Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO)—a combat veteran and co-chair of the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Caucus—led 120 Democratic Members of Congress demanding answers on recent civilian deaths during Operation Epic Fury, including a U.S. strike on an Iranian girls’ elementary school where at least 175 civilians, many of them children, were killed. Recent reporting by The New York Times says these strikes were done with an American Tomahawk cruise missile. 

In their letter to Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Pete Hegseth, Crow, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51), Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), and others requested detailed information about the strikes on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school, the nature of the military targeting, the steps taken to mitigate and respond to civilian harm, and more. The lawmakers also called for the public release of the findings of the investigation into the strikes on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school. 

Crow and his colleagues wrote, “Now is not the time to admonish the principles of civilian protection and undermine the important work the Department has undertaken in recent years to advance Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) policy and practice. To that end, we seek detailed information regarding civilian protection during Operation Epic Fury and steps the military is taking to mitigate and respond to civilian harm.”

This strike comes as the Pentagon has defunded and eliminated roles Congress created to ensure civilians are protected in combat zones. The Civilian Protection Center of Excellence (CPCOE), an office Congressman Crow helped establish, was created to increase transparency and accountability of civilian harm caused by US military operations. This team has been significantly reduced. DoD also defunded experts responsible for doubling check targeting decisions, and ensuring the civilian environment is considered during operational planning.   

Congressman Crow’s time in Iraq and Afghanistan informs much of his work in Congress aimed at increasing civilian protection in combat. He’s a founding member and co-chair of the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Caucus. He helped pass legislation codifying the creation of the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, and has passed major portions of his Protection of Civilians in Military Operations Act and Department of Defense Civilian Harm Transparency Act.

A PDF of the letter can be found here, with full text appearing below: 

Dear Secretary Hegseth:

We write to express alarm regarding reports of civilian casualties arising from Operation Epic

Fury in Iran and urgently request detailed information about the steps the U.S. is taking to prevent and respond to civilian harm. We are particularly disturbed by reports of what appears to be the deadliest attack on civilians thus far: a girls’ elementary school, where at least 175 civilians, many of them children, were reported killed and 100 children and staff wounded. The New York Times recently reported that the U.S. preliminary investigation found that the United States is responsible for this strike due to outdated targeting data. With reportedly over 1,000 total civilian deaths already and a lack of clarity about the anticipated scale and duration of operations, we demand clear answers on how the Department plans to investigate these reports and prevent the risk of further civilian harm.

Longstanding U.S. military policy and the law of armed conflict, also known as international humanitarian law, apply during wartime and protect civilians and military service members alike. Under the law of armed conflict, the U.S. must distinguish between civilians and combatants, ensure proportionality, and take all feasible precautions to protect civilians. The Department of Defense has in recent years improved the way it prevents, mitigates, and responds to civilian harm, including through its Department of Defense Instruction on Civilian Mitigation and Response (DOD-I 30001.7) and the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence that provides direct support to warfighters.

We are therefore deeply concerned by reports of U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran that have resulted in significant and growing civilian harm. The U.S. and Israel have reportedly struck or impacted numerous civilian sites—including schools, hospitals, gymnasiums, public gathering spaces, and a UNESCO heritage site. In addition to civilian casualties, these strikes have disrupted civilian life and damaged infrastructure. The U.S. military must refrain from using explosive weapons in densely populated, civilian areas in line with its commitments under the Political Declaration on the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas. Civilians and civilian infrastructure may under no circumstances be the object of attack and must at all times be respected and protected by all parties.

Reported civilian harm by the U.S. and Israel during Operation Epic Fury is particularly alarming yet unsurprising given the recent strain on our civilian protection institutions. For example, we understand that budget reductions at the Department have deprived military commands—including at U.S. Central Command—of essential resources needed to meaningfully address civilian casualties. In February 2025, you fired top military lawyers responsible for ensuring compliance with the laws of war, including those designed to protect civilians in conflict. And on March 2, 2026, you asserted that there would be “No stupid rules of engagement.” President Trump has likewise declared that “I don’t need international law.” This attitude is not only lawless but counterproductive. General Joseph Votel, former Commander of

U.S. Central Command, recently stated “If you cause so many civilian casualties and you cause so much civilian harm here, it can actually undermine the mission that the military has been sent in to do […] the benefit to be gained by supporting these [Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR)] positions, I think it outweighs the movement of resources to other places.” Now is not the time to admonish the principles of civilian protection and undermine the important work the Department has undertaken in recent years to advance CHMR policy and practice.

To that end, we seek detailed information regarding civilian protection during Operation Epic Fury and steps the military is taking to mitigate and respond to civilian harm. We also urge your Department to make public the findings of the ongoing investigation with respect to the strikes on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school. 

Specifically, we request written responses to the following questions:

1. Did the United States Armed Forces carry out the strikes on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school? If so, what was the target and why was the decision taken to execute the strikes? What was the assessed civilian harm risk of the strikes, and what steps were considered or taken to prevent civilian harm

2. What is the U.S. military’s assessment of civilian casualties from the airstrikes on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school? In light of the scale of reported deaths of children in Minab, will the Department investigate the airstrikes on the Shajareh Tayyebeh school as a possible war crime?

3. What is the role of artificial intelligence, if any, in selecting targets, assessing intelligence, and making legal determinations during Operation Epic Fury? If artificial intelligence is used, is it subject to human review and at what point? Was artificial intelligence, including the use of Maven Smart System, used to identify the Shajareh Tayyebeh school as a target? If so, did a human verify the accuracy of this target?

4. How are congressionally mandated civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) policies and institutions, including DoD-I 3000.17 and the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, being resourced, implemented, and operationalized during Operation Epic Fury?

5. What steps is the Department taking to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in its planning and targeting during Operation Epic Fury? What precautions is the U.S. taking to avoid and minimize civilian harm?

6. Please describe the Department’s process for target selection and review in Operation Epic Fury. Has the Department employed red-teaming and used civilian environment teams to mitigate civilian harm in this operation? If so, how do you assess the success of these actions? How many personnel are responsible for civilian harm mitigation and response in Operation Epic Fury?

7. What steps does the U.S. plan to take to respond to civilian harm reports from Operation Epic Fury, including development of lessons learned and post-harm responses to civilians?

8. Will the Department commit to surging CHMR capabilities to protect civilians in the context of Operation Epic Fury? Please indicate your plan for doing so, and any resources required from Congress.

9. Has the Department established accessible channels for civilians to report alleged civilian harm in Operation Epic fury? Are those channels available in Persian, Kurdish, and other major Iranian languages?

10. How is the Department working with Israeli authorities to harmonize civilian harm practices and policies between U.S. and Israeli forces?

We request a response no later than March 20, 2026. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

DARRINGTON, WA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), visited a groundwater well in Darrington with local leaders to celebrate federal funding she was able to secure for the Darrington Drinking Water Infrastructure Expansion Project. Congresswoman Schrier’s visit showcased the importance of improving current infrastructure to bolster access to potable water, bring the system up to modern firefighting standards, and reduce the risk of drinking water contamination.

Through FY 2026 Community Project Funding (CPF) requests in Congress, Congresswoman Schrier secured $850,000 to improve Darrington’s water distribution system. This project will: 

• Design and construct an iron water main with eight low and moderate-income residential service connections. This new water line will replace the current system and move existing water lines from private land to town easements.
• Build a concrete well protection enclosure with electrical and communications systems to securely house the well pump and all necessary parts.
• Add five new fire hydrants to areas where there is currently no fire protection, bringing the current system up to modern firefighting standards.

“I know that in Darrington, access to reliable, clean water has been a concern for residents and local leaders. The failure of water pumps and a lack of potable water and fire hydrants have created emergency situations in the past,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “I’m proud of my work in Congress to bring home federal dollars to fix Darrington’s water system, keeping our communities safe and investing in infrastructure for generations to come. These dollars, as part of the $14 million I am proud to have secured in Community Project Funding this year, will improve the health, safety, and well-being of our communities in the Eighth District.” 

“We are thrilled to have Representative Dr. Schrier working for all of us in Washington’s Eighth District,” said Darrington Mayor Dan Rankin. “She is bringing vital community project funding home to communities like mine here in Darrington. This year, Rep. Schrier helped us attain funding to bring our third water well online. This ensures that our outlying community continues to have access to clean, cool drinking water into the future. The funding she brought to our town bridged a financial gap that we could never have crossed without her hard work and diligence in the other Washington.”  

“Reliable water infrastructure is one of the most important tools we have to protect lives and property in a rural community like Darrington,” said Fire Chief Joel Johnson of Darrington Fire District 24. “Expanding water service and hydrant capacity will strengthen fire protection, support emergency medical response, and improve the overall health and safety of our residents. We are grateful to Congresswoman Schrier and the town of Darrington for helping secure this investment and for recognizing how critical these projects are for communities like ours.”

This Congress, Congresswoman Schrier also secured funding for local water infrastructure projects in Carbonado, Wilkeson, and Covington.  

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the antisemtic attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township on March 12th, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) issued the following statement:

“I am horrified by the antisemitic attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. All around the world, including here in the U.S, Jewish people, institutions and houses of worship have come under attack. These attacks are shockingly common, yet can never be normalized. The reality is that the rot of antisemitism is spreading.

Partnerships with law enforcement and investments in security are important, although so expensive as to effectively deter Jewish life.

The path forward is to denounce antisemitism often and with clarity, publicly and privately, in large groups and small ones; to educate society as to the falsehoods that allow demonization to take root; and to hold accountable those who jeopardize the safety of our communities. “

###

 

 

 

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

(Kansas City, MO) – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) hosted Kris Williams, President and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), alongside senior bank officials, and local housing leaders for a roundtable discussion on strategies to expand affordable housing opportunities across Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. The conversation brought together representatives from local financial institutions and housing organizations to discuss housing affordability challenges, access to financing, and the role of the Federal Home Loan Bank system in supporting community development. Participants also discussed how programs administered by FHLB Des Moines, including mandatory and voluntary affordable housing initiatives, can improve access to safe, stable housing for families throughout the Kansas City region. Last year, through its mandatory and voluntary affordable housing and community development programs, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines provided a total of $1.86 million for an impact of $8.63 million in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District.

“Access to safe and affordable housing is foundational to strong communities and economic opportunity,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Today’s discussion with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and local housing lenders and leaders highlighted the important partnerships needed to expand housing opportunities throughout Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. I’m grateful for the work of our local housing advocates and financial partners who are committed to addressing housing challenges and ensuring more families have a place to call home.”

Rep. Cleaver emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between federal partners, local institutions, and community organizations to address rising housing costs and expand access to affordable housing in the region. Officials from FHLB Des Moines provided an overview of the bank’s investments and housing programs available to member institutions and community organizations, including funding opportunities designed to support affordable housing development and neighborhood revitalization.

“As housing costs continue to rise, we must work together to ensure families have access to stable and affordable homes,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Conversations like this help identify solutions and strengthen the partnerships necessary to meet the needs of our communities.”

FHLB Des Moines event handouts can be found here.

Affordable Housing – FHLB Des Moines

Pictures from the event can be found here.

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the horrific attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens issued the following statement:

“Our worst fears came to West Bloomfield today. To the congregants of Temple Israel and Jewish families across our community and beyond, we stand with you in horror of the reality that Jewish Americans confront every time they enter a place of worship, attend a community event, or gather with loved ones.

“Michiganders’ lives were saved today by the heroism of security officials on site and the speed of Oakland County’s first responders. Thanks to their bravery and quick actions, Temple Israel’s congregants, staff, and students are alive and safe tonight in their homes. Our community forever owes a debt to the men and women who kept this synagogue safe, and we all send our prayers to the wounded security guard who is recovering in the hospital.

“It should not be like this. Jewish families should never have to fear gathering at a synagogue, sending their children to religious school, or simply practicing their faith. Americans should not have to be surrounded by armed guards every time they pray.

“It is no longer enough for our leaders to condemn antisemitism. It must be rooted out everywhere. There are things Congress can and must do legislatively—first and foremost, funding every effort we can to keep the Jewish community safe and protect houses of worship—but we must also commit to ending the scourge of antisemitism in every community.

“Enough is enough. The congregants of Temple Israel deserve better.”

###

v

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

This week, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee, introduced the PBM Kickback Prohibition Act. This legislation would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from paying kickbacks or referral fees to brokers, consultants, advisors, or similar intermediaries in exchange for directing employer health plan or insurer business to the PBM. Upon the bill’s introduction, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:

“The Trump Administration and House Republicans are laser-focused on lowering prescription drug prices and making health insurance more affordable. The PBM Kickback Prohibition Act—a signature component of the President’s ‘Great Healthcare Plan’—would rein in PBMs by ending kickbacks that deceptively raise the cost of health insurance for patients, workers, and families. I thank Chairman Walberg for his support in introducing this bill and look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues to get it across the finish line,” said Congressman Rick Allen.

“If we’re serious about lowering health care costs, we have to take on the middlemen driving prices higher. Banning kickbacks paid by pharmacy benefit managers to a medical plan’s advisor or consultant is a commonsense reform that protects workers, employers, and patients. Simply put, Rep. Allen’s bill makes sure decisions are made based on what’s best for patients and plan sponsors—not who’s paying the biggest kickback. This kind of transparency is a key part of the broader effort Republicans are advancing with President Trump to bring down health care costs and make the system work better for American families,” said Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI).

BACKGROUND: Specifically, the PBM Kickback Prohibition Act adds a restriction to ERISA section 408 stating that when a PBM provides pharmacy benefit management services to a covered health plan, the PBM may not provide any direct or indirect compensation to third parties for referring that plan’s business. The prohibition would apply to plan years beginning after the bill’s enactment, aiming to reduce conflicts of interest and increase transparency in PBM contracting with employer-sponsored health plans.

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

WASHINGTON, DC— Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Mike Lee (R-UT), yesterday introduced an updated version of the Government Surveillance Reform Act to enact new protections for Americans’ rights, including stopping the federal government from buying data on Americans from shady data brokers, while reauthorizing and reforming Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

The Government Surveillance Reform Act is the only bipartisan, bicameral bill on offer to reform FISA 702 and other government surveillance programs. It is cosponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).

“Now more than ever, unchecked government access to Americans’ personal information threatens their privacy, their civil liberties, and our democracy,” Rep. Lofgren said. “Congress should not reauthorize broad domestic surveillance authorities without putting meaningful safeguards in place. The bipartisan, bicameral Government Surveillance Reform Act offers a comprehensive and balanced solution that would prevent abuse of Americans’ personal information while preserving essential national security tools that keep our country safe.”

“FISA Section 702 has been stretched far beyond its original purpose and now enables unconstitutional warrantless searches of American citizens and their private communications,” Rep. Davidson said. “The bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act counters these abuses by requiring a warrant to search Americans’ data and by closing the data broker loophole that allows the federal government to spy on citizens by purchasing private data that would otherwise require a warrant or subpoena.”

“Advances in technology, from AI to the explosion of Americans’ data available for purchase, have far outpaced the laws protecting Americans’ privacy and civil liberties,” Sen. Wyden said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill as a leader of the Ben Franklin caucus, which stands for the proposition that liberty and security aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“It is imperative that Congress enact real reforms to protect our civil liberties, including warrant requirements and statutory penalties for privacy violations, in exchange for reauthorizing Section 702,” Sen. Lee said. “Our bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act stops illegal government spying and restores the Constitutional rights of all Americans.”

“If we are serious about protecting our constitutional freedoms against government overreach, a judicially-approved warrant should be required for all section 702 searches,” said Sen. Lummis. “This legislation goes a long way to restoring our Fourth Amendment rights and curbing the inexcusable intelligence agency excesses of the last two decades.”

The Government Surveillance Reform Act would represent the most comprehensive reform of surveillance laws in nearly half a century. The bill reauthorizes Section 702 for four years with necessary privacy reforms and constitutional safeguards, including:

• Closing the backdoor search loophole: The bill requires the federal government to get a warrant to access Americans’ private communications gathered under Section 702, with important exceptions for emergency situations.

• Closing the data broker loophole: The bill bans the federal government from buying Americans’ data from data brokers without a warrant.

• Prohibiting reverse targeting: The bill prohibits using surveillance on foreigners overseas through Section 702 as a pretext for gathering data on Americans.

• Repealing the “make everyone a spy” provision: This bill repeals a controversial 2024 expansion that allows the government to force millions of Americans and companies to secretly spy on its behalf.

• Reforming intelligence collection outside FISA: This bill protects Americans from intelligence agencies using non-statutory authorities, including by prohibiting backdoor searches and reverse targeting outside of FISA.

• Updating privacy protections for AI and other modern technologies: This bill requires federal law enforcement to get a warrant to surveil Americans’ location information, web browsing data, search and chatbot records, and car onboard and telematics data.

• Halting warrantless collection of business records: This bill protects Americans’ data from warrantless collection under an authority that expired over five years ago.

• Enhancing oversight and accountability: The bill strengthens judicial oversight, public reporting, and accountability requirements under FISA.

The Government Surveillance Reform Act is endorsed by privacy and civil liberty advocates across the political spectrum: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans for Prosperity, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, Center for Democracy & Technology, Consumer Choice Center, Demand Progress, Due Process Institute, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Fight for the Future, Muslim Advocates, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Project for Privacy and Surveillance Accountability (PPSA), Restore the Fourth.

James Czerniawski, Head of Emerging Technology Policy at Consumer Choice Center: “For years, the U.S. intelligence community has repeatedly misused its authorities under FISA, including Section 702, as well as other surveillance powers, undermining public trust and raising concerns across the political spectrum. Protecting constitutional rights and protecting national security are not opposing goals. We applaud the reintroduction of the Government Surveillance Reform Act, a bipartisan path forward that brings back a comprehensive package of reforms. This package responsibly reins in warrantless surveillance while preserving the tools needed to keep Americans safe. We commend Senators Wyden and Lee, along with Representatives Davidson and Lofgren, for once again leading this cross‑party effort to advance essential, rights‑protecting reforms.”

John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice: “Reform of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is long overdue. The federal government has used this provision to engage in mass warrantless surveillance and collection of Americans’ international phone calls, emails, text messages, and other communications with little oversight or accountability. Asian Americans often encounter disproportionate amounts of scrutiny framed as ‘national security’. The Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026 is a critical step in regulating the collection of Americans’ most sensitive and private information.”

Jason Pye, Vice President of the Due Process Institute: “The Government Surveillance Reform Act is an important step toward restoring the balance between national security and the civil liberties the Constitution was designed to protect. For too long, federal surveillance authorities have created opportunities for the warrantless collection and misuse of Americans’ communications. Few would argue that surveillance authorities are required to protect the United States from foreign threats, but we have to recognize that Americans expect that their fundamental civil liberties will be protected. Congress has routinely failed to do so, including the most recent reauthorization, which actually expanded surveillance. The reforms included in GSRA are responsible and necessary to ensure that intelligence tools aimed at foreign threats are not used to sidestep the Fourth Amendment rights of Americans.”

Hajar Hammado, Senior Policy Advisor at Demand Progress: “The federal government should not have the ability to bypass courts and obtain the private emails, texts and calls of Americans, especially when they are purchased from shady data brokers who sell our private information to anyone willing to pay. The Government Surveillance Reform Act protects Americans’ privacy by finally closing the backdoor search loophole and closing the door on data brokers. Protecting Americans’ privacy and civil liberties from these threats cannot wait, Congress must implement these reforms ahead of the April 20 expiration date. We thank Sens. Wyden and Lee, and Reps. Davidson and Lofgren for their steadfast leadership and we urge all members of Congress to enact critically needed privacy protections before renewing the government’s spying authority.”

Alex Marthews, National Chair at Restore the Fourth: “The Government Surveillance Reform Act contains critical reforms to protect U. S. persons from unreasonable and warrantless government surveillance. It would rein in AI-driven misuse of NSA classified databases to spy on U. S. persons without probable cause or a warrant; it would make much less likely that Americans would be harassed or prosecuted on the basis of poor-quality data held on them by data brokers; and it would make it easier for people unfairly surveilled to get redress from the courts. We warmly encourage the Judiciary Committees in the House and the Senate to mark up a bill that takes the best parts of this bill, Senator Lee’s and Senator Durbin’s SAFE Act and Rep. Biggs’ Protect Liberty Act, before the sunset of these authorities in April.”

Bob Goodlatte, former Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and Senior Policy Advisor to the Project for Privacy and Surveillance Accountability: “PPSA commends Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Warren Davidson, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren for reintroducing the Government Surveillance Reform Act (GSRA) – a comprehensive surveillance reform bill that balances national security with Americans’ constitutional and privacy rights. This balanced and comprehensive bill enjoys bipartisan and bicameral support because Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are alarmed by the abusive and pervasive surveillance of the American people by their own government. This well-crafted legislation should be included in the reauthorization of FISA Section 702 in April.”

Sumayyah Waheed, Senior Policy Counsel at Muslim Advocates: “As the federal government seeks to capture ever more intimate data and biometrics on every person in America, we must pass new laws to protect our privacy. The Government Surveillance Reform Act is a critical measure to reclaim our data and reaffirm the Fourth Amendment’s protections against mass government surveillance, which chills dissent and enables abuse. We thank Senators Wyden and Lee, and Representatives Davidson and Lofgren, for their leadership on this bill.”

Jeramie D. Scott, Senior Counsel and Director of the EPIC Surveillance Oversight Program: “The Government Surveillance Reform Act includes critical protections for our privacy and our data in an increasingly vulnerable digital world. As technology advances, so too must our laws to ensure that we secure the values enshrined in our Constitution. Our spy agencies should not turn warrantless surveillance systems inward to invade Americans’ communications, and they shouldn’t sidestep the Fourth Amendment by purchasing our sensitive information from data brokers. Our values and our Constitution demand our privacy and civil liberties be protected and EPIC is proud to support a bill that does just that.”

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

Following major mail delivery challenges in Missouri, Rep. Wagner requested immediate explanations from the USPS

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative James E (Jim) Clyburn (6th District of South Carolina)

‘One Country, One Destiny: Celebrating the 250^th Anniversary of the U.S.’

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) will co-host the Faith and Politics Institute’s Annual Pilgrimage in Charleston, South Carolina alongside Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). As America celebrates its 250^th Anniversary, this year’s congressional pilgrimage will offer Members of Congress and leaders a powerful opportunity for reflection and growth.

This bipartisan journey invites participants to engage with Charleston’s complex history and cultivate resilience for a brighter future for all Americans and towards a more perfect union. Charleston and its people have played a pivotal role in the American Revolution and the evolution of our nation’s ideals. This Pilgrimage aims to illuminate these inspiring and sometimes poignant stories, fostering education among Members of Congress through a weekend filled with meaningful events and enriching programs.

In 1998, Congressman John Lewis began leading the Faith & Politics Institute’s Congressional pilgrimages to Alabama to retrace his steps on the anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” which occurred on March 7, 1965. Since then, the Faith & Politics Institute has organized annual pilgrimages to Alabama and other domestic and international locations. The pilgrimages include intergenerational conversations that facilitate the sharing of wisdom among activists, changemakers, contemporary thought leaders in politics, historians, and figures from the arts.

“It is my pleasure to welcome my Congressional colleagues, partners, and community members to the 2026 Faith and Politics Institutes’ Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage. As we come together in my home state of South Carolina, I am inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he intoned: ‘We must keep moving. If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; crawl; but by all means keep moving,’” said Congressman James E. Clyburn. “Movement defines the American story which encompasses African American history in which this state has played a pivotal and powerful role. South Carolina is inextricably linked to the struggles as well as the achievements of our great nation. As we begin this pilgrimage, let us recognize and properly honor the past, but also acknowledge the present and embrace opportunities for positive change.”

“I am honored to be able to welcome all of the participants of the 2026 Faith and Freedom Pilgrimage to my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina,” said Senator Tim Scott. “Charleston’s history predates the founding of our nation, and it is a place where faith has anchored communities through every trial this nation has faced. Here, the American promise has been imperfectly kept but never abandoned. I believe our nation is capable of living up to her founding ideals, and I look forward to exploring that with my colleagues. We will come together not in a spirit of division, but of unity, grateful for how far we have come and committed to the values that have carried us this far.”

“Hosting this bipartisan pilgrimage in Charleston is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Robert Traynham, President of the Faith & Politics Institute. “As we reflect on the theme One Country, One Destiny, we are reminded that understanding our history, especially in places as consequential as Charleston, is essential to building a more perfect union.”

Additional information on the Faith and Politics 2026 pilgrimage can be found here.

#

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s The Briefing with Jen Psaki, where he emphasized that Democrats will continue to keep Donald Trump and Republicans accountable for their failure to keep America safe and make life affordable.

JEN PSAKI: Joining me now is House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Leader Jeffries, there is always something crazy to ask you about. So let me start there. I mean, as part of his obsession with pushing through the SAVE America Act, which is so inaccurately named, Trump reportedly told Mike Johnson ‘no one gives a [bleep] about housing.’ What’s your reaction to that?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, you know, it may be the case that Donald Trump’s billionaire friends who hang out with him regularly at Mar-a-Lago don’t care about housing because they own houses all across the country and the world. But everyday Americans certainly care about the cost of housing and the fact that housing costs have skyrocketed out of control both in terms of rent and in terms of the ability of everyday Americans to purchase a first home, which has always been central to the American dream. But you know this is all consistent with the fact that Donald Trump believes the affordability crisis is a hoax. This from the same guy who promised to lower costs on day one, but costs haven’t gone down under Donald Trump’s presidency. They’ve gone up. Housing costs, gone up. Healthcare costs have gone up. Grocery prices have gone up. Now gas prices have gone up. And utility costs have gone up. His presidency has been a complete and total failure.

JEN PSAKI: One of the things that is certainly contributing to that is, of course, the war in Iran that Donald Trump started, that he is continuing to advocate for and seems to have no plan for. Right now, as you know well, Republicans have a historically slim majority in the House. There’s so many people, it feels like there’s a new retirement being announced every single day. I know in the Senate, they are trying to get—to hold them to account by getting them to testify under oath, the key Cabinet members like Hegseth and Rubio. Have you thought about how you can exploit that razor-thin majority, especially as you kind of, especially given the unpopularity of the war in Iran, how costly it is, how much Americans hate it and how there doesn’t seem to be a plan here?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we certainly are going to continue to press for administration figures to show up. In fact, next week upon our returning to Congress, the House Intel Committee will have several members from the administration, in terms of the intelligence officials, testify publicly under oath about threats across the world that are directed to the United States of America. And we will certainly press them about the information that the administration claims to have with respect to whether there was actually any imminent plans for Iran to attack the United States, any suggestion that they had the capacity or capability to actually do it because we’ve seen no evidence to suggest that is true. We’ll press them on Iran’s nuclear aspirations, particularly given the fact that Donald Trump claimed several months ago that the United States had completely and totally obliterated Iran’s nuclear program. Now he’s saying something entirely different. And so, certainly, we will keep our foot on the gas pedal to get answers from the administration because nothing compelling has been forthcoming from this group of people who are really part of the Trump cartel.

JEN PSAKI: Today, as you well know, there were two separate shootings, one at a Michigan synagogue—and this could be something you raise next week, certainly—and another at Old Dominion University in Virginia. And we know there have been, of course, cuts at the FBI. There’s been a redirection of resources at the Department of Homeland Security made by this administration. Kash Patel is apparently training as an MMA fighter. Who knows what’s going on over there. But given the current rise in domestic security threats—what we saw today—given a lot of people watching right now are scared, do you trust that this administration has their eye on the ball here on the threats that are coming in potentially to this country?

LEADER JEFFRIES: No. It’s not clear at all that the administration has actually been focused on making sure that we are as safe and secure here in America, particularly because so many resources over the last 15 or so months from this administration have been directed at flooding ICE and making sure that these agents can be unleashed on American communities using taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill American citizens, as was the case with Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, and/or violently target law-abiding immigrant families when these extremists are the ones who promise to go after the worst of the worst and to focus only on violent criminals who are here illegally, and they’ve done the exact opposite. And so, the administration has been far too focused on jamming their extreme ideology down the throats of the American people, or doing things like the Trump tariffs, which of course are raising costs on everyday Americans as opposed to actually focusing on driving down the high cost of living, which is the Democratic plan. And so, unfortunately, you’re correct, Jen, that there’s been no evidence in real time that the administration is actually focused on the things that matter. And that’s one of the reasons why the war is so unpopular. And the American people have actually concluded, even in a recent Fox News poll, that this war is not making us safer. In fact, it may be putting us in harm’s way.

JEN PSAKI: Leader Hakeem Jeffries, so much on your plate every day. We’ll be looking forward to watching this hearing next week. Thank you so much for being here with me tonight.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you so much.

Full interview can be watched here.

###