Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MSNBC’s The Briefing with Jen Psaki, where he emphasized that Republicans need to negotiate a bipartisan spending agreement that reopens the government and protects Americans’ healthcare.

JEN PSAKI: Let me start by, I just kind of tried to outline what the impact would be if SNAP benefits are cut off. And we certainly look like we’re heading for that. We’ll see what the judge rules, of course, tonight. I want to start by asking you about the human impact. I showed some video of a long line at a food bank out in Arizona, in Phoenix, Arizona. There are lines like that all across the country. I know you’re hearing from Members or paying attention to districts. What—help people understand what the human impact is right now, what you’re anticipating.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, it’s extraordinary that Donald Trump and Republicans are threatening to cut off SNAP benefits to 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors and over a million veterans. And every single one of those individuals represents a real-life impact, people who would otherwise struggle to put food on the table in the absence of these SNAP benefits. And there’s absolutely no justification for Donald Trump and the Republicans to withhold SNAP. They have more than $5 billion in an emergency fund that will allow these benefits to continue through the end of November. They can also find funds for other things just as they’ve repeatedly done, but they can’t do it for SNAP, so that’s extraordinary. It shows where their priorities are. And Mike Johnson actually said the quiet part out loud earlier today when he indicated that we’re willing to starve, meaning Republicans, Republicans are willing to starve children and seniors and women and veterans and American families in order to put pressure on Democrats to continue Republican efforts to gut healthcare of everyday Americans. We’re not going to do it.

JEN PSAKI: We just played that clip, and it’s exactly as you said. He’s basically saying we’re using it as a bargaining chip. We’re using people who will not have enough food next week, potentially, as a bargaining chip. One of the things that struck me is that hunger has never been a partisan issue. I mean, this program has never been shut down before, since it was started in 1939. And now you have the Trump administration making a legal argument that they cannot use funding from other funds, which they can. There’s also $23 billion they could use that they use for WIC, right? That they’re making a legal argument, which feels to me almost kind of immoral. But how do you—how are you digesting that, the legal argument they’re making, given the human impact here?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, it’s incredible that they would suggest that there are legal obstacles to doing anything when the Trump administration has been completely and totally out of control. But when it comes to actually meeting the needs of the American people, who might otherwise go hungry, the Trump administration all of a sudden believes that they don’t have the authority to do something that Congress has clearly given them the authority to do. But these are extremists who are willing to actually starve their own folks. One of the five states that would be most impacted if SNAP benefits are cut off is Louisiana, the home state of both Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, but they could care less. After all, these are individuals who led the effort to pass the One Big Ugly Bill that enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, which is part of the reason why we have this healthcare crisis. But in that bill, they also cut $186 billion from SNAP, the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history, which is one of the reasons why this hunger issue is not going away. And we’re going to have to grapple with it as part of reversing these Republican policies that are doing great damage to everyday Americans.

JEN PSAKI: We’re waiting for this judge’s ruling, and she seemed to indicate that she thinks their argument is absurd. Do you have a good understanding, if she rules that they have to move forward with it, what the implementation of that could look like? Could that be implemented before November 1, or it wouldn’t be that quick?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, it absolutely should be implemented by November 1 because the money is available, and it’s just a question of the administration doing what the law requires it to do. In other words, the extraordinary action is Donald Trump and Republicans stopping the benefits from flowing to millions of people all across the country. And so we look forward to the judge’s ruling. She’s correct. The arguments being articulated by the Trump administration are absolutely absurd. But that’s been the case from the very beginning. They cannot defend their position. They cannot defend their refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, which is going to result in tens of millions of people experiencing dramatically increased healthcare premiums. The Republicans are now claiming, well, that’s actually not the case. But as you pointed out, Jen, the reality is people from across the country are getting notices right now indicating that their premiums may go up by $1,000 or $2,000 per month. These are working-class individuals. They cannot afford these increases. That’s why Democrats are fighting on their behalf.

JEN PSAKI: I wanted to play—I don’t know if you’ve seen this. You probably did. I know you pay attention. But I wanted to play one more thing Mike Johnson said today, because I would just remind people, I mean, he has been on TV a fair amount, but he has not brought his caucus back. You’ve had a brief conversation with him, but you haven’t had negotiations with him. Normally, the Speaker of the House is working around the clock, but let me play this. We’ll talk about it on the other side.

RECORDING OF SPEAKER JOHNSON: People keep commenting to me, you look so tired on TV. I am so tired because we’re not sleeping a lot. We’re working overtime.

JEN PSAKI: I want to know what he’s working on exactly. I understand he’s been on TV. He has not answered questions on a lot of news issues. But what is making him so tired?

LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s a great question. Republicans have actually been on vacation for five consecutive weeks. Mike Johnson and Republicans have canceled votes week after week after week after week after week. They clearly aren’t doing anything. There are no hearings. No legislation is being voted on. Nothing is being debated. And all we see is this parade, this malignant clown show that they keep rolling out day after day, when Mike Johnson and Republicans are appearing before cameras, lying repeatedly to the American people.

JEN PSAKI: Trump is now back from his trip to Asia, claiming victory. Who knows why. But he’s now back. It seems that Mike Johnson and John Thune are not going to do anything unless Trump tells them to do something. Do you think any negotiations can start unless he’s in the room? Does he need to be in the room for them? Or how does this happen from here?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, Donald Trump either needs to be in the room or he just needs to give Mike Johnson and John Thune the green light to actually sit down and do their jobs. But until they get, you know, a yes from the puppet master that they can sit and have a conversation with Democrats, unfortunately, nothing is happening. And that’s why Leader Schumer and myself have maintained from the very beginning that Donald Trump needs to get engaged and focus on solving problems for the American people, as opposed to trying to enrich himself, destroying the White House and somehow finding $40 billion to reward his billionaire buddies on Wall Street and bail out this right-wing wannabe dictator in Argentina, but can’t find a dime to make healthcare affordable for the America people or ensure that folks don’t go hungry.

JEN PSAKI: Would you—and we saw what happened last time, and would you and Leader Schumer go back to the White House if he invited you back there to negotiate?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, I think Leader Schumer and I have to have that conversation, but we’ve said repeatedly we’re willing to sit down with anyone, anytime, anyplace, because we want to reopen the government. We want to enact a bipartisan spending agreement. But it actually has to be an agreement that makes life better for the American people. And we need to decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis. And clearly, the only way for that to happen will be for us to engage with Donald Trump and his administration, because at this point, Senate Republicans and House Republicans are useless.

JEN PSAKI: There was a report today—I mentioned this, too—about polling that was presented in the caucus meeting today. Trump seems like somebody—he’s a lot of things, but somebody who responds to political polling. Do you think that is what this is gonna take for him, to kind of move him? And what do he wish you would know about how the public is digesting this from just even a political standpoint?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, you know, Abraham Lincoln once famously said, ‘Public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed.’ And so, public sentiment clearly recognizes that Donald Trump and Republicans are responsible for shutting the government down, refuse to open it back up because they are unwilling to make healthcare affordable for millions of Americans. And now they are threatening to visit hunger on millions more, including children, in rural America, urban America, small town America, the heartland of America and Black and brown communities throughout America. At some point, I think it’s going to become clear. Maybe they’ll wake up on Tuesday when the voters send a message that they don’t like the direction that things are going under complete Republican control of government in America, and that they need to either get with the program or they will be thrown out of office.

JEN PSAKI: Johnson has now set another record for refusing to swear in a Member of Congress. It’s now been 37 days. I’m sure you’re counting and well aware.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah.

JEN PSAKI: How have you thought about the precedent this could set and what kind of trouble he could cause around the midterms or any other special elections?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, it’s a terrible precedent in this instance, because now I think it’s been five weeks or so that Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva has not been sworn in. It’s clear that Johnson doesn’t want to bring Republicans back because they’ll be at each other’s throats. They have no plan. Marjorie Taylor Greene has asked Johnson, where’s the healthcare plan? Clearly, it’s nowhere to be found. These are extremists who have voted more than 70 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and now they’re under pressure to renew the Affordable Care Act tax credits, but they’re unwilling to do so because they are extremists. And of course, Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva would represent the 218th signature on a petition that will force an up-or-down vote on the Epstein files. And Mike Johnson is doing his boss’s bidding, Donald Trump, who clearly wants no part of the American people to see the Epstein files released. And so, we’re going to continue to put the pressure on House Republicans every single day until Representative-elect Grijalva is sworn in as a duly elected Member of Congress, as should have been the case weeks ago. And we’re going to continue to keep the pressure on the Republicans to make sure they actually are serving the American people, and in this instance, that’s going to require lowering the high cost of living, partner with us to do that, and fix our broken healthcare system to address—and by addressing the Republican healthcare crisis.

JEN PSAKI: Sounds like very reasonable things that the majority of the public would like their elected officials to do. Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, thank you so much for joining us.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you.

JEN PSAKI: Hope you get back safely tomorrow.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — On Day 31 of the Democrat Shutdown, Speaker Johnson hosted a press conference alongside U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to discuss how Senate Democrats have rejected every opportunity to fund SNAP ahead of the program running out of funding tomorrow. Speaker Johnson also offered his gratitude to the hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have shown up to work for a month straight despite Democrats repeatedly blocking their paychecks.

“Remember, Republicans are the ones who have voted 14 times for SNAP benefits to flow, it’s the Democrats who voted every single time to turn that off,” Speaker Johnson said. “The same Democrats who’ve been perfectly fine with defunding SNAP and WIC for over a month now are suddenly claiming to be outraged that Republicans and President Trump can’t just wave some magic wand and fix the mess that they themselves have created.”

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

On Democrats deliberately withholding SNAP funding from tens of millions of recipients:

President Trump has proven, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that if there is any way to fund these programs that are drying up now, that he will do it. If there was any way to fund SNAP during the Democrat Shutdown, you can be assured that your Commander-in-Chief would do it. But we are now reaching a breaking point thanks to Democrats voting no on government funding, now, 14 different times. SNAP benefits for millions of American families are drying up. It’s about one in eight people in this country who rely upon this to literally put food on their table. And the blame for this lies 100% with the Senators sitting over there in the Democrat Party. They are the ones who have locked arms and decided over and over and over and over, 14 times now, to vote against these services being provided. And now I want you to think about that. You’re going to have real people, real families, you’re going to have children who will go hungry beginning this weekend when those resources dry up. They rely upon that. And yet the Democrats continue with their political games in Washington while people are sitting around the dinner table without the resources that they need. The Administration has done all it can to keep this program afloat, but the limits have been reached here.

And what are the Democrats doing today? Where are the Democrats? Are they in the Senate today? No, they’re out campaigning. While critical SNAP benefits run dry, the Democrats have skipped town. They’ve abandoned their post in the Senate. And the reason that’s so important and noteworthy for the American people is the Senate is the only place where this can end, the last hope of reopening the government before millions of Americans go hungry. They’ve abandoned their post. Democrats are, now this is the incredible part, they’re now trying to somehow blame Republicans for cutting off SNAP. Remember, Republicans are the ones who have voted 14 times for the SNAP benefits to flow; it’s the Democrats who voted every single time to turn that off. The same Democrats who’ve been perfectly fine with defunding SNAP and WIC for over a month now are suddenly claiming to be outraged that Republicans and President Trump can’t just wave some magic wand and fix the mess that they themselves have created.

On Democrats leveraging American suffering to score political points:

I’ll begin with Senator Coons. He’s the senior Democrat Senator from Delaware. In 2013, he said this, “Our democracy cannot function if the majority party threatens to shut down the government unless it gets its way.” And that was Senator Coons in 2013. And what is he saying now? Earlier this week, he said, “Frankly, this is our only moment of leverage.” Quite a switch.

Bernie Sanders has got a lot of airtime here lately. And back in 2018, Senator Bernie Sanders said this, “The truth is that shutting down the government is a serious and dangerous action that we must do everything possible to prevent.” That was in 2018. You know what he said this month? “If we reopen the government, we lose our leverage.”

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, in 2013, said the shutdown was, “entirely unnecessary and has harmed our economy and our reputation in the world. But if we also can’t forget, we must never again allow extremist hostage taking to create this kind of disruption.” That was 2013. Just days ago, the Senator from Rhode Island said the opposite. “It’s the only lever we have,” meaning the shutdown. What he means is that the pain of the American people is their political lever. I guess he’s forgotten his cries of alarm over the extremist hostage taken.

And how about the House? Infamously now, we all know the Democrat Whip, Katherine Clark, the second highest ranking Democrat in the House, said just last year, “They are taking a non-issue, a false flag, and saying, this is the reason we can’t proceed. It is a dangerous precedent to be threatening a shutdown.” That’s what she said in 2024. And what’d she say about a week ago? The opposite. “Of course, there will be families that are going to suffer here, but it is one of the few leverage times we have.” Many House members have echoed the same hypocrisy. And I’m not going to waste our time with it this morning, but I do want to leave you with this quote from Chuck Schumer, because he is the actual architect of the shutdown. He is the one that is preventing the Senate Democrats from doing the right thing in March of this year.

As you know, he voted on the same CR to avert a shutdown. And he said then in his speech on the Senate floor and in a bunch of interviews, “The CR was certainly bad, but a shutdown would be 15 or 20 times worse. It was a vote of principle.” And today, Chuck Schumer entirely void of principle by his own estimation, said, “Every day gets better for his party.” Tell that to the millions of American families facing a hunger crisis now as a direct result of his failed leadership and shenanigans.

On gratitude for hardworking federal employees:

We have spoken daily every day at this podium about the real pain that Americans are experiencing because the Democrats shut down. We talk about the pain for our troops, for our federal workers, for American families. And this morning, we want to speak specifically about the millions of American families that are going to feel real hardship because of SNAP benefits drying up. And we have no one less than the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, who is in charge of that program, will speak directly to that issue. But I want to begin first with just a word of sincere gratitude. Across this country, we’ve got millions of federal workers who have been showing up at the office every day without pay.

This has drug on for a month now. Those federal workers have shown up for a month straight not knowing when or if their next paycheck will be delivered. They’re doing their jobs and they’re doing it valiantly, while the Senate Democrats simply refuse to do their job. Their most simple and basic responsibility is to keep the government in operation so that we can keep the services flowing to the American people and keep the country moving. But they’re not doing that. So we just want to say to these federal workers, like the hundreds of civilian employees who are also spread throughout the country, like the ones in my district, for example, at the Bayne Jones Army Community Hospital down at Fort Polk, our big Army base there, we just want to say–thank you for your diligence for doing your job, for your service to the country even though Democrats are withholding your paycheck.

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

Clyburn Cites Looming Crisis with Air Traffic Controllers Working Without Pay; GOP is Pitting Workers’ Pay Against Americans’ Health Care and Hunger

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, released the following statement calling for the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans to end to the government shutdown:

“The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans have shown a reckless disregard for hardworking American families and federal workers amid this government shutdown.

“Whatever talking points Republicans may be reciting today, our 10,000+ air traffic controllers deserve better than the treatment they are getting under unified Republican control of Washington.  Following the Trump executive order on March 27 canceling collective bargaining agreements at several other federal agencies—which was the largest single action of union-busting in American history, air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals are under threat. In spite of its claims that they are putting American workers first, the Trump Administration has done the complete opposite.

“The ongoing government shutdown is causing additional pain and uncertainty as air traffic controllers and other federal employees are showing up each day without pay to continue ensuring the safety and reliability of air travel.  With crises looming in air travel, health care, and hunger, my Republican colleagues must finally come to the table to negotiate a resolution to all of them.

“If we are serious about protecting these essential workers and maintaining the safety and integrity of our nation’s skies, I call on my colleagues to end this Republican-led shutdown.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) called on President Trump to reverse his tariff policies, which ultimately function as a hidden tax on American families and businesses.

In an October 30, 2025, letter to the President, Carbajal called for an urgent reevaluation of the administration’s global trade policies, specifically the blanket tariffs imposed on nearly all U.S. trading partners. The letter highlights the growing financial strain on American families and small businesses, citing rising prices on everyday goods—like coffee—as evidence of the policy’s damaging effects.

“Despite claims made by your administration that tariffs would lower prices, they have increased the cost of living for Americans,” wrote Rep. Carbajal. “Tariffs will never work on products that cannot be produced in the United States. Take coffee, for example. The United States produces less than one percent of coffee beans globally.  In this case, the only possible outcome of these tariffs is increased prices for the American people, whether they are making coffee at home or buying it from a small business.”

Carbajal concluded his letter by urging the President to stop his reckless tariff policies and restore responsible trade relations.

“Your tariffs are a tax on the American people. It is well-established that the cost of tariffs is passed on to consumers. The American people are footing the bill. Small businesses are taking hits as they are forced to either absorb the increased costs or pass them on to customers,” Rep. Carbajal concluded. “I urge you to restore free trade before small businesses suffer irreparable harm and American families face lasting financial strain.”

Earlier this year, Carbajal co-sponsored U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin’s (D-MD-08) Truth in Tariffs Act, which would require large retailers to clearly display the portion of an item’s price attributable to tariffs. At a time of increasing economic chaos generated solely by President Trump, this bill will give Americans full transparency on the hidden costs of tariffs.

Carbajal is also a co-sponsor of the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act, which would clarify that the President cannot impose tariffs under the guise of a national emergency without Congressional approval. Trump has been imposing tariffs under the guise of a national emergency. 

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

President Trump,

I am writing to urge you to reconsider your global trade policies that impose blanket tariffs on nearly all United States trading partners. The American people are already feeling the burden of increased prices on everyday goods because of your tariffs. As more time passes, costs will increase further.  

While tariffs can be effective in limited, short-term circumstances, the reckless way these tariffs have been applied is not an effective way to improve trade between the United States and the rest of the world. They run counter to the free-market principles our country was founded on and further isolate the United States on the world stage. 

Despite claims made by your administration that tariffs would lower prices, they have increased the cost of living for Americans. Tariffs will never work on products that cannot be produced in the United States. Take coffee, for example. The United States produces less than one percent of coffee beans globally.  In this case, the only possible outcome of these tariffs is increased prices for the American people, whether they are making coffee at home or buying it from a small business.  The amount of coffee production in the United States can never meet domestic demand. This tariff policy is short-sighted, misguided, and will only hurt the pockets of the American people. 

Your tariffs are a tax on the American people. It is well-established that the cost of tariffs is passed on to consumers. The American people are footing the bill. Small businesses are taking hits as they are forced to either absorb the increased costs or pass them on to customers. 

I urge you to restore free trade before small businesses suffer irreparable harm and American families face lasting financial strain.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Interim Director Angie Salazar demanding answers about troubling actions by the Trump administration that appear to endanger unaccompanied children in federal custody. ORR is the agency within HHS that is tasked with caring for unaccompanied children from other countries.

“Congress gave ORR one job when it comes to unaccompanied children: to protect their safety and well-being,” said DeGette. “Instead, it appears the Trump administration has turned ORR into an arm of ICE, putting kids in harm’s way, prolonging their detention, and coercing them into unsafe situations. Children who come to the United States alone are among the most vulnerable people in our care. It’s our duty to treat them with compassion, to keep them safe, and to ensure they’re not traumatized by the very system meant to protect them.” 

The letter outlines a series of recent policies and practices under HHS and ORR that have weakened long-standing child welfare safeguards and blurred the line between the agency’s care responsibilities and immigration enforcement. These actions include sharing sensitive information about children and their families with ICE, allowing ICE to conduct interviews with children in federal shelters, and offering cash incentives to encourage detained minors to return to the dangerous conditions they fled. 

DeGette also raises concerns that ORR’s expanded coordination with ICE has created a new wave of family separations, this time involving children already living in the U.S. whose sponsors have been arrested or deported.  

DeGette requested detailed answers from HHS and ORR about these policies and demanded all relevant documents and guidance related to coordination between the two agencies.  

A full copy of the letter can be found here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today introduced two pieces of legislation aimed at expanding access to workforce training, pre-apprenticeship, and education programs by addressing the real-world barriers that prevent many Americans from completing them. The Pre-Apprenticeship Wraparound Support Services Fund Act and the Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act work in tandem to provide comprehensive supports for individuals pursuing skills training, from pre-apprenticeship to advanced workforce education. 

The legislation responds to a growing need across Washington state and the country for skilled workers in the building trades, manufacturing, and other high-demand industries. Both bills establish new grant programs through the Department of Labor to help local training providers, unions, and educational institutions offer wraparound support services such as transportation, childcare, housing, and assistance for lost wages. 

“Access to job training and education is about more than tuition,” said Rep. Adam Smith. “It’s about whether someone can afford to get to class, care for their children, or keep food on the table while they pursue a better future. These bills help break down those barriers so more people can complete their training and move into stable, family-supporting careers.” 

Together, these bills provide a continuum of support for individuals pursuing education and workforce training—from entry-level pre-apprenticeships to advanced skills development. They share the same goal: to remove financial and logistical barriers that keep working people from accessing opportunities. 
 

The Pre-Apprenticeship Wraparound Support Services Fund Act 

The Pre-Apprenticeship Wraparound Support Services Fund Act would create a new Department of Labor grant program to provide stipends to individuals enrolled in pre-apprenticeship programs. These stipends could be used to cover transportation, lost hourly wages, housing, childcare, and certification costs. The bill is designed to ensure that hardworking Americans can complete pre-apprenticeships and transition into Registered Apprenticeship Programs without facing financial hardship. 

Endorsements:

• Machinists Institute
• IAM District 751 

“The Machinists Institute proudly supports Representative Adam Smith’s continued leadership in expanding access to pre-apprenticeship programs through the Wraparound Support Services Fund Act. This legislation directly addresses the real-world barriers like transportation, childcare, and lost wages that prevent many individuals from pursuing training and career pathways. By investing in these critical supports, Rep. Smith is not only opening doors to family-sustaining jobs, but also reinforcing the value of inclusive workforce development. We see firsthand how pre-apprenticeship transforms lives, and this bill ensures more people can access that opportunity with dignity and stability.” 
— Shana Peschek, Executive Director, Machinists Institute 

“Training the next generation of skilled workers through pre-apprenticeships is the key to keeping Washington State a workforce leader in innovation. We need allies like U.S. Representative Adam Smith and his sponsorship of bills such as the Pre-Apprenticeship Wrap-around Support Services Fund Act of 2025 to continue this success. This important legislation directs the Secretary of Labor to make grants available to eligible individuals enrolled in pre-apprenticeship programs, eliminating a significant hurdle facing many students enrolled in these programs. Pre-apprenticeships change lives in our communities, often creating pathways to generational, family-wage union jobs. IAM District 751 will always support legislation ensuring future workers have the tools needed to carry on our great state’s legacy of training the next generation of workers.” 
— Jon Holden, President, IAM District 751 

Bill text here. Fact sheet here.

The Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act 

The Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act would create a new Support Services Training Fund under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). This competitive grant program would help local and state workforce development boards partner with community organizations to provide wraparound services for individuals enrolled in workforce training and education programs. These services could include assistance with housing, childcare, transportation, health care, and other basic needs. 
Endorsements:

• LiUNA Local 242
• ANEW
• Renton Technical College
• Iron Workers Local Union #86 

“LiUNA Local 242 strongly supports Congressman Adam Smith’s legislation to expand wraparound support for individuals pursuing careers in the building and construction trades. Access to industry-leading apprenticeship programs gives participants transferable skills and lifelong careers, but too often, barriers like transportation, childcare, or housing stand in the way. This bill helps ensure that those entering our apprenticeship and training programs can complete them and move into stable, family-supporting careers that strengthen our communities and the economy.” 
— Dale Cannon, Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer, LiUNA Local 242 

“The Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council strongly supports efforts to expand access to education, training, and supportive services that help workers build stable, family-wage careers. The goals of the Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act align with our long-standing commitment to creating pathways into the skilled trades and strengthening our state’s workforce.” 
— Heather Kurtenbach, Executive Secretary, Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council 

“As president of Renton Technical College, I am endorsing the Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act, a grant to support wraparound supports for students enrolled in education and workforce programs. This act strengthens partnerships between community organizations and colleges and addresses barriers to education and training that impact student success, retention and completion. At RTC, we know how vital investments in workforce programs are and the roles they play in improving social and economic outcomes for individuals and businesses and industries in need of a skilled workforce.” 
— President Yoshiko Harden, Renton Technical College 

Bill text here. Fact sheet here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today introduced the Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act of 2025, which is legislation to expand access to one-stop crisis stabilization centers that provide behavioral health services, housing support, and wraparound care under one roof. The bill establishes a new federal grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services to help states, counties, cities, tribal governments, and territories create and sustain local crisis care facilities.

“Our country’s behavioral health crisis system is stretched thin,” said Representative Adam Smith. “We must equip our communities with resources to better respond to the nationwide mental and behavioral health crisis. This bill provides the resources communities need to create one-stop centers that offer immediate stabilization, treatment, and connection to long-term supports like housing and case management.”
 

Endorsements:

This bill is endorsed by National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Alliance to End Homelessness, International Community Health Services, King County Housing Authority, RI International, Seattle Housing Authority, Asian Counseling and Referral Services, Compass Housing Alliance, and Sea Mar Community Health Centers.

Supportive quotes:

“Behavioral health care is an essential part of whole person health, both in moments of crisis and as part of ongoing primary care. Our communities are experiencing unprecedented levels of behavioral health needs. It is imperative that helping people meet these needs be as simple and as effective as possible. The Behavioral Health Crisis Centers Act takes a significant step towards this goal. ‘One-stop’ sites that offer behavioral health crisis care and a range of health care and wraparound services will make a difference in long-term health outcomes. International Community Health Services is grateful to Rep. Smith for leading on this issue.”
— Kelli Nomura, Chief Executive Officer, International Community Health Service

“The King County Housing Authority appreciates Congressman Smith’s steadfast commitment to addressing the behavioral health and housing needs of people living in our region. Crisis Care Centers are exactly the type of investment we need to be making to ensure an array of services are available for community members who are struggling with complex behavioral health and substance use disorders. This is a critical component of our region’s efforts to address the homelessness crisis. This legislation would also support proactive outreach to high needs populations and tenants of subsidized housing programs – including those operated by KCHA – for stronger health and housing stability outcomes.”
— Robin Walls, President/CEO, King County Housing Authority

“In too many communities, people experiencing a mental health crisis are not able to get the help they need. Representative Smith’s Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act will help build out the continuum of mental health crisis response services across the country. This bill will move us closer to the goal of ensuring that every person in crisis receives an effective, humane response and is treated with dignity and respect.”
— Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

“The Seattle Housing Authority applauds Representative Smith for introducing this legislation to address the increasing behavioral health needs that are impacting so many people. We have seen firsthand the impact the pandemic has had on our residents. We make every effort to connect people to help so we can keep them housed safely but the current system is overburdened and does not have the resources to provide response and care for the growing number of people in serious crisis. This legislation would provide a relief valve for those in crisis and that is something that is needed. We are very appreciative of Congressman Smith’s recognition of this deeply concerning situation and his action to expand options for treatment.”
—  Rod Brandon, Executive Director, Seattle Housing Authority

“We appreciate Representative Smith’s critical leadership in mustering much-needed federal support for local behavioral health crisis care systems, which, ideally, can act as one-stop centers to connect people with the service providers they need. His Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act could help to ensure that people experiencing homelessness are prioritized for housing and the services they need to stay safely and securely housed.”
— National Alliance to End Homelessness

Background:
The Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act authorizes $11.5 billion annually from FY2026 through FY2030 to fund the establishment, operation, and expansion of crisis stabilization centers nationwide. These centers would serve as coordinated entry points for individuals in crisis, providing behavioral health and substance use treatment, housing assistance, and connections to other services including legal aid and workforce support.

Under the bill, eligible entities—including states, counties, cities, tribal governments, and territories—could use funding for a range of activities such as:

• Constructing or acquiring crisis stabilization facilities
• Hiring and retaining behavioral health and peer support staff
• Coordinating with emergency response, housing, and health systems
• Conducting outreach to vulnerable populations, including youth and unhoused individuals
• Providing training in trauma-informed and culturally competent care

Local governments would also have the flexibility to subgrant funds to nonprofit service providers, ensuring coordination with community-based organizations that specialize in housing, recovery, and mental health outreach.

Behavioral health crisis care systems across the United States remain underdeveloped due to inconsistent funding and coordination. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), crisis stabilization facilities are a critical part of a comprehensive behavioral health system, providing immediate support and connection to care for individuals in acute distress.

The Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act builds upon the national rollout of the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, ensuring that when people call for help, there is a place in their community ready to respond.

In Seattle, programs such as the Downtown Emergency Services Center’s Crisis Solutions Center have demonstrated how short-term crisis stabilization coupled with long-term service coordination can reduce strain on emergency rooms and law enforcement while improving outcomes for individuals in crisis. The Behavioral Health Crisis Care Centers Act builds on this model, creating a national framework for accessible, community-based crisis care.

Bill text here. Fact sheet here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — As the Democrat Shutdown ends its first full month and November 1 approaches, the real-world consequences are mounting. Important programs that millions of low-income parents, children, and seniors depend on — from grocery assistance to early education — are on the verge of collapse. 

While House Republicans passed a clean, nonpartisan funding bill weeks ago to keep these benefits available, Democrats continue to block it — admitting that the shutdown is one of the few times Democrats have “leverage,” even if it means hurting American families.

NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AT RISK

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program face imminent funding lapses under the Democrat Shutdown.

SNAP BENEFITS

• Tens of millions of Americans who rely on SNAP are at risk of losing their November benefits if Democrats refuse to end the shutdown.
• Food banks nationwide are already bracing for a surge in demand as families prepare for their benefits to freeze. 
• The USDA confirmed that its $5 billion contingency fund cannot be used for regular SNAP payments since those funds are reserved for disaster relief, not monthly benefits.
• NOTE: There are twice as many Americans are on SNAP than are on Obamacare market.

“The best way for SNAP to continue is for the shutdown to end.”
(USDA Memo, Oct. 24, 2025)

WIC Program

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) serves about 6.5 million mothers and young children each month — and is now a day away from running out of funding.

HEAD START PROGRAMS ON THE BRINK

Notices have begun going out to Head Start programs across the country, warning that their grants could be in jeopardy if the shutdown continues into November — potentially throwing tens of thousands of preschool children and their families into limbo.

• Head Start serves about 750,000 children nationwide, providing free child care, early education, health screenings, and meals for low-income families with children under six years old.
• The Democrat Shutdown is jeopardizing funding for about 140 programs serving nearly 65,000 children.
• Some programs, like in Tallahassee, FL, already missed October funding and are closing their doors after burning through reserves.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Democrats knew their shutdown would leave families hungry and classrooms dark — but they did it anyway, choosing political leverage and self-preservation over hardworking Americans.

“Every day gets better for us.”

Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.)

“Of course there will be families that are going to suffer… but it is one of the few leverage times we have.”

House Democrat Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.)

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press availability with Bishop William J. Barber, II, Members of Congress, faith leaders from across the country and everyday Americans. The press availability followed a sit-down conversation that included testimony on the impacts of the morally catastrophic healthcare crisis and weaponization of hunger that Donald Trump and Republicans are unleashing on the American people.

“In America, poverty is not a choice that people are making. It’s a result of policy violence being visited upon everyday Americans. Fighting for the healthcare of everyday Americans, for the poor, the sick and the afflicted, for the least, the lost and the left-behind is not a partisan issue. It’s a moral issue. House Democrats will continue to stand on the side of the American people. I’m thankful for the moral leadership, the moral clarity and the inspirational wisdom and vision that these faith leaders have brought to this issue and to this fight for the American people,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08).

“Repairers of the Breach has coordinated Moral Mondays across the South and other states, bringing together religious leaders and poor, low-wage, and impacted people to insist that the needs of vulnerable Americans are moral issues. We are calling on Congressional leadership to defend human rights and the Constitution by promoting the general welfare in this moment of crisis for the most vulnerable. You cannot put your hand on the Bible, swear to uphold the Constitution, and then sit back and watch while millions lose healthcare and go hungry. It is simply wrong for politicians who receive free healthcare to strip it away from 16 million Americans. This is not a matter of left versus right, but of right versus wrong. Clergy must speak up, stand up, and refuse to back away from nonviolent resistance to this policy violence,” said Bishop William J. Barber, II.

“To serve the people, you have to love the people. You can’t truly serve the people if you don’t love them enough to fight for their health care, to make sure no family goes hungry, and to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call home. I’m grateful for Leader Jeffries’ commitment to protecting the vulnerable, and to incredible allies like Rev. Barber for emphasizing the moral reckoning that Republicans are failing to heed,” said Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04).

“Cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act subsidies, and SNAP are not just policy shifts—they are attacks on the poor, the elderly, the sick, and the working families of this nation. We have a moral obligation to stand up and demand that every person, no matter their income or ZIP code, has access to healthcare, food, and the basic necessities,” said Rev. Dr. Hanna R. Broome.

Four hardworking Americans, Chris Shumake, Cassie Coleman, Pam Garrison and Elaina Hurley, shared how their lives would be devastated by Republican cuts to SNAP, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. Excerpts from their testimony are included below:

“I suffer from chronic health issues. One, I’m on life-sustaining medicine, a blood thinner. Without it, I’m a walking time bomb. I can drop the hat at any moment without any warning, from what put me on the blood thinners to begin with, which was a pulmonary embolism, which is where a clot shoots your heart and lodges itself in your lung. My Medicaid was cut—excuse me—I was robbed of my Medicaid. I didn’t lose it, because if I did, I’d be able to go out here and find it. So I was robbed of my Medicaid. I spent months playing Russian roulette, some days having my medicine and some days not. I need this medicine to live. Not only have I been robbed of my Medicaid. I most recently was told in the state of West Virginia that we no longer pay my Part B premium, leaving me with costs that I can’t afford. My cash benefit income is $640 a month. That’s what I get. So I thirst for a moral budget that will serve the needs of all people. Please open the government back up. We need help. I’m tired of living in pain. And no one should have to live this way,” said Elaina Hurley of Raleigh County, WV.

“I rely on SNAP benefits and Medicaid just to make it. We did have a hospital, but it closed down a couple of years ago. And then, here recently, our urgent care has closed down, too. Now we don’t have nothing close by. If something was to happen, we’d have to go at least 30 minutes away just to get help. Even if you call 911, that’s still, that’s 30 minutes away. You really can’t get much done with that,” said Chris Shumake of Alexander County, NC. 

“I work at two small local businesses, and neither of them provides healthcare. If we don’t extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies, the tax credits for people like me, we’ll go without health insurance,” said Cassie Coleman of Greenville County, SC.

“I’ve been a minimum wage worker in my whole life. I feel like my government is attacking their own people. We make $7.25 an hour. We’ve went 16, heading toward 20 years with no living wage. Then the programs that would help make up for that, the healthcare and food stamps, the SNAP programs, they want to take them. I feel like we’re under attack,” said Pam Garrison of Fayette County, WV.

Full video of today’s press availability can be watched here. 

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

30 October 2025

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Rep. Barragán Reintroduces the Feed the Community Act to Fight Hunger As Trump Lets SNAP Benefits Run Out This Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) reintroduced the Feed the Community Act (H.R. 5840) this week, to create tax deductions for businesses that donate food storage equipment and food transportation vehicles to non-profit organizations whose mission is to fight hunger in their communities.

As food banks, food pantries, and community-based nutrition providers face growing demand, they require equipment to store more food and vehicles to transport the food to communities in need. As the current tax code only allows food inventory as charitable donations, this new category of tax deductions will help incentivize a greater flow of donations of equipment and vehicles to food assistance organizations so that they can store and transport food to feed Americans across the country.

This bill builds upon Congresswoman Barragán’s recent efforts to protect access to nutritious foods in a letter she co-signed to USDA Secretary Rollins, requesting contingency funds be used to keep SNAP benefits available during the government shutdown. Tens of millions of Americans are affected by food insecurity and waste, which disproportionately harm senior citizens, low-income households, and communities of color. 

“Almost a million Angelenos would go hungry if it wasn’t for the important work of food banks,” said Rep. Barragán. “As the cost of living continues to rise, more and more Americans are afraid that they will not be able to secure food for their families. No American should ever have to worry about how they will secure their next meal. My bill helps ensure Americans have enough to eat and community-based nutrition organizations have the resources they need to serve our communities.”

“Across the United States logistics businesses are supporting food redistribution by donating warehouse space and providing transport to food banks and other community organizations,” said Sara Stickler, President and CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance. “The Feeding the Community Act would recognize this contribution and promote further participation in these important partnerships. We are proud to support this bill.”

“The Feed the Community Act addresses a critical need for nonprofits by providing tax deductions for businesses that donate essential food storage equipment and vehicles,” said Michael Flood, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “These donated resources would enhance the capacity of hunger-relief nonprofits nationwide. With increasing demand for food assistance and the rising costs of infrastructure, support for our shared mission is vital to continue serving individuals and families facing food insecurity. By incentivizing donations, this act fosters a community-driven approach to combating food insecurity and will increase the capacity of nonprofits to ensure that nutritious food reaches those in need.” 

“Meals on Wheels America is proud to endorse the Feed the Community Act and commends Congresswoman Nanette Barragán for her leadership in this proposing practical solution to address critical societal needs. By creating tax deductions for businesses that donate equipment and supplies, this legislation will encourage the donation of much-needed food storage, meal preparation and transportation equipment to nonprofit nutrition programs and support them in serving more people in need. With 1 in 3 Meals on Wheels providers currently keeping a waitlist, this bill will help end the wait that too many vulnerable seniors face for the nutritious meals and moments of connection they need and deserve. All of Congress should quickly get behind this bill,” said Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America.

In 2023, over 47 million Americans lacked access to affordable and nutritious foods, with Black and Hispanic/Latino adults experiencing even lower access than White households. Additionally, food waste in the United States accounts for over 30% of the national food supply, about 235 million tons of food per year. This approximates to 145 billion wasted meals that can otherwise be provided to working Americans — this bill would help to decrease this waste and transport these meals to families across the country.

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud O. Carabajal (CA-24), Andre Carson (IN-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Cleo Fields (LA-06), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Timothy M. Kennedy (NY-26), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Luz M. Rivas (CA-29), Dina Titus (NV-1), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

The bill is supported by FoodFinders, the Global Cold Chain Alliance, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and Meals on Wheels America.

To view the full bill text, click HERE.

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