Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

Last week, Reps. Jack Bergman (MI-01), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), and Chris Pappas (NH-01), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus, led eight Members of Congress in a letter to Postmaster General David P. Steiner, demanding that he reverse a new policy in which a postmark will no longer reflect the date that someone originally mailed a letter. As a result of the Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) plan, USPS can no longer reliably postmark mail on the day it is sent. 

The lawmakers emphasized that this change would harm Americans impacted by existing mail delays, make it harder for law enforcement to investigate and deter crime and fraud committed via mail, and undermine the ability of the Postal Service to accurately postmark letters and packages on the day they were sent by the customer. This will be especially harmful to Americans from rural areas where the Postal Service’s RTO plan has already slowed outgoing mail.

“As you know, millions of Americans rely on the United States Postal Service (USPS) for the delivery of critical items such as tax returns, bills, checks, and even election ballots. For our constituents, a delayed postmark could result in late fees on bills, essential utilities being shut off, mail-in ballots not being accepted by local Boards of Elections, or delays in receiving paychecks and refunds,” the lawmakers wrote. “This change is likely to have a disproportionate impact on rural Americans who do not always have easy access to a post office where they can request a same-day postmark, an issue that has been exacerbated by the Regional Transportation Optimization plan.”

The letter is signed by Representatives Jack Bergman (MI-01), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Nick LaLota (NY-01), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02). 

The full text of the letter can be read HERE and below: 

Postmaster General David Steiner

475 L’Enfant Plaza SW

Washington, DC 20260 

Postmaster General Steiner, 

As Members of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus, we are writing regarding the Postal Service’s December 24, 2025, final rule clarifying that a postmark will no longer reflect the date a Postal Service customer originally mailed a letter. We are concerned about how this rule clarification coupled with the delays stemming from the Regional Transportation Optimization Plan (RTO) may affect delivery of time-sensitive mail, and the ability of the Postal Service, law enforcement to effectively investigate and deter crime and fraud committed via mail, and the integrity of the United States Postal Service.

As you know, millions of Americans rely on the United States Postal Service (USPS) for the delivery of critical items such as tax returns, bills, checks, and even election ballots. For our constituents, a delayed postmark could result in late fees on bills, essential utilities being shut off, mail-in ballots not being accepted by local Boards of Elections, or delays in receiving paychecks and refunds.

This change is likely to have a disproportionate impact on rural Americans who do not always have easy access to a post office where they can request a same-day postmark, an issue that has been exacerbated by the Regional Transportation Optimization plan. As you know, the RTO plan, which has been gradually implemented across the country over the last year, has reduced the number of times mail is picked up from post offices located more than 50 miles from a Regional Processing and Distribution Center (RP&DC). The results of these changes have been clear: the RTO has added additional delays for outgoing mail from rural areas and cities that do not have an RP&DC. In 2024, a pilot version of this program was tested in the Postal Service’s Wisconsin region, and the USPS Office of Inspector General found that the changes resulted in a “decrease in service,” with “rural communities more significantly impacted.”

Additionally, we are concerned that delays in postmarking stemming from broader RTO related mail delays will hinder the ability of the Postal Service and law enforcement to investigate crimes and fraud committed via mail. By shifting postmarking from the point of origin to regional processing centers, the policy obscures where mail entered the postal system and makes it more difficult to trace mail associated with criminal or fraudulent activity. For example, in 2001, following the anthrax mail attacks on the United States Capitol and various other public officials, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was able to use the postmark to track the exact date on which the contaminated letters were sent and the location from which they were mailed. We are concerned that these changes would make it more difficult for federal law enforcement to track packages containing illicit substances, potentially resulting in increased danger for both Postal Service employees and the general public.

As Members of the Postal Service Caucus, we remain concerned that the full implementation of the RTO plan will exacerbate postmark delays for rural communities that rely on timely service from the United States Postal Service. For these reasons, we ask that the RTO plan be reversed until the Postal Service can assure customers across the country that they will not experience delayed postmarking on time-sensitive mail simply because they do not live within 50 miles of an RP&DC.

As you may expect, we have received many questions from our constituents regarding the December 24 rule change and how it will impact postmarking going forward. Accordingly, we respectfully request that you provide written responses to the following questions:

1. Did USPS take into consideration the potential delays in postmarking dates before implementing the RTO?
2. In 2025, what percentage of letters mailed had a postmark date reflecting the day the customer dropped off the letter, and what percentage had a postmark reflecting a later date?
3. Especially in regions of the country with reduced mail pickups, how does USPS notify customers that their letter will not be postmarked on the day it is mailed unless they request an in-person postmark at their local post office?
4. USPS has historically been successful in ensuring election mail is delivered to local Boards of Elections, with recent election cycles achieving over 99 percent on-time delivery. However, 16 states and the District of Columbia currently permit a ballot received after Election Day to be counted so long as it is postmarked by Election Day. Does the USPS plan to issue guidance to Americans regarding the latest date they can reliably post a mail-in ballot and still have it postmarked by election day?
5. How can you ensure that delays to postmark stemming from the RTO will not compromise the ability of law enforcement to track the originating location of a package containing an illegal substance or enclosure?
   1. If a letter is suspected to contain a chemical weapon and is expected to sit for multiple days without a postmark at its originating location, how will the Postal Service trace which employees might have been exposed? 

We appreciate your time and attention to these concerns and look forward to your response. Thank you for your continued service to the United States Postal Service and the millions of Americans who depend on it.

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick demanding his resignation following the publication of evidence of his relationship with the notorious child sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein. Mr. Lutnick previously denied any association with Jeffrey Epstein, however, the recently released Epstein files mention Mr. Lutnick 223 times, and they reveal that Mr. Lutnick interacted with Epstein multiple times after he claimed to have cut off all contact, including a visit to Epstein’s private Caribbean island.

“The Department of Commerce deserves a Secretary who can lead without the stain of a past relationship with this era’s most notorious child sex trafficker. You owe it to the American people to resign immediately,” Ranking Member Lofgren wrote in the letter.

“The fact that you lied about the lunch itself until you were forced to acknowledge it in front of Congress makes it abundantly clear that the public cannot trust your continued denials on this issue,” Ranking Member Lofgren continued. “You have demonstrated that you will lie about Jeffrey Epstein for as long as you think you can get away with it.”

Read the letter here. 

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Trump and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the EPA’s repeal of the Endangerment Finding—a 2009 finding that concluded greenhouse gases in the atmosphere threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.  

“The Trump Administration’s repeal of the Endangerment Finding is beyond senseless,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “Science Committee Democrats, climate scientists, environmental researchers, medical doctors, and peer agencies all over the world are united in affirming that this repeal will have severe consequences on public health and the health of our planet. This Administration’s manipulation of ‘science’ to increase profit for polluters at the expense of the welfare of our country, the planet, and all the people on earth, is deplorable and calls into question how far this Administration is willing to go to line the pockets of its billionaire donors.”  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

After eight consecutive failed audits, the Pentagon needs to get its act together.

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

Today, following her calls, Representative Sharice Davids welcomed news that a company seeking to use land in south Kansas City for a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility will no longer move forward with the sale, following strong community opposition.

“Community voices matter,” said Davids. “This site was intended to support economic development and job creation — not to house a massive ICE detention facility that would strain infrastructure, divert resources from local law enforcement, and undermine public safety. I’m glad to see this proposal halted and will keep working on thoughtful immigration policies that provide a clear pathway to citizenship, secure our border from violent crime and drug trafficking, and do not overwhelm our systems.”

Earlier this week, Davids publicly opposed the proposed 7,500-bed detention center and sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding answers about the administration’s plans to expand large-scale immigration detention facilities in the Kansas City metro area. Representative Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) made a similar demand this week.

Davids’ letter raised concerns about the impact of large-scale detention centers on local emergency services, law enforcement resources, economic development agreements, and public safety. She also requested detailed information about federal coordination with local officials, the use of local taxpayer-funded resources, and safeguards to protect American citizens and legal residents.

While the proposal in Kansas City, Missouri will not currently move forward, a separate contract remains in place between ICE and CoreCivic to house detainees at a facility in Leavenworth, Kansas. Davids is awaiting formal responses from the Department of Homeland Security to the questions outlined in her letter.

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

(Washington, D.C.) — On Thursday, February 12, 2026, Congressman Al Green delivered remarks on the House floor regarding Black history and stolen legacies. 

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter). 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

TAMPA, Fla. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) condemned President Trump’s decision to rescind the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Air Act “Endangerment Finding,” which requires the EPA to protect people from pollution that drives extreme weather and its costly, dangerous impacts under the Clean Air Act.

“Trump has cemented his legacy as the most pro-polluter, anti-health President in history. He’s inflicting costly and dangerous harm on Americans and our way of life. It’s a corrupt decision that guts vital Clean Air Act protections and flies in the face of established science.

“Florida is uniquely vulnerable to unabated climate pollution and the enormous costs we pay in property insurance, high electric bills and more intense hurricanes. The escalating cost of living does not matter to Trump. He sides with polluters and their profits every day over the health and well-being of our neighbors.

“In 2024, Floridians experienced 11 extreme weather disasters that caused more than $135 billion in damage and claimed at least 286 lives. Across the Tampa Bay area, neighbors were hit by back-to-back hurricanes, and many families are still rebuilding their homes and businesses. Last summer’s record-breaking heat sent more construction workers and outdoor employees to the hospital and cost Florida an estimated $11 billion in lost annual productivity. At the same time, insurance companies are raising rates or pulling out of our state altogether, leaving families with fewer choices and higher costs.

“The EPA is supposed to protect our families and our environment. But today’s actions aren’t based on facts or science. They rely on a misleading Department of Energy report that cherry-picks data to support the Republican, pro-polluter sellout.

“Rescinding the Endangerment Finding gives polluters a free pass to pollute the air we breathe while families pay the price with higher health care costs, higher insurance premiums, and greater risks to their livelihoods from extreme weather. This reckless move ignores science, puts corporate polluters first, and puts our community at risk. I will fight to restore these protections and hold polluters accountable.”

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

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) announced his office is seeking applicants for the paid 2026 Summer Internship Program, to be offered in his Washington, D.C. office.

This program is open to college students and young professionals interested in learning about the legislative process and assisting with the responsibilities of a congressional office. Interns will perform a range of tasks, including constituent outreach, legislative writing, and more—with the possibility of earning school credit. Summer internships are split into two six-week sessions and will be offered from May to August 2026, with specific dates to be discussed during the interview process. All applications must be submitted via Congressman Allen’s website by Friday, March 20, 2026. 

“Working in a congressional office provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in how our government operates and to network with individuals from all walks of life. In our office, we employ a bottom-up approach to empower others to be the best they can be. Many of our past interns have used the skills gained during their internships to transition into a variety of successful career paths. My staff and I look forward to welcoming these talented young professionals to our team this summer,” said Congressman Allen.

Those interested in a summer internship can apply on Congressman Allen’s website or contact the Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-2823 with any questions

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) announced that he secured $17,816,80 for his constituents and the greater city of Chicago through Community Project Funding for Fiscal Year 2026. Quigley successfully advocated for all 15 of his funding requests to be included in the final government funding legislation, which has now been signed into law. The approved projects include four projects previously announced in January.

“During this year’s Appropriations process, I was proud to secure nearly $18 million in funding for Chicagoland. These critical funds will support and expand essential services in our community, from transportation and urban development to safety and public health,” said Quigley. “We have an amazing community that needs the support of our federal government to make improvements and repairs. I’m proud to support local works that would otherwise be overlooked by Congress. These projects will modernize and renovate equipment for our city’s fire department, CTA stations, outdoor spaces, and more.”

Previously called earmarks, Community Project Funding allows lawmakers to set aside funds in federal appropriations bills to address specific needs in their districts. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Quigley helps craft these bills and advocates for funding for infrastructure and social services at home. Since 2021, Congressman Quigley has secured roughly $58 million dollars in Community Project Funding for Chicagoland. 

As a senior member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, Quigley secured over $5 million to update roads, CTA stations, and an underpass on Oak Street Beach:

• “We extend our sincere gratitude to Congressman Quigley for his continued support of regional public transit and for securing this vital funding,” said Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen. “These funds will allow us to fast-track essential upgrades at two stations, ensuring a safe and welcoming travel environment for those who account for the 2.7 million rides taken at both locations last year.”
   
• “This funding allows us to significantly upgrade and enhance a heavily used connection between two of Chicago’s greatest assets, the lakefront and The Magnificent Mile. Enhancing the Oak Street Beach Underpass will create a safer, more welcoming, and more enjoyable experience for residents and visitors while supporting the vitality of the surrounding area. We applaud Congressman Mike Quigley’s leadership and continued support in helping make this important investment possible. bringing these critical infrastructure funds to Chicago,” said Kimberly Bares, President and CEO, The Magnificent Mile Association.
   
• “The City of Des Plaines is thrilled to be awarded Community Project Funding for the Algonquin Grade Separation Project. The City of Des Plaines has 32 railroad crossings, which is among the highest for a municipality in the United States. There is a vast need to provide an unimpeded through route from the east side to the west side of the City. Algonquin Road is centrally located in the City and fulfills this need.  With this investment, we move closer to completing a project that will reduce emergency response times, alleviate traffic delays, mitigate congestion, while improving air quality and overall public safety,” said Thomas Semanic, Management Analyst, City of Des Plaines.
   

Quigley also secured over $1.3 million to fight hunger and homelessness in Chicagoland:

• “The Department of Housing thanks Congressman Quigley for providing $850,000 in funding for Belray Apartments,” said Lissette Castañeda, Chicago Department of Housing Commissioner. “This investment will support the rehabilitation of the existing Belray building as well as the attached new construction, ensuring ongoing delivery and enhancement of permanent supportive housing opportunities for adults experiencing homelessness. Sustained federal support like this helps ensure long-term housing stability, along with critical community resources for all Chicagoans.”

• “The Palatine Township Haven Project represents a transformative investment in our community, strengthening our Township Center while expanding access to critical services for all 115,000 residents, especially those most in need. We are grateful to Congressman Mike Quigley for his support in advancing this important initiative. Through the collaboration of partners across all levels of government, along with the generosity of our donors and volunteers, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring every resident has access to the services, dignity, and support they deserve,” said Andy-John G. Kalkounos, Palatine Township Supervisor.
   

The Congressman also procured over $6 million to improve public safety and health in the community, including new equipment for the Chicago Fire Department, new bulletproof vests for police officers, new parts for a local wastewater plant, and replacements of lead pipes in Arlington Heights’ water lines:

• “A serviceable ballistic vest can mean the difference between an officer going home at the end of a shift or a family facing a lifetime of loss,” said Arthur Hannus, Executive Director of the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. “Chicago police officers are required to replace expired ballistic vests at their own expense, despite the dangers they face every day.  That reality is why the Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to provide life-saving replacement vests. Since the program’s launch, we have replaced nearly 15,000 vests for Chicago officers. We are profoundly grateful to Congressman Quigley for recognizing this critical need and standing with us in the essential work of protecting those who put their lives on the line to protect our communities.”
   
• “The Village of Arlington Heights is excited for the opportunity to work with Congressman Quigley on funding the safe removal and replacement of roughly 3,500 lead service water lines within our community. Due to the Village’s age, there are an extraordinary number of residential lead water service lines. The lead service lines are generally located in the middle of the community in older homes, often affecting our elderly population at a higher rate,” said Cris Papierniak, Director of Public Works and Engineering for the Village of Arlington Heights. “The Village has been trying to aggressively remove lead service lines since 2021, but has been saddled with the estimated $44 million dollar cost upon project completion. The funding provided by Congressman Quigley will make a significant impact on the program, and we look forward to potential future funding opportunities.”
   
• “This federal investment is an important contribution toward much-needed upgrades at our wastewater treatment facility,” said Barrington Village President Mike Moran. “Thanks to the initiative and dedication of our staff, the Village was able to secure funding that helps advance this project, protects public health and preserves our local water resources. We are grateful for Congressman Quigley’s support and remain focused on delivering long-term value to our community.”
   
• “Village staff worked diligently to identify and secure this highly competitive federal funding,” said Village Manager Scott Anderson. “While this grant represents a portion of the overall project cost, it helps offset expenses that would otherwise fall to our residents and allows us to move forward responsibly with critical infrastructure improvements. It reflects our commitment to long-term planning, fiscal stewardship and environmental protection.”

This year’s approved CPF requests also included nearly $4 million for outdoor sports and recreation, including local renovations for a field house, a biking trail, and a rowing lagoon. One project will give funds to Chicago Public Schools, so they can build an artificial turf field for elementary school students:

• “The North Branch Trail Alliance (NBTA) of Greater Chicago is so thrilled to hear about the expansion of the trail network to include the funding for the Weber Spur Trail for the Chicago Department of Transportation, thanks to the efforts of Congressman Mike Quigley. There have been so many advocates within the city, county, state, and federal government, but special thanks to the community, including local partners at the North River Commission and the North Mayfair Improvement Association that advocated to make this happen. By taking one more step forward in the process, the Chicago Department of Transportation will build a more robust trail network in the State of Illinois,” said Jim O’Reilly, North Branch Trail Alliance (NBTA) of Greater Chicago.

• “I’d like to extend my appreciation to Congressman Mike Quigley for advocating for our parks and securing funds for restoration of the Horner Park Field House, the pedestrian underpass in Lincoln Park at Oak Street and the historic Lincoln Park Rowing Lagoon,” said General Superintendent & CEO Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. “Originally built in 1956, upgrades to the Horner Park field house will ensure the Park District can continue to offer robust and engaging programming for years to come. The restoration of the underpass at Oak Street will improve access, usability, and safety of the critical lakefront connection, and restoration to the rowing lagoon, listed on the National Register of Historic places, will ensure the public can continue to safely recreate in and around the lagoon and the 1938 boat house. We are grateful to the Congressman for his commitment to improving the lives of Chicago residents by investing in our beloved neighborhood parks.” 

• “The parents and staff of Onahan have been diligently working to upgrade the current field at Onahan Elementary as it is the only open green space in the area. A new field will have a tremendous impact on not only the students, but the entire community. We are grateful to Rep. Quigley for his support of this project. It demonstrates what can be accomplished when a community comes together for a common cause,” said the Onahan Elementary School Council.

Congressman Quigley also acquired nearly $1.1 million to improve flooding mitigation in Graceland West. These funds will construct green alleys with permeable pavement, increasing water infiltration and decreasing the amount diverted towards the sewers:

• “Non-permeable concrete and non-absorptive grass/sod/turf coupled with intensified precipitation and snowmelt contribute immensely to urban flooding. To help with our urban flooding and provide pollinator and beneficial insect habitat, GWCA has installed 17 GWCA Native Plant Pollinator Pathway and Stormwater Absorption Sites.  Each is at least 100 sq. ft., absorbs over 2,000 gallons of stormwater annually and returns excess to the aquifer, not a sewer.  50 member-neighbors are working on our green initiatives.  Green alleys, green roofs, and bioswales specifically designed to return stormwater to the aquifer were recommended in addition to these efforts. We are immensely thankful to Congressman Quigley and his knowledgeable staff for their needs analysis, coordination, follow up, and for securing funding for green alleys needed in our Graceland West neighborhood,” said the Graceland West Community Association.

 

Below is a list of the 15 FY26 projects that Quigley secured funding for. To learn more about Community Project Funding and project details, go to quigley.house.gov/community-project-funding. 

• Algonquin Road Grade Separation – $1,800,000
• Belray Apartments, Chicago Department of Housing – $850,000
• Brown Line Rockwell Station Modernization Project – $1,200,000
• Chicago Fire Department Equipment – $2,959,000
• Get Behind the Vest – $1,031,000
• Graceland West Green Alleys – $1,092,000
• Haven Project – $500,000
• Horner Park Field House – $2,000,000
• Lead Line Service Line Replacement Project – $1,092,000
• Lincoln Park Rowing Lagoon – $250,000
• Oak Street Underpass Improvements – $2,000,000
• Red Line Belmont Station Improvement Project – $500,000
• Sustainable Updates to CPS Outdoor Spaces – $850,000
• Village of Barrington Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade – $1,092,000
• Weber Spur Trail – $850,000
   

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Amodei released the following statement following yesterday’s oversight hearing on the potential impacts of a DHS shutdown:

“Under the leadership of Chuck Schumer, progressive Democrats are now demanding that Congress weaken interior immigration enforcement or risk shutting down the entire Department of Homeland Security,” said Chairman Mark Amodei.

“If you think that’s acceptable because you oppose ICE or Border Patrol operations, it’s worth remembering that DHS funds far more than immigration enforcement. Threatening to shut it down puts core national security functions at risk.

“The Coast Guard, which carries out critical maritime search-and-rescue missions, would be sidelined. FEMA’s emergency preparedness and disaster recovery efforts would be delayed and disrupted, even as states across the country are still dealing with historic winter weather. At a time of heightened global tensions, DHS cybersecurity and communications capabilities would shift from proactive to reactive defense. During the last shutdown, Americans saw firsthand what happens when TSA operations are disrupted: longer wait times, widespread flight cancellations, and unnecessary chaos. Some lawmakers are apparently willing to see that happen again. 

“None of these consequences have anything to do with immigration enforcement.

“While I’ve previously said ICE needs to refocus on its core mission, that pivot is already underway. Under Tom Homan’s leadership, tensions in Minnesota were successfully deescalated through engagement with local officials, leading to the conclusion of surge operations in the state and the deployment of body cameras for personnel remaining on the ground.

“It’s also important to note that ICE still has resources funded in the One Big Beautiful Bill if the third shutdown in less than 100 days takes place. At the same time, a continuing resolution does little to resolve the issue, as it keeps funding at FY25 levels, which are actually higher than what’s proposed for FY26.

“Policy disagreements are not the responsibility of the appropriations process; rather, they should be taken up with the authorizing committees. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to reflect on the lessons of the longest government shutdown in history, which proved it accomplishes nothing.”

Watch the full hearing here. 

Read Chairman Amodei’s full remarks here.