blame somebody else for their actions. The American people won’t have it. The American people will not be lied to. It’s time that Chuck Schumer and his Democrat colleagues end this madness. Let’s open the government back up again and get to a negotiation on the differences we have.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and members of the New York Republican delegation to discuss the pain Democrats are inflicting on the American people out of fear of their far-left base. Leader Scalise highlighted millions of Americans in five Democrat states impacted by the Schumer Shutdown. If the Senators from those states voted to reopen the government, the painful suffering would end immediately.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
Excerpts from Leader Scalise’s remarks:On Zohran Mamdani now leading the Democrat party:“It’s so sad to see what’s happened to the great state of New York. But if you go back to November when President Trump won an overwhelming victory to come back as President, defeating Kamala Harris, winning every one of the seven swing states, in those months after, what you saw was this internal conflict within the Democrat Party. “Who is the head of the Democrat Party? You heard it over and over. Some people are trying to raise their hand, a very, very weak bench of failed leaders, primarily, governors from failed states, wanting to jump ahead of everybody else and claim the title. And yet, as the Democrat Party stayed that rudderless ship for months and months, because of this perfect storm, that the two top Democrat leaders in the House and Senate both hail from the state of New York, with the emergence now of Zohran Mamdani, you have seen Zohran Mamdani quickly become the new head of the Democrat Party nationally. Because Chuck Schumer, who is the head Democrat in the Senate, and Hakeem Jeffries, who’s the head Democrat in the House, both hailing from New York, are scared to death of that far-left extremist radical socialist Marxist movement in their own party, starting in New York. And because Mamdani has taken off there, it is affecting real people everywhere in America. Devastating consequences, we’ve talked about it over and over.”On the real suffering Democrats are inflicting on Americans: “I think they’re going to start hearing more and more from people. There’s some people we’ve been hearing from. The National Veteran Advocate, who is retired US Army Sergeant Eric Donoho, said this, ‘The decision to vote against advancing the CR is now causing financial harm to families who serve this country.’ He went on to say, ‘When I spoke with Democratic staffers that I know, they called this shutdown a political opportunity; they think the more Americans hurt, the more power they gain. They even bragged about it,’ Donoho said. ‘This isn’t a headline to us. It’s rent, it’s groceries, it’s mental health, it’s stability.’ And of course, you’ve heard just a few days ago, we had the National Air Traffic Controllers Association and the American Federation of Government Employees demanding that Democrats pass the clean CR. More and more, you’re seeing this growing chorus of people from all corners, including Democrat corners, telling their own party leaders, stop this madness, end the madness, and vote to open the government.”On the need for five more Democrat Senators to vote for their constituents over personal politics:“This weekend, it gets even more painful, more suffering that they will impose if they keep this madness up. And so I’m going to try to find five Democrat senators. It’s all we need is five.“So let’s start with John Ossoff in Georgia. Starting this weekend, over 1.3 million enrollees in SNAP in his home state of Georgia lose their benefits. 1.3 million, Senator. What are you going to tell those families if you vote no [again]? If you vote to take their food away this weekend, that’s what your vote means. 109,000 federal workers in his state of Georgia. Of course, the largest airport in America is in his home state of Georgia, and they’re already experiencing flight delays in Atlanta. 231,000 women, infant, and children will lose their benefits in Senator Ossoff’s home state of Georgia if he votes no [again]. Think about them when you’re casting that vote. “Senator Warner in Virginia: 825,000 SNAP enrollees in his home state of Virginia, 189,000 federal workers. Don’t come up here and give some speech lamenting about the hardships those people are facing when you’re the one voting to impose those hardships. You can stop that by voting yes. 107,000 women, infant, and children will lose their benefits in Virginia…“Tina Smith in Minnesota: 452,000 enrollees in the SNAP program, 33,000 federal workers, and 101,000 women, infant, and children in Minnesota will lose their benefits…“Gary Peters in Michigan: over 1.4 million enrollees in SNAP. No food stamp benefits this weekend to 1.4 million Michiganders. 56,000 federal workers, 189,000 women, infant, and children will go without food this weekend in Michigan…“Senator Shaheen in New Hampshire: 76,000 enrollees in SNAP, 9,000 federal workers, and 12,000 women, infant, and children will go hungry in New Hampshire…“I could go on with more and more of these. All we need is five. That’s five right there. If they get to courage, they don’t have to impose that pain on families. But the only way this suffering is prevented is if they come to their senses and vote yes.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez issued the following statement after the Senate voted last night to terminate President Trump’s tariffs on Brazilian imports:

“It’s about time one chamber of Congress stood up to President Trump and reclaimed our constitutional authority over tariffs. Too bad the House can’t show the same backbone because of Speaker Johnson’s rule blocking votes on tariffs.

“Instead of leaving us on a permanent vacation while the government is in crisis, the speaker should bring us back and repeal his rule blocking tariff votes so we can end this shutdown, eliminate the abusive tariffs choking our economy and get back to work delivering real solutions for the American people.”

Background

Ranking Member Sánchez introduced the Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act, a bill that would turn off most of President Trump’s tariffs and require congressional approval for any new tariffs imposed by the president. The bill has the support of all Ways and Means Democrats.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Ranking Member Richard E. Neal and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today released the following joint statement on the Trump administration’s latest “trade deal” with China:

“President Trump is cowering before China’s threat to ramp up export controls on rare earths and magnets. His supposed ’trade deal’ fails to address our core issues with the world’s biggest trade cheat, China.

“Instead, it sells out American workers, farmers and our national security for what seem like flimsy commitments from China to resume purchases of American soybeans and to ‘keep on talking’ on our trade issues.

“President Trump has failed to advance the legitimate trade concerns identified in the Section 301 investigation – the very issues he cited to justify his trade war with China. His latest deal, like the earlier Phase One agreement, secures no meaningful reforms from China. It ignores China’s unfair industrial subsidies that have gutted U.S. manufacturing, its forced technology transfers and its ongoing theft of American intellectual property.

“President Trump continues to treat China better than our allies, like Canada, where he childishly ended trade talks over a television ad quoting President Reagan. It’s time to end these stupid games and focus on delivering trade policies that support, instead of betray, Americans’ needs.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Terri Sewell and 54 of their Democratic colleagues yesterday called on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to provide immediate answers regarding the Trump administration’s $20 billion bailout of Argentina. 

The members expressed concerns that the bailout is an inappropriate use of U.S. taxpayer funds to influence Argentina’s upcoming election in favor of President Trump’s political ally, Argentine President Javier Milei. They also highlighted the bailout’s detrimental impact on American farmers, particularly soybean producers, and a potential conflict of interest involving a close associate of the Trump administration who stands to financially benefit from the arrangement. Adding to the outrage, President Trump suggested yesterday that the U.S. government would purchase beef from Argentina, a direct betrayal of American ranchers.

“President Trump has explicitly conditioned the bailout on the electoral success in this month’s elections of President Milei’s party,” the members wrote. “The U.S. Treasury’s authorities to address international financial crises, which are meant for situations that present a genuine U.S. national interest, should not be used to influence elections abroad. In this regard, President Trump has not only conditioned the loan on President Milei’s electoral prospects, but he has also noted that the United States will not benefit from the bailout.”

The members continued, “Due to the Trump administration’s failed trade policy, China purchased almost no American soybeans from May to August of this year. As American farmers struggle, Brazil has set records in its soybean exports to China and Argentina is following suit after capitalizing on the Trump administration’s promise of a bailout. American farmers need relief. American farmers need restored market access.”

In addition to Ranking Members Sánchez and Sewell, the letter was signed by Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Sarah McBride (D-Del.), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Norma Torres (D-Calif.), and Nikema Williams (D-Ga.). 

Full text of the letter is available here and follows:

October 20, 2025

The Honorable Scott Bessent 
Secretary of the U.S. Treasury
1500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20220        

Dear Secretary Bessent,

We write to express significant concerns with the Trump Administration’s bailout of Argentina, including by purchasing an undisclosed amount of Argentine pesos and providing a $20 billion loan. These actions are an explicit effort to support the political prospects of Argentine President Javier Milei, a political ally of President Trump. We are also concerned by the administration’s misuse of American taxpayer dollars, the bailout’s negative impact on American farmers and an apparent conflict of interest. 

Your announcement to do whatever is needed to support Argentina’s economy, appears to be an effort to unduly influence Argentina’s democratic elections scheduled for next month. In fact, you have stated that the $20 billion loan would function as a “bridge to the election” and that you had been in contact with several U.S. companies that would invest in Argentina conditioned on “positive” election results. Moreover, President Trump has explicitly conditioned the bailout on the electoral success in this month’s elections of President Milei’s party. The U.S. Treasury’s authorities to address international financial crises, which are meant for situations that present a genuine U.S. national interest, should not be used to influence elections abroad. In this regard, President Trump has not only conditioned the loan on President Milei’s electoral prospects, but he has also noted that the United States will not benefit from the bailout. 

In addition to our concerns about your misuse of Treasury’s authorities, the administration’s bailout has helped Argentina increase its trade with China — at the direct expense of American farmers. As you are aware, text messages between you and a “BR,” who appears to be Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, raise concerns that the bailout for Argentina empowered it to export more to China while undercutting American farmers. Just days after the bailout was announced, Argentina dropped its export taxes on various agricultural products and sold at least 20 shiploads (or roughly 1.3 million tons) of Argentinean soybeans to China. The text message states “We bailed out Argentina yesterday and in return, the Argentine’s are removing their export tariffs on grains, reducing their price, and sold a bunch of soybeans to China, at a time when we would normally be selling to China. Soy prices are dropping further because of it. This gives China more leverage on us.” 

American soybean farmers are struggling since being locked out of China’s market. In 2024, China purchased more than half of the U.S.’ total soybean exports. Yet, due to the Trump Administration’s failed trade policy, China purchased almost no American soybeans from May to August of this year. As American farmers struggle, Brazil has set records in its soybean exports to China and Argentina is following suit after capitalizing on the Trump Administration’s promise of a bailout. American farmers need relief. American farmers need restored market access. 

We are also concerned by the apparent conflict of interest you have in negotiating a financial agreement that would bail out the Argentine economy. According to media reports, one of your friends and former colleagues, Robert Citrone, has invested heavily in Argentinean bonds and equities in Argentinean companies and, therefore, stands to lose from an Argentine default. In fact, just days before your announcement of the $20 billion bailout for Argentina, Citrone purchased more Argentine bonds. American taxpayer dollars must not be used to enrich the political allies of the Trump Administration. 

It is troubling that the Trump Administration is bailing out Argentina while telling American families that the United States cannot afford basic health care investments at home. The American people deserve better. We request full and immediate answers to the following questions: 

1. How many Argentine pesos did the U.S. Treasury purchase?
2. What are the specific terms of the administration’s $20 billion loan?
3. What, if any, agreement has Argentina made to cancel its credit arrangements with China before receiving financial support from the United States?
4. What is the status of U.S.-China trade negotiations, particularly as it pertains to reopening market access for American farmers?
5. What safeguards are in place to ensure that a U.S. financial assistance package to Argentina does not amount to undue election influence?
6. What measures has the Treasury Department taken to ensure that U.S. taxpayer funds are not misused to benefit the Trump administration’s political allies or personal associates, such as Robert Citrone?

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

EVANSTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) released the following statement in response to reports of ICE/CBP activity in the 9^th District:

“On Halloween, a day meant for family, community, and celebration, Trump, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have instead chosen to terrorize our community. Reports of federal agents abducting our neighbors have come in from Evanston, Skokie, and across the 9th District. 

“This cruelty is not only unacceptable, but it is inhumane and criminal.  My team and I are continuing to closely monitor the situation and are working in coordination with local partners, rapid response networks, and community organizations to protect our neighbors and ensure their safety. 

“Every person, regardless of immigration status, deserves to live with dignity and without fear. Now, more than ever, we must speak up, stand up, and defend our shared values of compassion, justice, and solidarity. We are a nation of immigrants. Immigrants make our community strong. Together, we will not back down. We will continue to fight back.”

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